Panama is the only place I know of where a visitor can catch a huge black marlin before 9am, have breakfast with indigenous Indians, and shop at Tiffany's in the afternoon! It happens to be one of the world's best fishing destinations, and it's capital is a thriving modern metropolis, replete with Trump Towers and a John's Hopkins Hospital.
Panama is the only place I know of where a visitor can catch a huge black marlin before 9am, have breakfast with indigenous Indians, and shop at Tiffany's in the afternoon! It happens to be one of the world's best fishing destinations, and it's capital is a thriving modern metropolis, replete with Trump Towers and a John's Hopkins Hospital.
Panama is the only place I know of where a visitor can catch a huge black marlin before 9am, have breakfast with indigenous Indians, and shop at Tiffany's in the afternoon! It happens to be one of the world's best fishing destinations, and it's capital is a thriving modern metropolis, replete with Trump Towers and a John's Hopkins Hospital.
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BILLEISHING
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this remote, untapped fishery is oly an hour's ight from
one ofthe world's newest and modest
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of sh.” vsiters dor't need to rough turless they want to.
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shop at Tiffany's in the afternoon, and finish offthe day with
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discuss the history of Panema. Panama was colofized by
Spain, and then belonged to neighboring Columbia for eighty
years, Itachieved independence, from Columbia in 1903, and
signed a treaty with the United States granting the U.S. sov-
1 crcign rights to the Canal Zone. The U.S. then built s2-mile
long canal that joined the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, cieat-
ee ee eet
the planet. Through the construction, which was completed
in 1914, and the ensuing protection of the Canal, the United
= ioe oa ee eern
of Panama. Although the Canal was handed over to Panama
in 2000, the profound effects ofthe U.S. invalvement, includ
fee eer ec noe
solid dollar based economy, has been fry entrenched in
cea era
Dee ae eg ees Sted
centers; tourists expecting a Third World backdrop with palm
fronds and potholes are surprised to find that Panama City
has much in common with Manhattan, Miami, and London
than many ofthe cities they come from in their own coun.
em see aed
per capita consumer in Central America. Miami, and London
Cee a ee ee
tries. It is also the fastest growing economy and the largest
per capita consumer in Central America. International Living
rates Panama as the number one country outside the United
States for a second home, based on its outstanding safety,
Cea ee eet geo
New York Times noted,” Fashionable hotels now dot the
Ccosmiopolitan skyline: Crumbiing colonial homes are being
ra \
The 2010 Official Guide to Billfishing
Pesrities
Text & Photos by
Jon Schwartz
nancialThe 2010 Official Guide to Bilifishing
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Monel lon Stenieus
www bluewaterjon.com:
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polished into bohernian gers, meraid rain forests woo eco-
tourists. For now, arynay, Panama City hasn't been overrun
by tourists. But with daly citect fights from about sia cities in
‘the United States including New York, Newark and Los An-
Pee a etree ea
and can perserally vouch for Lee's comments. In addition to
it’s rich cultural, economic, and political history, Panama has
‘one ofthe most storied big-game fshing pasts. According
to Panama tesidert and captain Tony Herndon, “Since the
1920s and 305, Panama and especially the Canal Zone devel:
oped fairly sophisticated spertfishing for tarpon and madin,
eR eae ete een ey
and at least three sportishing clubs for saltwater, one on the
AMlantic side, and two.on the Pacific side. From these clubs
sportfishing for marin was pioneered by several exceptional
Verte an oe
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enue ee Rn eeu)
Cty, Lou, the younger ofthe two, had only one arm and one
eae eee rey
Pcie Un eee eee eee cd
and he was forced to hand it aver to his brother, who boated
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landed and would have been a world record, but because
® two men handled the rod, the IGFA seni Lou a certificate of
pore ae
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eS ee eee nee
book, Panama Paradise: A Tiibute to Tropic Star Lodge,
ee ee earn etree ne
ome sojourn into Panamanian waters in search of new
ee ec eto
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Smith went down to have a closer look
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‘on top of what's become known as Zane Grey Reef, Zane
ema
pennThe 2010 Official Guide to Billfishing Text & Photos by Jon Schwartz www. bluewaterjon.com
Panama Pastimes
Soci ec ech ae eee es
SUR yeaa a
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Finished in 1963, it was originally called Club de Pesca de
Panama, and soon became a fishing destination for people like
John Wayne, Lee Marvin, and countless other Aclst celebrities,
Or acc a eee Meister eta
Renee Mee ete aso ket as
Rr eon eee)
new Cadillac.” That'd keep me going back!
