Fish Report for 2-24-2004
Royal Star Fish Report
2-24-2004
Royal Star
Wow! What an ending to a fantastic, unique long range experience complete with all the local fish and beach action as well as wide open fishing on eighty to one hundred forty pound yellowfin tuna. The picture here continues to improve with more fish moving in every day and the bite continuing to improve. The cows are also here in modest numbers but rest assured that this will also change for the better. For those of you coming on our next 2004 Panama voyages, prepare yourselves because there is some incredible big fish action in our future.
The trip ending bite late yesterday afternoon was as good a show on big fish as I have ever seen with eighty to one hundred thirty pound tuna mauling doomed anchoveta literally inches from the hull while everyone fishing had one on. When these fish get with the program down here they are incredibly aggressive marching up the chumline right to the corner in a show that peaks the adrenaline level instantly. Combine this show with grease calm weather and crystal clear water and the whole picture is breathtaking. Imagine not only the sight of huge boils while the tuna hammer helpless anchoveta all around the boat but the sight of big fish in the water everywhere so close that you reach out and touch them. It was almost impossible to maintain composure. Wow what a show!
As we end this first of our four Panama voyages for 2004 I can tell you all several things. We are learning and learning fast. We now have the bait and are acquiring local knowledge to bring you this world class fishery. Make no mistake about it, this fishery and the potential to make a huge catch of big fish is as good, if not better, than anywhere in the world. I want to reiterate that we now have the bait to fish exactly the same as we do from San Diego. Not one time this voyage was bait unavailable to use at will. Every stop, everywhere, we all fished with beautiful live bait.
The depth that these Panama adventures provide is unlike any long range voyage available today. Walking in the jungle face to face with iguanas and monkeys, catching jacks and Cubera snappers from the beach, catching voracious eight to thirty pound snappers daily, and finally world class Giant yellowfin tuna fishing places Panama at the top of list for adventure, quality, and variety. Did I forget to mention the giant Black and Blue marlin, sailfish, and Roosterfish? The beauty of Panama is that there are many additional activities and fisheries for entertainment during the slow tuna times. Yes it can be slow in Panama just like anywhere I have fished in my nineteen years in the Pacific. It is one thing that we all can count on regardless of our fishing destination. With all Panama has to offer however, the slow times are occupied with diverse adventure.
Now let me mention that we are working with an invaluable group of tuna fishermen in this area that have accepted us with open arms. We are sharing information and making significant catches as a result. This fact alone has opened the door for success and assures everyone that if the fish are here to be caught, we have the best odds possible of finding them.
How about the weather in this region. It is almost too good to be true. Average wind eight knots, average sea one to two feet. And believe me from our experience two feet is really stretching it. Even when the wind blows there is very little fetch to build seas as we typically fish close to shore. The powers that be have smiled on this area in the weather department.
The topic of fishing time on these trips certainly must not be missed. Seven full days on a eight day voyage. A very select few long range voyages are even capable offering this opportunity when conditions permit. In Panama, it is every trip.
Last but not least I have to mention that the nature of this fishery guarantees that an angler need not be concerned with the "Position Alpha" circumstance where the second, third. or fourth boat in the area painfully watches the boat in prime anchor position make the big catch. Because this fishery is dynamic and not particularly associated with bottom structure the schools are always on the move and ready for the next try after a boat makes a stop. For those of you who have fished Clipperton in the daytime on the move, this fishery is very similar.
I have had my say for now and will be signing off until with luck we make our catch of anchoveta for the next voyage.
The trip ending bite late yesterday afternoon was as good a show on big fish as I have ever seen with eighty to one hundred thirty pound tuna mauling doomed anchoveta literally inches from the hull while everyone fishing had one on. When these fish get with the program down here they are incredibly aggressive marching up the chumline right to the corner in a show that peaks the adrenaline level instantly. Combine this show with grease calm weather and crystal clear water and the whole picture is breathtaking. Imagine not only the sight of huge boils while the tuna hammer helpless anchoveta all around the boat but the sight of big fish in the water everywhere so close that you reach out and touch them. It was almost impossible to maintain composure. Wow what a show!
As we end this first of our four Panama voyages for 2004 I can tell you all several things. We are learning and learning fast. We now have the bait and are acquiring local knowledge to bring you this world class fishery. Make no mistake about it, this fishery and the potential to make a huge catch of big fish is as good, if not better, than anywhere in the world. I want to reiterate that we now have the bait to fish exactly the same as we do from San Diego. Not one time this voyage was bait unavailable to use at will. Every stop, everywhere, we all fished with beautiful live bait.
The depth that these Panama adventures provide is unlike any long range voyage available today. Walking in the jungle face to face with iguanas and monkeys, catching jacks and Cubera snappers from the beach, catching voracious eight to thirty pound snappers daily, and finally world class Giant yellowfin tuna fishing places Panama at the top of list for adventure, quality, and variety. Did I forget to mention the giant Black and Blue marlin, sailfish, and Roosterfish? The beauty of Panama is that there are many additional activities and fisheries for entertainment during the slow tuna times. Yes it can be slow in Panama just like anywhere I have fished in my nineteen years in the Pacific. It is one thing that we all can count on regardless of our fishing destination. With all Panama has to offer however, the slow times are occupied with diverse adventure.
Now let me mention that we are working with an invaluable group of tuna fishermen in this area that have accepted us with open arms. We are sharing information and making significant catches as a result. This fact alone has opened the door for success and assures everyone that if the fish are here to be caught, we have the best odds possible of finding them.
How about the weather in this region. It is almost too good to be true. Average wind eight knots, average sea one to two feet. And believe me from our experience two feet is really stretching it. Even when the wind blows there is very little fetch to build seas as we typically fish close to shore. The powers that be have smiled on this area in the weather department.
The topic of fishing time on these trips certainly must not be missed. Seven full days on a eight day voyage. A very select few long range voyages are even capable offering this opportunity when conditions permit. In Panama, it is every trip.
Last but not least I have to mention that the nature of this fishery guarantees that an angler need not be concerned with the "Position Alpha" circumstance where the second, third. or fourth boat in the area painfully watches the boat in prime anchor position make the big catch. Because this fishery is dynamic and not particularly associated with bottom structure the schools are always on the move and ready for the next try after a boat makes a stop. For those of you who have fished Clipperton in the daytime on the move, this fishery is very similar.
I have had my say for now and will be signing off until with luck we make our catch of anchoveta for the next voyage.
