Fishing Report - 02/21/09

Greetings from the Tropics

If there is one thing that reigns true of fishing at Coiba Island Panama, it would be you never know what is going to happen! This little spot in the ocean is very unique to fisherman. Boarding the boats in the morning, adrenaline pumping with anticipation, you literally have no idea what to expect! Over 30 species of sport fish ply the waters off this unique and beautiful coast and this week fishing with Pesca Panama.

Fishing with Captain Tommy this week was Captain Derek Floyd, Captain Travis Peterson and Panama first timer Scott Bumstead. This crew came looking for action and action they found casting topwater lures to 20 and 30 pound Yellowfin Tuna, landing over 70 Yellowfin during the week. Scott had the tuna catch of the week with this group when he landed a 100# brut on a jig, welcome to Panama Scott! This crew did not stop with offshore action working the inshore high spots and reefs these boys saw jig (iron) fishing at its best!!! Doubles triples and quads on XL Amberjack, Broomtail Grouper, Cubera Snappers, Roosterfish and on down the list. No were on earth could an angler see the line ripping action this crew encountered this week!!

Coming down from Florida was Aaron Hunt-Branch and the three brothers Bill, Bob and Fred Russell. The guys came looking for Marlin and they were just not here this week. That is what makes this place so different, when one fish isn't biting there is about twenty others to look for. The guys found great action on topwater landing Tuna, Cuberas, and many Jacks. They were also able to get in on that fantastic Tuna bite in Jicaron, landing up to 20 Tuna on topwater. Thank you guys for a great week!

Joining us from the chilly Northeast George Iacono, Tom Ciulla, Greg Iacono and George Large joined us for a week of casting topwater and dropping iron. George Iocono started off the week landing a 100 lb Tuna on topwater. Congratulations on a great topwater Tuna! The guys got in on some good jigging action landing Amberjack, Cubera, and a large Broomtail Grouper. The guys also were in on the Tuna action at Jicaron landing up to 20 in one day. The bite was on and Tom was able to land a beautiful 30 lb Tuna on fly free casting.

Pat Calella, Rich Koehler and Steve Schwartz also came down from the Northeast to fish with us for a week. The guys headed offshore and made the Tuna pay. Landing up to 10 a day with the two largest weighing in at 110 lbs and 150 lbs! They were also able to land one of the largest Sailfish we have ever seen. The fish was estimated to weigh every ounce of 175 lbs! Being expert wreck fisherman from the Northeast, the guys also got into some great bottom fishing landing up to 5 Cuberas a day and many "Reef Donkeys."

Thank you guys for a great week of fishing and your patronage! We look forward to seeing you all again in the future!

See ya on the planks

Captain Ben Floyd
Captain Travis Peterson

Fishing Tip of the week: Bring Iron!!!! If you are a jig fisherman you understand the sickness, if you are not, but love to fish and see a good jig bite you will be hooked!! This is not a sport for the faint at heart or those that would rather wait for a fish to take a live bait. This is a pro-active, full contact sport. Send the jig to the bottom and reel it in as fast as possible. Techniques vary, but all of them require stamina. There is just something about not knowing..what has you pinned to the rail, dumping your reel with the drag pushed to the max! Coiba Island has some of the best bottom fishing on earth and when they are biting, hang on! We stock a good selection of jigs, but if you plan on spending some time jigging pick up a few before you come down. A few of our favorite jigs are Sumo, Tady, Shimano Butterfly, and Williamson jigs. My favorite source for jigs is Angler Center in Newport, CA and Anglers Pro Shop located in Brooklyn, NY. You can call either of these outfitters, tell them you are fishing with us and they will help you out! These two outfitters also have the topwater lures that catch fish.

This week we also sustained a minor injury when a bait hatch was left open while fishing for Blue Runners. Always make sure that you let everyone know when the hatch is being opened and that you close it as soon as you are finished getting bait out or putting it in. On a side note; after the injury George Iacono was still able to land eleven species of fish including a beautiful Roosterfish on topwater while fishing with Jaime the "Panga Man".

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:


A double on AJs


Another beautiful Cubera


When they eat feathers you know they are biting!


There was plenty of Rooster Action to be had this week


Scott with his monster Broomtail on a Sumo Jig!


The Tuna bite was on!


Scott with a 80 lb "Reef Donkey" on Jig


Tom with his biggest Broomtail ever; and on a JIG!


The Grouper were on the bite!


George with a Yo-Zuri topwater Tuna