The Annual Cudakilla Jamboree!

 

Finally got around to putting a highlight reel together from our last trip to Panama.

 

This trip was special not only because we were all like animals just released from pandemic jail but we were trying a new location with Cebaco Bay Sportfishing. It was an iffy year for them and they were hesitant to deploy all their resources to their remote Cebaco Bay location due to the uncertainties over travel restrictions. They suggested that we try the Pearl Islands as it was private and near the city.

 

The main island - Isla San Jose was owned by family, it has not been fished much for many years and the resort there was superb! The trip was basically an insane week of jigging. It was non-stop action with multiple specimens or about 25 species caught. There may have been more as we are not completely sure how to distinguish between the Almaco and Amber Jack. Accommodations at the Hacienda Del Mar were outstanding and the meals were superb! Fish hard, eat well, fall asleep to the sounds of the waves. I apologize in advance if the video is a bit long as I have tried to cover as many of the species as possible. In fact some of the species we do not have footage of. Especially of the Green Jack or locally known as the Cojinua. Often small in size and a favorite bait for big Cuberas, Roosters and Tunas, the ones here run super magnum sized! These are the biggest I have ever seen. Most of the ones we caught were running an easy 5 - 8lbs and fought like bruising Jack Crevalles!

 

All in all, we caught 25 different species on this trip: Species include: Gulf Grouper, Broomtail Grouper, Red Grouper, Cabrilla Grouper, Almaco Jack, Barred Pargo, Yellowtail Snapper, Mullet Snapper, Fingermark Snapper, Red Snapper, Cubera Snapper, Silk Snapper, Green Jack, Bonito, Albacore, Sierra Mackerel, African Pompano, Threadfin Jack, Grey Triggerfish, Reef Triggerfish, Jack Crevalle, Golden Trevally, Giant Hawkfish, Big Eye Jack, Dorado.  - Cudakilla Lee