Fishing Report - 03/17/07

Greetings from Pesca Panama;

This week we were glad to welcome a mixed group of artificial enthusiasts. Coming all the way from France were topwater experts Jean-Pierre Leconte, Antoine Duuphy Marron, Stephan Macrez, Cederick Deglassi, and Gui Serrala. From California we had the yo-yo experts Paul Skipper, Drew and Randy Pauley, and Bob Huffman. We were also happy to welcome back free-divers; Bill Austin, Bob Caruso, and Ted McMahax, who departed the Barge every morning with nothing but a spear gun and a smile on their face. Whether the fish where willing to bite or not we were ready for them.

The first day got started rather quickly as Captain Bartorlo headed offshore to Montousa with Bill, Bob, and Ted and landed on the Tuna. Ted had the day of a lifetime getting a 150 pound Yellowfin on his first drop of the trip and quickly followed it up with a 100 pound fish an hour later. Congratulations Ted!!! Paridas and Ladrones Islands also produced some great fish with Cubera up to 50 pounds on live Bonito, Broomtail Grouper up to 30 pounds on jig, and three Roosterfish caught on the topwater at last light. Congratulations guys on a great way to start your trip!

Although the large tuna were once again very difficult to get to eat live bait of poppers; the guys did get to witness some great action on topwater landing up to 20 per day with the largest Tuna coming in at 60 lbs on topwater. The Divers also proved that there are some larger Tuna mixed in landing 8 fish on the week between 90 and 150 lbs. To top off the offshore show; Randy and Drew Pauly fishing with Team Macho, got the opportunity to tangle with a 500 lb Black Marlin at the famed Hannibal Bank. Congratulations guys on a great fish.

Cederick, Gui, and Antoine gave us quite a show this week proving that the daytime is not the only chance you have at catching topwater fish. The guys put in some long evenings, landing Nurse Shark up to 300 lbs on bait as well as 20 Jack Crevalle per evening on light tackle poppers. Cederick, Gui, Jean Pierre, Antoine, and Stephan also got to witness some great Snook action landing many Black Pacific Snook with the largest coming in at 22 lbs.

See ya on the planks,
Captain Ben Floyd



Randy Pauly with a Ladrones caught Broomtail on Jig


Topwater Rooster


Another Beautiful Roosterfish


60 lb Cubera! Great Fish Drew!


The Marlin putting the heat on Randy Coiba Style!!!


Ted putting a spin on "DiverCity" at Coiba


Cederick with an XL Cubera


The "Snook Hole" was happening this week


Final hour Roosterfish at Ladrones


Jean-Pierre with another big Cubera