January is Time to Pay the Bills in Panama
Our most recent trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge – the fifth in all – was the first in January. We’d previously visited in April and May, prime tuna popping periods, as well as twice in November, the start of the season and a great all-around month.
We’d been told that the best times for marlin were December/January and July/August. While I can’t say that a single trip is representative of a trend, this did indeed prove to be our best overall billfish visit, by a wide margin. Our group had multiple sailfish every day. Some we happened to see swimming and they ate a smartly-pitched live bait. Others we viewed free jumping and approached them for a shot. Still others attacked our trolled soft plastic baits.
On the last day we also targeted and got into the marlin. One boat had two blues in the 250 pound class, plus a black estimated at 450. Another boat had a black in that same range. Three of our boats caught sailfish that day.
After we left, the madness continued, with multiple multi-billfish days.
So based on what I’ve been told, and this little bit of anecdotal evidence, I’d strongly recommend January for Panama billfish. We had some good popping sessions, too, and that’s my first offshore love. I’m still inclined to head back in spring, but Hanna’s itching for another shot at January. We might have to start making two trips a year.
