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Panama - Boca Chica
Capt. Bob Baker
August 20, 2007
Boca Chica - Saltwater Fishing Report
Panama Offshore
Had two fine days last week. One with clients , one with local friends.
Due to the iffy weather right now, what with tropical depressions, passing hurricanes, projected tsunami's, we've been sitting home sharpening hooks lately.
So, the surprise call for a charter was a welcome one.
We took the two anglers out past Parida Island , jigged up ten nice blue runners and a few lane snappers, and then fast-trolled a couple of rapalas past Bandera Rock , hoping for a wahoo or two, or three. We got more than that !!Second pass one rod tip almost touched the water, the strike was so hard. As I was close to the structure, I kept idling the boat away from it, and we had the fish in deep water. but I knew it wasn't a hoo', maybe a jack, or hopefully a cubera.
Twenty minutes later, a 46 pound cubera rolled up on the surface, air bladder full, and we had our day's trophy.
Left there for another reef, and the hoo's were there. First a double , each about 35-40 lbs. Then, on the next circle, another nice one in the same category.
Then, a sandwich and run out to Isla Ladrones, where we bridled up two of the blue runners, put them on the riggers , and settled into an idle troll mode.
Had a feather out back, so when we nailed a nice bonito, we changed out the blue runner for the bigger bait.
Putted along for about a half hour, when the baits got REALLY jumpy. Actually, the bonito DID jump out of the water !
Like wild-eyed jungle animals, ready to spring on our prey, we waited....and waited.
whatever it was, didn't come back. But I stayed right there, round and round.
Finally, the bonito took off. Everyone made ready, the rod was passed and in place, and the drag lever ever -so-slowly pushed forward. At "STRIKE" things started to happen!
A beautiful black marlin, circle hook in the corner of its mouth and a sliver of bloody bonito still clinging to the hook, made for the sky and continued to porpoise in a westerly direction until I thought we'd we al hoarse from yelling at every jump.
Had the leader 20 minutes later, but she went down and away hard, I dumped the line, and then it was almost three hours until we got another shot at her.
Got some great pictures, swam her 500 lb. rocket torso next to the boat for a few minutes, and then a pat on the ass and a good release.
We then took a break, floating on the adrenalin rush, and then decided to drop the blue runners down on a prime rock.
Three cuberas,25, 35, and 56 pounds, plus two jack crevalle, and we'd had enough.
Didn't see or feel any dorado or tunas. They've been a little spotty lately, and no sails. There are a few sails around, some over on the Bank and around Montuosa, but everyone wants to target the marlin , and hope that a school of big tuna comes through.
Spent the next day in the estero, anchoring on different spots, having a blast catching corvina and snapper. Plenty of fish, plenty of cold beer. A fine day !
Good Fishing, Wherever You Are !! Capn Bob
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