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Archive for the ‘fred hall fishing shows’ Category

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Feb. 18-27, 2021

YELLOWTAIL BITE ADDS TO MIXED BAG

La Paz/ Las Arenas/ Bahia Muertos Fishing Report for Feb. 18-27, 2021

MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST OF THE STORY…

Jim and his buddy live in Los Barriles and came all the way up to get in on the yellowtail bite. Fishing with Captain Moncho they got a great load of yellowtail, cabrilla and even some surprise dorado.

Fishing with Captain Pancho, Dr. Santiago is a physician in La Paz and he and Pancho stuffed the fish box with some legit yellowtail on the backside of Cerralvo Island.

Our own popular Captain “Fettucini” Alfredo Gaxiola got out with his wife to fish around Cerralvo Island on one of the calmer days and he nailed this horse of a trophy cabrilla.

Lots of boats were on the hot spots at the backside of Cerralvo Island taking yellowtail like Dr. Santiago’s fish.

Our own Tailhunter amigos and popular favorite van drivers, Jorge and Esteban Romero took the spinning rods out to Bahia Muertos with the plastic jigs and took home a cooler full of tasty snapper and cabrilla. All fishing from the beach and rocks.

Relatively speaking the winds cut us some slack again this past week and we probably had the best week of fishing in the last 2 or so months. While the United States was largely wrapped in ice and snow, things were reversed in La Paz which is normally windy and generally quite windy this time of year making it difficult to fish.

With temps in the high 70’s to low 80’s, sunny skies and mostly moderate seas, anglers were able to get in on that hot yellowtail bite that’s been going on for the better part of two weeks. There aren’t many tourist anglers as this is off-season, but captains, their families and locals from La Paz and as far as Los Barriles (the East Cape) far to the south were jumping on boats to get on top of these fish.  Last weekend on Saturday, as many as 80 pangas and other assorted vessels were sitting on the honey-holes taking limits.  On Sunday fewer fish with about half the boats counted.   But, that’s to be expected when there’s that much traffic on the water.   However…

It’s maybe one of the best yellowtail bite we’ve see in years with fish running 10-25 pounds and taking a variety of jigs including yo-yo and knife jigs plus sardines when around. Some reported larger fish are also being lost as these fish are generally in heavy structure and the waters are not especially deep. Therefore, if you can’t turn their heads, these bruising fish are busting anglers off in the rocks.

Hot spots included the areas around Bahia Muertos (Suenos) up to Punta Perrico and then to the areas just around the Las Arenas lighthouse at Castilla. Another spot that has been on fire is Los Pilis which up the backside of Cerralvo Island about 2/3 of the way up the island. One of our Tailhunter captains counted “at least” 40 boats there one day.

But, the travel has been worth it. Boats are landing limits or near limits of the feisty fork tails.  I saw photos of the parking lot at Muertos and you would think there was a rock concert going on.  There were no parking spaces with all the trucks, cars, boat trailers and vans parked there.

Additionally, there have been white bonito (tasty) plus jack crevalle, cabrilla, snapper, Sierra and pargo mixed in as well.

The biggest surprise was that a few respectable tuna have mixed in and some wahoo and dorado also showed up this week. These are normally warmer water fish and we don’t see these until later in the year unless these are hold-over fish from last season.

At the time of this writing, winds were already starting to ramp up again so hopefully the return of the winds doesn’t knock the bite back down. We know the fish are surely there!

SHALLOW WATER…LIGHT TACKLE…Great results!

 

Not much going on right now for driving so everyone’s favorite guy and driver, Jorge Romero went out a 2nd day later in the week.  In the photos above, he was just out walking the beach with his brother, Esteban.  This time he got out on one of the pangas.   Still recovering from neck surgery he had at the end of last season, he didn’t want to try tangling with a big yellowtail, tuna or dorado…doctor’s orders!  However…

 

He got in a quick 4 hour trip.  It was late in the afternoon.  There was not even live bait available.  But using dead bait and poppers on light line and light tackle,  he had a pretty epic day.  All in shallow water close to shore in and over the rocks.  A big pompano and lots of feisty tasty cabrilla in the box!

Trophy pompano for Jorge. We usually don’t see these guys until later spring, but I guess some warm water has moved in. These are fun fighters and make great table fare…especially sashime!

This is an epic day on light tackle in shallow water! The cabrilla heads are especially prized for soup and the meat is tender white and highly prized.

Cabrilla that fell to a surface popper.

GOOD NEWS ON COVID FRONT

This past week, the authorities lowered the covid restrictions from orange (level 4) to yellow (level 3).

This allows all work activities again with occupancy increased from 40% to 50% for places like hotels, restaurants and other businesses.  The La Paz Malecon has been re-opened with restricted hours that will be monitored.

