La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay / Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of April 8-15, 2018
MEXICAN MINUTE La Paz Fishing Report
WEEK at a GLANCE
Weather – Sunny and super with highs mid-80’s, but cool enough for a light sweatshirt in the mornings and evenings
Wind – CURSED! Storm in the U.S. = winds in Baja. They were back again. Maybe only 2 days this week not windy. One day winds were gusting 20-25 knots and the port captain shut everything down in La Paz. No boats in or out . Fortunately, we have our Las Arenas fleet and our folks were able to fish, but it was still a difficult effort.
Water – Warming, but with the winds, there were strong currents and big rollers at time. Even crashing surf here in La Paz Bay which is highly unusual. On the days the wind was not blowing the waters were really turned up and cloudy from the winds.
Fishing – Dictated by the winds. Better fishing on days when it was less windy. Hard to get bait also when it’s windy.
Catching – Nice variety. Some tuna, dorado, yellowtail, several species of pargo and snapper, cabrilla and some hefty white bonito.
LAST MINUTE FLASH – Just as we were going to post this report and too late to make changes, we had a great dorado bite take off. Go figure! Will have more in next week’s report.
THE BIG PICTURE
Not sure how much longer there will be yellowtail in the water with waters getting warmer, but this forktail didn’t know that and got hammered by Chuck Toeniskoetter.
Chuck Toeniskoetter and son, Adam, from Los Gatos CA try to come down to La Paz at least once a year to fish and did relatively well despite tough conditions while fishing, once again, with the Tailhunter Fleet. This one day rack of fish shows an incredible variety including yellowfin tuna, a big yellowtail, a nice cabrilla, white bonito, pargo mulatto and a red snapper.
Captain Victor with a big cabrilla and some great reef fish including pargo liso, barred pargo and huachinango.
You remember the thrill? Big bonito for 12-year-old Nick Genovese with Captain Armando. He also had a big tuna on for awhile.
Sweet yellowfin tuna for Adam Toeniskoetter.
Couldn’t be any nicer folks! Steve Friemark with a handful of tasty white bonito and Captain Jorge on the beach at Muertos.
Just when we thought it might be mellowing out, those winds came back and hit us again this week. In fact, one day the northerns were so bad, there were surfable breakers in our normally calm La Paz Bay and the port captain closed the port for any boats leaving. As one person described it, it’s like winter all over the Northern hemisphere being like an angry boyfriend or girlfriend who stomps out’ve the room then comes back and says, “And One More Thing!!!” Blah blah blah…
Basically, as long as storms keep showing up in the U.S., it’s going to affect things in Baja and the Sea of Cortez!
So, it wasn’t the greatest week for fishing.
There was some variety, but not much for quantity although some days there was some great action on some pig bonito. Not only good fighters, but these are “white bonito.” (Bonito Diente). They have teeth, but also have some incredible great white meat for table fare. Most folks would not be able to tell it from tuna.
In addition, we did have some 15-30 pound yellowfin tuna show up around Cerralvo Island and some larger that were lost after long battles. But, the issue is getting across the channel to the island. If there’s wind and rollers happening then getting across to the island (and to get sardines) is pretty futile.
But, inshore offered alternatives like several species of pargo including pargo mulatto (barred pargo); pargo liso (mullett snapper); cubera snapper (pargo perro/ dog-tooth snapper) as well as red and yellow snapper (huachinango). We also got some action off cabrilla (seabass) and some decent triggerfish and jack crevalle.
Honestly, however, not the best fishing and kudos to our anglers who hung in there and grinned through it all the kept smiling. But, one reason, not many folks are fishing this early in the season.
BUT WAIT…Just as I was posting this up but too late to make changes, we had dorado go off in La Paz Bay! Go figure . I’ll have more on that in the next report!
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: https://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay/ Mag Bay Fishing Report for Week of April 1-8, 2018
MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO REPORT
WEEK at A GLANCE
Water – Warming and better and flatter this past week. Coming week maybe not so much.
Weather – Mid 80’s now. Bring the sunscreen. Breezy at times, especially the afternoons
Fishing – Much better . Alot of vareity as warm water fish move in and mix with colder water fish
Catching – Lost alot of larger fish!
THE BIG PICTURE
Whoa! Just off the rocks, Jeff Brown and his son, Cole, were with Captain Joel Martinez from the Tailhunter Fleet in La Paz catching smaller snapper, pargo and cabrilla when this big grouper gulped Jeff’s live bait in shallow water and they were able to winch it away from the rocks! Jeff and Cole are from Minnesota and come down every year to La Paz for sunshine and fishing!
Steve and son, Ben Fox from Huntington Beach were visting La Paz for the first time and got into some of those Cerralvo Island yellowfin tuna their first day on live bait.
Good amigo from Wrangell, Alaska, Rod Brown comes down every year for about 10 days of fishing and got a variety of fish again this year. He took yellowtail, snapper, pargo, cabrilla, jacks, tuna and bonito among others while fishing north around Espirito Santo Island.
