The present is a good time at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge. Lately we’ve had the pleasure of hosting quite a few friends and partners from around the world and across the fishing landscape. These include a bass fishing hall of famer and winner of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic and an IGFA hall of famer and recipient of the 2022 Gil Keech Heavy Tackle Award.
Part update, part invitation. What follows is a bit of a point in time. The fishing has been really good and we’re running lots of trips with folks from all manner of fishing background.
We’d love to do the same for you. But first, here’s what’s happening in our corner of paradise.
Raising Money for Conservation, Boosting the Profile of the Lodge
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame- A Trip Hosted By Skeet Reese
What happens when you donate a trip to sling topwater lures at giant tuna with a bass fishing hall of famer? You just might be the highest grossing auction item at the 2025 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Gala.
Apparently, our take on the fishing trip of a lifetime travels well.
Captain Shane Jarvis was on hand in Springfield, Missouri at the 2025 gala. Our buddy, and the most prolific writer in fishing, Pete Robbins made the introductions and set it all up. It was a trip for two, with a twist. In addition to all that the lodge provides, the trip would be hosted by 2009 Bassmaster Classic winner and 2024 inductee to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Skeet Reese.
Come See Us. Bet You’ll Enjoy It.
The trip not only raised a bunch of money for the great work of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, but produced some really good fishing. Skeet caught a bunch of tuna on Yo-Zuri topwaters—and a really nice one, and even tested his swimbait line of rods against the inshore marauders of the Gulf of Chiriquí.
Speaking of Hall of Fame Fishermen.
In early June, we had the pleasure of hosting a group that included Captain James “Chuy” Roberts. Roberts grew up on the Gulf Coast in Texas and has made a life fishing the world’s great marlin and tuna fisheries. Madeira, Nova Scotia, Kona, you name it.
The chance to fish and trade stories with people who really love fishing and travel is one of the great privileges of spending time at a fishing lodge. And these days, you never quite know who might be fishing with us at Isla Parida.
Speaking of Influential Fishing Guests
In early June, we hosted our first Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge Experience event. It was a great success. Hosted rum tasting with the folks from Abuelo Rum, a cigar roller on hand one night, brand experiences from Yo-Zuri, Simrad, Marlin Magazine, and Half Past First Class. Gear package from Grundens and Yeti.
We had a time. Here’s a summary of what went down this year and what you might expect for next year. We haven’t locked down the dates, quite yet, but stay tuned. We’re planning for bigger and better……
Speaking of Fishing Media: Yo-Zuri Product Showcase
Chris Bishop and the team from Yo-Zuri have been great friends to the lodge for a long time. The support goes both ways.
They keep us stocked with braid, fluorocarbon leader, poppers, and swimbaits. In return, we help with product development and testing.
Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge was honored to help Yo-Zuri launch their latest and greatest—an even bigger Mag Popper. Product demos, product videos- check it out. This video was filmed entirely with us, right here in the Gulf of Chiriquí.
Speaking of Great Fishing Products- Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge at ICAST
Captain Shane Jarvis and Elliott Stark represented the lodge at ICAST. The world’s largest fishing trade show is an annual gathering of just about everybody who has anything to do with fishing. It takes place in the middle of July each year in Orlando, Florida.
ICAST is great fun. We got the chance to meet with our friends and sponsors.
Costa, Yeti, Mustad Hooks, Fish Monkey gloves, Yo-Zuri and more. Shane filmed a podcast with the crew of Fire Crown Media, publishers of Sport Fishing TV, Salt Water Sportsman, and Sport Fishing Magazine.
We caught up with our buddy Jack Vitek and the crew from Marlin Magazine too.
Speaking of Sportfishing TV- Round Two
In February 2025, we hosted SFTV. The fishing was so good that Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge aired in parts of three episodes.
We had such a good time, in fact, that we’re going to run it back next week. Our good buddy Mat Jackson, owner of Grundens, is packing up some of their latest and greatest and we’re going to give it Hell with the SFTV crew from August 8-12.
Speaking of Grundens– Exit Through the Gift Shop
Just as we continually upgrade our processes and guest experience, we’re always expanding and improving our lodge infrastructure. We currently have capacity for 20 guests. In early summer 2026 we opened our new gift shop.
It’s a standalone cabin, situated about 25 steps down our path from the dining room. It’s outfitted with gear from our sponsors—Costa sunglass displays, custom-engraved Yeti drinkware, release flags, dry bags, and locally made wooden carvings of all manner of gamefish.
Put it on your list next time you’re down here.
On The Schedule: Where to Find Us Moving Forward
You can find Captain Shane Jarvis in Springfield, Missouri next month at the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Banquet. We’re donating another trip to come down and fish with Skeet Reese.
After the banquet, Shane is heading down to Table Rock Lake, just outside of Branson. He’ll be catching up with our friends from YETI at the third annual YETI Open bass tournament. Spoiler alert—we might have to scale down the size of the topwaters.
Come See Us. Bet You’ll Like It.
On October 29, you can catch up with Elliott Stark at The Billfish Foundation Gala. We’re donating a trip for three to fish a hosted trip with our buddy, and TBF board member and all-around fishing personality, Fly Navarro.
That’s three days, three people, raising money for conservation.
Fall 2026 and 2027
We’ve got even more exciting things in the works. Some are not quite ready to be talked about, so stay tuned.
We’re getting pretty full for the remainder of this year. Returning guests—and quite a few new ones—have snagged much of 2027, too.
We’d love to take you fishing. Give us a call, we’ll tell you all about it.
