USA Sportfishing

Panama Fishing Report - The Gulf of Chiriqui is on FIRE!!! - May 2-12, 2012

Captain Shane Jarvis — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:00:42 GMT

Once again here in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama the action is absolutely on FIRE!!!! The yearly cycle of spawning bait and the following huge schools of Yellowfin Tunas is reaching it's apex. It has come a little late this year, usually reaching it's pinnacle in late March or April, much to the shagrin of a bunch of our clients. The past three months has been painfully frustrating for us to be right with the boiling tunas that just do not want to eat our baits. Live baits, poppers, jigs, and plastics we'd put right in their faces, time after time, and most of the time......nada! But over the past two weeks the pay back has finally come!!

We've been lucky enough to have clients the past couple of weeks and for the few days that we were out it has been nothing less than a full on campaign of shock and awe of Yellowfin Tuna madness! Also, multiple days of multiple hook ups and catches of Black Marlin that are right behind the tunas. Generally overcast skies and rain in the afternoon and everning has brought the water temps down to around 80-83 degrees and seemingly perfect conditions for the bait to move well up into the gulf here.

The word is out because boats from Costa Rica and other lodges from the Gulf of Panama are all coming here to experience the insane Marlin bite and Tuna madness going on right now. Enjoy the pics................

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Welcome to the staff

Art Hill — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:29:32 GMT

I would like to welcome fishing guide John Banacky to the staff of Diamond Valley Guide Service, and Vail Lake Guide Service. John has been guiding for several years, and he brings a wealth of knowledge, and years of experience to our staff.

John was a member of the California Department of Fish & Game for 13 years, as a fisheries biologist, and was instrumental in the design and development of the fishery at Diamond Valley Lake.

John has proven himself to be a very competent, knowledgeable, and angler friendly guide. We here at Diamond Valley Guide Service / Vail Lake Guide Service consider ourselves lucky to have John on board with our staff. Please join me in welcoming John to our staff.

Vail lake this past week

Art Hill — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:48:58 GMT

Hi Guys,

Here are some pictures from some of the guide trips I had this week, and last week, at Vail Lake. The fishing is still red hot.

Dvl 5/15

4g63power — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:09:18 GMT

i fished dvl on ken's bass taxi with a couple of buddies from work today. this was the first time outing here for me this year, not knowing what to expect, just stuck with basic patterns and tried a lot of different spots all day. fishing was decent, we caught a lot of fish but not much in any size. i fished texas rigged creature baits and senko mostly,other guys caught fish using drop shot, senko and found a wide open bite on crankbaits later in the afternoon. i lost my hat in the morning, had to cover my head with a hoodie the whole day, face still got roasted. i had a great time and cant wait to go back out there. i only snapped a few pics since it was mostly dvl cookie cutters and dinks.

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Fisherman's tipping guide

RearrenRu — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:07:09 GMT

I'm not really sure where to post this so I just posted it here but anyway I was wondering if there's a proper tipping system or amount that we should tip deckhands/cooks/etc or if the tips are split up at the end. I noticed some deckhands work their asses off while others are just there along for the boat ride. I'm fairly new to the boats and I want to give the ones that deserve it a good tip but then again I don't want to over or under tip. Any input would be great. Thanks in advance.

Also about the jackpot thing. Even though I've yet to win a jackpot I was wondering what the proper etiquette for that is. I've heard about boats having some fine print saying they keep a certain amount and other stories where you're supposed to give the crew everything.

I know every boat runs different but just trying to get a general idea. Any input would be great. Thanks in advance.

Barracuda Aboard the Tradition!

Jackpot Jimmy — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:28:08 GMT

All the searching in the last week or so finally paid off as the Tradition finally got its first whack at the barracuda today. We caught 26 barracuda today, with several solid 10 pounders in the mix. Fantastic signal and the Tradition is online daily for 3/4 day trips leaving at 6am. Bring your barracuda jigs and surface rods!

This Friday, May 18, Philip Friedman will be on board with another great "Fishing with Phil" trip. This trip is a regular open party trip, but the only difference is that Phil Friedman will be on the boat with raffle prizes and he will be shooting a video for YouTube and AOL Patch. Last year we had an epic bite on the barracuda with Phil on the boat, and we may have another good day. It's always a thrill to go Fishing with Phil!

For reservations on the Tradition, call the Tradition Information and Reservation Line at (818) 455-6566 or the landing office at (310) 372-2111. Let's go fishing!

The Whip.

KingArvil — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:51:58 GMT

From a OK Scrambler (still in Hawaii), to a Malibu X-Factor, to a Wilderness System Tarpon 140, I now own and fish on a OK Scupper Pro. This kayak is byfar my favorite. Lightweight, stable, and FAST! So I just want to show off my current setup. "Plain & Simple". No drilled/rivited mods yet.

This is also a great beginner level kayak.

