As we move through the month of May, the bait schools just seem to be getting thicker and sure enough the sails are everywhere! A short trip up the coast for some bonitos, used to make out signature Panama belly baits, and then down to the south for non-stop action on 80-120 lb class sailfish. Every afternoon all I could hear on the dock was, “Man, hooked up a double or triple! Got all of them!” The fish were biting in double and triples and some anglers even reported quadruple hookups. Yes’ it was a classic Tropic Star sailfish bite.

Wait, did someone say marlin? Yes, MARLIN! One boat reported an estimated 400 lb Black Marlin tagged and released by Gary Wolf, his first ever. Two other boats reported hookups on similar sized fish but lost them, and a few more were seen patrolling the perimeter of the bait balls. We’ve downsized our trolling gear to 12, 20 and 30 lb outfits to provide for a more challenging fight on the sailfish but, marlin love belly baits too, one captain said.

“Hurricane” Billy Wagner accompanied his friends Robert Korose, Victor Tedesco and Hugh Liles to Pinas Bay this week. These gentlemen and avid anglers have been coming here since the late 80’s. An evening at the bar with these guys just listening to them reminisce about past fishing trips to Tropic Star Lodge was one of my highlights for the week. Stories so outrageous it was difficult to believe. But if I’ve learned one thing during my time here is that the most ridiculous fish story is likely to be true. Billy had a hard time trying to figure out how he went 3 for 15 on sails one day. It’s just one of those days when the fish win, sometimes don’t matter what you do.  Besides for that one hiccup they did great, releasing 41 sailfish for the week.

We were also visited this week by a group of 12 guests from Nova Chemicals. They fished for 3 days and racked up quite a large number of releases, 81 sailfish to be exact. Gary Wolf released his first Black Marlin estimated at around 400 lbs and Gary, Stephen Wooden, Terry Rudt, Donna Stoughton, John Hotz, Jose Massuh, Juan-Carlos Avila, Henry Wurfbain, Dan Spalding and Mike Legeza all released their first Pacific Sailfish. They will be coming here again next year, same time, to do it all again.

Michael Menuhin, Ed Eliasberg and Stephen Ragan joined us at the lodge this week. Both Michael and Stephen had been here two years ago but for Ed it was his first visit. I would like to add that Michael is also an avid bird watcher, having identified over 500 different species in his lifetime. I spent some time being educated on the various birds in our region and suddenly realized that our location in the dense Darien Rainforest does have alot more to offer than  just fishing. Ed was quite happy on the first day out to sit back and play camera man but on the second day he got into the action and released his first of two Pacific Sailfish. They released 22 sails over the 4 days fishing and also spent some time inshore pursuing other various species.

It was also a first time trip for Tom and Jane Ellis, and their friends Richard and Pat Stallings. These two couples have been hunting big game all over the world for many years but decided to try their hand at billfishing for the first time. After a couple hours of hands on instruction from yours truly they were ready. Tom, Jane, Richard and Pat all released their first Pacific Sailfish, on the first day out. They ended up releasing 26 sailfish over the three days of fishing. Congratulations on a job well done and we will see you again soon!

I am certain that this little paradise in Pinas Bay is a magical place for many anglers that visit us year after year and for those first timers equally magical and when you find yourself hooked up on a triple header of sailfish and you can see the lodge in the distance, it’s difficult to think that there could be a better fishing venue anywhere in the world!

Tight Lines!!!!

Albert Battoo
DOCKMASTER