Written by Thomas Jensen 

On the last night of a recent trip I had visiting BetOnline.com in Panama I learned that there is an abundance of world class Peacock Bass in the Canal. During my time out from the beating I was taking at the Veneto casino tables I learned that "Peacock Bass are smaller fish compared to the world class deep sea fishing off the coast of Panama".

“Expect to catch 200 two to three pound fish in a 4 hour trip,” stated this beautiful brunette Adriana sitting across from me at the blackjack table.  “In the middle of the vast Soberania National Park Rainforest on the banks of the Chagres River and Panama Canal is the surprisingly beautiful luxury hotel called the Gamboa Rainforest Resort."

"We could go sleep each night listening to the exotic sounds of the tropical forest and enjoy the comfort of luxury hotel,” stated her blonde friend Paulina in a sexy latin accent.

Did I die and go to heaven?  Even before the trip ended I was already trying to figure out how to get back to Panama.  During my research, I found a killer website called BountyFishing.com. A Clever Canadian entrepreneur named Richard Shafter launched what he calls the “Facebook of Fishing” with forums for fishermen to discuss their favorite tackle, blogs and articles on everything from proper catch-and-release techniques to kooky fish you're not likely to see in the White River, space to post photos from your latest fishing adventure and more.

But perhaps the biggest draw was a unique ongoing fishing tournament that allows fishermen to compete against one another from any body of water and for cash prizes. Hundreds have taken part in the tournament so far and 2,600 people have become site members.

"Fishing is primal. It's therapeutic. It's been around forever. It triggers something within us," says Shafter when I emailed him about his website and to point me in the right direction on how to catch a Peacock Bass. "I love to fish, but compared to the people taking part ...Well, the people taking part really love to fish” one has only to peruse the gallery of classic fisherman-with-fish photos on the Web site, where the fish are different types and sizes, but the smiles on the catchers faces are pretty much the same. Lucky for the former real-estate developer based in Montreal, Shafter recognized those guys for what they are: An enthusiastic, underserved group that has turned his site into a full-time job and a major enterprise in less than a year.

If your a fishing freak like me, checkout BountyFishing.com.  If you visit Panama any time soon, make sure to checkout the Veneto Hotel & Casino.  At the very least hit the blackjack tables and look for Adriana and Paulina, you won’t miss them if they are around.  If you want a safe and secure place to wager on sports, checkout BetOnline.com and the get great sign up bonuses and reduced juice betting options.

Article used with permission from point-spread.com