Posts Tagged ‘Tailhunter Sea Level’

AN IMMERSIVE CHRISTMAS

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, catch and release, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, ceviche, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, orca, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, posada, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, sailfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, posada, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on December 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

AN IMMERSIVE CHRISTMAS

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 11, 2025 in Western Outdoor Publications

It’s pretty hard to escape Christmas if you live down here in Mexico. It sorta lands right on you when you definitely aren’t ready for it. This is especially true if you are used to other holiday traditions.

In the U.S. there’s no escaping “Black Friday” shopping. It used to be the big day AFTER Thanksgiving. Now, it starts well before that! Almost every day if Black Friday!

But, in Mexico…BAM! Right on your head.

Reminders of Christmas smack you about August! Just when it’s still over 100 degrees and humid outside. Right when you’re still running around in shorts and your flip-flops.

In Mexico, there is no Thanksgiving per se. And although the concept if Halloween is growing, it’s just a little bump on the calendar for a few hours one night.

In Mexico, the stores already have decorations in their displays. There are ribbons taped on merchandise and all kinds of “sales and discounts.”

In the parking lots of the big stores, giant circus tents have been erected. That’s where all the toys are stockpiled and folks are already shopping and putting things on layaway.

There’s a brisk sale on artificial Christmas trees, ornaments and lights. By mid-November, there are even some lots in the cities selling “Fresh Oregon Christmas trees!”

Honestly, if you wait until December, there’s a good chance you’ll be outta luck. Toys will have been picked over. Lights and ornaments long sold out. And they’re not gonna re-order.

You’ll find empty shelves.

Fortunately, there’s Amazon, but back in the day, you’d be stuck. Even with Amazon, you pay a premium price on things.

Additionally, delivery can still take longer than promised. Delays are not unusual depending on where you live.

That being said, if you’re coming down to visit during the holidays, you’ll probably run into many of the same things you would have seen back home.

…except snow! The only “snow” will be in your ice chest or margarita glass.

But that’s where you need to embrace the differences. Mexico adds a completely different magic and charm to the Christmastime ambience.

In the larger cities, wander downtown. Usually around the town square or plaza or the older historical parts of town there’s always something going on.

In December, local vendors will set up their booths about the beginning of December and every night during the holidays, they’ll be out there selling clothes, toys, hats, leather goods, shoes, belts pinatas, knick-knacks and more. Basically, a Christmas craft and street fair.

Plus there’s usually music from live bands or wandering musicians and ALWAYS lots of food vendors! The aroma of carne asada tacos, street corn and churros pulls you in like a tractor beam.

It’s really the place to be for families. Old friends visit and chat. Couples stroll and the young boys and girls try to impress each other…like anywhere else!

Don’t be surprised if Santa also makes an appearance!

Most of the larger cities also have colorful festive Christmas parades along the waterfront with some impressive floats and marching groups. Expect most of the city to show up to party.

If there’s a marina, you can bet there will also be a boat parade with vessels draped in creative lights and the whole waterfront will be lined with partygoers. If there are multi-storied restaurants along the waterfront, go early and get a good sea to watch!

Also, many of the churches host “posadas” which means “inn.” They commemorate Joseph and Mary looking for shelter during that first Christmas.

The events are elegant candlelight affairs and will usually feature a slow walking procession of celebrants, usually led by the priests, padres or monks followed by whomever wants to join in or carry a candle.

These usually take place in the older historic parts of the cities.

They often take on the air or solemnity but are actually often a joyous affair along the crowd-lined streets. Usually there is wonderful singing and musicians like guitar players who accompany the procession.

The posada usually starts or ends at the church, but it usually culminates with food! Food seems to be an underlying theme to all Christmas celebrations.

Another great excuse for Chrismas tamales, tacos, churros and warm champurrado which is the Mexican version of hot chocolate (real chocolate and cinnamon and thickened with flour). If not in a local restaurant, then at someone’s house or several houses.

Sometimes, it’s a rotating affair from restaurant to restaurant or house-to-hous.

Join the procession and you’ll be welcomed to the party!

Feliz Navidad!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter Sportfishing Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter.com . They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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IT’s OK…UNTIL SOMEONE SAY NO!

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, catch and release, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, ceviche, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, orca, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, sailfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on November 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »

AHHHHH…THE DAYS WHEN WE COULD BRING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WE WANTED!

IT’s OK…UNTIL SOMEONE SAYS NO

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 22, 2025 in Western Outdoor Publications

Lately, there’s been more than a bit of anger on social media about Mexican customs “suddenly” clamping down on visitors bringing gear into the country.

Specifically, sporting equipment and, in particular fishing equipment has come under scrutiny.

For years, fishermen have been accustomed to bringing rods, reels and other fishing gear down to Mexico. I’m as guilty as anyone.

I remember trips where I had a huge bundle of at least a half-dozen sticks (rods) and 20 or 30 pounds of reels. That doesn’t even begin to include all the lures, lines and terminal tackle that also came along on the trip!

“I need my toys! I’m bringing it all!”

Fortunately, those days are mostly in my rearview mirror, but more incoming fishermen are getting stopped at the airport recently. Moreso, they have faced some hefty fines!

The surprise and outrage are understandable.

What a way to start your vacation!

You’re been looking forward to the trip forever. You gather and pack all your gear for travel.

Your plane lands and you’re ready to get through the airport as quickly as possible and get that vacation started! There’s a cold margarita and big fish waiting with your name on them!

Then, BAM!

You’re stopped at customs in the airport. An inspection of your gear results in a big fine.

