Join us for topwater tuna and a host of other species in Panama’s Gulf of Chiriqui
[We are headed back January 4-10, 2025 and we’d love for you to join us — but if you can’t wait that long Hanna can book you sooner!]
First Class Lodging
Shane Jarvis has built an island paradise on Isla Paridas, 12 miles off the Pacific coast in the middle of a Panamanian National Park. That’ll put us very close to prime fishing grounds like Hannibal Bank, Isla Montuosa and Coiba. Despite being remote, there is every comfort of home in the customized guest houses.
Incredible Fishing
Topwater popping for massive schools of yellowfin tuna is what made us choose May, but there are also other species in the mix, including marlin, sailfish and mahi offshore, as well as roosterfish and a variety of snappers inshore. All tackle is provided, and because we’ll already be in the midst of the fishing grounds, long runs are minimized.
All-Inclusive
Once you get to the lodge, everything is included — over-the-top meals, top-shelf alcohol, daily laundry service, and free WiFi on the island. The package includes VIP treatment at the Panama City airport, in-country airfare, and a big breakfast in Panama City. You can kayak, snorkel and hike if you have the energy after fishing.
THE DETAILS
ABOUT THE TRIP: Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge, in the midst of a Panamanian national park, provides a customized multispecies adventure. The big draw for us is catching busting schools of yellowfin tuna on big topwater poppers, but there are also billfish, dorado, roosterfish, amberjack, cubera snapper and numerous other species to keep us busy. This is truly an all-inclusive adventure, with 4.5 days of fishing, and five nights of lodging at your own private guest house. Read their Tripadvisor reviews and you’ll see that they are uniformly superlative.
DATES: The season runs from November through late Summer
LOCATION: Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge
COST: Contact Hanna at Fishmore@halfpastfirstcast.com
VIP TREATMENT: The VIP Package includes: overnight in Panama City at the Hilton Panama (double occupancy - includes awesome breakfast); 5 nights all-inclusive lodging at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge; 4.5 days of fishing on World Cat or Freeman boats; Round trip Air Panama flights David/Panama City; All Minibus Transfers while in Panama City to/from Airports/Hotel; VIP Service/Assistance at Tocumen Airport with Customs/Immigration/baggage by English speaking reps; On call Travel Agent in Panama City to help with your needs.
WHAT IS INCLUDED: Gourmet appetizers and over-the-top meals, soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and alcohol including local Abuelo brand rum, Absolut vodka, Jack Daniels whiskey, Johnny Walker Black scotch, 1800 tequila, Tanqueray gin, a wide selection of South American white and red wines, and cold Panama beer. Specific alcohol preferences and dietary restrictions can be accommodated. There is WiFi on the island.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: International airfare to Panama City, gratuities, personal items, dinner in Panama City.
TRAVEL: Many US cities offer direct flights into Panama City, where we’ll receive a VIP greeting at the gate by English speaking reps. We'll receive priority status at Immigration and Customs and will be assisted by our escort to the VIP lounge where you can enjoy a drink while your luggage is being collected and sent through customs. Then, transfer in air conditioned minibus to the Hilton Panama to check in to your rooms. The next morning, after breakfast, we’ll be transferred to the Allbrook Airport for a 40-minute Air Panama flight to David. Captain Shane Jarvis we’ll greet us there and take us to the marina (about a 10 minute ride) where the boat or boats will be waiting. We'll take a one hour ride through the mangroves, down the estuary, and out to the lodge offshore on Isla Paridas. You'll then have the rest of the day to get settled in to the private guest house, check out the island/lodge, have a cold drink, relax. have dinner, and get ready for the next four days of fishing.
RESERVATIONS/PAYMENT: We have a maximum of 12 spaces in our group, so timeliness is of the essence. A 50% deposit will be due within 7 days to hold your spot. Payment to the lodge may only be made by wire transfer, which requires a 50% fee, so send checks made out to “Peter Robbins” to me and I will send the total amount to Shane. Payments made after a date TBD will have to be wired at your own expense. The balance can be paid by wire transfer or brought with you to Panama.
CANCELLATION: Because this trip is dependent on group size, we would like to avoid cancellations if possible. The lodge’s policy is as follows: Payments are refundable for cancellations received in writing at least 150 days prior to the arrival date, less a $650 per person cancellation fee. Cancellations made 150 days or less prior to arrival are non-refundable, and are non-transferable. If a situation arises where an 'act of God', travel ban, or pandemic that causes a cancellation of the trip we will reschedule within 12-months at no charge.
QUESTIONS: EMAIL HANNA ROBBINS at
FISHMORE@HALFPASTFIRSTCAST.COM or CALL 703-932-6299
Make your fishing dreams come true
Our first experiences at SFPIL made us obsessive popping addicts. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED! YOU WILL WANT TO COME BACK!