First-timer with a big smile, Cole Brown, and a real colorful dorado among several he caught fishing with our La Paz fleet.
Love how he fishes! Light tackle and top-water jigs! Miles Wagner from Colorado Springs with one of his nice dorado fishing out’ve Muertos Bay/ Las Arenas.
This kind of fishing is a hoot! Like tackle right up in the rocks for cabrilla, snapper and pargo. All great eating and these are tough fish on light or heavier tackle. Larger fish all lost in the rocks! Cole and dad, Jeff Brown, with Captain Joel.
Anyone who asks me about getting bluewater fish and not believing that the fish can be caught close to shore, take a look at the rocks just behind Jeff and Cole Brown holding a legit yellowfin tuna. Yup…just a few yards off the island!
OVERALL…
Looks like the weather is clearing up just in time for the season to kick off with alot more of our fishermen now arriving in La Paz. There’s still some wind on tap for this coming week and indeed we had some this past week, but overall, a big improvement in not only the weather, but the fishing, catching, and variety! Each week seems to get a little better as things warm up! It’s all about the winds. If the winds are gone, there’s fish starting to bite.
All signs are encouraging as just to the south of us along the East Cape, things are already starting to go off with the fishing so those conditions are moving north towards us!
LAS ARENAS/ MUERTOS BAY/ SUENOS BAY
It’s not crazy good…yet! But the fishing is more like May fishing with lots of different variety in the water. Inshore, pargo liso (mullet snapper), pargo per (dog-tooth snapper) and pargo mulatto (barred pargo) are biting along with several types of snapper, jack crevalle, bonito and cabrilla.
In the deeper water but not far off, dorado are around between 5 and 20 pounds although not in great numbers plus yellowtail up to 25 pounds. Plus we found some tuna over at nearby Cerralvo Island although, again, not in great numbers. Some wahoo were seen, but didn’t bite and commercial guys said billfish look like they’re moving into the area.
LA PAZ
For the first time all year, we had some consistent fishing for our La Paz Fleet. Normally, with the winds blowing in from the north, it’s just often too rough to even get out’ve the bay or, when you get to the spots, it’s hard to fish the areas.
However, with some pretty good post-Easter conditions, I was blown away by the variety of species that ended up on the hook! We didn’t find quantity of fish, but the variety was remarkable especially for inshore species. This included several species of pargo, snapper, cabrilla, grouper, jacks and bonito. As well, we hooked some yellowtail up to about 20 pounds and even got a tuna about 50 yards from the rocks!
BAHIA MAGDALENA
Ben Fox from Huntington Beach CA shows off a nice snook he caught light tackle fishing inside the shallow waters of Bahia Magdalena with Tailhunter Sportfishing. He and his dad caught snook, snapper, pargo, cabrilla and other species using live shrimp and spinning gear.
He’s our guy! Jorge Romero with a nice snook (robabo) taken just outside the treeline in the flats off Bahia Magdalena using live shrimp.
That’s quite a box of pargo and snapper!
Almost all the fish was donated to the local church to clean and distribute.
Some video of the kind of fishing they were doing
We had anglers fishing our inshore waters with light tackle again and they scored great. Using live shrimp for bait, they rocked snook, cabrilla, corvina and several kinds of snapper working in the shallow waters and in the eddys and backbays and sandbars among the trees.
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay and Mag Bay Report for Week of March 25-April 1, 2018
MEXICAN MINUTE LA PAZ VIDEO REPORT for the WEEK
PAST WEEK AT A GLANCE
Water – Not bad. Getting warmer. Still stronger currents than we’d like
Temps – Mid 80’s day time. Pleasant nights. Still really windy about 1/2 the days
Fishing – I’d give it a 4 on a scale of 10, but 4 is better than it’s been. Alot of variety and good fish signs
Catching– I’d give it a 4 also. Could be alot better. And I think it will get better as things get warmer and water and wind settles down more and more.
What Got Caught – Dorado, yellowtail, jack crevalle, bonito, yellow snapper, red snapper, pargo liso, pargo perro, barred bargo, triggerfish, bonito,, cabrilla, palometa, pompano, corbina
THE REST OF THE STORY
Our amigo for many years, Mitch Chavira has been fishing La Paz almost as long as we’ve been there. He knows his stuff and knows his way around throwing iron too. He jigged up this toad cabrilla off Espirito Santo Island.
Gary and Miles Wagner from Colorado Springs, Colorado fished inside the mangroves of Bahia Magdalena on a day Gary said, “The winds outside were blowing 40K!” and did great on the corvina and palometa on light tackle!
Two of the best fishermen, Mitch and Charlie “Stix” McGee from San Diego working just inside of La Paz Bay put the wood to some of those nice dorado that have shown up.
All the way from Germany, Claude Demith got himself some great eating variety…dorado…dog tooth snapper (cubera)…big triggerfish…and cabrilla!