You’re delayed. There are forms to fill out. And your credit card takes a hit to pay the fine.

Talk about a buzz kill!

You’ve never had a problem before. You have always brought gear. All you wanted. If you’re with fishing buddies, they also got hit.

You just don’t understand. It’s a WTF moment and under your breath (or maybe not) you’re uttering every expletive you can think of.

And that’s the rub!

This is NOTHING new! The searches may be new, but the rules are NOT!

None of us ever read the fine print on the customs forms! We never had to.

We didn’t need to read it. We pretty much brought what we wanted.

But, it’s right there in black and white on the customs form we all blindly sign.

I have to admit. In 30 years, I’ve never read the whole set of rules about what you can and cannot bring on your vacation.

Take a look:

http://omawww.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/pasajeros/Paginas/Mercancia_ingresar_Mexico.aspx

It specifically allows us to bring no more than 4 rods.

It has always been there. It’s just that now the Mexican government is enforcing it (as they have every right to do).

Give the list a look. All kinds of things I didn’t know I couldn’t bring. There are rules about cameras, CD’s., tobacco products and more!

If you bring more or something not allowed you should bring paperwork like an invoice showing the value of the object. Otherwise, the inspectors will assign a value to the product and fine you accordingly.

Two years ago, I flew back to Mexico with a $2500 certified scale use to weigh big fish in tournaments and for world records.

It wasn’t new. I had brought it back to California to have it certified and repaired.

But, this one time, I forgot to bring the invoice for the repairs.

I got inspected and pulled into the customs office. I got hit with a $250 dollar fine and spent a good hour in the inspection office.

As much as I hated it, it was my fault for not bringing the paperwork like I usually do. The law is the law. I get it.

Although I am a resident of Mexico and own businesses in Mexico, I am still a guest and subject to Mexican laws.

My bad.

It’s like driving down the freeway where the speed limit is posted at 70 mph. You ALWAYS drive it at 79 mph and it seems like everyone else does as well.

Or this one…talking or texting on your cellphone while driving!

But…if a patrol car wants to stop and ticket you, it’s hard to argue.

So, what to do?

Obviously, narrow down your gear. That’s the easiest.

Also, bring some paperwork with you. If you got that new $600 reel at a discount $450 and don’t have the paperwork, inspectors will value your reel at $600.

The whole point is to prevent tourists from bringing gear down and selling it to locals and avoiding the import taxes. Like ALL governments everywhere, they want their pound of flesh.

I personally know guys who have brought gear to sell. Often.

These days, compared to decades ago, fewer anglers are bringing their own gear. It’s expensive to bring and unwieldy and cumberson to travel with it.

Most good outfits these days have fairly adequate to good gear.

But, if do decide to bring your own equipment, know the laws so you’re not surprised.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

IT’S STILL THE FRONTERA, GUEY!

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, catch and release, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, ceviche, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, orca, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, sailfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on October 6, 2025| Leave a Comment »

IT’S STILL THE FRONTERA, GUEY! (Dude)

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 1, 2025 in Western Outdoor Publications

Maybe it was just me.

Maybe I was just in a “mood.” Y’know…everyone gets in a “mood” every now and then.

Maybe it was just one of those days. Just another day.

It was late morning, but already sunny, hot, gritty and muggy.

I was with a number of hotel guests waiting to catch their shuttle tour bus to somewhere to do something. They looked like the type that would go zip-lining or ride camels or swim with the dolphins. The shuttle must have been late.

Didn’t really care. Not my wheelhouse. I just smiled. It’s what I do alot.

So, they were kinda milling out front of their hotel.

I just happened to be in the same spot within earshot. Plus, if people are gonna speak out loud in a public place, I can’t help but eavesdrop.

They weren’t my fishing clients. They were just regular normal hotel guests and tourists. On their way somewhere to do something. Chatting.

I couldn’t help but hear the conversations.

I heard one lady tell the group, “I can’t believe I saw a lizard on the wall in my room!”

Another said, “Well, I saw a roach run across a hallway the other night. It made me jump it was so big!”

Her husband chimed in, “I saw a cat at one of the restaurants and it had a mouse in it’s mouth!”

Ho-hum. I kinda chuckled to myself saying “So what?”

Like I said, I was kinda in a mood.

Well, complaints are kind of like a big yawn. One person yawns and it’s contagious and then more people yawn.

I don’t know why.

When someone complains, others seem to feel the need to bond and join in with their own complaints and experiences.

Another lady pipes up, “Y’know…I never imagined Baja would be SO hot and dusty!” She seemed a bit exasperated.

“Dust is to be expected because of all the potholes and dirt roads. You would think they’d fix all that and get things paved and make roads that held up to traffic,” chimes in one of the guys.

“I agree about the bad roads and dust, but I wish they would do SOMETHING about the bathroom fixtures.”

That got everyone to look at the lady for an explanation.

“The letter “C” on the bathroom faucets doesn’t mean “cold.” It means “Hot” in Spanish or something like that. Oh, I think the word is’ CALIENTE’.”

“How was I supposed to know that? I stood there waiting for cold water to brush my teeth and it never got cold.”

“As I figured out later, “F” means “frio” for cold water. But, it’s never really cold. It’s tepid. Not like home.”

“I even went down to the hotel reception to complain and they explained to me about the faucets. I told them they should fix that instead of confusing the hotel guests.”

Another added in, “We were at a hotel down the coast last year and we booked because it was described as a beachfront ‘rustic Mexico.’”

