A new era of sport fishing was inaugurated in Panama when the Coiba Explorer II, a 115-foot luxury mother ship, arrived during the first week of March. Owner Mike Sanderson’s fishing guests were previously accommodated on a rustic though comfortable floating barge (“Return to Hannibal Bank,” May 1997) anchored in the Coiba Island region of northwest Pacific Panama.
“It’s the most modern mother ship and best-run operation I’ve seen anywhere,” said Pat McDonnell, editor of Western Outdoors News, after his trip in April. “We caught blue marlin to 400 pounds, black marlin to 450 pounds, wahoo to 60 pounds, yellowfin to 210 pounds and a whole list of inshore game fish.”
The Coiba Explorer II is a fully air-conditioned throughout its eight double staterooms, VIP suite and roomy lounge, and features the comforts found on the finest yachts. The fishing fleet consists of three 26-foot Pursuits, three 28-foot Pursuits, a 30-foot Rybovich, 26-foot Canyon Runner and two jet-powered Nauticas for exploring the area’s jungle rivers.
For more information contact the Coiba Explorer II office in Covington, Louisiana, at 800-733-4742; fax: 504-871-7150. Or see the Web site www.coibaexplorer.com.
