PARADISE FOUND IN PANAMA
2nd Leg of the Presidential Challenge Conservation Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHEN: July 3-4-5, 2009
WHERE: San Jose Island, Panama
HOST HOTEL: Hacienda del Mar
40 Sailfish/17 Blue Marlin
OFFICIAL TIME KEEPER: REACTOR WATCHES
TACKLE REQUIREMENTS: Trolling only using Berkley Big Game #20 line and Eagle Claw non-offset circle hooks.
For further information and photographs please contact Joan Vernon - joan@preschallenge.com
The beautiful Hacienda del Mar, located in the San Jose Islands on the Pacific coast of Panama, lived up to its reputation for tropical beauty as the host for the 2009 Presidential Challenge of Panama. The 21 anglers and seven observers gathered on July 2nd to review the rules for the competition and get to know one another as Bacardi cocktails were served prior to a sumptuous poolside buffet. The seaside pool and patio was the perfect venue to welcome everyone to Panama.
Day One dawned bright and sunny after a night of tropical thunderstorms, but the seas were calm and welcoming to the fleet. Several local pangas ferried the anglers to the awaiting boats to head out to the fishing grounds, about twenty miles away. The tournament's location meant relatively short runs to deep blue waters and more fishing time during the day for the anglers in attendance.
In order to ensure a level playing field for all participants, Presidential Challenge anglers compete against one another using tournament- supplied Berkley Big Game 20-pound test line. Non-offset circle hooks are also mandatory, with the Eagle Claw 2004EL versions also being supplied by tournament sponsor Eagle Claw for the event. Finally, experienced observers are placed aboard each boat to record the action.
Shortly after the call for lines in, official scorekeeper Dan Kipnis received a call from the 42-foot Maverick, Spanish Fly, that angler J. Godwin released a fish right when lines were called in. After that is was radio silence until almost noon. John Richardson was riding on his boat, Picaflor, with the ladies team and relayed in several sailfish releases throughout the day.
By 3:30 p.m, the scores were tied between Hooker and Spanish Fly, hosting the Maverick Sportfishing team. Each boat had released four sailfish going into the final hour. Suspense was building as radio reception was still not 100 percent. Thanks to good sportsmanship and relays we were able to receive all of the entries.
Justin Richardson fishing on the Hooker took the lead in the angler division with three sailfish on Day One. J. Godwin was right behind him with two sails for second place on time over his teammate Bim Lebo. Everyone enjoyed the cocktail party hosted by Baptist Health International and Bacardi back at the dock, and strategies were made for Day Two. Hopefully the fish would join the 4th of July Party!
If there's a constant about Central America, it's the simple fact that anything can happen, and frequently does. During the night the region experienced an earthquake of unknown magnitude. In spite of being awakened in the night by the shifting planet beneath their feet, anglers were ready to head out to find the fish bright and early the next morning.
It took only fifteen minutes for Freddie Probst, fishing aboard the Amangani, to release the first sailfish of the day. The Hooker anglers, Monte and Justin Richardson, added two more sails to their score. Then it was all the Spanish Fly with Capt. Daniel Espinosa at the helm and the Maverick Sportfishing team from Los Suenos, Costa Rica in the cockpit. They found the mother lode and released eight sailfish in short order to put them into the lead for the King Sailfish Mounts Team Division. Picaflor angler Allison Richardson pulled off a double release with only minutes of fishing time remaining to put her team in the third place slot. She was now our leading Lady Angler as the activity for Day Two drew to a close with the call for lines out.
Back at the dock, the daily Bacardi Bash was set up and awaiting the anglers' arrival back at Hacienda del Mar. Once again, a great time was had by all as the tales of the day's fishing were told and retold over cocktails at poolside, with many thanks going to Baptist Health International and Martin Arias for their sponsorship of the event. Arias also raffled off a fantastic gift basket full of great fishing goodies, with angler Freddie Probst being named the lucky winner.
The Spanish Fly and Team Maverick started the final day of competition in the PCCA Panama where they left off on Day Two. At 8:34 a.m, Bobby Olden released a sailfish and the team kept on heading towards the win. The Costa Rican team went on to release 22 sailfish in the three-day tournament. The only blue marlin of the event was caught the final day by Monte Richardson on the Hooker. This guaranteed the team second place. The Picaflor secured third place early in the day with anglers Keri Richardson releasing two sails and Katherine Martin releasing one sail. PCCA newcomer Bobby Olden fishing for the Maverick team won the Baptist Health International Angler Division with nine sailfish releases. Right behind him was Monte Richardson who released one blue marlin and two sailfish to secure second place angler. Jay Godwin gave up his observer duties to join Team Maverick and won third place angler with five sailfish releases.
Day One dawned bright and sunny after a night of tropical thunderstorms, but the seas were calm and welcoming to the fleet. Several local pangas ferried the anglers to the awaiting boats to head out to the fishing grounds, about twenty miles away. The tournament's location meant relatively short runs to deep blue waters and more fishing time during the day for the anglers in attendance.
