Growing up in Florida, I always believed I had it all when it came to fishing, wondering who in their right mind would spend time and money traveling anywhere else to chase a catch. It only took one trip to the other side to discover what I never knew I was missing.
My first day fishing in foreign waters, we trolled through the shy waters of Panama. We stumbled across a capsized boat. Acting as our personal floating bait shop, as most wrecks do, the ship held promise for this Florida angler far from home. After only ten minutes, the promise of a good fight
began to surface. One of our live bonitos bridled with a Mustad 14/0 circle hook was knocked down,
and we all waited to see what culprit would surface. We watched in awe as a nearly 500 pound blue
marlin danced across the top of the water as though he were lighter than air. But when he sounded, it was evident to the entire crew he was quite the beast. With blood pumping and hearts racing, we
backed down on the fish. Spray off the back of the boat quickly took the edge off of the heat as we continued the fight. I couldn’t tell you if we fought for 10 minutes or 10 hours.Time was irrelevant in those moments, and I realized the thrill of a fight I would never want to pass up again. After that, it wasn’t just the sh that was hooked. I had my first taste of the action, and I have been hooked on Pacific sports fishing ever since.
It’s true, in Florida we have a lot to be thankful for, but every sportsman should experience at least one exotic adventure in this lifetime.
The Tropical Eastern Pacific stretches from Baja Mexico all the way through Central and into South America. These waters hold some of the world’s most sought after sh. If you are like me, half of your bucket list is comprised of the names of these species like Black Marlin and Rooster fish.
For many, it is the Marlin that first comes to mind for Pacific fishing.The thrill of seeing a giant marlin leap from the water, followed by the scream of your drag as line is ripped from it, is unmatched in the sport fishing world.The Blues and Blacks that rule the Pacific deserve the reputation they have earned. Even fighting the smaller cousin, the Striped Marlin, leaves a lifelong memory for those fortunate enough to hook up. And there is no shortage of pelagic species feeding just below the surface throughout the tropics of the Pacific.Tuna, Mahi and Wahoo are just a few of the natives you can expect to run into during your adventure.
Now, if that’s not enough incentive for you to make a trip, don’t forget to consider the thrill of the inshore fishing experience. Rooster sh could be one of the most exhilarating, and exhausting, catches you ever experience.This member of the jack family is as stubborn as its cousins and regularly fights the entire way through the water column. If back-breaking brawls are more your style, then Cubera Snapper will surely satisfy your appetite.
Speaking of appetite, these delicious morsels are the kind of table fare worth traveling around the world for. Both Cubera’s and Roosters are abundant from Baja Mexico down throughout Central America.
I believe every serious adventurist should consider the short trip to this stretch of fishing paradise, if not for the fishing, for the culture. Of course, we are not just talking about one culture but dozens, weaving through nearly a dozen different countries. I have had the privilege of fishing in Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico on numerous occasions, and every time I walk away with a new perspective. From cuisine, to architecture, to fishing techniques, every place you go offers something unique that makes the experience all worthwhile. And the appeal of this area is only partly the sh you can catch. Another element to consider besides the surf when determining if a Pacific adventure is right for you is turf.
In Florida, we have at lands slowly sinking be- low the waterline.The two gently and gradually merge together. Much of the Pacific coast is lined with majestic mountains creating cliffs that collapse rapidly into the deep blue. These jagged formations are commonplace in parts of Costa Rica and Panama, and their beauty simply cannot be fully captured in a photograph. But one of the main reason’s anglers are deterred from venturing south of the border is how overwhelming it seems to plan such an exploration. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve got the time, there are many reputable lodges that will help set you up with an all- inclusive trip of a lifetime.
You may be reading this and thinking that anglers’ fantasies, like this one, tend to be unaffordable. That could not be further from the truth. There are, of course, expensive luxury resorts that can quickly break the bank for the budget-conscious traveler, but there are also a plethora of inexpensive traveling options. It is very feasible to book an all-inclusive fishing trip of 3-4 days for a couple thousand dollars. Depending on the location and amenities of your chosen resort, the price tag can also creep above the $10,000 mark per person.
The best advice for anyone planning an international fishing get-away is to do your research! Do you want to target Black Marlin?
Then make sure you are planning a trip during the right time of year for the country and region you want to visit. Resorts around the Los Cabos, Mexico, advertise August-October as being a great time for Black and Blue Marlin. While there are no guarantees in the fishing world (as they say, “that’s why it’s call fishing”), your marlin chances are good in that part of the world year round but especially in late summer.
Are you hoping to y some meat home with you? Some resorts will help you through the process of packaging to U.S. customs standards. Of equal importance is researching multiple lodge options within your budget. Pictures of the facilities and online reviews will help you get an idea of the quality of service you are going to be paying for.
But anglers setting out to pursue these Pacific trophies should always be flexible.The possibilities are truly endless. When in Panama, we took a break from marlin shing to catch dolphin from a floating log we stumbled upon. I’ve caught dolphin countless times, but the most memorable of all is the 70 pound bull dolphin we landed that day on aYo-Zuri Hydro Popper. When you do your research, hire the right guides, in the right place, at the right time, you’re in for a great experience, even if the fish you catch were not your intended target.
If you want a fishing experience that will stick with you the rest of your life, then consider venturing south of the border.There are options for every angler, and on just about every budget. If you haven’t done much international travel, get your passport and get outside of your comfort zone. It will make for some priceless memories.