We had no idea that meant that after 9 p.m. they turned off the generator so there were no lights at the whole hotel. There weren’t even ice machines or TV’s.”

“I wanted a blended margarita at the little bar and they said they didn’t have a blender!

“Another guys spoke up, “Even if there were TV’s, all the channels are in Spanish. That’s crazy. There should be English channels. Why is everything in Spanish?”

“Menus are in Spanish. Signs are in Spanish! I mean, what do they expect?”

Lots of nods from the group and murmurs of assent.

Well, that one comment kinda got to me.

I was in a “ho-hum” mood to that point listening with amusement.

I thought to myself, “What do THEY expect?” Really? What do THEY expect?”

I really had to grit my teeth from joining the conversation.

Actually, the pertinent question is “What do YOU expect?”

Folks come down and seem to forget two really important things.

The first of which, this just happens to be MEXICO! It’s another country.

Like anywhere else, the country and it’s people have their own culture, customs, traditions, way of doing things and yes…(SURPRISE!)…even their own language!

Second, this is Baja. It’s called the “Frontera.” (The Frontier). It’s even on the license plates the same way some U.S. states have license plates that say “The Peach State” or “The Vacation Land State.”

The Baja is a 1000-mile-long finger of desert poking into the ocean. It’s bordered by the Pacific one side and the Sea of Cortez o the other.

It is vast. It’s rugged. It’s even primitive. It’s the outland and the badlands and it’s a beautiful land.

There are huge areas of unpopulated space despite some tourist cities that sprawl. Get outside the city limits and you’re pretty close to being on the surface of the moon.

For sure, there are many places that a human foot has never trod. You could actually die out there and no one would ever know. It can still be very very unforgiving to the unaware.

It’s the FRONTERA, Guey! (dude)

So, yea, the roads can be bumpy and uneven.

And sure, there’s a bit of dust in the air and yes, you’ll probably run into a bug or critter or two.

You’ll eventually figure out how to get a hot shower and you WILL survive your vacation WITHOUT television in English or a handy ice machine.

The phones might not work so quickly and folks might not even move that fast themselves, but it is what it is.

Sorry if everything is in Spanish too.

I DID hear one of them say, “If this is Mexico, how come they don’t speak Mexican instead of Spanish?”

That one made me grin.

Viva la Frontera! It’s changing daily and too rapidly for my taste, but I hope it stays the frontera for a bit longer. At least until I’m gone.

…or out’ve earshot!

Thankfully, they loaded on to their tour bus. On their way to somewhere to do something.

I didn’t much care. I was in one of those moods.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

THE DEMOLISHER

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, catch and release, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, ceviche, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, orca, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, sailfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, lucha libre, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, Wrestlng, yellowtail on September 10, 2025| Leave a Comment »

THE DEMOLISHER

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 4, 2025 in Western Outdoor Publications

Pay no attention to the men behind the mask!

It’s a hot muggy summer night under the bright lights of the outdoor arena. The heat from the lights and the tightly packed presence of the crowd just adds to the stickiness and grit.

With thunderous stomps on the canvas, the big-bellied-spandex-clad “EL DRAGON MYSTERIO” (Mystery Dragon), repeatedly pounded the writhing torso of his good-guy nemesis “DORADO” (The Golden One).

With each stomp, the crowd boo’d lustily standing and screaming and pumping fists in the air!

With each vicious stomp, the DRAGON looked up at the crowd and arrogantly pounded his chest defying the crowd with his dastardly prowess. Each merciless stomp eliciting even louder boos and screams!

The DORADO is defensively crumpled on the mat absorbing the pounding. He is defenseless prey to the relentless DRAGON who sneers with each thunderous heel-plant onto his opponent.

This is too much! The referee does nothing! The DORADO is helpless.

But, then a massive roaring cheer goes up!

It’s the masked DOMELEDOR (The Demolisher) suddenly leaping from the ropes and landing with a massive shoulder against the DRAGON!

The DRAGON folds from the hit and now the blue and yellow-clad DOMELEDOR delivers a muscled elbow to the DRAGON’s kidneys!

The crowd goes wild. They stomp their feet and scream and chant. They hate the DRAGON!

Now, the previously defeated DORADO leaps up and the DRAGON is now getting his!

The DORADO delivers a clubbed fist to the head of the DRAGON who spins back and now wobbles like a drunken sailor. But he gets another flying shoulder from the DOMELEDOR who uses the elastic ropes to launch himself like a human missile into the torso of the DRAGON.

The DRAGON reels and dramatically bounces off the ropes only to be double-kicked by both the DOMELEDOR and DORADO. It’s the famous DOUBLE- D move!

The crowd jumps, stomps and screams. The DRAGON crumples and the DORADO pins him to the mat with the DOMELEDOR standing triumphantly with his hand on one hip and a his ham-size fist in the air!

The referee calls a pin! The match is over and the crowd erupts with high-fives, fist bumps and massive cheers!

The seemingly exhausted victors parade around the ring while their defeated enemy staggers off the mat and back to the locker room to the jeers of everyone.

This isn’t WWE. This isn’t in a massive stadium or arena.

This is just local regional professional wrestling. It’s a converted tennis court filled with bleachers! It’s the famous “Lucha Libre (free fighting)” And no matter, the level, it’s as much a part of Mexican culture and tradition as mariachi music and tamales at Christmas.

From the legendary El Santo to modern-day stars, lucha libre has a long history of producing flamboyant larger-than-life figures, and this trio of wrestlers…the DOMELEDOR, DRAGON and DORADO. are carrying on that tradition with style, skill, athleticism and showmanship even at this city level.

