Colombia - take II

**j0hnb0y** · 25-04-2008, 00:30

Am going back to Colombia again beginning of May to fish from the Caribbean coast (tayrona). Having had a taste of the awesome shore fishing i shall be going back with some proper gear! last time i discovered the hardest way that 10lb line just wasnt up to it. after awesome fights with Barracuda an Jack Crevalle i always failed to get my hands on the fish. just couldnt get the fish off the rocks/out the surf.

so this time i am thinking 30lb braid, wire trace, poppers, plugs, shads + flies. anything else i have forgotten? will (hopefully!) get some pics up when i get back at end of june. and hopefully will inspire people to make the trip to this stunning part of the country

cheers!

**j0hnb0y** · 13-05-2008, 14:50

i have been buying lures when i can and has so far amassed this lot. you cant buy any lures in colombia (from what i have seen) so wanna be prepared. any gaps amongst this lot?

cheers for looking

**PanamaJack** · 13-05-2008, 16:50

Originally Posted by j0hnb0y

i have been buying lures when i can and has so far amassed this lot. you cant buy any lures in colombia (from what i have seen) so wanna be prepared. any gaps amongst this lot?

cheers for looking

Hi John
Just a couple of points.

You may want to take some Tube lures for the Barracuda - they're designed to imitate Needlefish. Didn't you go out in a small boat last time? If so Rapala Slivers are a pretty good immative pattern for Needlefish.

Also how about some small jigs for Bonefish? I don't know whether you encountered any last time? Alternatively take some baitholder hooks with some swan shot and use Shrimp or a chunk of Conch.

The hooks on the other lures all seem on the light side, designed for freshwater fishing. It might be worth, if you can change them, taking some heavier split rings and trebles. Either that or make sure you wash them scrupiously in freshwater each evening - in that warm saltwater they corrode very quickly.

Then, if it was me, I'd be taking some more poppers. I like the YoZuri Hydro Tigers and Surface Cruisers but I'm sure you can find cheaper alternatives.

Finally are you going down via Madrid or the 'States? If it's somewhere like Miami Captain Harry's is only just over 15 minutes from the airport. You'd find lures a lot cheaper there than in this country.

But if it's the 'States remember that you have to go both ways through Immigration even if you are in transit. You can't stay airside. Also remember about not locking cases - there's a sticky in the Canada and America forum.

Have a good trip. We're looking forward to your report.
Dave

**j0hnb0y** · 13-05-2008, 17:07

Thanks for that Dave! I think i will def get some heavier split rings and hooks as i feel the current ones on these cheap lures are a little flimsy.

Those Rapala Slivers are v nice and will hopefully get out on a small phut-phut again. I cant remember if the fisherman last time said May/June was the good time for tuna. might have to get out with their handlines if so!

I am a little hesitant in getting more surface lures because the sea is always rather choppy and i would have thought the surface action gets lost amongst the waves?

and unfortunately i will be travelling via Newark, NJ and then on to Colombia so will be missing the cheap US deals...which is some what disappointing!

thanks for the help and advice and i look forward to posting the report...in just over a months time! nothing like being prepared

**PanamaJack** · 14-05-2008, 09:23

Hi John
Um ... never found a decent tackle shop around the New York area. Still never mind.

Just some more thoughts.

Given the roughish sea conditions you'll encounter might it be worth taking something like the Dexter Wedge or similar? They're cheap and cast well and will retrieve effectively at a variety of speeds.

Then if there're smallish Tuna around either take some Tuna feathers for trolling with, or create a 'look-alike' using small Muppets with a barrel lead under the skirt.
Dave

**j0hnb0y** · 05-06-2008, 02:51

not saltwater related but i gather there are some monster catfish lurking around bogota and some decent large/small/peacock bass around the city. look forward to havin a go at them before i hit the sea...2.5 weeks and counting...

**PanamaJack** · 05-06-2008, 09:29

Originally Posted by j0hnb0y

not saltwater related but i gather there are some monster catfish lurking around bogota and some decent large/small/peacock bass around the city. look forward to havin a go at them before i hit the sea...2.5 weeks and counting...

Hi John
You’ll find the Peacock Bass – like brightly coloured UK Perch with a characteristic ‘haloed’ tail spot - aggressive predators. Plugs and poppers cast towards structure will work for them. Work them as you might for Perch or Pike in this country.

I’ve also caught them on Deceiver patterned flies. And, when I was in Lake Gatun (Panama) on Minnow livebaits fished on micro jigs hard against structure; in that case stands of dead trees. (Lake Gatun is the huge body of water that surrounds the Panama Canal.)

Any rate enjoy your fishing there, and also down on the coast.
Dave
PS Forgot to mention Peacock Bass will often JUMP!

**j0hnb0y** · 01-07-2008, 19:31

Listo, back from the coast...very slow fishing unfortunately! rough seas messed everything up from shore and boat where i stayed for 4 days. only 1 small barracuda taken. ill write a full report when i have overcome my misery

thanks for all the advice Dave!