We finally made it to the Panama Sport Fishing Lodge after nearly three months trying to clear our schedules and listening to what I thought were fish tales about high concentrations of black marlin, huge sails, and massive schools of Pargo (snapper) that will turn the water below the boat red when they’re feeding. As it turns out, it was no fish tale.
On day 1 we left the small fishing village of Boca Chica in a 30 foot Stamas Yacht center console. We were guided by two famous Panamanian captains, Macho and Sergio. (Both of which you’ve probably seen on TV) We had all the latest gear from Shimano. Tiagras, Stellas, and Torsas all spooled with Blue Diamond Mamoi. We ran out 30 some miles in easy seas to the world famous Hannibal banks often seeing families of Hump Back whales breaching the surface along the way. At the banks we trolled for bait using a string of ¼ and ½ jigs tied into a homemade sabiki that caught three and four bonitos at time. We filled the tuna tubes with livies and a cooler full for cut bait. Within an hour, we took a shot on large bonito slow trolled on a Tiagra 50 wide. It was a black. I strapped on the belt and took position. The crew and captain cleared the deck and the fight was on. The fight lasted about an hour while the Marlin put on an amazing display of acrobatics behind the boat. The fish was landed and released to fight another day.
We finished off the day dropping cut baits for Pargo. The bottom machine displayed 120ft of water dropping off to 600ft on either side of the structure. A giant mass of fish 40ft thick hung on the ledge. The captain explained that it was an underwater volcano as we drifted over pulling 20# plus snapper over the edge as fast as we could reel them in. Double and triple hookups until we had our fill.
The following day we returned to the Hannibal banks to try again. We had three more blacks on, but couldn’t make them stick. One black swam up to the back of the boat while we were reeling in bait and crushed a bonito. He was h
Great report. Approximately what would a trip there cost? When is the best time to go?
Roger
24 McKee
Nice Pictures. Congrats!
33’ Hydra Sport with Triple 225 Yamaha’s
looks like an amazing trip!
Nice three days of fishing, wish we could get that type of action here somewhere.
quote:
Originally posted by Ona MissionGreat report. Approximately what would a trip there cost? When is the best time to go?
Roger
24 McKee
Mission man,
The prices of the trips are on the website. Follow the link in my post and click on pacakages. The air fare through Delta was $560.00
Spending money depends on your taste but generally, it is less expensive than the states. The city of David is also nearby. There are casinos and night life. A person on a budget could go for the price of the trip, airfare, and a little bit of travel money. Everything you need is at the lodge.
Panama is entering the dry season and the YFT will build in the area from now until May or June. I understand that the 200# plus fish are caught in Jan and Feb. The Marlin and pargo are there year round. I was there in what was considered off season if you can imagine that.
26 Hydra Sports
Twin Yamaha 225
Those look more like mullet snappers than pargos. But even so, you were in panama and didn’t get any pictures of girls to put on the website? Congrats… I guess…
wow… great shot, especially of the jumper
<Pajama Run/Walk for Cancer w/ a Party at “The Joe”>
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“Tight Lines”
-If you don’t like what I say…TOO BAD
Charlie Company
'08
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejThose look more like mullet snappers than pargos. But even so, you were in panama and didn’t get any pictures of girls to put on the website? Congrats… I guess…
skinnee,
The locals called all the snapper “pargo” There was a mixed bag of cubera and mullet snapper but the mates filet a lot of the fish on the boat. Notice I did’nt post any wahoo pictures. They were on ice immediately. The mullets and AJ’s were donated to the local cause.
26 Hydra Sports
Twin Yamaha 225
Wow those pics are definately a sight and for your friend to catch that saol on a torsa, thats amazing. My mouth dropped at that sail. congrats on the great trip!
Not bad for off season. Congrats on the trip!
Great post John. Looking forward to catching up with you and getting all the details while bending a rod!
Chris Walton
aka The Tequila Monkey
www.ChrisWaltonRealEstate.com
great pics. good location to fish
Awesome post guys, glad you had some fun. Will certainly check out the website.
quote:
Originally posted by Bad AppleWe finally made it to the Panama Sport Fishing Lodge after nearly three months trying to clear our schedules and listening to what I thought were fish tales about high concentrations of black marlin, huge sails, and massive schools of Pargo (snapper) that will turn the water below the boat red when they’re feeding. As it turns out, it was no fish tale.
On day 1 we left the small fishing village of Boca Chica in a 30 foot Stamas Yacht center console. We were guided by two famous Panamanian captains, Macho and Sergio. (Both of which you’ve probably seen on TV) We had all the latest gear from Shimano. Tiagras, Stellas, and Torsas all spooled with Blue Diamond Mamoi. We ran out 30 some miles in easy seas to the world famous Hannibal banks often seeing families of Hump Back whales breaching the surface along the way. At the banks we trolled for bait using a string of ¼ and ½ jigs tied into a homemade sabiki that caught three and four bonitos at time. We filled the tuna tubes with livies and a cooler full for cut bait. Within an hour, we took a shot on large bonito slow trolled on a Tiagra 50 wide. It was a black. I strapped on the belt and took position. The crew and captain cleared the deck and the fight was on. The fight lasted about an hour while the Marlin put on an amazing display of acrobatics behind the boat. The fish was landed and released to fight another day.
We finished off the day dropping cut baits for Pargo. The bottom machine displayed 120ft of water dropping off to 600ft on either side of the structure. A giant mass of fish 40ft thick hung on the ledge. The captain explained that it was an underwater volcano as we drifted over pulling 20# plus snapper over the edge as fast as we could reel them in. Double and triple hookups until we had our fill.
The following day we returned to the Hannibal banks to try agai
Nice site and interesting rates. What a womderful trip with quality fishing.
My fish bigger than your fish
Florida Boy. are you serious with that comment? you went out and caught a couple of amberjack which takes no skill at all (it takes more to get away from them) and they caught billfish (which are hard to to hook and land in case you never caught one). just because your stupid a$$ thread got shut down earlier doesnt mean you have to bring your stupid a$$ comments to other ones
“ats a nice 'un 'ere”
AMEN; ENOUGH FLORIDA BOY
08 210 sea hunt 150 yamaha ‘86 14’ super scout too much yamaha
■■■■, he’s like herpes. a real pain and never goes away.
32’ regulator
twin 250 yamahas
843.514.4117
quote:
Originally posted by FLORIDA BOYLook they took pics of AJ’s…Oh man, should they be bashed too or are they TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL b/c they put some billfish in too?
Whine much?