…even with over-sized dad bodies. No steroids or rippling 6-pack stomach muscles or bulging biceps. Some wrestlers are simply “bulging” barely contained in the stretchy spandex.

But the enthusiasm is just as frantic.

Several other matches take place, but now, the three wrestlers mingle with the crowd.

Shaking hands. Taking selfies and mugging with fans. It’s all part of it. Especially the merchandising and the sales of t-shirts and masks is brisk.

The wrestlers aren’t paid much, but they often get a cut of the sale of swag so they skillfully work the crowd outside the ring with as much enthusiasm as they battled in the ring.

They are larger-than-life heroes and villains and cultivate the image, but never too large to take a selfie or hug a kid.

Later outside the small stadium, we walk to our parked car with our friends. What a fun evening!

Leaning up against our car is a big smiling figure of a man. It’s Alberto.

Shhhh….aka the DOMELEDOR!

Dressed in jeans, tennis shoes and a Nike t-shirt stretched over his big frame, he carries a small gym bag with his glittered spandex and mask and wrestling boots.

Other families walking to their cars pay no attention to the big man. Just another guy. They are still talking about the fun wrestling they just witnessed.

Alberto’s wife hugs him. She asks if he is OK. He towers over her with his barrel-sized body.

He says he’ll have a few bruises and might have a crick in his shoulder, but otherwise he’s OK and had fun. He picks up and hugs his young kids and tells them that they shouldn’t yell so loud at these matches.

While he was wrestling, he could hear them screaming, “Don’t hurt my daddy!” from their seats. He reminds them that that the identity of the DOMELEDOR is a secret.

He laughs and puts a meaty index finger to his lips in the universal sign to shush! They smile and promise.

We stop for some Cokes and ice cream.

Tomorrow, the DOMELEDOR goes back to his regular job as a carpenter.

Despite the fierceness of the ring, the man is the epitome of a gentle teddy bear. Affectionate, affable, this quiet guy wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s a dad who has a unique side hustle in a stretchy outfit.

He tells me later they all get some basic training and do a little practice in the evenings but there really isn’t that much time for rehearsing.

They just try to make the stomps, punches and slaps as dramatic and noisy as possible…to “sell the move” to the crowd.

The louder the cheers and boos, the better.

The referee is actually part of the act and is like a director whispering to the wrestlers if they need to crank it up a notch or do a certain move.

They try not to hurt each other too much. All the performers are family guys with regular jobs. But, there are still bumps, bruises and sprains.

Sometimes, “rehearsal” is just the guys getting together and hashing things out over beers!

Sometimes he’s a bad guy, but mostly he gets to be a good guy.

But dings to the body are part of wrestling and you have to love it or find some other way to have a side-income.

With t-shirt and mask sales, he might pull in $200 dollars for an evening. A lot of money in Mexico.

Alberto has been the DOMELEDOR for 8 years now . But he knows his time is waning. It takes longer for the bruises to heal and things are starting to hurt just a little more.

And when he steps away for the final time, someone new will don the mask and be the DOMELEDOR. The image and character continue.

In fact, the company that hires him and produces these matches has other “DOMELEDOR” characters in other cities with the same mask and outfit.

And the crowds will continue to cheer.

Alberto laughs and says he need a hot shower. Turn out the lights. The DOMELEDOR dad, wants to call it a night.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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SUMMER PERFECT!

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, catch and release, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, ceviche, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, orca, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, sailfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, ceviche, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on August 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

SUMMER PERFECT!

SUMMER PERFECT!

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 24, 2025 in Western Outdoor Publications

Undoubtedly, after 30 years down here, this has got to be one of the hottest summers I can remember. Everyone is remarking about it.

It’s not just hot. It’s sticky with heavy air that just clings to you. The other morning when I was putting out our fishing boats at 4:30 in the morning, the humidity was a whopping 84%!

Fortunately, at least we have the ocean right out front and everyone seems to be taking advantage of it’s cooling proximity although water temps are also warm…in the 80’s!

At our Tailhunter Restaurant one of our guests from the U.S. sat at a table and asked for a recommendation off our menu.

The conversation was basically, what to eat? It’s too hot to eat hot food. It’s too hot to eat heavy food. But, they still wanted “authentic Mexican food.”

I happened to look over at a neighboring table of local La Paz friends and I realized they had ordered the perfect hot weather dish. And it also hit me why it’s such a popular summertime plate.

CEVICHE checks so many boxesQ

To many, their initial reaction is, “But, I don’t eat raw fish”

Well…to be accurate, it’s not technically “raw.” It’s actually “cooked” but not from a heat source.

Basically, it’s chunks of fish, often white meat fish, that has been marinated in citrus juice. Usually that entails zesty Mexican lime juice or in some cases, I’ve seen a bit of fresh orange juice added in as well.

The acid in the citrus actually “cooks” the fish firming it up and imparting a wonderfully delicate and tangy flavor.

That’s basically all it is.

It starts with either chunked or shredded fish that is often white like dorado, seabass, snapper, yellowtail which are all very popular choices, but it could also be darker flesh like tuna.

(Even freshwater fish can be used. I’ve had striped bass ceviche and in Hawaii, we have a dish called “Lomi Salmon”.)

Chop up some tomatoes, a little cilantro, minced onions and maybe a few minced chilis or jalapenos. Toss that in. Mix it up and squeeze in enough lime juice to coat everything.

A little salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste. Some folks add a sprinkle of chili powder for more zing!