‘One ofthe Choco Indians that befiiended Smith and his erew
vas e young boy named Frederico. While the lodge was being
constructed, he'd scale palm trees, held on to the fronds, end
kick down coconuts for his new neighbors. Federico's relation
ship with the lodge, now called Tropie Star Lodge, has contin-
ued over 40 years, and he now works at the lodge as the tackle
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Another one of Panama's pioneers is Bob Giifin. Like Smith,
Griffin constructed a jungle paradise from scratch, over 70
miles from the nearest paved road. Griffin leased land from the
Cr a eo ee ee
constructing Club Pacifica de Panama in the early seventies.
According to Al Ristori Griffin mostly focused on the tre-
‘mendous inshore fishing for giant cubera snapper, monster
roosterfish, and huge grouper, but eventually ventured cut to,
Hannibal Bank, where he found large populations of big yel-
ee er true
Abrief period of political unrest occurred when Manuel Norie-
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drug running. When the United States invaded Panama in
1989 and reestablished order, Griffin was unable to renew its
lease, and the Panamanian Government confiscated itin 1992
Pree ne eee eases
uninhabited tropical forested islands in the Americas, and is
ee ere en ectee
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oteareas with no services for 70 miles or more. The costs of
‘maintaining facilities in remote locations are substantial, and
Coenen ie weed
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to generators, and stereos to fishing tackle. Excellent near-
Brea ace ar eu tet Son uct
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ee ane eee eS
Topic Star Lodge. I'd seen the photos of big blacks gallvant
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peer tet neces ce
rete
‘The 2010 Official Guide To Billfishing aThe 2010 Official Guide to Billfishing Text & Photos by Jon Schwartz www.bluewaterjon.com
Fanama Pastimes
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trams tallied a record 95 blacks in six days, almost every bost
| accompanied as a photographer landed atleast one black daily,
Black marlin, blues, and tuna are targeted through troling ive
Cea eee eee ole
hoo. On my last trip there, dorado in the 4o-pound class were so
thick they were like pests, but by throwing out a ballyhoo before
the dorado were able to mangle the fivepound tonite baits, we
were able to land some tasty dinner fare without interrupting our
See) os
Dockmaster Albert Battoo encourages the guests to spend some
time inshore, and those that are able to curb their single-minded
pursuit of black marlin enjoy some incredible inshore action.
When | was there trolling Rapalas just
Oeste ear a ae
ping down live bonito on downtiggers resuked in catches of
some ofthe biggest black grouper, roosterfsh and cubera snap.
Peace
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pool, Internet room and a deluxe gift shop featuring handcrafted
cere ie ea aed
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Cane crate nce a es
Pinas Bay. They have an approval process and memberships are
Tee ea ene er ice eee a)
and use TSU’s amenities during certsin hours.
eee ect eee ciate as
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ing structures on Coiba Island. His business is called Coiba
Cree
“The buildings we lease are rustic, and since there are no services
for 70 miles, we bring in everything ourselves to outfit these
Oe een tne
Pec a ae ee ety
rmate that’s worked with me for nine years. We have a ‘cherry’
1969 31-f00t Bertram with an Imron coat that prevents scratches-
it’s immaculate-and it has new engines, tuna tubes, and is
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te high-end spinning tackle. | also have a 22-foot Mako with a
2ashp. four stroke Suzuki for fishing the skinny waters and
_getting in close to the rocks, beaches, rivers and mangroves.”