 

Also, since the CDC implemented the new rules requiring all international travellers entering or returning to the U.S. (like American tourists coming home from Mexico) to show evidence of a negative covid test within 72 hours of travel,  Mexico has really ramped up it’s efforts to construct facilities at hotels, airports, and around the various cities, especially those that see a large influx of international travel.

 

After one month, Cabo San Lucas (where most folks fly to get to us) has had more than 60,000 international travelers. Of that, only 50 persons tested positive and none of them ended up exhibiting symptoms.

 

They were not allowed to fly, but hotels now have special discounted rooms, dining and services for those that get detained.  They are given a new covid test every 2 days and as soon as they test negative, they are allowed to leave!

 

That’s my story!

Jonathan & Jilly
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing

www.tailhunter.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address:  Tailhunter Sportfishing

8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA  91942

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

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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La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Feb. 9-16, 2021

YELLOWTAIL YES!  BUT TUNA IN FEBRUARY? 

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Week of Feb. 9-16, 2021

MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO FISHING REPORT

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…

William McCarthy and Jimmy Williams had a banner day with big yellowtail and nice cabrilla on sardines on the backside of Cerralvo Island. Jimmy tells me they lost some larger yellowtail in the rocks!

Yeow? Tuna in February? Misael stuck this YFT not far off Bahia Muertos on a sardine.

William has one for the camera and the fish box.

This tuna estimated at 100 pounds landed at the north end of Cerralvo Island by commercial panga fishermen.

Headed for the dinner table, Christian got a couple of yellowtail as well as the big sierra.

 

For the second straight week, the winds diminished a bit. It was still windy, but at least there were a few days for folks to get on the water or if not for the whole day, at least for the mornings to squeeze in some fishing time before the winds came up.

With temperatures daytime in the low 70’s and mostly sunshine, conditions were not too bad and fishing was surprisingly decent.

Captain Efrens catch. Six legit yellowtail.

Yellowtail between 5 and 25 pounds were the main highlight with fish hitting sardines when available, but also yo-yo jigs worked over the rocks. Knife jigs were especially effective. Hotspots included the areas right outside Bahia Muertos around the point and up to Punta Perrico and Punta Arenas.

Hog yellowtail for our amigo, Jimmy.

As well, there were some big boys taken around the backside of Cerralvo Island on the days you could get across the channel. That same area was also holding some big cabrilla.

Nice variety for this time of year…sierra, yellowfin tuna and a yellowtail!

The big surprise was that tuna are in the area. Very unusual for this time of year. While yellowtail prefer cooler waters which are normal right now, tuna are generally warmer water fish. However, we’ve had reports of tuna moving fast here-and-there with the porpoise schools, but this week a commercial panga horsed in a 100-pounder at the north end of Cerralvo Island and there are some 15-30 pound fish mixed in with the yellowtail outside of Bahia de los Muertos.

Additionally, the fish boxes came back with a nice mix of the usual fish this time of year that included sierra, pargo, cabrilla, and white bonito.

Not many tourists at all or fishermen. Mostly locals fishing.  Looks like winds might be kicking back up this week.  We’ll keep you posted.

WHALE WATCHING SEASON

The dimished winds this past week also allowed us to get some folks out to Bahia Magdalena for some whale watching.  John Sayre and his wife, from Florida got in two nice days with the whales.  The whale migration usually lasts through March.  Let us know and we’ll set you up!

LA PAZ NEWS

After being closed for quite some time, the authorities have re-opened both sides of the Malecon to foot traffic.  The ocean/ beach side of the boulevard had been closed to prohibit gatherings and to promote social distancing.  However, Covid cases are diminishing so for now, they have re-opened both sides of the street.

 

In response to the new CDC rules implemented Jan. 26th, covid testing labs are popping up everywhere.  Many of the hotels in Cabo now offer the services and there is a facility now at Cabo Airport.  Now, a facility has been set up a the La Paz Airport as well.

The requirements mandate a negative Covid test within 72 hours of your flight and is required for ALL INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT flying INTO the U.S.  You do NOT need a test to fly out of the U.S. into Mexico.  There are no quarantines involved.

The test takes about 15 minutes and you get results in about an hour.  Cost is a minimal $22-24 dollars.

 

That’s my story!

Jonathan & Jilly
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing

www.tailhunter.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address:  Tailhunter Sportfishing

8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA  91942

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

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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La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Jan. 26 – Feb. 8, 2021

FORKIES CHEW CLOSE to SHORE

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Jan. 26-Feb. 8, 2021

MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…

Five for the cooler ready to be filleted! Drs. Beltran and Santiago took some time from their offices in La Paz to fish with us and caught these working the waters with yo-yo iron for these yellowtail.

Not a bad morning. Raul Chollet from La Ventana was out fishing with us and nailed these thick yellowtail just off Punta Perrico.