Put it in the frig for 20-30 minutes to chill it up and serve with saltines crackers or fried tortilla chips and a drop of your favorite salsa you’ve got the most refreshing summer meal to beat the heat.

It is easily one of the most popular dishes in Mexico.

They sell it in restaurants, markets and even roadside stands and out’ve the back of pick-up trucks from ice chests!

And the thing is that there are so many variations!

Ceviches have been around a long time. It is totally Old World cuisine. There is evidence that it originated in Peru over 2000 years ago and ceviche is actually the Peruvian national dish!

Over the years, it migrated up and down Latina America and it’s a bit like spaghetti sauce. Everyone makes it a little different!

All of them are good, but the ingredients and styles make for some incredible flavors and textures.

Some areas use larger chunks of fish. Some areas shred their fish. One very tasty variation uses shrimp instead!

I have had bits of scallops and even octopus mixed in and served in a martini glass at a really swanky party one time.

Another time, as an hors d’oeurvre served on sliced cucumbers with a thinly sliced toasted jalapeno on top and a drop of Siracha sauce.

It was outstanding, but, I’m fine with it in a paper cup!

I have had ceviche with minced avocados that add a bit of creaminess to the mix. I have had a “Vera Cruz” style that had bits of mango and a bit of shredded fresh coconut in it.

I have even had one that was obviously Asian-influenced that had a bit of kimchee (spicy marinated cabbage) and a hint of soy sauce in it like a ponzu sauce!

Honestly, gringos eat it with the tortilla chips. Locals eat it with the saltine crackers. There’s no bad way. Stick a fork in it!

Like I said, it checks a lot of the boxes.

It’s chilled and refreshing. Perfect for hot weather.

It can be kept in the frig and will be even more tasty the next day as the juices and spices marinate.

It’s great on a picnic or to the beach. Out on a boat it’s a treat as well.

I’ve brought a ziplock style bag with all the veggies and seasonings already in it.

When I catch a suitable fish, I do a quick fillet and chop it up. Then toss it into the bag and into the ice chest to “cure.” Half-an-hour later, we’re eating!

Roll some up in a warm tortilla!

It’s low calorie. Hi protein. Good for weight loss if that’s your aim.

Since ceviche contains primarily raw ingredients, it is packed with essential vitamins and minerals found in seafood, such as iron, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamin E and B12.

To me, it’s just refreshingly good tasting.

…with an icy cold beer on a hot summer Mexican afternoon!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

FAIRY LIGHTS?

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, catch and release, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, sailfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bioluminescence, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on June 1, 2025| 1 Comment »

FAIRY LIGHTS?

Originally Published the Week of May 20, 2025 in Western Outdoor Publications

Several decades ago when I first arrived here, I was not only guiding fishermen, but was also a working divemaster for SCUBA. Working above and below the water was incredible.

One of my favorite things was taking folks night diving!

WHAAAT??? Are you crazy? I can hear it as many of you are reading this.

Oh sure. Diving at night…

It’s not as knuckleheaded as it may seem. Night dives are actually incredibly fun and it is definitely a completely different underwater world at night .

…and more popular than you might think.

Especially down here in Baja in the Sea of Cortez. The waters are warm. Currents are minimal and there’s so much to see under the surface.

For one, fish actually do seem to sleep. At least they don’t seem as active. I don’t recommend ever touching the animals. However, fish that will often swim away in the day, will honestly let you get pretty close and not even wiggle a fin.

You can also hear them “talking” if that’s what you want to call it.

There are clicks, grunts, snaps and other noises you that seem more amplified at night underwater and I’m told by the smart people that this is how fish communicate.

Also, since you’re using underwater lights, the colors seem much more vibrant like the fish themselves, coral, crustaceans, etc. especially against the black background of the dark ocean.

Lights…that’s the rub.

Everyone is always very excited when I take them night diving. You can tell it’s natural that there is a bit of trepidation and anxiety. Like before you climb on the rollercoaster. Adventure awaits!

And then I tell them to follow me underwater, but at some point, I am going to turn off my light. And I want them to do the same thing!

Turn our lights? Are you nuts? Are you sure you’re a certified divemaster? Why don’t you ask us to play on the freeway instead.

I assure them that all will be well. I will turn my light off. Then, I will turn it back on again so they understand what I am doing.

And I will turn of off again.

So, with even more anxiety and not a little nervousness, they follow me into the dark waters. I’m taking them to the reef.

And at some point along dive, I turn to them and shine my light on them so all the divers see me. And I flip off my lights switch!

Immediately their light beams go helter skelter looking for me.

Then, I turn my light back on and give them the universal thumb-to finger OK sign.

We’re fine. I got this!

Even underwater I can feel the nervousness dissipate. They suddenly remember what I was going to do. But I could see for a fraction of a second behind their dive masks were some really big eyes!

I point to my eown yes with two fingers signaling them to watch. Then off goes my light. One by one, their lights also wink out.

We are pretty much in inky darkness. Maybe hearing only the sounds of bubbles rising as their breathing quickens just a tad.

After a moment, I take my hand and I quickly sweep it in a wide arch underwater around myself and overheard. Then, I do it again!

They cannot see my hand, but as if by magic in that black hole of an ocean, jet streams of blue and gold glowing glitter are left in the wake of the movement of my hands!

I do again several more times and it is as if a galaxy of starlight like tiny bits of fairy dust are all around me following my hand movements like a magician dramatically making the zillions of stars appear out of nothingness!

Like Tinker Bell just went nuts with the pixie dust!

Suddenly they get it!

