Fishing Report - 1/19/06

Hello from the Tropics,

Inshore fishing, Tuna on top-water, Marlin and  Fly fishing for Sails dominated the week here on the Pacific side of Panama this week! Joining Pesca Panama for the first time were avid French anglers: Francis Couzinet, David Pansart, Jean luc Toullec, Bernard Pupin , Christian Boucard, Pascal Bouleau, Yannick Deslandes, Jose Delgado, Serge Grandvuillerin, Frederic Balazard and Serge Pilli and his father Andre Pilli. Joining us form Colorado was Doug Klees and Brian Strausser.

2006 at Coiba Island/Hannibal bank is shaping up to be a Marlin type of year!!!  As you all know at Pesca Panama; we specialize in exploring the diversity of this areas fishery‚ inshore and offshore. The inshore fishing at Coiba is always world class; but this year is turning out to be a bang up offshore year!! This weeks offshore fishing started off quickly. On the second day while fishing with Team Macho; Jean-luc and Bernard had the chance to "tag team" a  feisty 400lb Black Marlin! The following day also produced Marlin action as our European guest went to work attempting to land a Marlin on their hi-tech spinning gear!  All three "French boats" hooked Marlin, but to no avail, as all three fish either threw the hook or, broke the leaders!!!! It was a good try guys, we wish you luck in the future!!! Day five brought another Marlin strike as a super aggressive Black Marlin attacked a Panama rigged belly bait as the guys were trying to bait and switch sails on the fly, aboard the Ponchera.

Marlin where not the only fish tempted by lures and baits offshore as  most of the guest had the chance to test their gear with numerous tuna between 20 and 141 pounds!! Fishing with Captain Ben; first time off-shore caster Brian Stausser had the strike and fight of a lifetime hooking and landing a 141lb tuna on top-water!!! Congrats Brian!! Fishing with team Bartollo; Serge Grandvuillerin, Serge Pilli, Frederic had a Pesca Panama first when they hooked and landed a triple, casting to large Tuna 80#,100# and 120#!!!! Great job guys!!! The Sailfish and Dorado both showed good numbers with first time bill fisherman Andre Pilli (el commandante) landing a beautiful Sail estimated at 120lbs! Tempting numerous sails with feathers (fly), Doug had many strikes jumping two fish, but was unable to hold on to the acrobatic fish long enough to bring them boat side. Exciting fishing Doug! Good luck next time!!

Loaded down with hi-end spinning and fly gear our European and American guest earned every strike and every fish this week!! Fighting mediocre weather conditions and heavy currents the guys hung in cast after cast, bait drop after bait drop and were able to land good numbers of prize fish!! Seeing up to 10 Cubera strikes a day on top-water, several nice Rooster fish, and some monster size Cuberas and Amberjack on bait the overall inshore scene was very good! It was also a monster Amberjack week as Pesca Panama landed several "Reef Donkeys" going too 65 lbs, with Francis taking one of the largest. Fishing Jicaron on the forth day, Team Macho got into a top-water bite "like you read about" as Jacks and various snappers literally fought over every popper that hit the water!!

We also had one night of excellent night fishing this week!! Fishing right from the "Bar" area; the guys went to battle with numerous Rays, Sharks, Snapper and Jacks....It was great fun we look forward to trying it again!

It was another great week guys thank you for putting in the extra effort and the millions of casts!!!!

Good Fishing,
Captain Travis


Jose and Macho with a great Cubera Snapper!!


Dorados that eat feathers???


Great weather and great Amberjack fishing!


The record setter!!!! Three large size Tuna on top-water!!!! Fantastic job guys.


Big African Pompano on the Jig!!


It was a BIG Amberjack week!!


Bait and Switching Sails.


Mean Fish, Meaner Frenchman


Nice Tuna on the top Brian. Congratulations!!!


El commandante..... enjoying the good life!!!