In order to ensure a level playing field for all participants, Presidential Challenge anglers compete against one another using tournament- supplied Berkley Big Game 20-pound test line. Non-offset circle hooks are also mandatory, with the Eagle Claw 2004EL versions also being supplied by tournament sponsor Eagle Claw for the event. Finally, experienced observers are placed aboard each boat to record the action.
Shortly after the call for lines in, official scorekeeper Dan Kipnis received a call from the 42-foot Maverick, Spanish Fly, that angler J. Godwin released a fish right when lines were called in. After that is was radio silence until almost noon. John Richardson was riding on his boat, Picaflor, with the ladies team and relayed in several sailfish releases throughout the day.
By 3:30 p.m, the scores were tied between Hooker and Spanish Fly, hosting the Maverick Sportfishing team. Each boat had released four sailfish going into the final hour. Suspense was building as radio reception was still not 100 percent. Thanks to good sportsmanship and relays we were able to receive all of the entries.
Justin Richardson fishing on the Hooker took the lead in the angler division with three sailfish on Day One. J. Godwin was right behind him with two sails for second place on time over his teammate Bim Lebo. Everyone enjoyed the cocktail party hosted by Baptist Health International and Bacardi back at the dock, and strategies were made for Day Two. Hopefully the fish would join the 4th of July Party!
If there's a constant about Central America, it's the simple fact that anything can happen, and frequently does. During the night the region experienced an earthquake of unknown magnitude. In spite of being awakened in the night by the shifting planet beneath their feet, anglers were ready to head out to find the fish bright and early the next morning.
It took only fifteen minutes for Freddie Probst, fishing aboard the Amangani, to release the first sailfish of the day. The Hooker anglers, Monte and Justin Richardson, added two more sails to their score. Then it was all the Spanish Fly with Capt. Daniel Espinosa at the helm and the Maverick Sportfishing team from Los Suenos, Costa Rica in the cockpit. They found the mother lode and released eight sailfish in short order to put them into the lead for the King Sailfish Mounts Team Division. Picaflor angler Allison Richardson pulled off a double release with only minutes of fishing time remaining to put her team in the third place slot. She was now our leading Lady Angler as the activity for Day Two drew to a close with the call for lines out.
Back at the dock, the daily Bacardi Bash was set up and awaiting the anglers' arrival back at Hacienda del Mar. Once again, a great time was had by all as the tales of the day's fishing were told and retold over cocktails at poolside, with many thanks going to Baptist Health International and Martin Arias for their sponsorship of the event. Arias also raffled off a fantastic gift basket full of great fishing goodies, with angler Freddie Probst being named the lucky winner.
The Spanish Fly and Team Maverick started the final day of competition in the PCCA Panama where they left off on Day Two. At 8:34 a.m, Bobby Olden released a sailfish and the team kept on heading towards the win. The Costa Rican team went on to release 22 sailfish in the three-day tournament. The only blue marlin of the event was caught the final day by Monte Richardson on the Hooker. This guaranteed the team second place. The Picaflor secured third place early in the day with anglers Keri Richardson releasing two sails and Katherine Martin releasing one sail. PCCA newcomer Bobby Olden fishing for the Maverick team won the Baptist Health International Angler Division with nine sailfish releases. Right behind him was Monte Richardson who released one blue marlin and two sailfish to secure second place angler. Jay Godwin gave up his observer duties to join Team Maverick and won third place angler with five sailfish releases.
FINAL RESULTS
40 Sailfish/1 Blue Marlin
KING SAILFISH MOUNTS TEAM DIVISION
1ST PLACE TEAM: MAVERICK SPORTFISHING 2200 pts
2ND PLACE TEAM: HOOKER 1400 pts
3RD PLACE TEAM: PICAFLOR 500 pts
BAPTIST HEALTH INTERNATIONAL ANGLER DIVISION
1ST PLACE ANGLER: Bobby Olden 1000 pts
2ND PLACE ANGLER: Monte Richardson 700 pts
3RD PLACE ANGLER: J. Godwin 700 pts
TOP LADY ANGLER: Allison Richardson 200 pts
MASPOR MARINE BOAT DIVISION
TOP BOAT: SPANISH FLY 2200 pts
2ND BOAT: HOOKER 1400 pts
3RD BOAT: PICAFLOR 500 pts
40 Sailfish/1 Blue Marlin
KING SAILFISH MOUNTS TEAM DIVISION
1ST PLACE TEAM: MAVERICK SPORTFISHING 2200 pts
2ND PLACE TEAM: HOOKER 1400 pts
3RD PLACE TEAM: PICAFLOR 500 pts
BAPTIST HEALTH INTERNATIONAL ANGLER DIVISION
1ST PLACE ANGLER: Bobby Olden 1000 pts
2ND PLACE ANGLER: Monte Richardson 700 pts
3RD PLACE ANGLER: J. Godwin 700 pts
TOP LADY ANGLER: Allison Richardson 200 pts
MASPOR MARINE BOAT DIVISION
TOP BOAT: SPANISH FLY 2200 pts
2ND BOAT: HOOKER 1400 pts
3RD BOAT: PICAFLOR 500 pts
