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| News Headline |
| First annual International Jigging and Popping Tournament a success |
| Thu, Jun 11, 2009 |
This tournament, held at Panama Sport Fishing Lodge at Boca Chica, Republic of Panama, may not be very large by international standards but may just be the most specialized. Anglers from Argentina, Indonesia, Panama, Philippines, USA and Zambia brought their high tech spinning and conventional casting tackle to pursue the large yellowfin tuna that these Pacific Panama waters are famous for. Landing a big fish is becoming more feasible now due to improvements in rods, reels, lines (Spectra has been a major break-thru), knots and heavy gauge hooks and hardware. Spinning has taken over the light tackle scene as the reel of choice by these experts. The largest tuna to date taken with a spinning outfit was recorded by a client of Captain Macho Gonzalez with a 267 lb. yellowfin taken in 2007.
Both blue and black marlin were seen and cast to with no hookups. The yellowfin were more cooperative as three tuna exceeded 100 lbs. with many recorded above 50 lbs. giving all anglers plenty of action and the local schools fresh fish that were donated.
The winning angler was Wiharto "TJ" Tjhai owner of Ocean Tackle International. Inc. for a 130 lb. yellowfin taken with a Shimano Stella 20000FA with 80 lb. Spectra, OTI rod and a Wombat Popper rigged with 5X treble hooks. It took one hour to land the fish aboard the "Talento" with Captain Macho Gonzales once again the top skipper. The fish was worth $10,000 for his team. Although other gamefish were eligible, Richard Herbst was the only angler that entered a cubera snapper for a $5,000 prize for his team on the "Christina" Captained by Sergio Ruiz.
This was a fun, informal small tournament that will surely grow in future years. The accommodations, fast Stamas boats, crews and food was top notch provided by John de la Cruz, owner of Panama Sport Fishing Lodge (www.psflodge.com <http://www.psflodge.com/> ) and sponsors Melton International Tackle, Grand Deli Gourmet and Ocean Tackle International, Inc. (www.OceanTackle.net <http://www.oceantackle.net/> ). |
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