Captain Juan at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge

One of the benefits of fishing at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge is that owner/captain Shane Jarvis has assembled an incredible team of captains, mates and other staff, both seen and unseen. No detail is left unattended and while fishing is never guaranteed, they do everything they can to ensure success. The on-the-water staff have a tough challenge, because unlike single-species operations they may fish for inshore species, tuna and billfish in the same day. That requires a highly varied skillset.

At some lodges there’s clearly a “best guide,” but at SFPIL they’re all equally fishy dudes. Both Captain Juan and Captain Johnny are exceptional anglers. We’ve spent lots of time in the boat with both (plus Shane) and we’d be hard-pressed to say that one is better than the other. That’s why we like rotating during our stays. Juan is only 32 years old, but he has the wisdom and experience of a captain twice that age, and he’s put me on several of my bucket list fish. That’s why I wanted to find out what makes him tick, and why he has seemingly boundless energy for his difficult job each day. Click the video below to hear about him in his own words.

If you’d like to fish with Captain Juan and the rest of the team at SFPIL, email Hanna today. We’re headed back sooner rather than later and we’d love to have you join us.