Dan Miyake with Captain Pancho and a nice Muertos Bay yellowtail. Waters are warming so not sure how long we’ll see these YT’s around.
The right kind! Mitch looking good with one of those tough forkies. Yellowtail out’ve La Paz.
Guys from Colorado always know how to pose creatively with fish! Gary Wagner again with a palometa from Mag Bay!
Just in time for Spring Break / Semana Santa and Easter, the winds kinda gave us a bit of a break this week. There were still some really windy days, but at least there were some windows of opportunity. Definitely, more folks in town for vacation. More fishermen on the water and for sure…the beaches are just jammed.
Normally, our beaches are pretty empty, but during Semana Santa, it looks like Woodstock! Makes you wonder where everyone is the rest of the time? I mean, on some beaches, there’s not a square inch of empty space and in Mexico, the beaches are public so you can pretty much camp and picnic anywhere and anytime. Afterwards, it makes for quite a clean-up as you might imagine. At least, it’s once a year and everyone is having a good time.
Anyway, for fishing, the fish are there! If the windows of opportunity are open and the waters are fishable, the bite is there to be had! It’s far from wide-open, but fishing is alot better than might be expected with alot of variety possible.
LAS ARENAS/ MUERTOS BAY
It’s evident that the waters are changing. We have quite a bit of transition going on with both warm and cold water fish occupying the same water space! I’m surprised that this early in the year, we have some dorado, tuna and billfish around. Normally, we don’t see those until maybe a month or more from now. Not alot of these species, but any day holds its possibilities.
Likewise, there are still cold water species around as well. Cabrilla, snapper and Sierra were caught this week as well as several species of pargo (dog-tooth/ cubera snapper and barred pargo). Plus, add in the usual jack crevalle and lots of bonito on top of things and, you’re not quite sure what’s gonna bite.
Every day is not good. Every boat is not catching fish. I want to be honest about it. But there’s fish there and the signs are encouraging. It was one of the better weeks in awhile. We’re using a combination of live bait, dead bait, jigs and Rapalas for the days.
LA PAZ
With the wind having backed down a bit this past week…with no guarantees of next week…we had some boats finally able to get out. Again, just like at Muertos/ Las Arenas, there was a combination of cold and surprisingly warm water fish. A few yellowtail and pargo around but maybe we’re not going to see much of a yellowtail season this year because the waters are getting warm quick as evidenced by a few tuna popping up plus there seems to be dorado right in La Paz Bay! We don’t usually see mahi mahi in the bay until much later in the year. The ones we’re seeing now are legit 10-20 pound fish! Plus, there’s sardines around too. All good signs!
GASTRONIMICA LA PAZ 2018 – MAY 4
The 2018 La Paz Gastronomica Food Festival will be held May 4 once again on the beach in La Paz. If you’ve never been to it the massively fun food festival draws thousand of visitors and over 100 restaurants, hotels and culinary schools from La Paz as well as Todos Santos and Cabo San Lucas.
For one ticket price, you get to eat and sample all kinds of great regional Mexican foods…all you can eat…shrimps, clams, oysters, roasted pig, all types of tacos, moles, Italian food, Chinese, Thai, desserts ,baked goods…everyone has a booth. And so do the wine, tequila and beer distributors as well so it’s all the tequila, wine an cerveza you can handle as well.
Great music, bands and entertainment and it goes well past midnight and just an incredible event. Each year, Tailhunter Restaurant also has a booth among the “seafood row” vendors! Last year, we had our famous Hawaiian poke!
Tailhunters is putting together event packages with hotel, festival tickets, plus the usual great activities of fishing, diving, snorkeling and more! If you’re already booked with us during these dates and want to attend the event, we’ll be selling tickets. Contact me directly at: Jonathan@tailhunter.com
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: https://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:
La Paz- Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of March 18-25, 2018
MEXICAN MINUTE VIDEO FISHING REPORT for WEEK of March 18-25, 2018
THE REST OF THE STORY…
Jorge Romero with one of the rare quality fish picked up the whole week and has a nice yellowtail in hand he caught with sardines. He also said there were quite a few bonito, but overall no one was getting too much of anything, Nice shirt!
There were few bright spots for fishing this past week as it was mostly a windy, cloudy rough time. It’s fairly common during the winter months which is why we don’t have many folks fishing during these months. We had one or two days at most that were somewhat fishable and even then, it was picky fishing at best. Some snapper…some pargo…a few cabrilla…and a few yellowtail were about it. Oh, and alot of bonito for some grateful action. And that was the whole enchilada for the week. Fortunately, not many anglers. However, with spring break and Easter on it’s way, things are going to start getting crowded and we can only hope the weather and winds drop back a notch or two. Early predictions so far look a bit iffy. Just being honest.
TAILHUNTER 2018 ROAD TOUR COMES TO AN END!
