Panama is an Indian word meaning “an abundance of fish”

*The chart and monthly breakdown is a guideline; many factors go into the migratory path. Water temperature, wind, current and bait can cause these normal patterns to fluctuate. We are only 7 degrees from the equator.

FISHING AT TROPIC STAR LODGE®

At Tropic Star Lodge®, most of the fishing is 6 to 20 miles offshore in fairly calm waters. The roughest seas (4 to 6 feet) normally occur from January through March and our fleet of Bertram 31’s is the perfect boat for fishing this area. Our crews are all local and have been fishing these waters for over 20 years.

MARLIN
The Black Marlin and Blue Marlin season typically begins around June and runs through until the following March. The PRIME Black Marlin bite occurs from December through mid March and Blue Marlin are also abundant at this time. The majority of the Marlin released during the prime months average in the 300-400 pound range. There is also a good chance of a Striped Marlin from February through May. The Marlin bite from June through July is good and really turns on in August and September. These are usually bigger fish; many in the 500-600 pound range.

SAILFISH
Sailfish can typically be caught year round at Piñas Bay; however the prime Sailfish bite occurs from May through August. Double hookups are common during this time and the majority of the Sailfish released average 90-120 pounds. Fly fishing is also best around this time. We recommend you bring your own fly fishing gear as we do not furnish that at the lodge.

If it’s a GRAND SLAM you’re after, December through mid March and July through September is the best time. Your grand slam could include any three of the following species, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, and Sailfish!  A Super Slam is any four of the billfish species.

WE CATCH MARLIN AND SAILFISH YEAR ROUND.
From Mid-March through May the inshore bite explodes. Record sized Roosterfish, Cubera Snappers and a host of other species are abundant along the coastline. The reef also holds a wide variety of fish and they are typically “grande” size. Our boats are stocked with a variety of poppers, jigs and plugs however we recommend you bring along some of your own secret weapons. Offshore can also be good action. Giant schools of mid-sized Yellowfin Tunas also show up and can be great fun on light tackle. Black Marlin and Blue Marlin are also available; many have been caught right off shore while fishing the rocks!

Over 250 IGFA World Records have been broken at Tropic Star Lodge®.  We currently hold over 50 IGFA World Records, the majority of them being Black, Blue, Striped Marlin, and Pacific Sailfish.  Tropic Star Lodge® is recognized worldwide for the number of IGFA World Records set on light and ultra light line. Our young anglers have set over 50 IGFA World Records in the Junior Angler Division. Opportunities still exist if you wish to get your name or the name of your kids or grandkids into the record books.     
Many anglers fish Tropic Star Lodge® to catch their first Black Marlin, Blue Marlin or Pacific Sailfish. Our crews can help you as much or as little as you require. We issue official Tropic Star Lodge® Certificates for those who catch their first billfish at the lodge!

December: Great all around month for most species. Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, big Yellowfin Tuna (100-250 pounds), Dorado (50-60 pound range) are biting. Inshore fishing for Big Roosterfish and Cubera Snappers are in full swing. It’s a great month for a variety of fish.

January: Considered one of the most popular months for Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna (100-250 pounds), Big Sailfish (over 100-pounds) and Big Dorado (50-60 pound range). It can get bumpy at this time as the north trade wind brings cooler water and tailing Marlin.

February: Very similar to January. Offshore the Blue Marlin and Striped Marlin like the cooler water, and the Black Marlin is on the Zane Grey Reef. It’s one of the best months for Grand Slams.

March: One of the top months for big Yellowfin Tuna. Black Marlin, Blue Marlin and an occasional Striped Marlin are on the menu too. It can be one of the best months for inshore fishing for Big Roosterfish and Cubera Snapper.

April: This is our transition month. The inshore bite is excellent and record sized Roosterfish are biting along with Cubera Snappers and a host of other inshore game fish. Hoards of school sized Yellowfin Tuna (20-60 pounds) invade the coastal waters surrounding Piñas Bay. Billfishing can be sporadic and depends on the weather conditions. The seas are typically flat calm.

May: The wind starts coming out of the south, bringing bait-balls of Sardines down the coast, which signals the arrival of hungry Sailfish as well as other gamefish. This is a time where we focus on catching Sailfish, many within 2 miles from shore. They can be caught offshore as well. Marlin can be caught, but we tend to spend more time racking up numbers of Sailfish. Inshore fishing can also be very productive. Very calm seas.

June: Very similar to May, the Sailfish season is in full swing. Not uncommon to get multiple bites per day including double and triple hookups.  Black Marlin, Blue Marlin and Striped Marlin can also be caught at this time. Inshore can be a bonanza; June and July are some of the best months for Big Roosterfish, some over 70 pounds. It’s one of our cooler months, due to overcast conditions and occasional showers, mostly onshore. Very calm seas.

July: One of our best months for a variety of fish. Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, along with Sailfish and Dorado round out the species… Grand Slams are common. Inshore fishing can be very productive for Big Roosterfish and Cubera Snapper.  This month is cooler than the “Panama Summer” months of January and February due to occasional onshore showers. Very calm seas.

August: Good month for a variety of billfish; including Black Marlin, Blue Marlin and Sailfish.  Inshore fishing for Roosterfish and Cubera Snapper can be very good. Occasional showers, mostly onshore and calm seas. Overcast days and a few offshore showers help to keep the temperatures very comfortable.

September: The Black Marlin and Blue Marlin fishing can be excellent… Wahoo fishing should be at its best, inshore fishing can be very productive. The weather is very similar to August. We are entering our monsoon period so daily showers are typical. We close for maintenance from the last week of September till the third week of November.

FISHING TACKLE

We furnish all of your fishing tackle, which includes Shimano reels and Cape Fear /Shimano rods from 20-50 lb. class. We also have spinning rods and reels filled with 12-30 lb. test monofilament. If you fancy casting large poppers at the rocks for Roosterfish and Cubera Snappers we recommend you bring a heavy 2-piece spinning outfit. The new hybrid lines such as spectra help to keep the big ones out of the rocks. Our boats are stocked with a variety of poppers, jigs and plugs however we recommend you bring along some of your own secret weapons. A variety of productive lures can also be purchased at the lodge.

We do not furnish any fly fishing equipment. The recommended fly rod to bring is a 13-14 Wt. for Sailfish and Dorado etc. You can use a 12 Wt., but a heavier rod will give you more backbone to lift a big fish to the surface. Any billfish fly should work; pink/white and blue/white are good colors.

There is no need to bring your own rods and reels, however if you wish to do so please advise the Reservation Office in Orlando.