LA ZONA/ ARGENTINA DORADO JANUARY 2022

 

After a 2 year absence, I am able to travel to one of my favorite fishing destinations on earth, La Zona for monster freshwater dorado.  As some are aware, I have fished this outstanding destination since it opened to fishermen except for the covid lockdown years and the dorado keep getting larger and larger.  2022 was no exception.

  My group of 4 fished for 8 days, Jan 21 to 24 and Jan 28 to 31.  I spent a few nights in my favorite town, Buenos Aires, to see some old friends and enjoy perhaps the best steakhouses on earth.  I again stayed at the Grand King Hotel which is located in the business district near the shopping centers.  The water on the Uruguay River was extremely low around 0.4 meters so numerous boulders were exposed making motoring the boat inside the zone extremely difficult.  The outside temps soared during week 1 reaching 100F. 

The dorado fishing was also redhot as giants  were landed ( I only record dorado over 30 lbs) 2 over 50 lbs, 13 between 40-49 lbs, and 22 between 30-39 lbs, for a total of 37 dorado over 30 lbs including a monster pushing the boga grip to 56 lbs.  We landed 99% of the dorado on gold Papa Doctor spoons reeled in over the tops of boulders.  Guides Elbio and Alejandro did an outstanding job of putting us on trophies throughout the week.  We stayed at the La Zona Hotel which is 5*****.  The bedrooms are very spacious and the dining area is outstanding.  There is a lounge upstairs which includes leather chairs, couches, and even a pool table.  There is a swimming pool on the grounds to relax in and cool off. 

Chef Sanchez was perhaps the best cook I have had at La Zona in all my years.  I went back to Buenos Aires between fishing sessions and visited friend, Adrian, who owns "Pesca del Plata" Tackle Store.  Adrian was able to get me numerous Wemp's spoons which saved the day as I was running out of spoons.  During week 2 at La Zona the outside temps dropped to 59F in the morning shutting down the bite.  For the groups we landed 0 dorado over 50 lbs, 6 between 40-49 lbs, and 9 between 30-39 lbs for a total of 15 over 30 lbs.  So for the 2 sessions we landed 52 dorado over 30 lbs which is fantastic!  On my return I met up with friend, Nico, who owns Ventura FlyShop.  Over all, the trip was outstanding and exceeded my expectations especially with the low water conditions.  Anxious for April to come around as I return to catch more giant dorao in La Zona!!!

BLESSED AGAIN IN 2021

 

2021 was another crazy year.  Covid still has a few of my favorite destinations such as Australia and Papua New Guinea locked down.  God willing, they will open to tourism soon so I can once again wet a line with friend Luke of Rock Expeditions for PNG bass and Giant Trevally.  Luckily, I was able to go on some great fishing adventures in 2021.  In June I went to PanaFishing Lodge which is locate in the town of Pedasi. 

This was my first trip to Panama and won't be my last as already made a booking for June 2023.  Here I battled giant Roosterfish, YellowFin Tuna, Jack Crevalles, and many other saltwater species. 

Panama is very easy to get to and the residents are very friendly.  In August I made by annual trip to Venice, LA to fish with Capt. Keith Kennedy.  The bull redfish are usually in abundance and this trip was no different as Capt Keith put us on loads of big bulls.  This is definately a trip all should consider.  In November I ventured to French Polynesia to battle the king of the seas, The Giant Trevally. Here we caught numerous Giant Trevally and more huge Coral Trout than most land in a lifetime!!

The trip highly exceeded my expectations with the variety of species caught and the size.  Definately a spot I will go back to.  God willing 2022 will again be a very exciting year with trips planned to La Zona Lodge in Argentina for huge golden dorado, Jurassic Lake Lodge in Argentina for monster rainbow trout, Venice, LA to again battle bull reds with Keith Kennedy, The Seychelles to battle giant Dogtooth Tuna and Giant Trevally, Russia to seek the elusive taimen, and hopefully a few trips to Papua New Guinea to seek out PNG bass in the jungles and Giant Trevally out in the seas.  God bless everyone and hope you have an exciting and healthy 2022!!  

TRIP OF A LIFETIME

 

Looking to give that FisherPerson in your life a fishing trip which they will remember forever?  Well, I have been blessed to travel the world seeking the best fishing destinations.  You cannot beat Argentina when it comes to fishing, great food, and friendly people.  Stay a few nights in Buenos Aires and fill yourself on their famous Steakhouses.  Then travel up north to La Zona Lodge seeking the largest freshwater dorado on earth.  If you are a fly fishing person, travel south to the town of El Calafate and take a tour of the Moreno Glaciers before heading out to Jurassic Lake Lodge where some of the largest rainbow trout on earth swim.  If monster saltwater species are on your list wish, venture to the remote islands of Papua New Guinea with Rock Expeditions seeking huge Giant Trevally, monster dogtooth tuna, Napoleon Wrasse and many others.

