Popping central/south america?

[Jordan Hack]

Heading off on a trip through central and south america in a couple of months and was wondering if I should pack my popping rods? Havn't quite figured out the itinery yet so I was wondering if anyone out there knows of any locations in the general area that holds gt populations?

[Jon Li]

Heading off on a trip through central and south america in a couple of months and was wondering if I should pack my popping rods? Havn't quite figured out the itinery yet so I was wondering if anyone out there knows of any locations in the general area that holds gt populations?

Dont think they have GT there but I know they have Cubera snapper , Roosterfish , Jack Crevale n Tarpon , etc. . Heard so much more about their freshwater species such as Peacock bass , Dorado , etc. . 

Jon .

[Jin Kim]

Jordan,

You will find most of the fish that Jon Li mentioned in Panama (Hannibal Bank).
Although I have not been there yet I know a few people that had plenty of fun popping in Panama.
As for Peacock Bass and Dorado, that will be mostly in Brazil and in case you are interested you will need 25lb rods (5´6" to 6´0").  Don´t need to bring those huge poppers as well....bring 30g sticks and you´ll do just fine.  Make sure to get a yellow fever vaccine.

[Marcio Paes]

Hi Jordan,

... in my opinion...

Best place to catch (top water) a huge Tucunaré (Peacockbass) is Barcelos (Brazil):


Best place to catch (top water) a huge Dorado is La Zona (Argentina):


Best place to catch (top water) a YT is São Paulo (Brazil):



Best place to catch (top water) a huge Roosterfish is Jicaron, Coiba and Cebaco Island (Panamá):



Best place to catch (top water) YFT and Cuberas is Hannibal Bank and Montosa (Panamá):





Let me know if you need some help...

Best regards,

Marcio.

[Chris Young]

Hi Marcio, good to see you posting here mate.

Some great captures in these pics, love the Peacock and Dorado shots

[Scott Maybury]

As mentioned there are some good inshore species that will take poppers in panama (also costa rica I think) such as roosterfish, cubera....I think they also get blue trevally, like up to 8-10kg

The main attraction to surface fishing that region (mexico, panama, costa rica and other places as mentioned above)  is the huge yellowfin that they get busting up on the surface...I am in the early stages of planning a trip to Panama next year with a few mates to fish and jig, with the emphasis being on YFT on poppers....they get them to 200lbs on poppers 

Check out the Panama sportfishing lodge web site for an idea of the species available etc...there are also plenty of trip reports on 360 tuna for that region

[Jonas Holmsgard]

[Ken Best]

Jonas,

What is the rod in the first photo?
That is a wicked bend...

[Jordan Hack]

Thanks heaps guys for the info. Panama is already pretty much locked in. Sounds like we should be able to stretch the arms on something there. YFT on poppers has been high on the hit list for quite some time but no doubt it is seasonal. Looking at being there during August so not sure how that will effect the available species. The holiday is more of a 'see somewhere different than home' holiday so we havn't really organised it around peak fishing seasons.

Marcio, I can only assume that you live in central or south america by your knowledge of the topic. I am well aware of the well known sport fishing charters that are advertised on the 'net.  However these charters are quite expensive and seem to be set up for wealthy american business men and are out of reach of a peasant aussie prawn farmer like myself. Just wondering if there is the possibility of getting cheaper charters once we get there with lesser known local operators?

Just read your post Jonas. Sounds like amazing  fishing but once again that class of fishing I can only assume is beyond my price budget. Makes me start thinking I should have saved more cash. Either way, as Big Kev would say "I'm excited!"

Cheers again.

[alex frangoulis]

sounds promising.

 I suppose we should definitely take popping gear then. we will have to try to find a cheaper option then the fishing lodges though as they are too expensive.  not long now Hank!!

does anyone know any cheaper alternatives in panama to catch yft, cubera or roosters than staying at a fishing lodge?
thanks for the great info guys! any specific locations?

cheers Alex

[Saltywater Tackle]

Hi
i suggest you to check Paradise lodge http://www.paradise-fishing-lodge.com/node/21
the owner's name is Chad, very nice guy.
i've been there before and we caught all sort of fish, yellowfin tuna up to 200lb
you can email Chad and get a price according to the time you plan to visit,
i will be off to Panama in a couple of days

 Sami

[Scott Maybury]

Definately speak with Chad guys, the lodges are expensive BUT a lot of them drop their prices significantly during the middle of the year when it is the wet season, because the american's don't like coming and fishing at that time of year due to showers etc...I am told the fishing is still good, just you might (read, probably will) get wet..

[Marcio Paes]

Jordan,

Yes you are right... Im a brazilian Guy...

Really professional at panama I just know Pescapanama (the best to me as you don’t need to travel too much to get at the best fishing spots, depending which spot you desire, at least 30~40 minutes less going and 30~ 40 minutes less returning) and ParadiseFishingLodge (Chad, the owner, is a nice guy), both has great guides and new boats…

Before those professional operations I used to go to Panamá to fishing at small boats...

If you have money... you should try the professionals... but if you dont... you could also have some cheap options like Santa Catalina (you will have to drive by car 5 hours from the airport to get there), which is great for Rooster and Cuberas, Amberjacks and others species (not good to 200lbs tunas). The only local guide David want to take vantage against “gringo” but know where the fish is… and will cost you just a 400 per day per boat (at a 25” Panga)… this is USD 133.00 (may 150) per angler (3 in the panga) per day … You can also ask for a package discount… Like a total USD 1.600 for 5 full fishing days for 3 guys… Actually I just recommend this if you get one or two South America friend to go with you… Again: Not so professional but I personally had good moments jigging and casting like this ones (above)…

I also have some secrets spots and operations at Amazon with very reasonable prices, but again you should go with a typical local guy to be safe and be sure to receive what you paid for… and of course, despite Panama (some do) but all places the guide don’t speak English…

Send me an e-mail if you want more informations... [email protected]

[Dan Smith]

I've fished several countries there and in my opinion Panama is by far the best for inshore/offshore popping.  Parts of Mexico have the same species but for some reason they don't seem to hit poppers as much.  In Panama everything from sailfish to cubera snappers to dorado to tuna will hit poppers.  Costa Rica is a distant second although there is some very good tarpon fishing on the Carib side.  Tarpon will hit poppers and jump like crazy. 

The peacock bass fishing can be awesome in Brazil and other places but there really isn't a good way to do it cheaply.  The best fishing, as it nearly always is, is in very remote spots that require a float plane to get to. 

[Peter Heinke]

Galapgos Islands???