Trolling gear

mxnut273 — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:40:08 GMT

shimano tr 100-g spooled w/leadcore
penn 310 gti w/leadcore
roddy 183 w/leadcore has a problem with the levelwind
quantum iron model irc 70ls...7ft 8-14lb 1/4-1/2oz
master graphite "c"....6.5ft 6-18lb 1/8-5/8oz
im having problems loading pics from my phone plz text or email if you would like pics mxnut273@aol.com 8186264733
$80obo trades?? offers??

New on Site today

J.L. — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:41:56 GMT

Joined today. Looking to share knowledge and gain knowledge on both Saltwater and Freshwater fishing. Recently Fished off Dana Point harbor and Lake Perris in the same week.. My wife is my fishing partner. 46 years together. Fish minimum 3 - 4 times per month. Own Triumph 21.5 T Top Center console Saltwater boat. Lowe 15.5 Freshwater fishing boat. I believe last count we have over 25 species of fish caught.
Biggest 50lb bull mahi mahi (Dorado) in Hawaii. Biggest Freshwater 8lb Largemouth Bass Diamond Valley. Most fish on single fishing trip 15 Mahi Mahi in Hawaii, 30 bluegill MIssion Viejo Lake. We practice limited keep/catch/ release. We do enjoy cooking as much as fishing so some of our Catch lands on our dinner table. We also go lobstering in the winter.
We have 8 children and 17 Grandchildren with 4 more coming before the end of 2012. We love to take our Grandchildren on the boats fishing. We hope to entice them to continue fishing as they grow up.

We are Conservative Christian Tea Party supporters who Thank God on each outing for the beautiful waters we have in the US and are amazed each day at the number of different species God places in the waters of the world. Jean and I look forward to your posts sharing your catches, your experiences both good and bad. We are not pros but when we can we will help any one who asks. One last note the Grey whale photo added to this forum today breeched next to our boat and dove beneath us. i could just about touch the tail. God Bless you all with Tight lines and safe fishing J.L. and Jean

venice beach skate park tuesay5/15/12

I*B*CATCHIN — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:59:48 GMT

Perching @ skate park hope to get to sand by 6 am 5/15/12.....looking for some company

Tradition Cuda Search/Good Codding & Twilighting with Phil Friedman 5/12/12

Jackpot Jimmy — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:02:12 GMT

The water temperature in the Santa Monica Bay has been seen as warm as 64 degrees. Conditions have been improving. The Tradition�s first shot at surface action in 2011 came on May 7th. The arrival of barracuda is impending.

That�s what was on our minds as we headed out of King Harbor Saturday morning after loading up on some nice sardines at the bait receiver. As we poked our heads out of the harbor, we could see great signs of life as birds were working up ahead of us. We charged over to that area, and Captain Steven Konrady could see that while it was mainly bait, he could also see a few promising marks down deeper. He suggested that we sink our jigs down around 70 or 80 feet. Unfortunately, most of the marks consisted of hearty mackerel pushing up tiny squid, and we couldn�t get our jigs down deep enough before a mackerel would hit them.

We continued to look, heading south along the canyon, and then scanning the coastline off Hermosa and Manhattan, but we didn�t see anything else that looked promising. After a fair amount of time of searching, we headed out to the cod grounds to fill the bags.

First off we hit a spot where a few bigger bocaccio came up first thing on the drift, but they didn�t really get with it. The second area we fished, we were on the anchor, and the halfbanded rockfish ate us alive. We tried a couple of spots before we started to have a nice pick at some decent rockfish, including some more bocaccio. We eventually filled the boat limit on bocaccio and focused on getting some other rockfish.

Nice boscos, starries, and belindas were coming over the rail. A lot of people ask me, �What the heck are belindas?� A belinda�s real name is �Speckled Rockfish�, and according Jeff Spira in his book Saltwater Angler�s Guide to Southern California, speckled rockfish are �probably the most common near-shore, deep-water rockfish in the banks off the Los Angeles area.� I believe it, as I have not seen them en masse anywhere else. Local anglers, some of who affectionately call them �belinkies�, revere them as having �sweet meat�. Some of them don�t get too big, but a limit of belindas adds up. Schools of belindas are located anywhere from 10-30 cranks off the bottom, and small hooks are required as they have relatively small mouths.

A big Belinda on the right, with a respectable Starry on the left

Fishing was really good on belindas and other decent sized rockfish, but it slowed down after a while, and time was running out. So we made a run to a rocky area to try for some lingcod. There were a few promising bites, along with a pair of barely shorts that came up on the same drop for a lucky angler, but getting a legal or two wasn�t in the cards this day. Nice to get bit, at least, to know that there are still some down there to be caught another day.

We ended up with 260 rockfish for 26 anglers. There has still been a good pick on the rockfish along with some lingcod here and there while we are waiting for the barracuda. It�s a good idea to bring your surface rod and barracuda jigs as we could come across them any day now. Some have been caught already off Los Angeles County, and things are lining up, so stay tuned and get ready, the surface action is upon us. Until then, great times, great fishing!