aMe elie REN ARR Re Ce ewe Wa CUR a)
Panama Pastimes
The Panama Big Game Club is another operation located in the
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“We don't rough it here,” says Capt. Lee Campbell, BGFC's
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pers, also have over 30 years experience running,
award-winning seafood restaurants in Mist
first class food to our well appointed air conditioned cottages,
eee eee ae
eae
The BGFC has a twin diesel 31 foot Bertram, a28 Albermare, 2
29 Phoenis, and 2 27-foot twin outboard Robalo center console,
Dae et ee ee a tee
from sicto 48 miles offshore, and their prices are all inclusive
Cae eee ee ad
future they plan to expand their dock from 90 to 380 feet to be
Poe We cea act
Pesca Panama takes @ wholly different approach to puting thet
clients on the water. Although its based cut of David like the
Pore eee meer ts
fice manager Ter Fritch relates, “Our mothership has 5 cabins
Greene ean eee ne ace te
2oro.are for sx days offing, “We anchor in the actul fl
Ronee eee ee eer tet oo or
focus isto anchor in the world famous Cia Island and Han:
ee eee ce eee
from the lodge in the evenings. Although we cater to bilfiching
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spinning tackle!”
“Se
ener a Sino eect
inthe western part of Panama, Ithosted The Presidential
Ce see a ue eae ty
‘0-foot mothership Cebaco Bay, which sleeps up to21 guests in
Seeger ea ee errr ee acad ee
landing craft a 47-foot Buddy Davis boat, 32 Luhrs, 31 Bertram,
and two 27-foot pangas. They have 12 moorings available and
are setting 20 mor. In addition to providing acess to the Han-
ribal Bank end Montousa, their cients also fish the Tuna Coast,
Punta Naranja, Roncedos, Aguje Ree, Jicarita, and Ladrones.
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CCebaco Bay's Mike Young adds, “There is a great bar and social
‘area where you can take in the sunset while having an evening,
cocktail with your friends. The Cebaco Bay also has a lot of
ete ee ey eC
of course), putyour feet up and take in the tropical scenery at
the end of a good day of fishing, helicopters.”
eae Ter coca
‘The 2010 Official Guide To Billfishing<
a
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ea os
\ ve nama et
Poe er ee eR Ne oe ec
ifcluding inshore mangrove areas, and we arrange travel from Panama City
Soe ee ener
So far.we have discussed the various charter operations atthe,
‘world renowned Zane Grey Reef and Hannibal Bank: The newest option for
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‘Azuero Peninsula and is actually the southernmost point one can drive,
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ofthe only options in Latin America withfully titled
beachffontio:s in armarina development
With 2 2000-foot depth break only two files from the resort, Los Buzos boasts its own virgin fishery, with marlin and tuna
catches logged within site of the existing homes. Additionally, Los Buzos, with its unique location, offers its target clientele the dally
‘option of choosing to make the relatively short run of g0 miles to explore the other renowned locations of Pinas Bay, Hannibal Bank,
Becerra!
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poe ree eet eee vce ert mn eet ceo
recently announced improvements include th fll service matina,yecht club and associated marine lots and condos.
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teeny ined Batons =
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which is a 15-minute drive from downtown Panama
City Ifyou are booking with any of the ledges men-
tioned in this article, they will kely have a represen:
tative waiting at the airport to whisk you through
Customs and take you to your hotel. Visitors usually
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eres
pecs
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Marriot, and the upscale Bristol are all fine hotels.
Insider's tip: go to the Sheraton and ask for Luis Singh.
He’s a 75-year-old Panamanian gentleman who
Pe eee ere
none. If ou can spare the time, do yourself a favor,
Visit the Panama Canal, and have Singh take you
Erect 2
Bu TexoULoienke eyes tenor ar