An Enhanced Panama Fishing Experience
All of our trips to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge have been exceptional, but my most recent hosted gig offered up a little more than usual to those who attended.
The fishing was the same. The accommodations were the same. The food and drink were all the same, but thanks to the collaborative efforts of SFPIL owner Shane Jarvis and writer Elliott Stark, this was a test for whether a few extra experiences could make it even better.
They brought in a rum expert for a tasting event. The next night there was a cigar roller on the premises to help everyone smoke up. There was even a mini-tournament with some exceptional prizes for various categories – yellowfin tuna, roosterfish, cubera snapper and billfish.
In addition to the 15 guests, there were five Ambassadors, and I felt like I was decidedly punching above my weight class to be surrounded by the following experts:
Elliott Stark, author of The Book on Travel Fishing
Jack Vitek, editor of Marlin Magazine
Alex De Santos, head of SIMRAD’s operations for Latin America
Chris Bishop, Yo-Zuri’s VP of sales and marketing for North America
Left to right: Vitek, Stark, Jarvis, Bishop, Robbins, De Santos.
I almost feel guilty that I got to stay and enjoy this opportunity because it provided me with a master’s level course in offshore fishing.
My expectation is that the lodge may do something similar next year and I hope that I get to be there for it. Hanna and I may also incorporate some of the elements into our future trips – not necessarily heavy-duty competition, but some additional prizes, honors and activities.
Send us an email if that appeals to you, and please reach out just the same if the “traditional” fishing trip to Panama is more desirable. It’s really a special place and we’d love to host you there.
