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Tropic Star Lodge

Pinas Bay, Panama


The word “Panama” literally means “an abundance of fish”. Piρas Bay truly lives up to this meaning. Tropic Star Lodge is known as the premier billfish and offshore fishing destination in Panama, and quite possibly the world. Tropic Star has designed and efficient and finely tuned program that maximizes anglers’ exposure to over two dozen species present year round, and consistently calm seas. Tropic Star Lodge is a veritable paradise cut out of the side of a mountain at the edge of the Darien Jungle on the Pacific coast of Panama. The Lodge is situated 150 miles south of Panama City. It can only be reached by boat or plane, since there are no roads within a hundred miles. With direct flights from Dallas or Miami every day, Panama City and TSL is a super convenient, yet equally exotic bluewater destination.

Tropic Star has gained enormous popularity, and their waitlist during the “peak season” months can be extremely lengthy. We highly recommend you contact us immediately, and with plenty of advanced notice if interested in booking.


Pinas Bay, Panama offers some of the world’s most popular gamefish including Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Wahoo, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Grouper, Roosterfish, Snapper and Amberjack. All species of billfish and non-billfish can be caught year-round in the pristine waters off Piρas Bay.

SEE SPECIES CALENDAR BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS

Most of TSL’s fishing is done six to fifteen miles offshore in calm waters. There have been more I.G.F.A. world records broken in Pinas Bay than anywhere else in the world (250)! Tropic Star Lodge holds over fifty world records at the present time. Although the lodge is not thought of as a traditional fly fishing friendly operation, there are a handful of captains that understand the fly fishing gig well.

The lodge will furnish all of your conventional equipment, which includes; Shimano Tiagra reels and Cape Fear rods as well as light spinning gear. Weekly bookings consist of a 31-foot Bertram with captain and mate, six days of fishing (Sunday through Friday), seven nights lodging, and three meals a day, plus all fishing tackle. The lodge’s fleet of Bertram boats are immaculately maintained and well equipped with all the most up to date electronics and hardware. Captain and crew with all of the Tropic Star boats are accepted as some of the best and most experienced in the big game angling community.


The lodge’s spacious cabins and rooms are air-conditioned, with a beautiful view of Piρas Bay. Each room has twin beds and private bath/dressing room areas. The lodge has a fresh water swimming pool and bar. A jungle trail has been cut across to La Playa Blanca, where you may enjoy swimming or sunning on the beautiful white sand beach.

Multi-course dinners, complete with wine, are served in the scenic bay-view dining room each evening. The chef prepares various specialties, such as Baked Alaska, Cherries Jubilee, black bean soup; fresh baked pies and bread, ceviche, and many more varied and delectable dishes. A fresh "catch of the day" is offered, as well as our regular main course selection.

Tropic Star guests are catered to by 80 employees, whose personal touch and attention to detail make your stay a memorable one. You will find no telephones, fax machines, or newspapers at this fantastic "get away from it all" fishing retreat. The lodge also has a television and VCR in the bar.


36 Guests Max


Guests first start the adventure by traveling to Panama City where you overnight the evening prior to a charter flight to the lodge. The last night of the trip is also spent back in Panama City as well. Panama City is easily reached with direct flights from Dallas, Houston, and Miami.


TSL operates a 9 Night / 6 day fishing program during the months of January – March. Arrangements for less than a week can be made after May 31, or on short notice due to cancellations during the prime time season of December through May. Short week trips are based on a 6 night / 3 day and 7 Night / 4 Day Basis. Inquire for details.

The following sample itinerary represents an 9 night / 6 day fishing trip. Note that your first and last nights are spent at a comfortable and safe hotel in Panama City.

Day 1 (Friday)
Travel to Panama City. Overnight at one of lodge’s recommended hotels.

Day 2 (Saturday)
Transfer to the domestic airport and take commuter / charter flight down to Pinas Bay. We normally charter Twin Otters, Islanders, Caravans, or Senecas, depending on the number of people and amount of cargo going to the Lodge. Pick up at the hotel and departure time of the charter flight will be given to you on your arrival Friday evening. The charter flight will land at the Piρas Bay airstrip approximately fifty minutes after departure from the Albrook (domestic airport). You will take a short walk to the lodge’s tractor-trailer, which will transport you to a panga for the short boat trip to the Lodge.

The remainder of the day will be spent relaxing, swimming, and preparing for a fantastic week of fishing! Kayaks are available for your use that afternoon. A welcome cocktail party is held that evening around the pool area, followed by a buffet dinner, where you can get to know your fellow anglers.

Day 3 -8 (Sunday – Friday) ?
Six Full Fishing Days with TSL! The boats depart at 6:30 A.M., or later if requested, and returns to the dock by 3:30 P.M., unless you are hooked up. For safety purposes all boats must return to port well before dark.

Day 9 (Saturday)
You are transported via boat to the Pinas airstrip for your flight back to Panama City, where you will be transferred to your hotel and spend another evening in Panama City. The evening is open to be spent as you choose.

NOTE: The charter flight may get you back to Panama City early enough to make the afternoon American Airlines or COPA Airlines flight back to the U.S.A. on the day prior. If your flight out of Panama City is scheduled before 02:00 p.m., on Saturday, you will probably miss your connection, unless you book a special charter back to Panama City on Friday or early Saturday morning. Call us for fare quotes for special charters, if needed.

Day 10 (Sunday)
You are transported to Tocumen International Airport for you departure home.


