CALIFORNIA FISHING LAKES

 

 

California is touted as having over 400 recreational lakes. That makes for a lot of California fishing lakes, California boating lakes, California camping lakes, and California rock-skipping lakes. Or whatever “floats your boat.”

One of the first things you need to do when on the west coast is familiarize yourself with the California fishing regulations. All 91 pages of it. This is a tremendous resource of fishing location information, plus the important details of its contents can help keep you out of trouble.

For example, according to the 2020 California fishing regulations, July 4th and September 5th are free fishing days. BUT, if you are fishing for salmon in certain rivers, or steelhead or sturgeon anywhere, even if you are under 16 years old and/or fishing on one of the designated free fishing days, you must purchase and return a “report card.”

 

It is also important to learn the rules of each district’s body of water such as when fishing for trout. Trout daily bag and possession limits vary greatly during California trout season. Some freshwater fishing locations distinguish between hatchery trout and wild trout, as designated by the presence or absence of an adipose fin. Some places are catch and release only with artificial lures and barbless hooks. There are even areas where water flow releases affect if fishing is allowed.

Other species are available in California fishing lakes such as catfish, crappie, and bluegill. Clear Lake, which is known for producing massive largemouth bass, even made a Bassmaster list of “100 Best Bass Lakes.” Depending on your freshwater fishing in California preferences and options, you can fish “trout lakes” which also contain bass (New Melones Reservoir, Los Vaqueros Reservoir) or you can fish “bass lakes” which also contain trout (Shasta Lake, Diamond Valley Lake, Bullard’s Bar Reservoir). In any of these crossover fisheries, your tacklebox should contain a large trout-resembling swimbait. People aren’t the only ones who like to eat stocked hatchery trout.

Roosterfish Fishing in Panama

 

For many anglers, there are certain fish they hope to catch during the course of their lifetime. Giving them an opportunity to check them off their bucket list. One of these is the roosterfish, which always generates lots of excitement among a group of fishermen. And when you want to experience some of the best Roosterfish fishing in Panama, the place to come is El Rio Negro Sportfishing Lodge.

The game fish found in the warm waters of Central and South America. They get their name from their “rooster comb,” which is composed of seven long spines on its dorsal fin. Reaching a length of more than five feet and often weighing over 100 pounds. Roosterfish, while being popular game fish, are not considered good fish to eat. Because of this, and due to the fact they do not reproduce in large numbers, the fish are always caught, photographed, and then released back into the water quickly.

When doing Roosterfish fishing in Panama, the best techniques to catch them involve using live bait. By slow trolling blue runners or bonitos near rocky shorelines, you’ll experience some of the best Roosterfish fishing in Panama. In addition to live bait, many fishermen in search of roosterfish use poppers or stick baits near shorelines. They slowly troll live baits while waiting for the big one to arrive.

When you’re doing rooster fishing in Panama, the good news is that there are plenty of months when you can be virtually assured of catching all the Roosterfish you can handle. However, if you want to visit us specifically to catch roosterfish, it’s probably best to pay us a visit from December-February, as well as May-July. In these months, winds tend to die down, waters get calm and warm, and Roosterfish start getting very active in such areas as the Tuna Coast, Hannibal Banks, Coiba Island, and other nearby areas.

If all this, has you grabbing your tackle box and reel, then it’s time to schedule a visit to El Rio Negro Sportfishing Lodge. By doing so, you’ll be sure to experience the best Panama rooster fishing any serious angler could expect to find.

Sportfishing

 

Crocodile Bay boasts the largest professional sport fishing team in Central America with in-house captains and mates able to cater to all skill levels. At the helm stands Diego Camacho, Director of Fishing and expert fisherman. Diego is a native-born Costa Rica who moved to the states at nine years old and spent 20 years cutting his fishing teeth in Marathon and Key West. What makes Diego unique is that he completely understands both cultures, therefore he manages employees and the expectations of our guests equally well. Him and his crew are dedicated to providing education and training to ensure you enjoy the fishing adventure of a lifetime. Offshore, inshore, and now all-new kayak and shore fishing excursions are available, each uniquely challenging and equally rewarding.

Are you ready to strap in and reel in a yellowfin tuna that can reach up to 300 lbs.? Do you think you have what it takes to beat the roosterfish resort record at 106 lbs.? The upwelling caused by the offshore winds to the north and south moves baitfish into the area and leaves a flat ocean with one of the highest concentrations of sailfish in the world.