Panama: Freaky Friday!

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No friggatriskaidekaphobia here! [fear of Friday the 13th].

Beaming smiles all around today as all our anglers had a phenomenal day fishing in Paradise. I couldn't help giggling a bit at how completely WRECKED the Daniel group was climbing out of their boat today - some rough water, 2 big marlin, and 2 big tuna can have that effect!! A shot of cava and a dose of hot-tubbing had them back to normal in no time.

The 500lb black was the first billfish ever for angler Casey Daniel. They hooked it up only a short time after the first marlin - a 300 lb blue reeled in by Cesar took the bait before they had even finished getting all the lines in the water! Photograph-ess Jessica came back BLACK AND BLUE from all the lunging around the boat she did to snag these shots. Here's her report on the day:

Today was an amazing day out there in the deep ocean. My group hooked into 2 Marlin and 2 Tuna. They caught a Black Marlin around 500 lb and a Blue Marlin around 300 lb.

The first Marlin we caught literally took 3 min into dropping our lines. My camera gear was all over the place and nothing was ready. With 4 anglers, me, and Mate Donar on deck we were getting thrown all over the place because of the huge swells. I started snapping pics while Martin helped put my camera in the underwater housing. The whole thing happend so fast, but it was thrilling and exciting. Water flying everywhere, the boat speeding forward to keep up with the marlin and in the end, Donar tagged it and we watched it swim away. I think we were all a little be stunned about what had just happened and how fast the Marlin took the bait! We knew it was a start to an incredible day!

In the next hour - 2 big yellowfin tunas (a 72 and a 110). After the 2 tuna, we went to get some more live bait since the fish seemed to be going crazy for it. Captain Junior found a bait ball - we caught one bonito and decided to take our chances.  With one only one live bait trailing behind the boat something suddenly the line hit and Donar started yelling MARLIN MARLIN! A 500lb black bit the line and it was incredible to watch and incredibly difficult to photograph! Reeled in by Casey Daniel and safely tagged and released!

Casey's 500lb black marlin. Huge! It was truly incredible to see!

Tagging the marlin for the Billfish Foundation...

Cesar's 300lb blue marlin.

Martin's big yellowfin - hit the scales at 72 lbs.

Noral's 110lber yellowfin!

The Daniel Group with their 2 Marlin release flags and their 2 massive Tuna.

Casey and Cesar with the two Marlin Release Flags!

Excerpt from Captain LR Hastings Diary Entry from yesterday:

Jan 13, 2012

Us aboard the ABUNDANCIA were inshore fishing today, with "ROJO" Dave and Dave Saenz, both from Virginia, and we caught some VERY NICE CUBERA SNAPPERS, the 1st one we caught was about 35 lbs, and we decided we would have him for dinner, then soon after we caught another one about 45 lbs according to MATE Alirio, that we let go, then shortly after that we caught another one that was bigger than the 1st 2, i'm guessing around55-60, so we had a very productive afternoon.

Then out of the kindness of their hearts, I asked the Rojo Dave and Dave S, if they would mind if we went "exploring", and they were KIND enough to say sure LR, let's go for it. SO I wanted to fish for Wahoo, so we went ot some places we have yet to check out, and we ended up gettting a bite from one but after a long run he pulled off. Can't say enough about those guys "taking one for the team", there is SOOOOO much are around here that we want to explore and see what's going on in these areas. We discovered some new bottom fishing spots and we caught a CUBERA so we will eat GOOD, like we ALWAYS do here, for another few days, Chef Michael made GROUPER sandwiches for us all today, and don't tell him I told you this, but they were THE BOMB!!! Well it was a GREAT DAY for the boys from Denver and Dallas, Caesar, Casey, Noral and Martin, just hope they left a few for us on the ABUNDANCIA, NICE GOING ON YOUR DAY CAPT JUNIOR AND CREW!!!

In the theme of GUEST BLOGGING, I have asked our incredible Julie Colosso to contribute some "Panama City Perspective" so guests can get excited about upcoming events there. Julie runs the show in Panama City - and I would not survive without her!! Guests all adore her and the entire staff at Flamenco Marina (where we moor our boats when we go to the city) are all desperately in love with her. Her brilliantly resourceful and charming partner Hans is also working with the company in the city - we are so lucky to have them with us on this crazy ride!

Here's Julie:

Greetings from Panama city!  I'm pleased to begin sharing a bit of what is going on in our beautiful metropolis.

First time visitors are often surprised to see our stunning skyline and bustling activity. From modern skyscrapers to the charming colonial neighborhood of Casco Viejo, there is something for everyone.  The city has been growing steadily for more than a decade, and our economy is expected to remain strong.  Guests who bookend their fishing trip with time in the city find there is much to do and see here.



The 9th annual Jazz Festival kicks off next week on January 16th.  Events and music are scheduled throughout the city for 6  consecutive days.  Musical guests include the talented Tito Puente Jr., Cuban singer Omara Portuondo and Panamanian tenor player Carlos Garnett, to whom the festival is dedicated.

Goodnight from Paradise,

Tobey.

  • Reply Whitney Reidy
    Jan. 16, 2012 10:16PM

    @julie. What was the name of the Rabbit like animal I saw at the Canal?

    • Reply Julie Colosso Broce
      Jan. 17, 2012 6:32PM

      It was a ñeque. Also known as agouti. They're cute little creatures in the guinea pig family.

  • Reply Dyane
    Jan. 16, 2012 7:22AM

    So great to see all this info coming out of the WCFC/Panama. Makes me wish I was there!!

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