After almost 4 months on the road and a journey that started back in December and took us through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, California, Washington and Oregon…we come to the end of the road.
Jilly wrapped things up a the Fred Hall Show in San Diego. I was out in the Phoenix, Arizona area with the International Sportsmans Expo. Both shows were super and good to see so many Tailhunter tribe members and new amigos!
Its been another epic road tour after 23 years and we are so grateful to everyone who took the time to come see us all of the hunting and fishing shows. It was great and we appreciate all the smiles and hospitality. God bless you all!
To those of you who signed up to come visit us this year fishing in La Paz, let’s get going! We’re gonna have a great season and we’re looking forward to seeing you down with us. We have to unpack the van and the cat and then saddle up and get home to La Paz right after Easter. So, we’ll see you down there! Thanks again.
Mexican Minute Fishing Report for Week of March 11-18, 2018
WINDS CUT US SOME SLACK FINALLY
La Paz – Las Arenas/ Muertos Bay/ Suenos Bay Fishing Report for Week of March 11-18, 2018
A mess of great eating for Carl Bock from Puyallup Washington with Captain Pancho and some nice cabrilla and pargo lisa (mullet snapper) taken off the reefs and rocks. Typical winter fishing!
Chunky winter yellowtail for Greg Garrison of San Diego that he took off the north end of Cerralvo Island this week. Thanks for the photo, Gary!
We’d like to see a few more of these as the waters get warmer. Steve Strummell from the bay area of San Francisco poses with his bull dorado.
A hog trophy cabrilla off the north end of Cerralvo Island caught by Gary Garrison of San Diego. Thanks Gary Wagner for the photo.
Second day on the water proved a nice mix of warm and cold water fish for Carl Bock who poses with his cabrilla and dorado
Well, the good news is that after 3 weeks, the winds settled down a bit and allowed us to get to do a bit of fishing. The bad news is that well…there weren’t many fishermen. Fairly typical for this time of year. Further bad news is that the winds are supposed to jump back up this coming week!
Oh well, you just roll with it because that’s how it is during the winter months. For all the lack of fishermen right now, with Easter coming up April 1, those are the busiest times for travel to Mexico and especially places like Baja and particularly La Paz where we are. Not necessarily gringos looking to party and kick it up during spring break, but for Holy Week and the dates around Easter, these are the busiest travel times for Mexicans. Moreso than Christmas or any other time of the year, Mexicans visit and travel outside the country, but also many Mexicans living in the U.S. and other places take the time to visit their friends and relatives back home. Likewise, domestically many locals travel to visit during this time. What that means is that many otherwise “empty” beaches are going to be packed with folks camping and picnicking all week. Many will be fishing too so expect that in about 2-3 weeks, it’s going to be jammed.
Anyway, on the days we could fish, we got out and got an interesting mix. Coldwater species like snapper, cabrilla, pargo, jack crevasse and yellowtail mixed it up with warm water species like dorado and even a few tuna and lots of bonito. The better action and most consistent bite was in shallow waters over structure for the colder water species using Rapalas, live bait and dead bait. We found fish close and around Punta Perrico and also at the north and south ends of Cerralvo Island.
TAILHUNTER DOWN THE HOME STRETCH
After almost 3 1/2 months on the road with our 23rd year kicking off, we have just two more shows to do before going home. We just finished up the ISE Show in Sandy, UT, just south of Salt Lake City and a big “GRACIAS!” to everyone who came by to say hello and to those of you who booked with us, we’re sure looking forward to your visit!
So now…Jilly and I go in different directions again.
Jilly will be headed to the Fred Hall Fishing & Boating Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego CA. Click the link:
These are our last two shows of the season then we’ll be headed home to La Paz. We’ve got alot of you reserved this year, but still have some spots open! Get in touch with us ASAP so we make sure we have you covered and you get in on this 2018 season! If you can make it to Del Mar or Scottsdale, Jilly and I will be in the booth every day and it would be great to see you!
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: https://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:
Tal Nazani from San Clemente CA got one of the prized wahoo this week!
Quite a buffet for John and Joe Vondrak and Vic Carlso with dorado, yellowtail and bonito.
Our own Captain Gerardo shows up a yellowtail caught from Bahia de Los Muertos.
Phil rocks the pose with a couple of really nice Mexican cabrilla (seabass).
VARIETY OF SPECIES TOPPED BY WAHOO
La Paz – Las Arenas Fishing Report for Week of March 1-8, 2015
It wasn’t a great week of fishing. It wasn’t bad either. It had it’s moments. It just kinda depended where you were fishing and what day you happened to pick to fish.
There weren’t alot of fishermen this past week, and there weren’t alot of fish. But on the better days, there was some incredible variety. Very surprising for this time of the year that we normally call off-season. But, it’s kind of typical as well. Perhaps it was a combination of variables. I usually don’t put alot of stock in the full moon thing, but we did have a big moon. Maybe not much in-and-of-itself, but there were also some windy days as well and checking water temperatures, there were some big patches of cooler water around. So, maybe it was a combination.