Mostly locals fishing right now and a great catch is to get into a school of tasty sierra. If you hit a spot, you can load up pretty fast! This one fell to the blue Rapala still stuck in the mouth.

Trophy fish on a dark purple Rapala trolled over th rocks. Raul with a big cabrilla and knowing Raul, every bit of this fish is gonna be part of dinner!

It was chilly and cold again this week but there were finally some opportunities to fish which has been rare the past weeks with lots of gusty winds. However, this past week, the winds let up for about 3 days or, at least didn’t start blowing until late. Since we’re really not having to go very far to get to fish right now, it at least allowed anglers to get in a few productive hours of fishing early before the winds kicked in.

Not many fishermen at all this time of the year. It’s mostly locals or captains fishing for their families.

However, literally within 20-50 years of the beach, there’s a good jag of yellowtail that have shown up near Punta Arenas near Punta Perrico where the old Hotel Las Arenas used to be. The fish are a nice hefty grade of 18-25 pound fish that are taking alot of guys into the rocks.

Sardines are working when you can get them, but it’s often difficult getting live bait because of the winds and the bait guys can’t get to the rocky or sandy areas where the bait usually holds out. Waves either scatter the bait or make it hard for the bait guys to get into the rocky areas which are treacherous.

When, there’s no sardines, the guys are using the yo-yo iron. It’s tiring work, but productive dropping the iron and lifting and reeling back to the boat. Alternatively, trolling lures like Rapalas and Yo-Zuris are also working and producing other species like sierra, jacks, cabrilla and barred pargo.

CDC and COVID TESTING

 

     In case you hadn’t heard, as of Jan. 26th, the CDC has mandated that anyone traveling by plane into the U.S. must show they have had a negative Covid test within 72 hours of their trip.  This only applies to air travel.  You are NOT required to quarantine once you get into the U.S. although it has been suggested.
     Nevertheless, the new rules sent everyone in the tourism industry from airlines to hotels and folks like us into a mad scramble.   We were all just on the verge of rebounding after a difficult 2020.
     However, the government and tourism boards made rapid adjustments.
     Testing facilities have been set up at all international airports including Cabo, La Paz and Tijuana as well as others around the country.  According to the Cabo Board of Tourism, all hotels and timeshare operations in Cabo San Lucas now offer testing services and more laboratories and testing facilities are popping up all over.
     The test only takes 15 minutes and costs between $20-25 dollars.  Results are returned within an hour and you receive either a printed result or get them online to show before you board your flights.
That’s my story…
Jonathan
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing
www.tailhunter.com



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

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

Phones: 
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
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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La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Jan. 15-25, 2021

COLD WINDY WET ROUGH FOGGY – Take Your Pick

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Jan. 15-25, 2021

MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST OF THE STORY

For the past 25 or so years, I’ve done these reports religiously almost every single week.  I think I can only count about a dozen weekends that I missed and one of them was the weekend Jill and I got married 13 years ago when she told me to put away my computer that weekend.

 

It’s just that with covid happening and then alot of bad weather and no one really fishing, well…I hate sounding like a broken record although I know alot of folks look forward to getting the reports regularly.

 

I promise things will get better.  I has to!

 

Winter doesn’t last forever and the warmer weather, water and big fish will show up.  Like they always do!

 

They’ll get a handle on Covid too.  I have to believe that and have some faith.

 

But…here you go…to be honest…

 

Not a whole lot to report. Opportunities to fish have been few and far between with very few anglers around and not many chances for anyone to fish. For almost two weeks it has been cold, windy, rough, rainy or wet. Or a combination of any two of those conditions. The thermometer has been all over the place with temps as low as the lower 30’s and as high as the high 60’s. It’s quite erratic.

In the small windows for opportunity have arisen, it’s mostly local captains or local residents. Mostly sustenance fishing to put something on the table or frig.

Sierra like this are great fun on light tackle and are incredible on the table cooked or a local favorite as ceviche.  There’s some nice schools of sierra around La Paz right now.

Our amigo, Keith “Jimmy” Williams went out and caught a mess of sierra and I asked him for a photo I could use. I expected a typical fishing photo. Instead, he sends me this photo of his fish cooked at our Tailhunter Restaurant…which might be even better! Alot of good things going on here…sierra sauteed in garlic…crispy french fries…poblano chili en cream sauce…fresh tortillas…a shot of tequila…a Heineken…a bottle of Topo Chico. He’s got it going on full turbo! Thanks, Jimmy!

 

Most of the catch has been inshore as not too many folks want to venture very far when the waters are so rough and winds are blustery. It also makes it difficult to catch live bait. So, catches of cabrilla, snapper, common and white bonito, pargo and some nice-sized sierra have made up the majority of the catch.