In an aside, dad and I went �Fishing with Phil� on the Native Sun for some twilight bass fishing, with crew of Captain Gabriel Ceballos, Cheri in the galley, and Deck Boss Thomas Dunkerley. It was a bit windy out, which was perfect for flying a kite from a fishing rod � that was fun (seriously and sarcastically) with 200+ yards of spectra out. But the wind made conditions tough first thing, but conditions somewhat settled after the sun went down, and we were able to pick a few bass and sculpin. Things really turned on in the last hour, hour and a half, when we threw on the majority of our bass and sculpin. Some of the sculpin were pigs, and one of them ended up winning jackpot. I ended up with 4 bass and a limit of sculpin, most of which were caught in the last portion of the trip. It�s always a thrill going fishing with Phil!

Big B!!!3-12-12

bassterdsd — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:43:21 GMT

Finally got my spoiled butt over to my old weekend hideout "The Big B"..Its been sooo long, and the structure that once held 100 bass wolfpacks, is now 17ft above the waters surface..The clarity also deminished as it was as clear as i've seen it during last season..But whos complainin'..Defenitley not me, and for surely not the Green Backs!!!

Nice lil mornin' bite on the rubber to break in my new Core 50mg7:), before this tragic incident my wife experienced!!!I knew it was coming one day soon, as shes hooked a lot of her clothing in the past..Heres what made me crinch!!!

Ouchhh!!!She was in so much pain..Rasta gives me the needles and Dr.Dre the surgeon went to work!!!All I can say is, I HAVE THE BEST WIFE IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!She squeezed her eyes and I pulled the incredibly deep buried hook from out of her precious pinky!!!Blood went everywhere, as she spoke french for a minute before recovering and continuing where we left off:)

She is a soldier if I ever knew one!!!I had lost my fish of the day right before this took place..UUURRGHH..Good 5-6lbr..Got that on video and the reviewage just makes me SICKKK!!!So after we all came back to our senses(I thought we were done for the day)Rasta puts us back in the mood with this Beasty, Toady, P.H.A.T., Big B Bueaty!!!

A gorgeous Largemouth Bass str8 from one of the best lakes in Southern KillaFornia...6.7lbs of pure MuSS Skullsss..The fight was epic, and thanx to the GoPro I can share it with the world...Make sure you check out the youtube link at the end of the report with all highlights from today!!!The bite was nothing to talk about, few cookie cutter's till about 2 o'clock when bassaddict yells, "Nice one!!"..And that it was!!!

That bass liked beer a whole lot by the looks of her belly:)5.6lbs on the Jiggy!!We went thru a sorta slow bite as the day continued...This bass was the Sickest, Illest, fish i have ever caught in my entire Vida!!!EEEwwww

Just floated right in on the surface to me, no fight:)HIV????LOL...Her bass came and swam over to me and just sat on my leg for a minute before realizing he was free to go..lol..

They LOVE ME!!!We moved around a bit before Rasta pulls another picture worthy Big B bueaty from the depths of the stained aqua which only had one available eyeball;)

A few more cookies and we were yawnin' loading up tellin' Lori "Seen ya Soon"..I love this place!!!The scenery alone is enough to keep me coming back..Oh and that Core 50mg7 is thee best casting reel i have ever owned:)Our fish came from 3-20ft of water with the plastic worms and jigs doing all the dirt!!!Although reaction baits really never got wet..Check out this video link of the "Highlights of The Day"Now go put a hurtin on'em peeps:)

lake barrett 3-12-12 - YouTube

A Mama on Mamas Day

Kidfish — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:32:19 GMT

Fihed at 6 am to 9 am throughout the jetty got to one side and I saw somthing going on . Chasing bait and jumping. Through my plastic out aroun 7 am about the ten th cast, prior to that I lost three fish already, therefore I was determided flinged my plastic and tic the lightest hit I v ever felt from a hali. I realised the fish had a good amount of wieght to it so I yelled to my buddy Troy net he neted the fish and booom 23 in hali. My first legal hali of the year. I took some pic of it took out my bait and released the beautiful fish and said thanks. I fished for about a half hour longer to see if I could catch any more and I hook a small lizard fish and a small hali. Move and fished nothing. Then I made a second move my buddy Troy finally hooked a hali. We fished the spot more and I hooked another little hali and time ran out. I had to go but I was happy.

Thanks to the net man Troy.

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June 8th-10th Pacific Star

RearrenRu — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:26:17 GMT

Anyone wanna join me on the Pacific Star 2day June 8th-10th $275 meals included...

Shock and Awe in Panama! - Yellowfin Tuna Frenzy Video!!!

Captain Shane Jarvis — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:44:45 GMT

Wow! We just got back from an incredible two days on the TOP Cat here in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama. The Yellowfin Tunas right now are shit thick! We came across numerous parking lot sized boils of Tunas and Porpoises feeding on Blue Runners and Goggle Eyes the past two days. Check out this video from Friday out near Isla Montuosa........

Captain Shane Jarvis