Yellowfin tuna. Black marlin. Blue marlin. Roosterfish. Cubera snapper. The stuff dreams are made of!
This incredible fishing destination is a private family owned and operated island lodge on Isla Paridas, 12 miles off the Pacific coast of Panama in the heart of the Gulf of Chiriquí, Panama and very close to Hannibal Bank, Isla Montuosa, and Coiba. They are completely “off the grid” and surrounded by the jungle in the middle of a Panamanian National Park. Although remote, they have all the modern amenities such as Air Conditioning, Hot Water, and high speed Internet service here at our comfortable island lodge. Their location is just one of the advantages they have over other lodges. They are much closer to the fishing grounds being 12 miles offshore means shorter runs to Hannibal Bank and other prime spots. They cater to fishermen who are looking for remote upscale lodging/accommodations, excellent food, highly maintained fishing boats, and only the best top of the line fishing equipment.
“This was my third trip with Shane, Feb 2025, and this time we brought a crew of 9. This is the best fishing experience I have experienced or can imagine. It is also a five-star, boutique, curated experience in a remote location abutting one of the world’s richest fishing grounds. Amenities, cuisine and drinks are all top notch. Everything was seamless and Shane Jarvis and his crew attend to all details, arrangements, glitches and the like.” Kent S.
THE LODGING
This Panama Island Lodge was specially built to have all the comforts of home—if your home were a boutique lodge on a private island that is surrounded by some of the world’s best fishing, that is. Their guesthouses were built on sight by their own crew. Many of them are constructed from tropical hardwoods harvested and milled on the island. All guest accommodations have:
Air Conditioning
Hot Water
High-speed WiFi
Comfortable Beds
While you’re here, you’ll eat good—breakfast, lunch, an epic happy hour, and family-style dinner every day. They offer open-air dining options. Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining room that serves as a focal point of the lodge.
The drinks are cold and plentiful, including water, carbonated water, sodas, beer and plenty of liquor options. All of your food and drinks are included in your package—there are no bar tabs here. You’ll go to sleep listening to the sounds of the Pacific Ocean. To get to your boat, you’ll walk a stone-lined path that leads to the beach. It overlooks the Gulf of Chiriquí. There is limited cell phone reception at the lodge, but you can call the US via Skype or WhatsApp when connected to Wi-Fi.
“I can’t believe how perfect this place was. From the initial experience, to the very comfortable lodging, some of the best food I’ve ever eaten, and amazing fishing, one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Can’t wait to go back! Especially for the food!”- Damon S.
THE FISHING
Black & Blue Marlin- For many, the black and blue marlin is the headliner. The Gulf of Chiriquí is among the top marlin fisheries in the Northern Hemisphere. They catch blacks up to 800 pounds. Most of the fish range from around 250 to 400 pounds. While they catch black marlin all year, the best times are August through March. During these times, bonito aggregate and hold around high spots. The consistent presence of bait is like a dinner bell.
Black & Blue marlin are spectacular fish. They are beautiful! Seeing a big marlin attack a live bait is incredible. It is savage, wild, and wonderful. The speed and power with which it often takes place is like nothing else.
Incredible fighters, the first run of a marlin is something to behold. It is often punctuated by jumps that take them entirely out of the water.
Yellowfin Tuna– The yellowfin tuna fishing here can be incredible. They catch lots and lots of them and some true giants—a 290-pounder in February 2025, among many, many others. The Gulf of Chiriquí is the home of the tuna frenzy. A tuna frenzy is perhaps the most exciting spectacle in all of fishing.
A frenzy happens when tuna stack a school of bait on the surface. They then crash out of the water, creating whitewater and mayhem, as they eat it. When this happens, especially when the bait is hanging on floating structure, it’s often instant hookups. Tuna can be caught year-round but the best times are April through August.
There are times when they have more rods hooked to tuna than anglers on the boat. You can toss a live bait into the mix or throw poppers around it. It is incredible!!
Roosterfish– Many anglers come here to fish for the express purpose of catching a roosterfish. Checking the box on one of these wonderful animals is bucket list material.
They target roosterfish around islands, submerged rocks, and high spots. They catch big roosterfish trolling live bonito, blue runners and goggle eyes.
This is also a great place to target them on poppers. The sight of a roosterfish crest knifing behind topwater will stick with you. Any day you catch a roosterfish is a good day– no matter how you catch it. We release all of the roosterfish that we catch.
Inshore Fishing- In terms of size, action, and diversity of opportunities, the Gulf of Chiriquí is home to one of the best inshore fisheries in the world. With hundreds of islands and incredible bottom structure, you can do it all.
Roosterfish and cubera snapper are the main headliners when it comes to inshore species, but there is much more. Mullet snapper, bluefin trevally, sierra mackerel, amberjack, rock snapper, grouper, all manner of jacks. They even catch wahoo inshore.
In being prepared for this incredible diversity of species, the boats are equipped with a variety of tackle. For big snapper and roosters, they’ll troll live bonito on 50-pound conventional tackle (this sounds like overkill until it’s not!). They’ll drift chunks of bonito over high spots for cubera.
There’s a variety of methods when fishing inshore including trolling live blue runners and goggle eyes on smaller conventional tackle, casting poppers and stick baits on spinning tackle, jigging outfits to drop vertical jigs on bottom structure. They can even break out the fly rod if you are so inclined.
No matter which areas targeted, much of the inshore fishing takes place around some of the most beautiful, tropical islands you’ll ever see. It is a wonderful experience.
“You will have zero regrets and dream about going back! I can’t say enough about how amazing the overall experience was on our trip. We had a group of 8 all with expectations this would be a once in a lifetime experience. It was but now we’re all trying to figure out how to go back. The lodge/surroundings/staff nailed it across every possible dimension. The employees each had such a passion for their specific discipline whether it be the captain/mate or the chefs.” K. Amchor
THE FLEET
They fish from five 33’ catamarans:
• Four World Cats and a Freeman: Each outfitted with the highest quality hardware and systems specifically for the fishing here.