CDC BIG NEWS – IMPORTANT FOR MEXICO TRAVELERS (MUST READ)

Big news dropped on us last week when the CDC announced that it will now require proof of a negative covid test to enter the U.S. by air.   Alternatively, medical documentation that you have recovered from covid is also valid.  Needless to say…  It sent everyone from airlines to hotels to charter operations and anyone involved in tourism scrambling to find a solution to this since the new restrictions begin promptly on Jan. 26th.

 

As it turns out a number of hotels in Cabo San Lucas already have testing facilities and more are being set up in that city as well as other cities.  The Mexican government is setting up facilities at Cabo San Lucas Airport, La Paz Airport as well as airports in Tijuana, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and others.

 

The test seems like it will only take about 15 minutes and results online in about an hour.  Costs range average about $20-25 dollars with the government trying to obtain further discounts.   They’re doing their best to make this as convenient and easy as possible, but ask that you arrive at the airport an extra hour earlier than normal.

 

For us in La Paz, we’ll keep you posted about facilities at La Paz Airport, but there are plans for some hotels to offer the test and in checking around the city, we found at least a half-dozen labs offering the tests.   As this only applies to air travel at the moment, that means “international flights” so for many of you folks that arrive on Volaris from Tijuana, I don’t think any of this will apply to you since you will be returning through Tijuana and not FLYING back to the U.S.

 

This is a developing story and fluid issue.

 

As mentioned, this just dropped like a ton of bricks about a week ago.  Most of our fishermen don’t even start showing up until April or May so many things could change as this goes into effect and Mexico steps up to meet the challenge of the vital tourism industry.  Also, we can only hope that with new measures plus the vaccine, things will get under control.

 

That’s our story!

Jonathan & Jilly

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing

www.tailhunter.com

 

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

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

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

“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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La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Jan. 4-12, 2021

WIND SLACKS – CRAZY VARIETY of BITERS!

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Week of Jan. 4-12, 2021

MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…

Crazy variety for a few hours of morning fishing for Fernando, his brother and son. On the rack…dorado, big sierra, snapper, pargo liso and cabrilla.

They’re early! The big pargo liso (mullet snapper) normally don’t start schooling up until spring-time but they’re already here and hunkered in the rocks and reefs and will bust you up!

It’s January, but yes, those are wahoo on the cutting board along with dorado, cabrilla and tasty white bonito.

Some big sierra crusing around right now like this tasty fella caught by amigo, Gary Wagner, from his Rancho Costa there in Bahia Muertos.

Nothing wrong with these items. Tasty cabrilla (Mexican seabass) posed with Jason and Alisa..

Not many folks fishing post-holidays, but town is pretty busy with escapees from the colder weather in the U.S. and Canada. However, this contrary to the gusting winds normally associated with this time of year, there were some incredibly pretty days right out’ve a postcard this past week. Winds settled, skies cleared and day-time temps reached into the 70’s. We could not have asked for better weather and a great window to get on the water.

That being said, it allowed folks to get out in the bay to swim with the whalesharks finally. The shallow water just inside the bay has been holding 6-10 baby whalesharks to swim with, but often it’s too windy and choppy to find them.

With the fishing, it’s been confusing and mixed…in a good way!

Normally, this time of year, when we can get out, we’re hitting mostly cold-water species inshore because well, the waters are cooler and it’s often too rough to get too far out.

However, not only did anglers find the cooler water species like cabrilla, snapper and some unusually big sierra, but a bit crazy because they also hit dorado, white bonito, wahoo and even a few marlin were seen and hooked!

This is indicative of some warm water still holding over so maybe these species will stick around. It’s making for a great variety of fish. Also with abundant sardines for bait, the fish are ready to chew.

One noticeably event seems to be that the big pargo liso (mullet snapper) that we don’t see until later in the spring have already shown up and are schooling over the rocky areas like Cerralvo Island and Punta Perrico. These tough fish are really difficult to wrestle out’ve the rocks and can test both angler and his gear, but are spectacular fighters and great eating and look like giant goldfish.

Also, flights are now coming in directly from the United States to La Paz now for the first time in 14 years. American Airlines from Dallas and Phoenix has been bringing folks now for almost a month.

Nice to have American Airlines now flying directly from Phoenix and Dallas to La Paz. First time we’ve had direct flights in over a decade. No more long drives up from Cabo. The flights have been very popular since they started a month ago.  Easy flights into the uncrowded La Paz Airport then it’s just a few minutes to your hotel.

 

That’s my story!

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing
www.tailhunter.com



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

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

Phones: 
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
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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La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Dec. 25, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021

DORADO – WHALES & WHALESHARKS!

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Week of Dec. 25, 2020 – Jan. 3, 2021

MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…

Find the right spot and there’s still some water water areas holding dorado between 5-15 pounds as waters get cooler.

An incredible experience to get in the water and snorkel with the whalesharks in La Paz Bay.

