Credit: Fish Colombia / www.fishcolombia.com |
Colombia’s northern coast can justifiably be called one of the best destinations anywhere on the Pacific coast of South and Central America for serious anglers. Not simply hype, that’s based on a number of elements. For one thing, there just seems to be so many fish around offshore and inshore. One contributing factor has to be the Zona Exclusiva de Pesca Artisanal. Nearly 15 years ago, Colombia designated more than 240 square miles of northern coastline (out to 22.5 miles) exclusively for local artisanal — versus large-scale industrial — fishing. Bahia Solano, where Darien Lodge sits, is situated in the midst of this zone. The lack of pressure from nets and longlines has really paid off. |
|
|
“It seems like there are always yellowfin and mahi around,” says Beto Mejia, with Fish Colombia of Darien Lodge and other fishing resorts. Unlike fishing resorts in many other South and Central American countries, which must make runs of 15 or 20 miles, pelagics are a very short run off the beach. Meija says lodge captains are removing otoliths (ear bones) of yellowfin, recording sex and otherwise gathering data to help scientists track the tunas’ movements. |
|