• Power: Each boat is powered by twin Suzuki 300 HP 4-stroke outboards, equipped with Simrad Radar and Sonar units.
• Tuna Tubes and Live Wells: All boats have ample live well capacity and tuna tubes and are equipped with Tigress outriggers.
Their boats ride well. They are fast and maneuverable. They are equally at home live baiting for marlin, running and gunning on schools of tuna with porpoise, or casting poppers around rocky shorelines for roosterfish and cubera snapper.
Each boat is equipped with top-of-the-line gear and equipment. Their conventional and jigging reels are made by Accurate. Shimano makes their spinning reels and they use Blackfin Rods with Mustad hooks and Yo-Zuri lures.
GETTING THERE-
Once you get to Panama City, Panama, their team takes care of everything. They will meet you at customs, handle your hotel in Panama City and domestic transfer to the city of David. The team picks you up and drops you off at every step.
And there are a few travel options:
Their VIP Package includes a transfer flight from Panama City to David on Copa Airlines.
They can also arrange private plane or helicopter charters at additional expense. For information on private air charters, inquire to your Fish-Nation agent.
Their premium package takes care of everything once you get to David. Once in David, it’s a five-minute drive to the marina and an hour boat ride to the island. They take care of every step of the process. And your return trip is just as seamless.
RATES & PACKAGES– In addition to the packages below, we can help you create a customized itinerary that works for you. If you want to fish more days, less days, stay a couple of extra nights in Panama City, or even maybe take a rest day in between fishing days to hang out on the island, just let us know!
OPTION 1: VIP Package 2027 includes:
-1 night in Panama City at the JW Marriott (double occupancy – includes breakfast)
-4 nights All-inclusive lodging in your own private guest house
-3 full days of fishing on one of their 33′ World Cats
-Round Trip 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 our English speaking reps
-‘On call’ Travel Agent in Panama City to help with your needs
1 Person per boat VIP price $11,560
2 Persons per boat VIP price $7,190 per person
3 Persons per boat VIP price $6,510 per person
4 Persons per boat VIP price $5,695 per person
5 Persons per boat VIP price $5,075 per person
Non-fishing guests VIP price $4,100 per person
Trip Options: Fish on the arrival day to lodge for an additional $1500/per boat
Starlink high speed Internet access while fishing $150/per boat
Note: All prices include 7% sales tax and all applicable fees…no surprises!
Not Included: International airfare to Panama City, gratuities to lodge staff and boat crews, drivers, and personal items
Sample VIP itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrive at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) and receive a VIP greeting at the gate by English speaking reps. You’ll receive priority status at Immigration and Customs and will be assisted by their escort to the VIP lounge where you can enjoy a drink while your luggage is being collected and sent through Customs. Then, transfer in an air-conditioned minibus to the JW Marriott to check in to your rooms. Enjoy the nightlife!
Day 2 – Pick up at the JW Marriott and transfer back to the Tocumen International Airport for your Copa Airlines flight to David. Arrive in David 40 minutes later. They’ll greet you when you arrive at the David Airport and head to the marina (about a 10-minute ride) where your boat will be waiting. You will 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 into the private guest house, check out the island/lodge, have a cold drink, relax, have dinner, and get ready for the next three days of fishing.
Day 3 – Fish
Day 4 – Fish
Day 5 – Fish
Day 6 – After breakfast, return to the mainland for transfer back to the David Airport for your return flight to Panama City. When you land, you’ll receive assistance to transfer back to the Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to check in for your flight back home. Be sure to book your flight home to depart after 1:00pm.
Note: If you want to avoid the first night stay in Panama City and shave a day off the itinerary…you have the option to fly through to the city of David, on Day 1, and stay in the seaside village of Boca Chica at the Seagull cove Resort or Bocas Del Mar Hotel. They will pick you up on Day 2 at the hotel’s dock and head straight out to fish! You’ll need to arrive at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) before 1:00 PM in order to catch the late afternoon flight to David.
Or if you want to take care of your own hotels, in-country flights, and transfers to/from and in Panama City they offer the Premium package…
OPTION 2: Premium Package 2027 includes:
-4 nights All-inclusive lodging in your own private guest house
-3 full days of fishing one of their 33′ World Cats
-Pick up/Drop off at David Airport
1 Person per boat Premium Package price $10,860
2 Persons per boat Premium Package price $6,585 per person
3 Persons per boat Premium Package price $5,810 per person
4 Persons per boat Premium Package price $4,995 per person
5 Persons per boat Premium Package price $4,370 per person
Non-fishing guest Premium Package price $3,390 per person
Trip Options: Fish on the arrival day to lodge for an additional $1500/per boat
Starlink high speed Internet access while fishing $150/per boat
Note: All of our prices include 7% sales tax and all applicable fees…no surprises!
Not Included: International airfare to Panama City, domestic flight to David, gratuities to lodge staff and boat crews, drivers, and personal items
Bringing Fish Home is Easy (and Your friends and family will love it!)
They will fillet, vacuum seal in 3 mm 10″ x 12″ bags, and freeze a portion of your catch. It’s just $15/bag and is perfect for traveling. We recommend you bring a Yeti Hopper type tote bag or small 30-40 quart cooler. Or you can buy one of their coolers they have available at the lodge for $50 and $80.
Cancellations due to Weather: If bad weather arises and your Captain determines that for safety issues the trip should not be taken – you will receive a credit for that day’s fishing on your next booking.
We highly recommend getting trip insurance through our partners at: https://redpointtravelprotection.com/partner/fishnation/