I look back and all of my divers are now waving and wiggling and twirling around in a fantastic underwater ballet. Stream of fluorescent shimmering glitter follow every movement. It is like dancing in stars!

Kicking fins. Hand movements. Spinning happy divers each turned into a conjurer of exploding lights as each becomes an underwater wizard!

I can tell from the breathing bubbles that some of them are even laughing!

A playful sealion pup swims by and leaves a glittering jetstream of glitter like a rocket has passed through the cosmos. Thousands of “stars” hang suspended in liquid space as if a whole galaxy has been created.

Looking closely, they even notice that fish swimming by each leave a tell-tale signature of their own glitter footprint!

Afterwards, they would excitedly tell me it was one of the most exciting, crazy and illuminating diving experience ever.

What they had experienced is called “Bioluminesence.”

That’s a big 5-dollar spelling bee word, but essentially, it’s a chemical reaction emitted by living organisms. It’s a fascinating natural phenomenon because the chemical reaction produces an illuminating natural light.

Often found in marine environment, it can often be seen at night when waves crash along a shoreline or beach or in the wake of a boat. Or in our case, when scuba diving!

It’s the same emission seen in fireflies, glowworms and a few other land-based critters. In the ocean, especially in deep sea locations, it can be seen in squid, jellyfish and especially plankton which is what was probably creating our galaxy of fairy glitter.

Depending on the creature, this reaction can produce quite a variety of colors including yellow, gold, red, blue and sometimes green lights.

Just another of nature’s incredible light shows! Courtesy of the Master Wizard Himself.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter-international.com. They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

DOUBLE-DOG-DARE OF STUPIDITY

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, catch and release, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, sailfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on January 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Strong…powerful…fast and unpredictable! And they have a pointy-thing in front!

DOUBLE-DOG-DARE of STUPIDITY

Originally Published the Week of Jan. 20th in Western Outdoor Publications

In more than 30 years of guiding and chartering folks down here in Baja and other places in the country and world, I gotta say that I’ve seen some folks do some pretty stupid things.

No other way around it.

Sometimes smart intelligent folks just leave their brains home when they go on vacation.

Sometimes, it’s the alcohol…”We just stopped in for one shot of tequila.”

Sometimes, folks just forget they’re not 18 anymore…”Hold my beer for a second. I used to do this with my eyes closed.”

Sometimes, it’s just dumb-bass pride…”I don’t want our kids to think their dad’s a weenie!”

Sometimes, we think we’re so clever and sneaky…”Well, I’ll go if all your guys go and no one ever says anything…”

Yea…it happens. It happens a lot.

And I’m as guilty as the next person.

Except I wasn’t on vacation. I was working.

Some 30 years ago, I was working as a guide and deckhand in Loreto. It’s about 5 hours north of where we live now in La Paz.

Just a beautiful place and the town. Back then it was just a smidgen larger than a pueblo.

Very laid back. Not so touristy. Cows and stray dogs could still be found walking downtown…if you could call it that.

We were out working the channel on a small cruiser near Isla Carmen. Maybe a mile off the beach.

We were having a great time.

It was one of those days when the sailfish were going crazy and every lure or bait tossed in the water got hit. The two fishing clients were having the time of their lives.

To their credit, they were releasing all their fish.

About the 4^th sailfish someone got the brilliant idea to realease the fish by jumping off the boat and into the water.

Of course, we had purely magnanimous good-intentions.

It’s always better never to bring a hooked fish into the boat, especially large fish like a billfish.

It’s not just for safety. Hoisting fish out’ve the water; holding them for photos before releasing them seems like the sporting thing to do.

However, it potentially damages their internal organs because they no longer have water pressure holding supporting their bodies. Gravity starts ripping up their insides.

It actually defeats the whole purpose of releasing a fish to live and swim healthy another day.

Our two older anglers were busy fishing. Being older, there was no way they were going to climb into the water. However, to myself and the other deckhand this sounded like great fun!

Here we go…”Hold my beer…”

Slipping into that warm blue water of the Sea of Cortez is always a treat. Waters were calm that day and visibility was excellent. You could see down perhaps 30-40’ below the boat.

Let’s do this!

The guys would hook and fight a fish. We were careful not to get tangled in the lines or get in the way of fighting zooming fish. It was pretty exciting to be in the water.

Eventually, the fish would tire and get brought next to the boat.

We would gently hold the fish with gloves and remove the hook. These sailfish were all sturdy powerful 80-100 pound fish. But after battling, they were actually rather subdued, docile and seemingly exhausted.

Then, we got the even “more brilliant” idea!

In order to revie a tired fish, it’s customary to move them back and forth through the water to help oxygenate their gills which helps to “revive them.”

So that motion evolved into “Let’s hold their tails as long as we can as they swam away!”

So, we would grab a hold of each sailfish by the tail.

…and hold on!

They would leisurely swim down into the depths dragging a knuckleheaded deckhand with them. We would hang on as long as we could hold our breaths, maybe 20-30 feet down then kick hard back to the surface.

By then the fishermen would probably have another sailfish hooked up!

But wow! What a cool experience.

Not many folks could claim to have ridden a sailfish! Oh the stories we would tell!

By the time I had ridden 3, my buddy had ridden two and we were like two giddy kids in the water!

I think we were on our 7^th or 8^th fish and a big one got brought alongside the boat.

Normally, my buddy would hold the tail. I would hold the head and remove the hook as gently as possible. We had done a few fish by this time.

We were getting kinda cocky.

Releasing fish was a no-brainer. We were anxious to take our rides!

So, this big fella in my hands suddenly decided to go ballistic next to the boat! He wasn’t done yet!

