About Us
Fish Taco Chronicles is a quarterly print magazine that has been publishing since 1995. Co-founders Shawn Arnold and Leonard Davenport started the little “rag” more or less as a hobby. A way to go fishing and tell their wives they were working

Besides the traditional approach of telling readers how to catch a fish, their idea was to write about their own experiences…birds nest and all. If visiting a location Fish Taco Chronicles tells not only of the best fishing areas but perhaps the best place to find a cold one afterwards. Or the best ways to cook your fish after you have caught it.

Their plan was a good one for a while until something they never expected happened…the magazine kept growing and growing and became work. Not that there are any complaints about it.

With plans to go to a 6x a year print schedule in the next year or so the future looks bright. With stories that have been called “offbeat” by Orange County Register outdoor columnist Dave Strege, the magazine does tend to march to a different drummer than most outdoor magazines. In fact, legendary outdoor writer Jed Welsh wrote in a 2004 column that Fish Taco Chronicles is his favorite fishing magazine.

A magazine is only as good as it’s writers. The following are some who help make Fish Taco Chronicles an interesting read:

Bill Schaefer – Based out of San Diego, Bill is a well-respected guide and seminar speaker. He is an expert in warm freshwater species and inshore saltwater species. Bill’s stories give good detail on how and where to catch fish.
Jim Paulk – Jim’s claim to fame is that he was the President of United Anglers in Southern California for over five years. Jim’s articles normally reflect on recent trips he has taken. Exciting locations that Jim has wrote about include: Zihautenjo – his favorite, Ketchikan, Hawaii, South Padre Island, Cabo San Lucas and Big Bear Lake. Besides fishing, Jim will usually include names of the best local restaurants and other non-fishing activities in his articles.
Ronnie Kovach – This well-known author, radio host, and television show host submits an article each issue. Ronnie’s’ expertise covers both fresh and saltwater fish and he lends his knowledge to readers on the best ways to catch more fish.
Scott L. Williamson – Scott writes the popular “On the Fly” column. Although based on fly-fishing, Scott deals with his experiences while fishing more that fishing itself. Scott is an accomplished actor who has appeared in such films as Fire Birds, Hook, Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman, along with a reoccurring role in J.A.G. and numerous television commercials.
Shawn Arnold – The publisher of Fish Taco Chronicles, Shawn normally has one or two stories in each issue about his travels.
Ken Jones---Ken is author of two award-winning books about pier fishing. He is one the most knowledgeable people in California about fishing from piers. Each issue he gives tips and insight about a different pier or region in California.

Steve Carson—Known as the walking encyclopedia of fishing, Steve is a nationally recognized author. He writes for numerous publications in addition to being the outdoor writer for his hometown paper in Chico California. Steve mostly writes about saltwater and oft time includes an article on a recent long-range trip that he took.

Other notable writers who contribute occasionally include: Jenny Armstrong, Phil Friedman, Jeff Klassen, Bajabev Seltzer, Mike Stevens, Mike Thomas and George Van Zant.

Shawn Arnold

  I grew up in Lakewood, California honing my fishing skills on bluegill at Heartwell Park and bonito off the Seal Beach Jetty. Though I loved to fish as a youngster, I was a baseball junkie and did not have the time to fish as much as I would have liked to.

  In high school between games or leagues, I still found a way to get to Catalina about 10 times a year on an overnighter from one of our local landings. My hard work in baseball did pay off, as I received a baseball scholarship to Long Beach State. My two years there taught me a few things. Number one — me and school did not mix. Number two — I had taken my baseball future as far as possible  and had no chance to live my dream as a major leaguer. Number three — it was time to figure out what I was going to do with my life.

  My father ran a machine tool trade publication and wanted me to join him. Soon after I went to work for him, we started a second machine tool publication called CNC-West. Having a steady income provided me the chance to pursue my passion — fishing. The publications sent me travelling a lot which gave me the chance to do some fishing in areas I would not have tried otherwise.

  My work travels enabled me to catch gar in Florida, pike in Michigan, walleye in Wisconsin, salmon in Oregon and Washington and brown trout in Argentina. This is in addition to all the local fresh and saltwater species that so. Cal. has to offer.

  In 1995, I took the publishing skills that I had learned and partnered up with a friend to start Fish Taco Chronicles. That gave me a chance to put my working knowledge into the activity I crave — fishing.

  Fish Taco Chronicles is a quarterly magazine. The magazine has enabled me to fish and write about locations such as Costa Rica, East Cape Mexico, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Canada and Alaska. I look forward to bringing readers of www.bigfishtackle.com my experiences and hope that you enjoy reading about them as much as I did writing about them.