Location

Unquestionably, the best fishing in Panama is found here, in the Pacific Ocean waters of Coiba National Park.

Within the government-protected waters of Coiba National Park are at least 34 significant islands and countless undersea rocks and reefs. These islands are set largely outside of coastal waters; they edge deep oceanic water, where currents continually bring in fish from the drop, off the Continental Shelf. The park is full of fish-holding structures. These islands are not only great structures; they are beautiful to look at.

Anywhere marlin are regularly captured, you’ll find the drop off the Continental Shelf  into the deep sea nearby. Here, park waters extend to the edge of the Continental Shelf, the drop into the deep abyss.

Commercial fishing is prohibited in the park. The park is remote, far from roads, towns, marinas, hotels, and services. There has been very little pressure put on the fish. While out fishing, we rarely see another boat.

Captain

I never dreamed of marlin fishing while growing up in Missouri. It wasn’t until I was twenty years old in San Diego, California, I hired on as a deckhand aboard the “Wahini,” a 36’ Trojan, that my journey began. In 1979, we brought the boat to Cabo San Lucas. The captain was an owner-operator, retired at 34 years old. His previous job was as a tunnel rat in Vietnam, and he had made his money as a mercenary in Africa. We fished daily but didn’t charter, instead took anyone ready to go for free, just needed someone in the chair. No catch & release ever. We hung dozens of big marlin, Mexicans ate them up.  

Boat

Many people have said the best sport fishing boat ever built is the 31’ Bertram. It’s a good argument considering the timeless design, affordability, ample space, and stability.

The Joker is a 1969 31’ Bertram, fully customized over the years to fish for marlins.

Today, the Joker is better than it’s ever been. Beautifully painted, she sports a large fishing cockpit, fighting chair, six built-in tuna tubes, double spreader outriggers, gin pole, marlin tower, and twin turbo-powered diesel engines. The interior has been fully rebuilt for comfort as a day boat, offering plenty of space to spread out in the shade. It’s a safe and stable boat, able to fish effectively in five feet of water or far offshore.

The Joker carries a full complement of top-quality rods and reels, including five beautifully maintained, classic Fin~Nor bent-butt rods and 9/0 reels. Everything about the Joker says classic quality. A timeless sportfishing boat. A pleasure to be aboard in this timeless island paradise.