Pinas Bay offers very consistent year round fishing opportunities for a number of species. Although the peak billfish months are January – March, all species of billfish and other pelagics and inshore species are available anytime the lodge is operating. (See Species Calendar Below)

TSL operates a 9 Night / 6 day fishing program during the months of January – March. Arrangements for less than a week can be made after May 31, or on short notice due to cancellations during the prime time season of December through May. The lodge is closed for maintenance and repair in October and November.

Panama has two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season runs from January through April - the temperature is generally 80 to 85 degrees F, cooler in the evenings, and it almost never rains the whole day. May through December the temperature is little cooler and afternoon thunderstorms can be expected due to higher humidity.

SEE SPECIES CALENDAR BELOW


SPECIES CALENDAR

November: The lodge opens the last week of November with their TSL Tournaments. The Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin, and 40-60 pound Dorado are typically there waiting for anglers. The inshore fishing for Roosterfish and Cubera Snapper is excellent as well. It also marks the end of the rainy season. Debris-lines can form offshore that hold lots of bait and fish. The seas are very calm; you can experience a shower, mainly onshore…

December: Great all around month for most species. The Big Yellowfin Tuna, Big Dorado and Pacific Sailfish over 100 pounds show up, along with Black Marlin and Blue Marlin. The inshore fishing for Big Roosterfish and Cubera is in full swing. A great month for a variety of fish.

January: Considered one of the most popular months for Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna (100-200-pounds), Big Sailfish (over 100-pounds) and Big Dorado (50-60 pound range). It can get bumpy near the end of the month, as the north 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. 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. Can be one of the best months for inshore fishing for Big Roosterfish and Cubera Snapper.

April: Can be a great transition month. The wind starts coming out of the south, bringing bait-balls of Sardines down the coast, which signals the arrival of hungry Sailfish etc. Black Marlin, Blue Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna can be caught as well. A great month for inshore fishing for Roosterfish and Cubera Snapper. The seas are typically flat calm.

May: The Sailfish are moving in close to shore following the bait. This is a time where TSL focuses on catching Sailfish, many within 2 miles from shore. Marlin can also be caught, but anglers tend to spend more time racking up numbers of Sailfish. Inshore fishing can be very productive. Pinas Bay starts to get some showers, mostly onshore. Very calm seas.

June: Very similar to May, the Sailfish season is in full swing. Not uncommon to get 20 bites per day. Inshore can be a bonanza. Very Calm seas.

July: One of the best months for a variety of fish. Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, along with Sailfish and Dorado round out the species… Grand Slams are not uncommon. Inshore fishing can be very productive. One of the cooler months, due to overcast an occasional showers, mostly onshore. Calm seas…

August: A variety month for billfish, Big Yellowfin Tuna can be caught as well. Wahoo start showing up in numbers. Inshore fishing for Roosterfish and Cubera Snapper can be very good. Occasional showers, mostly onshore and calm seas.

September: The Black & Blue Marlin fishing can be very good… Wahoo fishing should be at its best, inshore fishing can be very productive. The weather is very similar to August. The lodge closes for maintenance from the third week of September till the third week of November.


2009 SEASON

FISHING PACKAGES

PEAK SEASON (December 1 – March 31, 2009)

Note: Only 7 Night/6 Day Itineraries are available from January 1 - Match 31.

5 Night/ 4 Day & 4 Night / 3 Day Itineraries are available in December and the Summer Season Only. The lodge is closed October 1 - December 1 for maintenance and repair.

7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing
4 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$4995
3 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$5495
2 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$6595
1 Angler per Boat………………………………..$10395

SUMMER SEASON (April 1 – September 31, 2009)

7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing
4 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$3850
3 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$4550
2 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$5395
1 Angler per Boat………………………………..$8995

PARTIAL WEEK TRIPS (December & April - September)

5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing

December
4 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$3795
3 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$4150
2 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$4995
1 Angler per Boat………………………………..$7295

April - September
4 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$3295
3 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$3750
2 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$4395
1 Angler per Boat………………………………..$6395

4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing

December
4 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$2995
3 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$3250
2 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$3795
1 Angler per Boat………………………………..$5995

April - September
4 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$2750
3 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$2995
2 Anglers per Boat……………………………….$3295
1 Angler per Boat………………………………..$5250


7 nights accommodations at Tropic Star Lodge; 6 days of guided fishing (3 anglers per boat); Three meals daily; Beverages including soft drinks and wine with dinner; Conventional Fishing Tackle; Captain and Mate; Fishing Tackle; All applicable customs assistance and ground transfers in Panama City to/from hotel and airport; Gratuities for Lodge Staff


Round-trip Airfare to/from Panama City; Round Trip Air Charter Transfer to/from Panama City and the Lodge ($500 Per Person); Hotel accommodations in Panama City; Gratuities for Captain and Mate (approximately $300 per boat / week); Bar Tab; Panamanian Room Tax ($50 per room/week); Items of personal nature including telephone calls and massage therapist; Laundry service; Airport departure taxes; Meals in Panama City and other personal travel expenses


A fifty percent deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your reservations at Tropic Star Lodge. The remaining balance is due 90 days from arrival. Please note that Tailwaters Travel is subject to the cancellation policies of the guides and lodges which it represents. Deposit is refundable minus a $1000 per person administrative fee is cancellation is received at least 91 days or more prior to departure. However, please note that $500 of this fee will be applied as a credit towards a trip for the following season only. If you cancel the trip for any reason within 90 days of departure, all deposited funds are non-refundable. Refunds of deposits/payments made on credit cards will be charged a 3.5% service charge to fully compensate Tailwaters Travel for all bank charges incurred. Refunds or credits cannot be issued for fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation/refund/responsibility clauses.

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