 

It’s been rather quiet and subdued this past week for the holidays. It still has been festive, but like much of the world, things are just at a lower key and lower volume. Most folks coming to town are not looking to fish. They’re just spending vacation time for the holidays and hoping for a little sunshine and and put their toes in the sand!

The glitch in that this week was that it was actually been a bit chilly along with the normal seasonal gusty winds from the north. In fact, it’s been that way for well over a week now. Daytime temperature struggling to get out’ve the 60’s. Night temps dropping to the crazy 40’s! Yes, even in Baja, it can get chilly.

Tourists are still in their shorts and t-shirts, but La Paz residents are talking about 2-3 blankets at night and folks are wearing long pants and jackets.

For fishing, there’s still some dorado around. Most 5-12 pound school-sized fish indicative of the probably the last patches of warm water still lingering around. Inshore, there’s a good smattering of snapper, jacks, seabass (cabrilla) and some barred pargo. For most folks simply looking for a day on the water and a bit of action, these fish are perfect and alot of fun. Plus provide some good fish to take to a local restaurant. Everyone is happy.

Honestly, most folks coming to town intent on some time on the water are mostly here for either swimming with the whalesharks in the bay or headed to a whale-watching trip.

The whalesharks in the bay are mostly 10-12’ juveniles in shallow water only minutes from the Malecon. The only problem is that if it’s windy and choppy it can be difficult to find them.

In the shallow waters of La Paz Bay, the whalesharks are usually 10-15′ long “babies”.

On the other hand, the official start of whale-watching season has started as the annual migration of grey whales has seen them starting to arrive over at Bahia Magdalena where they’ll enjoy the warm shallow water, breeding and calving before heading back north to the Bering Sea around March.

So, we’re booking trips now for the grey whales, swimming with the whalesharks and the occasional fisherman.

THE NO SHOW – NO SHOWS in 2021!

We will surely miss the packed aisles of friends this year!

 

Normally this time of year, we’re hitting the road beginning our 3 month road-tour to all the biggest and best fishing/hunting expos in the western U.S.  With our Catlyn (our rescue cat); the  booth, thousands of brochures and lots of winter clothes and tire chains; our road vehicle is packed floor-to-ceiling and right about now we’re on our way to our first show of the year at the Denver Convention Center…then followed the next week in Sacramento at the State Fairgrounds.  Each week, a different show to see all of you!

We’ll see you for a cold one in La Paz in 2021!

In 2021, that’s not to be the case, unfortunately, as Covid restrictions have shut down all the shows.  So for the first time in about 30 years, regretfully, we won’t be in our booth.

 

That just means, you’re all staying safe and you’ll have to contact us directly to book trips ( jonathan@tailhunter.com) and come visit us in La Paz!

 

That’s our story!

Jonathan & Jilly

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing
www.tailhunter.com



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

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

Phones: 
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
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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La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Dec. 4-14, 2020

HIT OR MISS with FISH and WEATHER

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Week of Dec. 4-14, 2020

MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT

It’s not very long this week and to be honest, I recorded it while Jill and I were flyfishing on the Guadalupe River.  Our anniversary and not much happening in La Paz so we took off a few days to check on the kids and then a surprise trip to the Texas Hill Country.  As good a place as any to do the report!

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY….

John Nagy from Los Angeles had some fun with one of his dorado and Captain Hoel. John was able to get in some fishing, but said mostly by noon, the winds were too strong to keep fishing. He was fishing with the Tailhunter Fleet from La Paz and the fish was caught outside of Bahia Muertos

About the only folks in town right now between the holidays are folks here to find some sunshine from colder places in the world. And indeed, the sun has been out mostly although relatively speaking, we think it’s been on the chilly side. However, I guess it’s definitely sunnier than places in Canada, Alaska and Montana. However, even that wasn’t guaranteed this week as we actually had FOG! That’s right…real FOG.

Yup! Sunny La Paz!

Just like the travel brochures pictured it!

I think in my 25 years in living in Baja, I’ve seen fog only a handful of times and that was up in the mountains. However, a thick London-style fog actually descended on the city that really made it look pretty eerie. Of course, then the sun came out and cooked it all away.

Likewise, as is typical this time of year, the winds did blow, especially as the days wore on with some gusts to 25 knots. For fishing, there aren’t that many anglers around anyway, but for those that went out, it was either pretty rough making it hard to get to fishing grounds and get bait or, they were getting blown off the water by the late morning and early afternoon.

That being said, there’s still some dorado around running up to about 20 pounds. Some wahoo were hit at the south end of Cerralvo as well and commercial guys still keep seeing some big tuna north of the island, although the fish are moving too fast and not taking any hooks. Inshore, cabrilla and snapper as well as jack crevalle provided action when there was nothing further out.

