Fishing Report - 02/07/09

GREETINGS FROM THE TROPICS

Joining us this week was long time Pesca Panama veteran anglers Jim Spiros, Mike Comet, Mark Rode and Andy Turcich. They were joined with five of their friends from the Chicago area; Brian Schmucker, John Manikas, George Evangelopoulos, John Comet and Carlos Nieto. Also fishing with us were Russ Abraham and Bob Franchino, two snowbirds from Naples, Florida.

The north wind that we ended last week with continued to blow for the first half of this week. We spent the first three nights pinned down in Paridas Island. The guys were making a go of it running out to Ladrones and Montuosa Islands despite uncomfortable sea conditions. They fished hard the first couple of days and landed a few fish. But being limited in the areas we could fish contributed to much slower fishing than we accustomed to.

A 110# Yellowfin that Russ and Bob tag teamed while fishing with Captain Tommy was the first nice fish to hit the deck. These guys are sailfish anglers and admitted they had never seen anything fight quite like this. They caught the fish on a Tiagra 16 while fishing 50 lb test line. Congratulations guys on a good catch!

The wind was still blowing when Jim, Andy and Mark told Captain Lucho that they had decided to rest their backs and stay inside the protection of the Pardais Islands to fish. They made a good decision landing four Roosterfish up to 40 lbs and many Jack Crevalle on topwater.

By Monday evening the winds had laid down and the boys were ready to head offshore! Captain Tommy led the way on Tuesday morning finding a school of spinner dolphin where Bob and Russ were able to land another nice Tuna weighing in at 150 lbs! While fishing with Captain Tatin; Mike, George, and Carlos were also able to coax a 150# Tuna into eating a live Blue Runner and a 50 lb Tuna on topwater. Not bad fishing for a bad weather day!

All four boats headed offshore Wedensday morning in hopes of more Tuna action. They would not be disappointed. While fishing with Captain Tito, John Comet landed a beautiful Tuna weighing in at 225 lbs! At the same time, Bob and Russ, were tag teaming a Black Marlin on the top of Hannibal Bank that was in the 450 lb class. Not to be outdone Jim Spiros and the gang, while fishing with Captain Lucho, released an estimated 350 lb Bull Shark and happened upon a red hot Amberjack bite deep dropping jigs.

The fishing wasn't what we would call "Red Hot" this week. The weather had a lot to do with it but we were still able to put together a decent week of fishing! The bottom fish was consistent all week and there was enough Tuna around to make it exciting. Any day now the tuna bite could turn on into a wide open feeding frenzy.

A special thanks to Mike and Jim for helping to put this fishing group together and thanks to all of this weeks fishermen for choosing to fish with Pesca Panama.

See ya on the Planks

Captain Ben Floyd
Captain Jay Gustin

Tip of the Week: Although windy days and rough seas are not the norm, like anywhere else in the world we do have them. The guys this week did a great job and had a fun time despite the less than favorable conditions. They reminded me that even though it is a "hard-core" fishing trip; it is still a vacation and a break from the daily routine we all call life.

PHOTOS OF THIS WEEKS FISHING:


George with a nice Mullet Snapper!


Deep Dropping for Reef Donkeys!


John pinned up with an XL Tuna


John with a nice Cubera


The Amberjack were really biting this week!


Congratulations guys! 225 lbs!


Jim Spiros with a nice Cubera!


Brian with a beautiful AJ


Reason # 1 why we don't swim at night


Paridas Island Roosterfish