Relato de Pesca - 02/28/09

Greetings from the Tropics

This week Pesca Panama was excited to welcome back Coiba Island Veterans as well as a few first time fishermen. Master guide Mike Augat came down with seven guests including Sydney Waud, David Bell, George Apostolatos, Paul Heinold, Mike Davy, George Babikian and Paul Evans. Also joining us this week from Florida and Minnesota was Ron Smith, Jim Malters and Marv Isder.

The guys showed up prepared to throw anything and everything at the fish. From 7# fly rods to heavy duty popping rods, the guys were ready.

The inshore reefs off Coiba Island were a bit slower this week due to Red Tide. It did not seem to affect the offshore areas but made things difficult along the Coiba coastline. With slower fishing around Coiba and Tuna in their sights, the boats headed further south to Jicaron Island.

Monday the Tuna bite was on at Jicaron for the second week in a row landing up to 20 Tuna per day on topwater. The largest fish taken by Ron Smith weighed in at 90 lbs. On Tuesday all four boats headed back to Jicaron for one last look. They would not be let down! Once again the Tuna were jumping on topwater and jigs with many nice fish landed. The largest fish of the day were in the 60 to 70 pound range taken by Ron, Jim and Marv.

Throughout the week there was also some great jigging and chunk fishing for Cubera Snapper, Amberjack and Broomtail Grouper. George Babikian was also able to coax a couple of Roosterfish into biting throwing topwater at Jicaron and many Skipjack Tuna in the 8 to 12 pound range on the fly rod. Jim landed a fish of a lifetime pulling in a 60 pound Broomtail Grouper while George Apostolatos caught a huge and rare (for this area) Cabrilla. Congratulations guys on some fun fish!

See Ya on the Planks
Captain Ben Floyd
Captain Jay Gustin

Fishing Tip of the Week: When fly fishing in the Coiba Island Region, we recommend not pushing the subject. Wait until the opportunity presents itself and be ready to capitalize. This can be a very difficult area at times to get the fish to rise on the fly. With all that said it can also be a very rewarding fishery when the fish are aggressive and feeding hard. Be ready and be patient for that moment when everything comes together!

Photos of the week:


The small tuna were everywhere this week!


Paul with a Jack Crevalle caught swimming with the Tuna


Mike and Paul with a double on topwater


George with a Cubera!


Sidney showing off some more Tuna!


George with a Cabrilla!


Paul with a nice Cubera!


A beautiful Cubera!


A tuna on topwater for Ron!


Big Marv with a Pompano