Fishing Report - 02/14/09

GREETINGS FROM THE TROPICS

Pesca Panama had quite a diverse group of fisherman joining us this week. From Southern California was John Clendenen, John Clendenen Jr, Carl Kliewer, and Carl Spahr. Coming all the way down to join us from the frozen grounds of Anchorage, AK was Randy and Joann Bridwell. They were also joined by good friends Larry and Dana Stauffer of Seattle, WA.

The rest of our anglers joined us via the East Coast ranging from Florida to New York. Dave Richardson and Dave Richardson Jr made their first trip with us this year. Pesca Panama veterans Jim Butterworth, Mike Newberry, and Bill Boteler made a return appearance to see if they could top their personal best of a 790 lb Black Marlin caught a couple years ago with us at Hannibal Bank! We were also very excited to welcome Kenny Kapner, Dave Pincus, Eugene Schettin, and master lure inventor Sy Karp!

With the north wind finally calming down the crew was full of anticipation to get back out to the blue water that had pushed in. We had predicted in the prior fishing report that we felt like the yellowfin tuna were on the brink of exploding into a free for all! Well, we were right on this call. The bite started with a bang when Dave Richardson Sr, while fishing with Captain Lucho, hooked an XL tuna going 220 lbs. The tuna bite lasted throughout the morning. While fishing with Captain Kili, John Jr and and Carl Spahr, landed a 100 lb and 80 lb tuna respectively. Not to be outdone Mike Newberry hooked and landed a 160 lb tuna while fishing with Captain Tatin.

Not wanting to be shown up by the male fisherman, Dana Stauffer and Jo Bridwell got in on the action landing a 150 lb and 100 lb tuna on fifty pound test line and a Tiagra 16 while fishing with Captain Tommy. Not only can they fight big tuna with the best of them but do it with finesse! Congratulations ladies on a fine catch!

On Tuesday the Marlin bite turned on. Dave Pincus was the first to start things off landing a 250 lb Black Marlin. Shortly after Dave Richardson Sr. hooked and released a 400 lb Black! Not quite finished John Clendenen Jr. landed a beautiful 600 lb Black Marlin in just over an hour. On their way back to the Barge they also ran into a school of porpoise where John Clendenen Sr. hooked and landed a 153 lb Tuna. A great finish to a great day offshore! The following day the boats stopped at Ladrones to do a little bottom fishing. Dave Jr. was surprised when a 450 lb Black jumped on his bait. They were also able to land two Sailfish.

See ya on the Planks

Captain Jay Gustin
Captain Ben Floyd

PHOTOS OF THIS WEEKS FISHING:


Dana posing with her 150 lb Yellowfin


Randy with another beautiful  Rooster


Sy with a giant African Pompano


Dave Jr putting the heat on a 450 lb Black Marlin!


Jim with a "Reef Donkey"


Another nice Tuna


Dave Jr. with a 220 lb Tuna


Dave Sr with a 55 lb Rooster


Dave Sr. putting the heat on a 400 lb Black


Bill with a XL Cubera