From the Crocodile Bay Lodge, Puerto Jiménez
by Todd Staley, Fishing Director
January 7, 2004
You should have been here yesterday!!! And the day before, and the day before, and the day before!!! Although I have been informed that billfish only feed in daylight hours, I have sometimes seen the bite slow on a full moon. Today was the full. One boat caught 17 sails out of 22 raised. (outstanding numbers), and another went 9 for 18. Not bad for some who only pitches a bait only occasionally.
The boats are raising 18 to 25 fish apiece. This action has been like this for the last six days and the fish are holding only five miles off the beach. Fly rodders are landing 3 to 5 fish apiece which is a spectacular day anywhere in the world. The marlin, although not giants (200 to 400 lbs) have joined the New Years party. Seven fish were boated out of 13 takes this week.
Inshore the roosters have also pleased guest who are taking a half dozen or more a day. Some nice snapper have made it to the dinner plates and a few African pompano continue to bite. There are tons of fish out there and they don't mind mixing it up with some Gringos!
Jan 29, 2004
The first month of the year proved to be an active one with fish going crazy the first part of the month, the bite tapering off and then improving again. For fly guys, the Rob Smith group of Rob, Dave Burkland, Tom Trent, and John Graft had a big week when the landed 43 sails on fly and 15 on conventional gear. They left some gear in the water but managed to land three double headers on fly. Don Libby's group of George Richard, Bill Robichaud, and Jack Mensching where the top inshore guys with rooster over 60 and a 171 lb Mero. (Now known as Goliath Grouper in the states.)
Anglers stetched string on 1878 sails, 33 marlin, a 100 some dorado, and 64 tuna. Inshore 286 roosterfish were taken. Twenty five snook tested light tackle anglers and over 200 mixed bag stuff like jacks, African pompano, tevally and such. February is starting off well. Jim Farlow fishing with Capt Allan Smith had 45 sails i9n the baits two days ago.
|