Although fishing isn’t drawing many folks right now, swimming with the whalesharks on those days when the winds aren’t churning the waters in the bay is very popular.

Regulations prevent us from getting too close for the safety of the animals, but it’s a crazy cool experience to be in the water with these gentle animals.

Swimming with the whalesharks in the shallows of La Paz Bay usually runs October to April. There can be as many as a dozen or more “baby” whalesharks at any given time.

Let us know and we can set up a trip for you to include transportation, lodging and of course…a chance to swim with the whalesharks!

We are setting up trips daily weather permitting so get in touch with us:  Jonathan@tailhunter.com

We are also getting ready to kick off our whalewatching season over on the Pacific side in Bahia Magdalena.  Season runs about mid-January to March when the whales swim back north to the Bering Sea.  Don’t miss out!

NOT TOO EARLY TO BOOK YOUR LA PAZ FISHING for 2021!

Dates are already filling up with lots of folks who missed out on 2020.  Come enjoy some “coastal distancing” and we’ll set up your entire itinerary for your next La Paz fishing trip.  We can put the whole thing together.  We’ve been here in La Paz 26 years and we will customize your ideal fishing vacation package.  Check us out:  http://www.tailhunter.com

A number of dates are sold out or getting close to it.  If you have a favorite captain or hotel room, get in touch with us ASAP.  We don’t want to miss you in 2021!   Click here:  tailhunterfishinglapaz@gmail.com

LOS CABOS TUNA JACKPOT ANNOUNCED Nov. 3-6, 2021

As some of you already know…

For 2021, I’ve been named as the new director for the Los Cabos Tuna Tournament.

Last year was the 22nd year to “FISH HARD…PARTY HARDER!” The Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot for 2021 will be Nov. 3-6. We’re already getting entries and boats are getting booked up for charters!  Even with the protocols in place, we still had a great event with 149 teams and over 600 anglers and almost 1000 of our “closest friends!” More than $1 million dollars was awarded! We’re expecting an even larger field for 2021!

Check out these websites:  https://cabotunajackpot.catchstat.com/

 http://www.loscabostunajackpot.com/

and you’ll find registration forms ready to go! It’s only $1000 entry for a team of up to 4 anglers!

Maybe let’s see some Tailhunter Teams out there!  Right now, there’s possibly 3 teams of Tailhunter amigos forming up!

That’s our story!

Jonathan & Jilly

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing

www.tailhunter.com

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

U.S. Mailing Address:  Tailhunter Sportfishing

8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA  91942

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

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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La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Nov. 18-25, 2020

GREAT WEATHER GOOD FISHING

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos Fishing Report for Week of Nov. 18-25, 2020

MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY...

Former San Diego Chargers linebacker now retired high school football coach, Donnie Rea from Camarillo CA fishes yearly with us and has been our amigo for many many years. He was with Captain Blas when they hooked this baby sailfish. Captain Blas gently cradled the fish to pull the hook and was the only one to touch it and supported it completely to take a quick photo then release it. They said it swam away strongly.

Newly engaged with just one day to fish, Elijah Rush and Julianne Argent from San Diego put some quality dorado in the boat while fishing with Captain Gerardo. Check out the catch standing on the beach at Bahia Muertos.

From San Diego and here for Thanksgiving week, Mike Jaso and his son, Jacob pose with some of their dorado after a day of fishing.

Nice bull! Elijah and Captain Gerardo just off el Cardonal.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

Overall, a pretty nice week. Temperatures have dropped to a very comfortable 79-82 degrees during the day with alot of sunshine. Nights are a cool 61. Interestingly, water temps are actually warmer than the air temperatures and are holding at just about 80-85 degrees which is keeping the warm water species around.

North winds are starting to blow which will eventually drop water temperatures and change the fishing to a cooler-species production like sierra, amberjack, pargo, cabrilla and snapper. Not to mention it could be getting rough and choppy.

Pretty lady and pretty fish. Great shot of a fresh dorado with full colors that Julianne caught.

In the meantime, with just a bit of breeze, most days were pretty nice and the warm-water species like dorado, wahoo, smaller roosterfish, and billfish stayed productive. Most of the catch focused on the dorado which are fairly abundant once you find the right spot and limits can be the rule rather than the exception. Fish are running 10-20 pounds on the average with some larger units mixed in. Live bait has generally not been an issue.

Still no tuna, but it’s been like that all year in one of the strangest years ever down here. However, there’s a good jag of wahoo on the south end of Cerralvo Island with fish as small as 20 pounds, but as large as 50 pounds. The ticket seems to be to fish them on the right tide change and then dragging dark colored Rapalas, Yo-Zuris or similar lures .

Our amigo, Roger Thompson, has the wahoo honey-hole south of Cerralvo Island dialed in!

