Fishing Report - 3/2/05

Hello from the tropics,
The north wind was blowing and the inshore bite was too hot to touch! The trip started in Isla Paridas, and by the third day of heavy North winds we were wondering if we were going to spend the week in Paridas.  While the heavy Santa Anna type winds had Jay and the lodge pinned in the near coastal islands, it did not stop the boys‚ Macho, Sergio, and Lucho from pushing offshore. They traveled through the wind tunnel, to Montuosa Island perusing the schools of pelagic fish that have been the center of attention for the last several weeks. Meanwhile Ben, myself, and team Ponchera went to the shoreline; casting and live baiting the familiar rocks and sand beaches of Paridas islands, and to say the least-the bite was on both offshore and near shore!

We had a mixed group of anglers onboard last week from all over the States, France/Spain, and South Africa. Fishing with Team Macho was master fisherman Fritz Weidig who was joined by his fishing partner John Kabay.  Maryse Lerouvillois and Jean Serri were teamed with Captain Lucho. Latin American regulars Jim Butterworth and Bill Boteler joined Captain Sergio, and returning anglers George Lockwood, Art McClure, Warren Green, and Paul Dinerstein fished with Ben and I.

The week included some sensational catches including non-stop inshore action and world class offshore action! The full moon was on the rise and the fish were hungry at Coiba! Jean and Maryse; who came to Cobia to enjoy the super inshore fishing, were surprised when they found a 291 pound Yellow Fin. The monster Tuna not only exhausted Jean and Maryse, but Lucho and Tatian as well, they kicked in and after 2 plus hours of battling, the fish was boat side and the sushi was on! Fritz and John returned to Coiba for variety and action, and they found it- Tuna to 130 pounds, a couple of Sails, five Wahoo, Dorado, lots of Cubera snapper and a 81 lb Amberjack.

Jim and Bill also had a great first week in Coiba with a huge Tuna lost at the leader, a double on top-water Cubera to 40lbs, and Jim's bottom of the ninth 240 lb class Tuna on the last day. Aboard Team Ponchera the word was in-shore.....and for the first few days, we saw some of the best top-water action of the year. Warren had a fantastic catch on the first day landing a 41 lb Cubera on top-water and live-baiter Art (bite you son of a b!tch <mailto:b@tch> ) was covered up with fish the entire week including two nice Roosters and several Cubera Snapper!

It was a great week, congrats to the crew for great catches. We will see you all next year!
Good fishing
Captain Travis


Fritz, putting the heat on a big  Tuna!


Nice Amberjack Jim!


Last light top-water Cubera...Good job  Warren!


45 lb Wahoo...Good Job Fritz!


Top-water time!!


Cubera time!


Tuna time......nice job John.


Now that's a Yellow-Fin...291  lbs!!!!


Cubera time. good job Fritz!


Rooster time...good job Art!