However, as I said, this week had it’s moments!
There were some nice ones. Probably the most exciting was the showing of wahoo off Cerrlavo Island. Pretty early in the year to be sticking the speedy ‘hoo! We got few but also lost a few.
Plus, we finally put some yellowtail in the boats as well as a few dorado. Mix that in with some pargo, cabrilla and even some rooster fish and a bunch of bonito and there was some OK action to be had.
THANKS TO LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA and BOISE, IDAHO! NOW to SALT LAKE CITY ISE SHOW!
Our shows in Long Beach at the Convention Center for the Fred Hall Fishing Show and at the Idaho Sportsmans Show were off-the-hook, with lots of friends coming to visit us…share some laughs…and talk about coming to fish with us in La Paz!
For the past two weeks, Jill and I have been forced to split up our tour schedule because of the crazy show calendar. I did the Phoenix Show and she went to Yakima WA. This past week, Jilly held the fort in the booth at the great Boise, Idaho Sportsmans Show. I covered us at the Long Beach Convention Center for the 69th Annual Fred Hall Fishing Show.
What a time we had! We can’t thank everyone enough for all the great time and all the amigos who came to visit us. Personally, I want to give a big shout-out to everyone who also came by to wish me a happy birthday and also for all the thoughtful gifts and food. Wow! Just incredible. And for everyone who looked in on Jilly in Boise and helped her out we are especially grateful. We booked lots of fishing trip reservations for the season and we’re looking forward to seeing so many of you again later in the season down in La Paz. For all the rest of you, let us know what we can do to assist you with coming to see us!
Here we come Salt Lake City at the Expo Center in Sandy! We always have a great time visiting with our amigos!
We’ll after almost 3 months on the road, we’re finally coming near the end, but not quite yet! Jill and I will be together again instead of doing shows separately. Next stop, Salt Lake City at the ISE show at the Sandy Expo Center. The show will be Thursday to Sunday and always promises a great time and we have so many of our amigos in the area. Come see us and let’s talk about visiting us in La Paz this year. Here’s details and how to get advance online tickets: http://www.sportsexpos.com/attend/2015/saltlakecity/
Captain Archangel shows off one of the nice roosterfish like the ones we got this week. We just didn’t have alot of photos to put in the report since everyone releases their roosterfish! (Which we encourage!) A good week for roosters a little earlier than normal for the year.
CHECK OUT THESE GREAT VIDEOS FROM JORGE ROMERO OUR WHALES GUIDE WITH OUR CLIENTS!
ROOSTERFISH – PARGO and WHALES HIGHLIGHT WEEK
La Paz – Las Arenas Fishing Report for Week of Feb. 22-March 1, 2015
There just weren’t that many fishermen in town this week. Most folks in town this time of year are snow-birds just trying to get away from the colder areas they live in. Or as one visitor told me this week, “We give up. We live on the east coast and could not stand one more snowstorm. We went as far as we could go as long as we had sunshine.”
It was surely a good week to be in town. Temperatures were in the 80’s although there were some afternoon clouds that dropped some quick showers up in the mountains. Pretty pleasant overall. And not much wind which was pretty good for fishing…if we had more fishermen! But, it’s to be expected during the off-season when we’ve always got the potential for some strong northern winds that can bounce you off the water.
But, for the few fishermen we had, there was some decent inshore fishing. The highlights were the pargo and rooster fish. We don’t have alot of photos this week because…well, most of the rooster fish are released (yay), but there were some nice 10-20 pound fish. Close in tight to Bahia de Los Muertos and south towards Boca de Alamo.
The other fish that came up nice were the pargo. But, we don’t have alot of photos of them either this week because…well, the fish bite, but if you have ever fished for pargo, you also know how tough they can be pulling these sluggers out’ve the rocks. Probably not a tougher fish out there and this time of year is when the big redfish come up into the shallows to spawn. We “estimate” that the fish that were lost would’ve been in the 10-30 pound range.
Other species included bonito, sierra and cabrilla (sea bass).
WHALES
Although we didn’t have alot of fishermen, we DID have some great whale watching and that’s what alot of folks come to La Paz for this time of the year.
We’re having a spectacular year with an abundance of grey whales in Bahia Magdalena and daily trips headed out and lots of whales this year. Normally, they’re gone by mid-March but show no signs so far, of leaving in any hurry! It’s been a great opportunity to literally get close to the whales and touch them.
WHALE SHARKS
How about swimming with an animal the size of a school bus?
Thanks to Kody and Rick Kasper for these great photos and this week’s great video of Kody underwater.
There have also been some great opportunities right in the bay to swim with the whalesharks. The “babies” which are about 10-15 feet long are in shallow water but an incredible experience to get in the water with anywhere from one to more than a dozen whalesharks in shallow water.