And make no mistake, these are powerful apex predator fish built for speed. Sailfish have been know to hit 40-50 mph or more in the water.

This big guy suddenly and unexpectedly thrashed wildly. I let go of it’s head and bill in the massive whitewater of bubbles and foam.

When I opened my eyes…

…the tip of the sailfish bill was about 3 inches from my right eye!

If that fish even twitched a flick of it’s tail, I would not be writing this story now. I would’ve had my skull impaled on the end of a sailfish with a whole different story to tell.

Except I wouldn’t be the one telling it.

I like to think that the sailfish was just exercising a little forebearing restraint to the guys that were releasing it.

For whatever reason, I remain grateful. And terrified.

In our idiotic glee we had forgotten that these were wild animals. Not Disneyland rides.

Nature gave me a quick wake-up call…a masterclass in stupidity.

Eleven sailfish that day.

I jumped back in the boat and stayed there. I think we had caught enough fish for the day. Let’s get back to the marina.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter Sportfishing

Website:

www.tailhunter.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

.
Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/
Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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APPLES and ORANGES – Tailhunter Sportfishing La Paz

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on January 7, 2025| Leave a Comment »

APPLES & ORANGES

Originally Published in Western Outdoor Publications Jan. 2025

Insofar as we’re just making it to the other side of the holiday season, I was reminded of an incident about 20 years ago here in La Paz. It was just before Christmas.

One of the charity organizations here in town contacted us about some donations for a Christmas party they were going to throw. It was for schoolkids in one of the underserved outlying communities on the city’s periphery.

This was an area of plywood houses; tin roofs and dirt streets. Water and electricity were sporadic and erratic at best.

The organization asked if we would make a donation to the event. That sounded great. What would you like us to donate?

They asked for candy.

UH….I don’t think so. That won’t work for us. We would rather donate something else if we could!

They were pretty adamant. This was a Christmas party. You know. It’s the season for sugar plums and candy canes.

All the other donors were contributing big piles of candy and sweets. How about us?

We told them we would rather donate something like apples and oranges.

There was a moment of silence.

Fruit? Are you kidding? Why fruit?

We explained that these kids out there are known to have terrible dental hygiene. I mean, they don’t even have water out there. So bathing, washing and brushing teeth are more than just problematic.

We had done work with some of the other outlying areas and the kids out there had notorious bad teeth. So, why are we giving them more sugar?

Not to mention that diabetes and nutrition issues are rampant in Mexico.

The charity organization wasn’t real happy with us. They insisted on candy. We told them it wasn’t going to happen. We were sending cartons of fruit or nothing.

They finally acquiesced.

Done deal. We sent the orders for the fruit.

And we didn’t think about it again. Feliz Navidad, everyone!

. . .Until we got a phone call from the organizer.

She was literally gushing with excitement.

She told us that when the kids were presented with the fruit, they were ecstatic. As the fruits were distributed, kids cradled them in their hands like treasure.

Some ran home to show parents. Some gathered in little groups to examine them.

Apparently, many of the children had never had an orange or an apple in their lives. Some had never even seen an apple or an orange let alone tasted one!

It turns out, the fruit were the most coveted and cherished part of the program. Simple apples and oranges…who knew?

It’s the little things that we take for granted that make big differences.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter Sportfishing

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

MAKING THE BIG LEAP

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on December 29, 2024| Leave a Comment »

MAKING THE BIG LEAP

Originally published in Western Outdoor Publications Dec. 2024

“Living the Dream!”

You’re getting to that age.

You’re getting the itch.

You’re kinda fed up with cities, freeways, or maybe just life in the U.S. in general.

The blue water of Mexico becon. A retirement life with your toes in the sand sure sounds better and better.

Perfectly understandable.

Mexico is the #1 retirement destination for Amerians. Over 2 million ex-pats have done it.

But can you do it? Should you do it?

Aside from the language, cultural and social differences, the first thing that probably pops is whether you can afford it.

There’s a lot of variables to consider.

Obviously, you know what your income will be after you push yourself away from the 9-5 grind. You have some idea of the expenses you will have into your golden years no matter if you move to Mexico or stay in the U.S.

All that being said, can you afford to live in Mexico?

It’s like anywhere else ultimately.

Where you live in the country…or what Mexican state you live in…or what city you want to live in will play a big part. Even more minutely, where you live in a particular city plays a big part.

Like living in the U.S., living in New York is a lot different than living living in Boise, Idaho. Living on the Pacific Coast with an ocean view is much different than having a place in the plains of West Texas.

Living in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles is more than a few economic brackets higher than living in East Los Angeles.

So Mexico is no different. Location. Location. Location.

It also depends if you plan to buy or rent.

Then, you need to determine your lifestyle.

Sitting in the park playing BINGO and feeding the pigeons in front of the local Mexican church sounds like paradise. But, many retirees are much more active these days.

You really just want to bike ride or walk your dog along the waterfront and buy vegetables from the farmer’s market? Perfect.

But, if you’re accustomed to your usual amenities like dining out; live music; and theater, then you need to make allowances for that.

Likewise, if you’re planning to do things like fishing, diving; sailing; etc. Figure in more if you plan to have your own boat!

Do you plan to travel for pleasure? Or do you need to travel for family reasons (checking on the grandkids back in the U.S.?)

What about the all-important medical insurance? Do you keep your medical insurance back in the U.S. or do you obtain Mexican insurance? Maybe you should keep both.

Honestly, think about it.

