There are big things happening in our corner of the world. Isla Parida is humming with excitement. The team at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge is thankful.

As we look back on the year that’s been we’re grateful for all the people we’ve fished with. As we look to the year to come, we smile with enthusiasm.

We’re investing in our fleet and lodging. We’re making ready for good things. And have quite a few things in the works.

What follows is a letter to our friends and clients. It serves several capacities:

  • Let you know of all the great things that we have in the works at the lodge.
  • To wish you and yours the Merriest of Holiday seasons.
  • Thank the hundreds of anglers from around the world have fished with us in 2024.

This is also an invitation. An invitation for you to come fish with us in 2025. We’re filling up, but we can fit you in. It will be fun.

There are piles of yellowfin waiting for you. We have coolers full of cold beer and our professional culinary team is waiting with more sashimi, ceviche, and grilled lobster than you can eat. It will be fun.

Fleet Expansion: Herding Cats

We have expanded our fleet. In November we took delivery of our 5tt catamaran. The Cat 5 is a 33 World Cat.

Introducing the Cat 5.

We are outfitting it to the same standard as the remainder of our fleet—four 33 World Cats and one 33 Freeman. New Suzuki outboards, Tigress outriggers, complete assortment of Blackfin rods, suite of brand new Accurate reels, Simrad radars, tuna tubes, Yo-Zuri poppers and stick baits—the works.

This boat makes quite an impact on our operation. We can now fish groups of up to 20. It also makes our fleet rotation and maintenance plans more efficient.

We’re ready for anything….

More than anything, however, it will help us catch more fish and take more people fishing.

Sneak Peek: Our New 2 Bedroom Guest House

We have just put the finishing touches on our new two-bedroom guest house. Framed and built entirely on sight, the cabin is composed of hardwood that we cut and milled on the island.

Steve serves as lodge manager. He’s also a master carpenter—he can build anything. His handy work is on display throughout the property and we are thankful for it.

The only thing missing is you.

This latest cabin will be outfitted to the same standard as the rest of our lodge. Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, comfortable beds, King Sailfish mounts on the wall. The large porch spans the entire front of the house. It is the perfect place to drink a cold beer between fishing days…

When you stay here, you’ll be surrounded by tropical landscapes and the sound of the ocean. It’s an awfully nice place and we’re excited to host guests, clients and friends within it.

Where Great Fishing Meets Great Food

While some things at the lodge are changing, some things remain the same. Our professional culinary team is still at it.

They’re experts in transforming the tuna that you catch into mountains of appetizers and entrees. One of the most frequently heard phrases at the lodge comes at dinner time.

The exact words used change, but it generally goes something like this, “After all those appetizers, I don’t know how I’m going to eat dinner.” Somehow the sight of a platter of seared tuna steaks or dorado piccata (pan-fried dorado fillets in a lemon, butter, caper sauce) usually helps people make room.

We’re proud of the spreads we offer. It’s also a source of pride that all of the food and drinks you consume at the lodge are included in your package. There’s no bar tabs, no settling up before you leave.

Feel like drinking one more rum and coke? Go right ahead… that’s between you and tomorrow morning.

We also have commercial grade vacuum sealers at the lodge. If you want to pack some tuna home with you, we can do it. We even have coolers for sale.

There’s a charge for that, but it’s fresher, better and much cheaper than you can get it back home. And besides, tuna always tastes better when you know who caught it.

Other Excitement for 2025

As we focus on improving the Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge experience, we’re working on our digital footprint and generally spreading the word about our wonderful corner of the world. We’re also taking our show on the road. 

Here’s what’s in the works….

A New Website (Same Name)

In the coming weeks, you’ll notice some changes to our website. We’re making it better.

In addition to new photography, some video upgrades, and written content, it will include modifications to make the booking process more efficient. We’re excited about this about this and we bet you’ll appreciate the changes too.

Taking Our Show on The Road

Captain Shane Jarvis will be manning the Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge booth at two trade shows in January. The Dallas Safari Club Convention and Sporting Expo is in Atlanta from January 9-12. The Safari Club International 2025 Convention will be in Nashville, Tennessee from January 22-25.

We’ll be at both shows talking big game fishing with folks from around the world. If you’re in town, come by and see us. It will be fun.

Hosting Sport Fishing TV in February

In late February we’re hosting the crew from Sport Fishing Television. We’re excited and so are they.

This will be a really fun trip. It’s also something of a win-win.

Feature Article in Saltwater Sportsman!!!
Check out the feature on the lodge in the Nov./Dec. Issue of Saltwater Sportsman.

They’re in the business of creating compelling visual entertainment. We’re in the business of catching lots of really big fish in a wonderfully beautiful part of the world.

When we combine our two areas of focus, the result will be exciting. We can’t wait.

Come and See Us

We’ve got a lot of good things happening. None of it happens without the support of the hundreds of clients and friends who fish with us every year.

We’re thankful for the many people who visit us every year. We also really appreciate the opportunity to show new guests the wonder of the Gulf of Chiriquí for the first time.

We’d love to see you in 2025. Shoot us a note….