FRED HALL FISHING SHOW – Wednesday to Sunday
There’s nothing like this show if you’re into fishing!
They line up early and long to get into the show looking for deals!
Only part of a skyview of the main hall and the packed aisles in the Long Beach Convention Center!
This is it! This is the BIG ONE of the YEAR! We’ve been on the road now for 2 months and had some spectacular shows in Sacramento…Denver…Puyallup (Seattle)…Portland…Phoenix and Yakima. And now…we’re splitting up again!
I’ll be at the Long Beach Convention Center for the Fred Hall Fishing and Outdoor Show from Wednesday to Sunday. This is the 69th year for this show and it’s always packed with great gear, trips and lots of amigos! It’s the big party!
Our Tailhunter Booth…often a gathering spots for our other amigos in the fishing business. Just some of our “fishing brothers” waiting to see you this week in Long Beach!
BOISE IDAHO SPORTSMANS SHOW- Thursday to Sunday
Regretfully, Jill and I have to split up this week. She’ll be at the Boise Fairgrounds from Thursday to Sunday. Another great show and we hate splitting up. Jill really wants to be with me in Long Beach and I’m sure going to miss being with her and not seeing our friends in Idaho. But, it’s a way great super show! Come see Jilly!
Jill will be in the booth at the Boise Fairgrounds and has all the info you need to set up your 2015 Fishing Adventure in La Paz with Tailhunter Sportfishing!
STILL SPOTS FOR 2015 PANGA SLAM
Dave and Michelle Conklin from Washington got some nice dorado at last year’s Panga Slam
BEACH LINEUP of DORADO at last year’s Panga Slam!
Still some spots available. Dates are June 16-21 and is gonna be a blast with 3 days fishing / hotel/ several great parties and dinners and a big island snorkel party as well. All this personally hosted by Jill and myself and Executive Editor Pat McDonell from Western Outdoor News. It promises to be another great time. For more information, contact us here at Tailhunter at riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com or call 626-638-3383.
There’s a variety of fish that came up this week. Red snapper…yellowtail…sierra…and yes triggerfish. All great eating fish.
Our whaelwatching tours are in full swing and the whales are being incredibly cooperative! Kevin Kennedy and his group got the full experience in the calm waters of Mag Bay. Not sure how much longer these amazing animals will be here, but normally, they’re around until mid-March or so! Contact us and we’ll set you up!
We say good-bye to a fantastic La Paz Carnaval . Many watched the parades from our Tailhunter Restaurant and had a great time.
Great costumes and floats!
Amy, Nicole and Kody Kasper enjoying one of Carnval parades in front of our Taihunter Restaurant on the malecon waterfront.
OK WEATHER GOES WITH OK FISHING!
La Paz – Las Arenas Fishing Report for Week of Feb. 15-22, 2015
Good week for weather and fishing this past week…relatively speaking! I mean, it’s still winter so there were some breezy days, but compared to other weeks, the conditions were much more fishable and given that many of the folks in town are snow birds just wanting to get warm (especially those trying to thaw out from the east coast of the U.S, not too many folks are complaining about 83 degree days.
The fishing was predictable. With good weather, we’re able to get into more species and more variety to the fishing as well.
Among the larger species, some yellowtail popped up off Cerralvo Island including some nicer grades of fish in the 20-30 pound class. Some nice horses. Bait hasn’t been good as far as the mackerel are concerned which is what the yellows really charge, but using iron and heavier jigs (of course losing stuff in the rocks), scrambled egg and blue/white patterns produced fish. Also slow trolling mackerel-patterned crank baits like the bigger Rapala xRap 20’s and Yo-Zuri’s in blue and grey got hits as well.
Also, given it’s only February, I was nicely surprised by the rooster fish we got this week. Nothing big but fun-sized 5-10 pounders are great on light tackle, especially so close to shore. Normally, we tend to see these fish about a month later.
Same with the dorado. Again, nothing gigantic, but good-sating sized 6-12 pound “doraditos” again made for some good light tackle action. Just like the roosters, I wouldn’t expect the mahi to be in so early in the year.
More typical were the other species we caught. Especially, the inshore types. This included snapper and pargo, some decent 10-pound cabrilla and sierra along some of the beach drop offs.
The coming week’s weather is looking pretty good so hopefully better fishing reports next week. Truthfully, this time of the year, there aren’t that many fishermen in town, but everyone is hooking up and getting good variety.
WHAT A WEEK ON THE ROAD!
Jilly is all smiles in the Yakima booth!
Once again…had a BLAST rocking the booth in the Phoenix University Football Stadium. Hard to believe the Super Bowl was played there two weeks ago!
Due to scheduling, Jill and I split up this week on our Tailhunter show tour. Jill went up to Yakima, Washington for the Central Washington Sportsmans Show. I was further south at the International Sportsman Show in Phoenix. We both had a great week and it was great seeing so many new and old amigos! Thanks to everyone for coming and visiting us and for those of you who booked trips to come see us this year in La Paz, we’re looking forward to seeing you again later this year!
