Panama dive report

[Ted Budion]

While on business on Panamá last week, I had the opportunity to spear in those fine and rich waters. January and February is the "nortera" month, a stiff and steady Northerly wind. After blowing for 2 weeks, the wind causes an upwelling phenomenom in the Gulf of Panamá, where the Pearl Islands are located, starting 30 nm South of Panamá City.

Upwelling bring cold and murky water from the bottom, and that's when big fish come near the surface, namely the much sought-after broomtail grouper. However, a strong upwelling can be a hindrance too because the visibility may drop to near 1 m, as it has this year on all Pearl Islands, except to the SE of Isla del Rey. And that's where I got some nice fish seen in the pictures below.

 

[AlexF]

Nice fish Ted, how many days could you dive?

 

[josedesucre]

Nice catch. You certainly are a menace. What kind of gun were you using?

 

[Ted Budion]

Alex: four days. But I only repeated spots once. I was more trying more spots, as you know.

José: 140 RA Carbon Signature + 2 x 16 mm bands + 7.5 RA finned shaft + one-wrap & breakaway + Riffe float line + RA 8 L rigid float.

 

[josedesucre]

140 RA Carbon Signature + 2 x 16 mm bands + 7.5 RA finned shaft + one-wrap & breakaway + Riffe float line + RA 8 L rigid float.

Wow. That definitely sounds like a very efficient fish hunting machine, in the hands of a very experienced hunter, no less. Congrats.