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Panama
Revisited
Central America's Newest
Fishing Lodge
by Gary Kramer
[Marlin Magazine January 2005]
Just 200 miles or so west of Panama City on
Central America's Pacific coast lie some of the most famous fishing
grounds in the world. Mention Hannibal Bank or Isla Coiba to
any serious big-game fisherman and images of giant black marlin,
tackle-busting yellowfin tuna and bulldog cubera snappers
immediately fill his head.
Thanks to the area's diverse habitats, warm equatorial
sea temperatures, rich upwellings, remoteness and lack of
overfishing, the shores of Panama enjoy a longevity rarely seen in
sportfishing. The Panama Big Game Fishing Club aim to
add a new twist to this historic fishery.
The now-defunct Club Pacifico de Panama opened this
region to traveling fishermen in the 1970s. A fair share of
operations have since come and gone in this area, but few can
compare with the Panama Big Game Fishing Club, the newest lodge.
Just an hour by water taxi from the town of David, the lodge was
built atop the highest elevation on Isla Boca Brava in 2001,
offering a commanding view of the surrounding area. Four fully
equipped guest cottages, gourmet meals and fantastic fishing make
the lodge a must-visit.
The fishing options in this region are seemingly
endless. Depending on current conditions and the species
targeted, productive inshore fishing is less than 15 minutes from
the lodge and blue-water action, less than an hour's steam from the
dock.
The operation's manager Capt. Lee Champbell says that
although the inshore fishing can be fantastic, most anglers come
here to fish for the bounty of billfish and giant yellowfin tuna
that prowl the waters surrounding the Isla Coiba area, including
Isla Montousa, Isla Ladrones and Hannibal Bank a bit farther
offshore. While grander blue and black marlin certainly reside
in these waters, most range from 250 to 500 pounds, making them
manageable on 50 pound tackle.
"In my experience the blues here run larger than the
blacks," says lodge owner Capt. Bill Beck. "That's not to say
that the black marlin are small. The biggest we've caught
since opening was 750 pounds."
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Generally, two live skipjack
are slow-trolled on flat lines, with two additional strip
baits or lures trolled on the outriggers.
After setting the first bait in the water, it wasn't
long before one skipjack began to swim nervously. The
change in the live bait's behavior didn't go unnoticed by the
mate, and he signaled the captain and my fishing partner.
Ken Mayer, to get ready. Mayer grabbed the rod from the
holder and put the reel in free-spool. Suddenly, the
line raced from the reel, and Mayer did his best to prevent a
bird's net with out scorching his thumb.
When the mate gave the call, Mayer put the reel in gear
and let the line come tight, allowing the circle hood to find
the corner of the fish's jaw. The fish ran hard and
cleared the water--a sailfish not a marlin! Mayer let
out a sigh that was either one of relief or disappointment; I
couldn't tell. But he fought the estimated 100-pound
sailfish gallantly and brought it to the boat in under 15
minutes for a photograph and release.
During our trip we didn't land a black marlin, but we
did get a knock at the door that felt like one. A blind
hit yanked off a few hundred yards of line but never came
tight. A big black or a big yellowfin.
"We've caught yellowfin up to 300 pounds," Beck says.
"We usually catch the big yellowfin on live bonito set out
when we're trolling for black marlin. But we get
yellowfin of all sizes. If we see a school, we'll troll
through them with some lures or get in front of them and toss
out live baits."
Yellowfin under 100 are often found feeding with
schools of porpoise, while the larger fish usually swim in
smaller schools that hang closer to the seamounts.
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Although all the big-game species are
available throughout the year, the primary billfish season
runs December through May. January, February and March
offer the most ideal conditions --little rainfall and calm
seas. Sailfish tend to be more abundant in April and
May, as do the larger tuna. The best wahoo bite is May
through November, with the best action occurring during the
peak of the rainy season in August and September. One
thing is for sure--the fish will be there no matter when you
plan your trip.
Getting There
The Panama Big Game Fishing Club currently
runs three boats, a 31 Bertram, a 28 Albemarle Express and a
30 Phoenix. All vessels sport twin diesels and advanced
electronics. The lodge also provides a full complement
of the best tackle available, from 20- to 80-pound. The
lodge itself offers four guest cottages; each is
air-conditioned and can sleep four people comfortably.
To get to Isla Boca Brava, you must first fly to Panama
City - several major carriers offer direct flights from Miami
- then to David, on one of the daily flights that regional
carriers offer. The folks at the Panama Big Game Fishing
Club will help you with all your travel needs. They
offer complete packages, including the domestic flight to
David, water-taxi transfer to the lodge, accommodations, meals
and fishing services. Contact Bill Beck at 866-281-1225,
visit
www.panamabiggamefishingclub.com or email
panamabiggame@aol.com
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