Fish Report for 3-24-2004
Royal Star Fish Report
3-24-2004
Royal Star
And so begins our final Panama voyage of the 2004 season with our best load of bait yet and a fantastic group of anglers aboard. Kevin Leong's group joined us last year in Panama and many have returned this year to give it another go and experience the difference a good load of bait and a lot of evolution can make. In addition we have many new faces to Panama aboard all of whom are thrilled to be heading out on such a new and fantastic adventure.
On that note I must comment on some of the feedback I have been hearing/reading regarding our 2004 Panama voyages in general. For the most part I am very pleased with the overall sentiment and I believe that the majority of anglers out there would be hard pressed not to have a fantastic experience fishing with us in this region. I do have to say this however. If you are of the "old school" long range mentality where the quality of the catch is less important than the quantity and the measure of your voyage's success is based solely the amount of fish you bag not the overall experience, these trips are not for you. Also, if you are looking for a guarantee that you will hook and land the trophy fish you desire on your trip we will probably fall short in that department.
Those of you who have formulated a negative opinion on what has occurred down here this and last season are way off the mark. We have yet to run a trip that has not at least one or two good opportunities for everyone on trophy size yellowfin and four of the six we have run have landed three or more fish over two hundred pounds. What we have seen in the way of big fish and the response of the fish to our live bait capabilities this season promises great success as we evolve and adapt as necessary. I am the first to admit that we still have a long way to go to maximize our potential down here but we are far from where we began last year.
Here are the most important points for those of you interested.
1. The fish are here. Big yellowfin caught consistently throughout history, we have seen and caught them. They are here.
2. We have good live bait. Four trips, four beautiful loads. As rookies with little previous experience is this department I think we can all agree that our success in this area can not be considered a coincidence. The bait is here. We can catch it to use.
3. The weather is beautiful ninety eight percent of the time. Flat calm, comfortable, and gorgeous.
4. Fishing time is maximized. Seven full days on a voyage eight days in length. Two nights of traveling on your whole voyage. That's it.
5. The scenery is spectacular. Idyllic tropical paradise, easily accessible when we desire, providing a magnificent backdrop to our big fish pursuit.
6. The fishing for local species is consistently incredible with big snappers and jacks providing action and variety adding depth and sometimes welcome relief to the offshore pursuit of tuna.
7. The shoreside logistics are handled professionally and efficiently by our partner Michael Joseph who with his many years experience working in Latin America knows how to get the job done. Michael's efforts insure Royal Star anglers safe, comfortable, and accommodating experience while shoreside in Panama. In addition anglers can be assured that Royal Star is provisioned, equipped, and provided all necessary legal documentation to operate in Panama due to Michael's tireless efforts.
8. Last but not least did I mention that the fish are here?
I am certain I can touch on a few more positives but I should come clean and share the one big negative of the Panama experience just to be completely straightforward and honest with all of you. You may not make the catch of fish you are hoping for when you come down here and you may not get a two or three hundred pounder. As I said, the fishing is not guaranteed. If you are looking for a guarantee you will have to look elsewhere. We do however guarantee you a fantastic fishing experience filled with new opportunity and adventure.
Getting back to it, we are departing with good information on our bow and plenty of time to get the job done so once again it is now up to the fish gods and we are hoping they smile on us on this go around.
On that note I must comment on some of the feedback I have been hearing/reading regarding our 2004 Panama voyages in general. For the most part I am very pleased with the overall sentiment and I believe that the majority of anglers out there would be hard pressed not to have a fantastic experience fishing with us in this region. I do have to say this however. If you are of the "old school" long range mentality where the quality of the catch is less important than the quantity and the measure of your voyage's success is based solely the amount of fish you bag not the overall experience, these trips are not for you. Also, if you are looking for a guarantee that you will hook and land the trophy fish you desire on your trip we will probably fall short in that department.
Those of you who have formulated a negative opinion on what has occurred down here this and last season are way off the mark. We have yet to run a trip that has not at least one or two good opportunities for everyone on trophy size yellowfin and four of the six we have run have landed three or more fish over two hundred pounds. What we have seen in the way of big fish and the response of the fish to our live bait capabilities this season promises great success as we evolve and adapt as necessary. I am the first to admit that we still have a long way to go to maximize our potential down here but we are far from where we began last year.
Here are the most important points for those of you interested.
1. The fish are here. Big yellowfin caught consistently throughout history, we have seen and caught them. They are here.
2. We have good live bait. Four trips, four beautiful loads. As rookies with little previous experience is this department I think we can all agree that our success in this area can not be considered a coincidence. The bait is here. We can catch it to use.
3. The weather is beautiful ninety eight percent of the time. Flat calm, comfortable, and gorgeous.
4. Fishing time is maximized. Seven full days on a voyage eight days in length. Two nights of traveling on your whole voyage. That's it.
5. The scenery is spectacular. Idyllic tropical paradise, easily accessible when we desire, providing a magnificent backdrop to our big fish pursuit.
6. The fishing for local species is consistently incredible with big snappers and jacks providing action and variety adding depth and sometimes welcome relief to the offshore pursuit of tuna.
7. The shoreside logistics are handled professionally and efficiently by our partner Michael Joseph who with his many years experience working in Latin America knows how to get the job done. Michael's efforts insure Royal Star anglers safe, comfortable, and accommodating experience while shoreside in Panama. In addition anglers can be assured that Royal Star is provisioned, equipped, and provided all necessary legal documentation to operate in Panama due to Michael's tireless efforts.
8. Last but not least did I mention that the fish are here?
I am certain I can touch on a few more positives but I should come clean and share the one big negative of the Panama experience just to be completely straightforward and honest with all of you. You may not make the catch of fish you are hoping for when you come down here and you may not get a two or three hundred pounder. As I said, the fishing is not guaranteed. If you are looking for a guarantee you will have to look elsewhere. We do however guarantee you a fantastic fishing experience filled with new opportunity and adventure.
Getting back to it, we are departing with good information on our bow and plenty of time to get the job done so once again it is now up to the fish gods and we are hoping they smile on us on this go around.
