We went to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge last November with a group of BBCers and some of us liked it so much that we're headed back. It's a first class operation, very safe, superior food and fishing. We caught tuna, mahi, inshore species like roosterfish and cubera snapper, plus had shots at billfish -- and you can do all of that in the same day.
When we got back, I told my wife "I'd sell my bass boat if I could do that 30 days a year." It's that good and that exciting. We're not quite at that point yet (taking delivery of a new boat this spring) but I'm completely obsessed.
If this is the type of thing you've always wanted to do, but didn't know where to start, hit me up for information. Either PM me here or email us at fishmore@halfpastfirstcast.com.
I won't lie and say that it's inexpensive, but if you can swing it, it is worth it.
BBC'ers Carl Vicars and Ron Zich can vouch for the trip.
Yup, will vouch for the trip. Here is a quick summary of the trip (well, will try to make it quick).
Day 1 - Fly to Panama City, Panama. Met by travel agent at plane, walked us through Customs and Immigration. Private van to hotel. Group dinner which was nice for intros as I did not know everyone in the group of 8. Stayed at Hilton with great view of the Pacific.
Day 2 - Meet at 5:15 AM for flight to David, Panama. Breakfast was boxed by the hotel and pretty decent. Van to airport, handed ticket, and 1 hour flight. Met by the lodge staff at the airport, 10 minute van ride to the boats. About an hour boat ride down a scenic river to the Pacific. Very smooth ride. Arrive at the island, freshen up in room, and have lunch. Off to the boats, 4 to a boat, for inshore fishing from about 12-4:30. Clean up, adult beverages, dinner (more good food than you can imagine). In bed by 9PM.
This was our warm up, catching roosters and jack crevalle, literally minutes from the lodge.
Important note - you can let the crew throw out live bait and wait for strike, or do as I did and opt to throw lures. If your chuck lures, you are for the most part standing on the bow heaving heavy gear—better have your sea legs. I was committed and caught almost all my fish this way. If you think you have had a violent strike on a crankbait, jerk bait, or top water, you have no idea…..
Day 3-4 - Given the mix of our group we switched partners and boat captains daily. Up about 5:45, breakfast and to the boats by 7. 2 hour run to the fishing grounds for tuna. Highly recommend the beanbag for the ride out and back.
So the strategy is find the tuna schooling and pushing bait, many times right behind the commercial boats. Captain comes screaming up to the school, shuts down and him and mate throw out live bait. I am jumping to the front casting Yozuri Hydro Minnow.
Here is where it gets fun—FISH ON! These fish rip line and need to often be chased down. Can be anywhere from a 15 minute to hour fight. Depending on the anglers and size of fish, rod may be passed off between anglers. You do this for about 5-6 hours each day, then head back. We averaged probably 8 tuna daily, with average size 70+ pounds. These fish don’t give up, and once they get to that circling under the boat, the fight has just begun.
Day 5 - Me and my buddy decided to go after different species inshore. Same fishing techniques, only up against islands and outcroppings. Yes, it is dicey being on the front of the boat, lots of excitement trying to keeping your balance fighting a 40 lb rooster. We caught 7 or 8 different species.
Day 6 - Same as Days 3 and 4.
My “The One That Got Away” story. Early afternoon we are in a huge school of boiling tuna, 2 live bait rods hooked up. My Hydro Minnow is not far from the boat and I see a huge tuna smoke the bait (thanks Carl for the video!). FISH ON! I move to the back of the boat and the other 2 tuna are brought in, while mine just keeps ripping line off the spool. Literally can’t slow it down and mate is spraying down reel as it is getting hot. Fight it for probably 15 minutes, then nothing. Stout hook is almost straight…. At least Carl caught me laughing about who won that battle.
Day 7 - Reverse Day 1. Our flight out of David was late and 5 of us missed our connections. Once we got to Panama City they had already arranged lodging for us for the night. No big deal as got to explore the city a little.
Final notes. We had the VIP version of this trip, which meant all the in country travel and hotels were taken care of, makes it much easier. Lastly,
Pete tries to take all the credit, but his wife, “Don’t Forget the Banner” Hanna, answered all my questions before booking, took care of our group at the airport, etc. So thanks to Hanna.
Cant really add to what was said above except that this Gordo de Tennessee loved the food. It was my first time out of the country and it could not have been any easier. Already scheduled to go back.
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Originally Posted by Bonanza