Honestly, not that many folks fishing these days in the lull between the end of summer vacations and the holidays, but alot of snowbirds are filtering in to enjoy the sunshine to get away from colder areas. Many flights are pretty full. Also, folks just seem to have “quarantine fatigue” and just need to get out and away.

Great news in that after being closed since March, we are finally allowed to swim with the baby whalesharks in La Paz Bay. Normally, the season run October to April, but once the Covid quarantine began, all activity was shut down at the end of March. The government has issued only a limited number of permits to escort folks to swim with the whalesharks and only certain outfitters are allowed to participate so as not to crowd or harm the animals. Our Tailhunter captains have received these permits and we’ve been taking folks for the swim.

The animals are in about 10’ of water and at times there have been over a dozen of them in the shallow water!

 

That’s my story!  Have a safe, happy and peaceful Thanksgiving!

 

Blessings to you all!

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing
www.tailhunter.com

 

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

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

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

“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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La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Oct 26 – Nov. 1, 2020

NORTHERN WINDS START UP BUT FISH BITE

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Bahia Suenos for Week of Oct. 26-Nov. 2, 2020

MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…

Yup…those are yellowfin tuna! Only the 2nd batch of tuna we have seen all season in a STRANGE year! Leif Dover from Atlanta GA and Mark Bronge from Los Angeles CA went south almost to the northern east cape to find the fish as well as a nice dorado and a big triggerfish. The next day, winds came up and they weren’t able to get to the spot again.

Surprising to still find roosterfish this late in the season, but Mark caught and released his first rooster just off Punta Perrico.

Our amigo, Gary Wagner, from Colorado loves to fish the twilight bite when staying at his Rancho Costa Resort in Muertos and shows off a tasty barred pargo.

Captain Alfredo helps Alla Cazier from Arizona on her first trip to La Paz and found some nice dorado north of La Paz.

Oh yea, this is the right kind! Leif has a big dog-tooth snapper on the gaff caught the last of 6 days on the water with us.

 

If you find the right spot, the dorado can go nuts! First day success for Leif and Mark with some good-looking mahi on the cutting table.

Well…we can definitely tell the seasons are changing. The air temps are getting cooler with the highs this last week a really comfortable 85 on the average and really pleasant evenings.

However, with the change in temperature, we’re also getting more winds, especially the north winds that blow from about November to April that can make fishing a little bumpy and choppy. It can also hinder our ability to get to certain fishing holes and even to get to the places where we get live bait.

That’s what happened this past week. We had 2-3 days of pretty good windy conditions and whitewater on the ocean. For better-or-worse, not too many folks fishing this week which will be typical as we get closer to the holidays. More snowbirds looking for sunshine coming to town than anglers. More walk-in anglers to our offices and folks just looking for one day of fishing out on the water.

All that being said, there was still some excellent fishing to be had. Some boats did better than others. Some area were much more productive than others.

Our Tailhunter Las Arenas fleet had the most variety.

We actually got into some tuna…finally…after almost an entire season with no tuna. The guys had to run really far, however. They went south almost to the north end of the East Cape. They made it one day, but then after that, it was too windy to get there on subsequent days.

Still, there were some legit 10-20 pound dorado, cabrilla, snapper, jack crevalle, bonito, several types of pargo and we even got one big dog-tooth snapper as well pulled out’ve the rocks.

For our Tailhunter La Paz Fleet, several days, it was simply too windy. All whitecaps and rough water. However, there’s dorado right in the bay around where the big tanker ships are anchored off Punta Prieta only about 5 minutes from where we launch. There’s also sierra under those big boats.

Outside, seeing more marlin although we couldn’t get any of them to bite this week.

This coming week, it’s going to be breezy again, but not as bad as last week.

END OF YEAR SPECIALS TO LA PAZ

If you’ve got a bad case of “cabin fever” after a year like this, how about a quick getaway to come see us in La Paz?

We’ll customize whatever you want to do.  Trips as low as $899 per person (double occupancy).  Take a look at this sample:

  • 4 days in La Paz
  • 3 night water-facing room
  • 2 days panga fishing
  • Fishing includes: boat/ skipper/ tackle/ ice/ fish cleaning/ breakast/ lunch/ soft drinks and water/ shuttles to the boats/ all taxes
  • Based up availability

WHALE WATCHING SEASON COMING UP!

Don’t miss out on some “COASTAL DISTANCING!”

 

Our 2021 Whale Watching season is coming up soon.  Prime dates are mid-January to March and spots are filling fast!  We can set up daily trips from La Paz or multi-day trips to Lopez Mateos to get several days spent with these beautiful creatures!  A fantastic family experience in the calm waters or Bahia Magdalena.  Let us set you up with an entire package and maybe even get in some fishing too!  Get in touch with us directly:  tailhunterfishinglapaz@gmail.com

 

That’s our story!