We now move off to Southern California to set up for the massive Long Beach Fred Hall Fishing and Hunting Show at the Long Beach Convention Center March 4-8. Once again, we split up! Jill goes north to the Idaho Sportman’s Show at the fairgrounds in Boise, Idaho! If you’re going to be anywhere near these venues come out to see us and say hi!
From Napa and only time for one day of fishing, here’s NIck Clark and his girlfriend Jackie. I was a bit worried because of prediciions of wind and rain, but they did OK…several roosters released…a wahoo lost…two small dorado…some bonito….a red pargo and a cabrilla! Not too bad at all! It’s hard to tell, but if you look closely at Jackie’s left hand…NICK got the best catch of all…HE ASKED JACKIE TO MARRY HIM! Apparently, she said YES!!!
Using yo-yo iron, commercial guys around Cerralvo Island are hooking some nice 20 pound class yellowtail. Hopefully, this week we can get some of our sports anglers on the fish. Thanks to Hawk for the photo!
Amy Casper from Wyoming and Doc Finn from New York have visitors!
Looks like Amy got a big smile from this big grey whale on one of our Tailhunter whalewatching trips!
LA PAZ CARNAVAL 2015 is in full -swing this week! Everyone is out partying on the waterfront with lots of parades, floats, dancing, concerts, food and fun! Carnaval goes until FAT TUESDAY Feb. 17th. Great time to be in town.
FISHING MIXED BUT LOTS GOING ON IN LA PAZ!
La Paz – Las Arenas Fishing Report for Week of Feb. 8-15, 2015
Relatively speaking…Not much to report this week. We had a bit of wind which is characteristic of this time of year. Also, there’s more folks in town for whale watching and the big week-long Carnavale than for fishing so everyone was having fun, nevertheless.
The folks that did go out, many were first-timers just looking for some sunshine and a day out on the water regardless of action so, in cases like that, best to keep close and have some fun and catch fish. The results were enjoyably predictable with cabrilla and bonito up to about 5 pounds. Good action on some schools of tough jack crevalle up to about 10 pounds. Some pargo including some larger ones busted off in the rocks plus sierra along the beaches. All great eating fish.
But, not to be discouraged, we did have two wahoo come off and several roosterfish were released so there’s alot of variety in the water and decent action!
The tuna bite we were hoping for, never really materialized although the commercial guys say there’s some fast-movers running with the dolphin schools outside Cerralvo Island or momentarily popping up at the drop-offs in deeper water then heading back down before anyone can get to them. Encouragingly, more yellowtail are showing up on the commercial boats using heavier iron as not much bait is around. But those guys go out no matter the conditions and it’s often a bit too rough to put first-timers out there and make the run on a sketchy bite. This week, we’ve got some better experienced anglers coming out so hopefully some better results on the more quality fish.
The whale watching is really where everyone is these past few weeks. The whales over at Bahia Magdalena have been incredible. The folks we’ve been sending over have been having a kick getting up close to these amazing animals in the calm waters of the bay and the whales and the new calves have shown no hesitancy to come right up and check out the funny-looking creatures in the pangas that can’t stop laughing.
Also, this week since Feb. 12th and continuing to the 17th, La Paz has been in full-turbo CARNAVAL mode with the city in quite the party mood with parades, booths, lots of food, giant concerts and pretty much shutting down the whole waterfront area in a giant street fair every day and night. Great time to be in town!
JONATHAN and JILL SPLIT UP!
Not really per se! But our Tailhunter 2015 Road Tour hits a fork in the road!
Jilly and I have been on the road now since just after Christmas and have had some incredible shows in Sacramento, Denver, Puyallup (Seattle), and most recently in Portland at all the big fishing and hunting shows telling folks about fishing with us in La Paz. What an amazing time we’re having and the bookings have been off-the-charts and it’s so great to see so many old friends along the trail!
Well, as the schedule would have it Jill and I have to split up this week. Jill heads for the show in YAKIMA, WASHINGTONat the SUN DOME there at the Yakima Fairgrounds.
Jonathan goes to the other big show in PHOENIX, ARIZONAat the UNIVERSITY of PHOENIX STADIUM where the NFL Cardinals play and we just had the SUPER BOWL!
We hate to split up, but it’s the way the schedule worked out and we surely don’t want to miss either show and seeing our amigos in both locations. So, if you’re anywhere in the area, come by and say hi and talk to us about coming to visit us this year and go fishing in La Paz! Hope to see you this week!
That’s our story!
Jonathan and Jilly
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
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James “Hawk” Davis, our amigo from La Ventana put the wood on this surprise yellowtin tuna estimated at about 80 pounds!
TV show host and actor, Rick Kasper on the beach at Bahia de Los Muertos. Rich had a nice day of dorado including these two and a few others.
Captain Favio was out with Sam from North Carolina and they stuck this beefy yellowtail from the island.