God forbid something critical occurs do you want to be treated in Mexico or the U.S.? Having a heart issue is a lot different than treating a badly sprained ankle or an infected cut.

Again, much depends on where you plan to live. Medical services and facilities tend to be much better in cities or high income areas. Obviously, less so in more rural areas.

And if something critical should happen, you need to think about how far your are from emergency care as well as how long it will take for first responders.

Heart attack? Stroke? Minutes are a life-and-death issue.

So, these are all things that need to be put into your thinking cap.

Statistics have shown that the average American lives on about $3500 per month. There’s a lot of variation and that doesn’t necessarily mean “comfortably” retired, but this is an “average.”

The average amount of retirement income by retirees varies from about $2700 per month to $4500 per month. Again, this is an average and varies around the U.S.

Compare this to Mexico where statistics show a couple can relatively and comfortably retire on about $1600-$2500 per month. Of course depending on many of the variables mentioned earlier.

You could pay more. You could live on less.

But, it’s still 30-40% less than in the U.S.

Figure most folks spend about 20 years in retirement these days.

Life everything else…do the math and make an informed decision!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

OVER-THINKING THIS WHOLE THING?

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 19, 2024| 1 Comment »

You built it and they’re coming!

OVER-THINKING THIS WHOLE THING?

Originally Published the Week of July 19, 2024 in Western Outdoor Publications

When I was an attorney, we had a saying, “Everyone tells their story in their own self-interest.”

That’s not to say folks lie. Some do. Some don’t.

Some just embellish or elaborate on the truth. Not quite “fibbing” but everyone slants their story in their own favor.

Human nature.

So, this time, I’m gonna buck the inclination.

What I write is probably NOT in my own self-interest, but maybe in a convoluted way, it is.

It’s just another side…another angle, if you will on some developments down here.

It’s about fixing things that aren’t broken.

We’ve lived and worked down here in La Paz some 30 years. The changes and developments that keep rolling in are exponential.

Construction everywhere. I guess that’s part of being a destination city.

If you leave anywhere near a place where folks come to vacation or where they are re-locating…the coast…the mountains…a river…a lake…

You know what I’m talking about!

There’s really not much to do about it either, but here’s my take from another angle.

Here in La Paz, they stopped direct airline flights from the U.S. about a dozen years ago. We just weren’t “touristy” enough.

You had to fly from the U.S. to Cabo and shuttle or drive up 3 hours the 100 miles to La Paz.

Or you took a convoluted series of connection flights that got you here.

Or you could catch a direct flight from Tijuana.

I’ll admit. Not the most convenient. Actually, kind of a pain in the B..TT, for most of us. Not just the extra time, but the cost as well.

But, I like being “non-touristy!”

The world is full of Cozumels, Cancuns, Puerta Vallartas and Cabo San Lucases. Nothing wrong with that. Fun spots and they certainly have their place.

To each their own.

But the world is quickly losing the alternative non-touristy spots.

Like La Paz…family-oriented…relatively quiet…you can walk the historic streets…no one chases you down the street to sell you t-shirts, timeshares or jewelry.

But, the word is out. And people are flocking. I get it.

Every magazine article…every youtube video…”La Paz is the Next Hidden Spot!”

Come find it!

Right…

So, for the first time in more than a decade, there will be 2-5 flights a week from Los Angeles here.

Sigh and a big whoopie.

As a business, sure, this will be great. Make is easier for people to find us and get to us. More clients. More business.

But that’s the problem as well.

There should still be places on this planet that are little harder to find. There should still be places that are a little harder to get to.

That’s the charm and attraction. The “road less traveled” is not as easy to find as our planet gets more crowded and people go wandering around the face of the Earth.

I’ve seen it. You have seen it. I’ve visited places around the world as well. I’ll admit my own mind starts fantasizing…

Man, it would be great to buy some land here. Or buy or build a house here. Or live here!

Same thing down here. The land boom is already on. The construction crush is here.

The powers-that-be with more wisdom than I possess took one of the local beaches…one of the prettiest in Mexico if not the world…and decided to put bathrooms out there. And shady palapas and trash cans.

Let’s fix what wasn’t broken!

Well, what was once a beach you would find in Conde Nas and National Geographic is now so covered with beachgoers and vendors selling churros and t-shirts that the they have a quota now on how many folks can be there at one time.

You have a time limit as well as to how long you can stay. There’s a waiting line to get in. And don’t get me started on the trash!

To another beach, they turned a little two-lane Mexican road into a super highway. Same thing happened. They built it and yes…they came…in droves.

I know there’s no stopping this. But, I do lament the progress of not leaving well-enough alone and remember what it used to be like.

These ARE the good-old days.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

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Jonathan has written for:

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Pacific Coast Sportfishing
Discover Baja Magazine
Baja Life Magazine
The Log
Fish Taco Chronicles
Sportsman's Channel Magazine

His articles also appear in:

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Posts Tagged ‘Tailhunter Sea Level’

AN IMMERSIVE CHRISTMAS

AN IMMERSIVE CHRISTMAS

IT’s OK…UNTIL SOMEONE SAY NO!

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IT’S STILL THE FRONTERA, GUEY! (Dude)

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THE DEMOLISHER

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SUMMER PERFECT!

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FAIRY LIGHTS?

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APPLES and ORANGES – Tailhunter Sportfishing La Paz

APPLES & ORANGES

MAKING THE BIG LEAP

MAKING THE BIG LEAP

Originally published in Western Outdoor Publications Dec. 2024

OVER-THINKING THIS WHOLE THING?

OVER-THINKING THIS WHOLE THING?

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