  Here you will see not others other than a few natives who live on these Islands out of Misima.  If you looking for a great destination a tad closer to home, book to flight to Panama and fish with PanaFishing for some monster Roosterfish and Yellowfin Tuna.  The lodge caters to small groups where no others fish.  Lodge owner Pierre will take very good care of you during your stay. 

Many of the countries are opening as they have been closed down due to covid.  So, the fish are eagerly awaiting as some have not seen a lure in a few years.  Don't let covid scare you, just be smart!  Merry Christmas to all!!

Xmas Gift/ Venice Redfish

 

Looking to give that Fisherperson a last minute Xmas present where they have have a fishing trip of a lifetime?  Capt. Keith Kennedy of Born To Fish Charters out of Venice, LA offers world class bull redfish angling at a mere cost of what you would pay for an International Trip.  Fly into New Orleans and rent a cal and drive about 2 hours to his lodge in Venice.  Keith can provide all housing, world class meals, and guided fishing for some of the largest bull reds which swim.  I have fished with Keith for years and can vouch that he will try his hardest to put you onto bull reds.  Leave all the worries to Keith and just show up

.  He has quality tackle plus worked as a chef so will put a few lbs on you with his cajun meals.  Keith can be reached at 5049083108.  Book now as the best dates fill fast.  Spring, Summer, and Fall can offer fantastic fishing in the Gulf Area where Keith fishes.  

Ripple Fisher GTX Expedition Travel Rods

 Looking for that last minute Xmas gift to the fisherperson in your life?  Well if they enjoy International travel and do some saltwater fishing for some monster species please consider the Ripple Fisher GTX Expedition 3 piece popping rods.  These rods are extremely powerful yet light.  They are suited to cast heavy poppers or stickbaits all day long for Giant Trevally, YellowFin Tuna, and other brutes.  With travel baggage restrictions constantly changing, why spend a small fortune on a 2 piece rod and find out later that the airline will not allow it in baggage?

  So, I highly recommend 3 piece rods which will be one less item you have to worry about.  I recently used the MH model on my recent trip to French Polynesia.  The rod was put to the ultimate test battling some Giant Trevally, DogTooth Tuna, Coral Trout and some sharks.  It performed flawlessly.  

LAST MINUTE XMAS GIFT

 

Looking for a great last minute Xmas gift for the fisherperson in your life or just want to buy yourself a great gift?  I recently had the pleasure of reading the Adventures of friend, Larry Walker.  Larry will soon have his life story "From Minnows to Marline" available on Amazon.  It tells the story from starting  with his families live minnow shop to a full sized sportshop selling tackle, Bass Tracker Boats, guns, and everything fishing.  Larry later with his family ran Lynn Creek Marina and the Oasis restaurant on Joe Pool Lake, Texas.  Larry tells of hundreds of stories as he has wet a line in over 47 countries.  He ran exotic bass trips to Honduras, fished for giant Blue Marlin at Ascension Island, caught giant Swordfish in New Zealand, released giant Black Marlin in Australia.  Larry also landed a 1146 lbs bluefin tuna out of Prince Edward Island, caught 300+ lbs Yellowfin tuna, and caught massive dogtooth tuna near Lanthan Island.  Larry has caught more 10+ lbs largemouth bass than anyone I know and currently adds to his total weekly!  I have read numerous fishing books from the top fishermen who have ever casted a lure and rate "From Minnows to Marlin" the best, exciting fishing adventure book I have read.  I had a pleasure of fishing with Larry for huge rainbow trout out of Jurassic Lake, Argentina.  I recall Larry running back to the lodge around 6am with a giant smile on his face to tell me he had landed a 21+ lbs rainbow.  Am sure Larry will eventually come out with Vol II of his adventures. Congratulations Larry on great adventures and look forward to reading more!!!!

LAST MINUTE XMAS GIFTS/ K LURES

 

Looking for some last minute Christmas gifts to give the Fisherperson in your life?  Look no further than www.klures.com where Kermett Adams makes some of the best topwater lures on earth.  Kermett has a line of prop chopper lures which will tempt some of the largest peacock bass which swim in the Amazon.  Kermett also designed a few monster poppers which recently produced a huge Giant Trevally which pushed the scales well over 100 lbs

.  For La Zona's golden dorado I worked with Kermett designed a few square nosed glide lures which I will test out in a few weeks.  Also Kermett has Joe Bullock's spinnerbait

design which have accounted for the majority of dorado pushing the scales past 50 lbs the past few years.  All lures are make of hard redwood, are wired through, and come with extremely strong hook hangers and rings to battle huge fish.  Kermett is active on Facebook so if you are looking for a specific wooden lure get in tough with him as sure he could construct it.