Catch billfish and big game species, improve your skills, meet new friends and explore the destination: our nine-day itinerary is all about creating a fun, immersive experience.
Anglers arrive in Panama City as guests of the airport’s Royal Salon service while clearing customs and immigration. From there, you’ll be transported to the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama City, for the first night. That evening, you’ll join your fellow anglers for a reception and dinner.
Anglers will be transported to Albrook Municipal Airport for the 55-minute flight to Piñas Bay, Panama, where you will board the “jungle cruise bus” that takes you to the Tropic Star dock. Enjoy your day relaxing by the pool, kayaking in Piñas Bay, hiking to White Beach, and preparing for a fantastic few days of fishing. A fishing seminar is followed by a welcome reception and dinner.
Fishing days start early: breakfast at 5:00 a.m., and departure from the marina at 6:30 a.m. Each day is unique as the anglers’ skills, weather, and bite factor into what happens on the water. But the overall goal remains constant: catch fish, learn, and have a great time. Boats are back at the marina at 3:30 p.m. so anglers have time to relax and freshen up before dinner.
Anglers put what they have learned to the test and compete in a mini fishing tournament. Bragging rights and trophies are on the line. The day concludes with dinner and the awards ceremony.
Transport back to Panama City for return flights home.
The primary reason for the lodge’s success lies just offshore: the famed Zane Grey Reef. A 20-minute run from the dock, the seamount’s three rocky pinnacles rise up from the surrounding muddy bottom at around 350 feet deep to within 120 feet from the surface. Cold currents sweeping up from South America collide with the warm water coming from Costa Rica, creating strong upwellings and turning the entire place into a huge bait factory. It’s quite a sight to witness: As the sun rises, the bait is drawn to the surface, and along with it, myriad game fish close behind in hot pursuit. Live-baiting is the preferred technique for black marlin, so the crews deploy a few trolling feathers to fill the custom tuna tubes before slipping the circle-hooked baits back over the side. Flip through the International Game Fish Association’s book of world records, and you’ll see one billfish destination that consistently stands out: Piñas Bay, Panama, home of the world-renowned Tropic Star Lodge, which remains a top-shelf destination for the fishing trip of a lifetime.
The lodge’s fishing fleet consists of classic 31-foot Bertrams, each hull painted a different color, which are crewed by some of the best captains and mates in the business. Powered by twin diesel engines, these boats have earned a justifiable reputation as true fishing machines. The Tropic Star fleet runs 10 months a year, rain or shine.
Your first night will be spent at the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama City, an iconic waterfront hotel where heritage meets modernity. The hotel is in the heart of the historic district of Casco Viejo Panama, a UNESCO-protected site and United Nations-designated world heritage site.
On Day Two, you’ll fly from Panama City to Piñas Bay and Tropic Star Lodge. This is no ordinary fishing lodge: it’s located on the fringe of the Darien Rainforest, on the Pacific coast about 150 miles south of Panama City. The closest roads are more than 100 miles away—everything from fuel and food to spare parts arrives by either boat or plane. Your reservation covers accommodations, meals, wine served during dinner, and fishing, as well as use of kayaks, SUPs, and snorkeling gear.
Check out the memento video from our 2022 Costa Rica expedition. As part of your package, you will receive a custom video documenting your trip.
Marlin Expeditions are priced as all-inclusive packages with all meals, charter boats and tips, accommodations, and airport transfers. Airfare is not included.
A fifty percent (50%), deposit must accompany each registration. The full payment must be paid 30 days in advance of your scheduled expedition.
Payments made on your expedition are refundable for cancellations received, in writing, at least sixty-one (61) days prior to the first day of the expedition. If you cancel your trip, for whatever reason, 31-60 days prior to the start date, we will issue a refund less a $1,000 per person cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 30 days prior to the expedition start date, all payments will be non-refundable.
Travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended to protect your investment.
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