Page 5 - 2019_Season_Newsletter

Fishing Highlights
December 2018 to February 2019
The inshore season got off to a flying start! Guests were releasing Grand Slams and Boat Slams weekly. (releasing Black Marlin, Blue Marlin and Sailfish in a single day). Capt. Walter on Miss Darien released three slams in one week during the December bite. The Yellowfin Tuna between 150 lb and 250 lb were here and giving guests a workout to get the fish up from the deeper water. Dorado were everywhere. There were so many Mahi Mahi around that anglers were boating 50 lb
fish regularly. A lot of anglers learned very quickly just why the bait and switch technique is so important for Marlin, as the baits kept getting engulfed by the resident Diablo Verdes (as some guests referred to the Dorado onslaught). This also meant though that achieving the IGFA offshore slam was very possible pretty much every day during the start of the season. Around the middle of January is when the Black Marlin showed up in mass numbers and we began releasing the larger females.
The weather was incredible
during the first few months
of the season with calm seas,
sunshine and little to no wind.
The currents moved from south
to north bringing the cooler
water full of nutrients and
oxygen to the surface making
for an electric offshore bite. As we headed into the end of January, the northerly winds started making the water a little choppy. This is the time, however, when the Black Marlin bite really turns on. The bite exploded with Black Marlin just 4 miles from the lodge.
Elliot Stark and Dale Willis from In the Bite Magazine visited us to see some of the changes that have been taking place at the Lodge, to get a line wet and have some fun on the water. We had a great time with them and discussed Tropic Star Lodge’s most recent efforts in conservation, crew training programs, upgrades to our fleet of Bertram 31’s and Lodge facilities. On day- one their boat returned to the dock with the first Boat Slam of
the season. The guys released a Black Marlin, Blue Marlin and Pacific Sailfish. They were also introduced to the hordes of Dorado that were harassing the boats.
Every year our friends from Peru join us for a boys’ week. This year the gents had a small tournament and it was heaps of excitement. The competition between the boats was fierce and there were plenty of Marlin released. The gents fished on board Pollyanna, our 45’ Hatteras, and then also our newly upgraded Bertrams, Australia and Scandia. All the boats experienced an awesome billfish bite but Australia took top place this year by only the smallest of margins. Everyone had an amazing time and we can’t wait to see everyone again next year.
Robert Evans and his son Robert II came with their friends, Charles and Richard “Taylor” Willett. While fishing the guys released seven Blue Marlin, five Black Marlin a bunch of Sailfish. Dorado were plentiful for the guys catching and even releasing more than they could count.
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