Jonathan & Jilly

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing
www.tailhunter.com

 

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

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

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

“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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La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report from Tailhunter Sportfishing for Week of Oct. 18-26, 2020

BIGGER and MORE DORADO FINALLY

La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of Oct. 18-26, 2020

MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT

THE BIG PICTURE and the REST of the STORY…

Well-deserved thumbs-up from Captain Jorge and Jeff Sakuda who finally got his wahoo on his birthday! You can see the purple Rapala Xrap dangling from the wahoo’s mouth. Jeff also had a really nice week on dorado too. See photos below.

Our friends from Henderson NV, Gary and Lois Tsunoda had a great week on dorado and pose for one-day’s catch on the beach at Bahia Muertos. The fish were definitely larger this week.

In 25 years in La Paz, I’ve only seen maybe one other white marlin caught. Captain Pancho and Leif Dover caught and released this one near Las Arenas.  They also caught a mess of dorado and released many of them as well.

John Washington is another of our favorite Nevada amigos. In fact, he and his wife have visited us twice in the last 6 weeks! John got himself a nice late-season roosterfish here that he released. More of their photos below. I think they must have caught about 8 different species.

Now that’s color for you! A fresh bull dorado with Marianne Sugawara and her favorite Captain Jorge.

They didn’t catch ALOT of any one species, but Captain Gerardo got Arla and John Washington on a bunch of different species. On the table, I see dorado, jack crevale, triggerfish, snapper, cabrilla and bonito.

Nothing like those first bites early in the morning on your first day fishing, right-off-the-bat. Nice legit bull dorado in the boat for Jeff and Captain Jorge.

Dorado are incredibly colorful sportfish. Lois Tsunoda has another one to put in the box! She went home with alot of bags of fish!

Some tasty cabrilla headed for the dinner table at his resort in Muertos, Gary Wagner owner of the Rancho Costa.

A good first day on the water for Leif (from Atlanta GA) and Mark (from California)

Alex Grant lives in San Francisco, but stopped in La Paz on his way to go fishing in Florida so we got him on the water for one day and he ran into the dorado schools as well.

A “decent” day of fishing! Jeff and Marianne Sakuda with Captain Jorge on their first of 3 days of fishing showing dorado, pargo and cabrilla!

Despite a few bumps during the week like a bit of drizzle; some wind days; and some bumpy oceans…most of the week was pretty good and for fishing turned into one of the better fishing weeks of the season.

With water temps running about 85 degrees and air temperatures about 95, the dorado really came on strongly. Limits of not unusual.

For our Tailhunter La Paz Fleet, limits were not only unusual, but often folks caught and then had to release so many dorado, they sometimes were back to the beach before lunch. Most of the fish were school-sized 5 to 15 pounders, but lots of fun, especially on light tackle or for first-timers. About half the fish hooked were released either because boxes were already full or folks were only keeping the larger fish.

For our Tailhunter Las Arenas Fleet, there weren’t as many dorado, but the dorado were some of the largest of the season. No big monsters, but fish were 10-25 pounders…a size we hadn’t seen in many months. Areas included the buoys, Punta Perrico and south towards Los Alamos. But, the schools could honesty show up anywhere. There were a few days when it was bumpy and windy and our anglers had to fish inshore for pargo, snapper and cabrilla, but overall, most folks fish several days with us and they made of for the slow days on their other days when they stacked up the larger dorado.

Additionally, there was always the chance of wahoo as well. Not many wahoo caught, but the fish were definitely there. Maybe one panga per day got a wahoo on the average. The dark Rapalas and dark Nomads were the best lures. The downside was that if you went trolling for wahoo and they didn’t bite, it was often too late to go chase anything else so you stood the chance of missing out on something else to put in the box.

There’s still some 5-20 pound roosterfish around plus a few marlin biters that we haven’t seen in a bit…and there are always rockfish to chase as well.

Just a heads-up that as typical this time of year, the winds are getting strong and from the north. Once these get pretty consistent, waters can start to cool; get rougher; and change the complexion of the fishing. Looking at the forecast for the coming week, several days this week will have strong north winds.  It is definitely cooler.  Fall is in the air.

2021 FILLING FAST – STILL OPENINGS FOR 2020 WHILE FISH BITE!

Our 2021 bookings are filling fast so check your calendars and don’t wait.  We will NOT be attending any of the sportsmans shows this year, as far as we know.  It could change, but most have been canceled.  So, don’t wait to see us at a show!  Get in touch with us.  Some dates are already sold out.   We still have spots open for this year so how about a quick get-away before the holidays?  Write me directly:  Jonathan@tailhunter.com!

 

 

That’s our story!  Have a great week!

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishing
http://www.tailhunter.com

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

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

Jeff wahoo Jorge 10-20.jpg
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

“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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