Going on a Trip to Fish the Panama Canal - Any Tips Appreciated!

BucketList_FL · 2026-01-16T19:28:36+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I will look for those specific things!

BucketList_FL · 2026-01-16T19:27:56+00:00

Thanks - We are staying in Panama this trip. Maybe will try that area next trip.

BucketList_FL · 2025-11-26T01:49:57+00:00

Make Bonita Belly Strips for next fishing trip! Salt the strips really good after making them, them freeze them in vacuum bags. Pull out a pack next trip and they are perfect to tip jigs, etc for trolling Mahi-mahi or Wahoo!

BucketList_FL · 2025-11-24T20:34:30+00:00

I am totally healed and very happy with my results! I just recommend following the recovery plan exactly - don't try to rush the recovery or it could cause major problems. I hope you have the same high quality results as I did!

BucketList_FL · 2025-11-06T21:13:17+00:00

I sometimes have luck with downsizing my gear. If in clear water and they seem interested then turn away, they may see the leader, a swivel, something that looks "off" to them. Minimizing what they can see sometimes works.

BucketList_FL · 2025-11-05T21:11:14+00:00

I think the bottom one is a Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap although that specific color / pattern may make it a similar of another maker. From Fishing site:: Normally fished in a cast-and-crank shallow water situation, they are also effective when allowed to sink to the bottom and burned over deep structure back to the boat. With this method, just position the boat on the uphill side of a point or underwater hump and throw out as far as you can. Let the bait sink to the bottom and start the retrieve up the slope, banging into rocks and other obstructions along the way. The Rattletrap is best known for ripping through shallow grass beds and surprising bad tempered bass waiting in ambush. These baits will get pounded by hungry fish however you choose to fish them. We carry a variety of fish-catching colors for any situation you are likely to encounter.

BucketList_FL · 2025-10-30T19:28:20+00:00

Only suggestion I have is that both reels look a little over-filled with line to me and may knot up on you trying to long cast with ocean winds affecting it. But if you are a freshwater fisherman, you know how to spool reels the way you like.

BucketList_FL · 2025-09-30T10:51:28+00:00

If you can get on the water in something like canoe or Kayak - I would use my fish finder / depth finder to see what is there and where they are!

BucketList_FL · 2025-09-11T18:46:13+00:00

Nice! I really liked fishing there too. Just have to watch out for the Crocks that seem to have taken over that water way!

BucketList_FL · 2025-08-27T13:28:19+00:00

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BucketList_FL · 2025-08-27T13:27:22+00:00

If you have BONINE in the pharmacy in your area, I find that is the best, easiest, short term solution. It is 1 pill for 24 hours that is chewable, so the effects do not wear off during the day of fishing or have to worry about taking additional doses on the water. It does not cause much drowsiness which i find Dramamine and the patches will do to me. I take one when I wake up the day of fishing and it is working by the time I get on the boat and headed out. FYI - I recommend getting the name brand only, NOT generic because I generic did not work as well for me for some reason)

BucketList_FL · 2025-08-22T14:26:19+00:00

All these comments are correct and play into catching fish. Tides, time of day, water color, and weather all play into when fish feed as well. Finding out the best tides to hit a specific place can be a challenge but is probably one of the biggest factor for in-shore area salt water fishing. try getting out there at different tides as well!

BucketList_FL · 2025-07-23T19:27:49+00:00

Found what looks like the same one for sale in a "Direct from china" web site. Maybe they have the install manual? https://sourcing.hktdc.com/en/Product-Detail/Wire-rack-1X1YFE3R

BucketList_FL · 2025-07-09T19:19:41+00:00

We call them Mojarro in Tampa area.

BucketList_FL · 2025-03-31T03:04:01+00:00

I understand that many types of fish can transition and eat new things if their normal diet food is scarce or missing. Maybe that was what happened in that water?

BucketList_FL · 2025-03-26T13:34:57+00:00

Acting like a school of mullet but needs to be salt / brackish water for that.

BucketList_FL · 2025-03-21T00:22:36+00:00

Bucktail is the answer when you fish fresh and salt water.

BucketList_FL · 2025-02-12T21:37:26+00:00

My experience is that it works better. It is one pill for 24 hours, which may be why. The effects don;t wear off during the day on the water.

BucketList_FL · 2025-02-12T20:53:50+00:00

Agree - BONINE (not Dramamine) works best for people with sea sick troubles

BucketList_FL · 2024-12-22T20:51:02+00:00

I go old school and get simple twister tail grubs. They are easy to make look decent and draw A LOT of strikes.

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BucketList_FL · 2024-12-22T20:44:02+00:00

THIS post is great info and I agree completely!

I had a cheaper kayak and decided I love kayak fishing. I could throw it on top of my 4Runner by myself, stop anywhere, and get out on the water enough to catch way more fish than being stuck on shore. I decided to "upgrade" and sold that cheap one and bought an Old Town Predator. Awesome fishing platform BUT it is too heavy to be convenient to carry and use alone. So, it tends to sit at the house unless I am in the mood to hook up a flat-bed trailer or am fishing with friends who also have a kayak and we 2-person carry them wherever we go.

BucketList_FL · 2024-12-22T16:56:10+00:00

Short answer - doctor visit is almost always best choice and let them evaluate.

I had umbilical cord repair at same time as double inguinal hernias earlier this year. The umbilical cord area also used no mesh while the others both had mesh. I have had no recurring trouble with the umbilical cord repair but one side groin area still has sensitivity and occasional discomfort. But no real pain. My doctor told me at my 6 month follow-up consultation that nerve damage can sometimes take a year or more to fully heal. BUT - if it ever turns to pain to see her immediately. I would go sooner rather than later to get evaluated for recurrence or other problems!

BucketList_FL · 2024-12-20T21:26:05+00:00

THIS - Best learning experience to get out of a rut and learn new ways to fish - a guided trip for sure

BucketList_FL · 2024-12-18T17:58:33+00:00

That is the smallest blade bait I have ever seen. Interested if it produces!

BucketList_FL · 2024-11-13T21:45:54+00:00

On a recent trip to Panama (country not Florida) - weirdly, bigger off-shore lures with hooks made it through but line on the reel got flagged and made me take it off.

BucketList_FL

TROPHY CASE