Washington amigos in the house! Grant and Carol Darby with our Captain Gerardo and a colorful selection of the day’s catch including pargo, yellow snapper, cabrilla and sierra! All great eating fish.
YELLOWTAIL YES…BUT TUNA IN FEBRUARY?
La Paz – Las Arenas Fishing Report for Week of Feb. 1-8, 2015
After two weeks of on-again-off-again funky weather that included both wind AND rain, we finally had a week where the clouds parted a bit and we got sunshine and calmer seas.
Accordingly, I’m not surprised that we got into a few more fish and had some better conditions. There was still some wind, but it was still better than it had been!
We had quite a variety and I guess the biggest news was the surprise jag of tuna found at the north end of Cerralvo Island. Commercial fishermen had been trickling reports to us of fast moving tuna now and then, often moving too fast to get on them, but we finally stuck one. James “Hawk” Davis our amigo, stuck a fish we estimate at perhaps 60 pounds dragging a Rapala. Now, normally, we don’t see tuna until maybe late spring or early summer and it’s too soon to call this a “tuna bite.” But, it’s darned exciting to see a good-grade ahi hit the deck! We’ll keep you posted.
Hawk got his fish on 40 pound test and his xRap30 was the mackerel pattern. According to Hawk, there’s yellowtail around in the shallow spots, but that’s the problem. Dragging deep running lures like the XRap30 means losing alot of expensive Rapalas in the rocks!
As for other species, there’s some slugger yellowtail also around the island with most fish running 20-30 pounds. A nice grade of hefty fish that can pull like crazy. This is the right time for more of them to show up.
In addition, talk about a buffet of species…we also have been getting into pargo…both the big mullet snapper (pargo liso) as well as the barred pargo mulatto that have the pretty orange and green bars on them. Fish have been 5-20 pounds which might not sound like much until you try putting the wood to one of these guys and try to pull him outta the rocks.
We also found schools of dorado…some smaller school-sized rooster fish…bonito and cabrilla for a nice mix of fish.
Conditions look like they’re going to hold so hopefully, we’ll get some better fishing reports coming up!
TAILHUNTER WHALE WATCHING TRIPS IN FULL SWING!
Our daily trips out to Bahia Magdalena for whale watching have been having some incredible times! Lots of whales in the water and it’s an amazing experience to get close to these incredible animals. They usually hang out in the area until about mid-March or so. Plenty of time to see them before they start their long journey north back to the Bering Sea by Alaska! For more information, give us a call at 626-638-3383, or write us at riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com.
CARNAVAL COMING TO TOWN!
All the revelry right in front of our Tailhunter Restaurant Bar!
It’s gonna be a full week of craziness and fun at Carnaval!
Several huge parades will be taking place on the waterfront and all the town will turn out to watch!
The best seats in the house to watch a parade are at Tailhunters!
Just a heads-up that the 2015 La Paz Carnavale kicks it off this week with the giant street fair…incredible concerts…huge parades…fireworks and food! The revelry starts on Feb. 12 and goes to the 17th! Alot of the action takes place right in front of our Tailhunter Restaurant on the malecon which is also the best seat on the waterfront to watch the parades!
TAILHUNTER ON THE ROAD HEADING FOR PHOENIX AND YAKIMA!
Jill and I in our booth ready to talk La Paz fishing!
Oregon amigos toasting their upcoming fish trip to La Paz this year! Salud!
Amy and Belmond Mann , have been friends and frequent visitors to see us in La Paz for many many years! Always great to have them visit us at the show with the family!
Don and Debbie White have been fishing with us for years! They’re coming again this April! But, they brought me some awesome fuzzy slippers to wear in the booth because they know I stand for 10-12 hours straight and my feet are killing me!
An incredible shout-out THANK YOU / MUCHAS GRACIAS to our own Rod Brown from Wrangell, Alaska. Not only did he come all the way down to Portland but he put together the most amazing photos book called, “Fishing with Jonathan and Jill” filled with pages and pages of some of the fantastic fish he and his family and friends have caught with us over the years! I’m going to keep this somewhere very special. We were honored to get such a thoughtful gift! Thanks, Rod!
We just finished one of our best shows of the year at the Portland Expo Center for the Northwest Sportsmans Show! It as off-the-charts! Solid wall-to-wall people for 5 days and we saw soooo many of our amigos who came to visit us at the booth! We had a blast and thank you for all of you who were so thoughtful to bring goodies and gifts. You’re the best. And a special shout-out to everyone who booked their 2015 La Paz fishing vacations as well!
We now head on down the road to our next stops Only this time, we do something different. Because of scheduling, Jill and I will split up!
Jill will head up to Yakima Washington and do the show there!
I’ll be in the football stadium at Phoenix doing the ISE show there!
Gonna be a crazy week. Come say hi and talk to us about your 2015 La Paz Fishing Adventure!
Tailhunter Fish Report 
