Tropic Star
THE FISHING
At Tropic Star Lodge most of the fishing is 6 to 18 miles offshore in calm waters. The roughest seas (4 to 6 ft.) normally occur January through March. In the Pacific waters around the lodge, you can catch Black, Blue, and Striped Marlin, as well as sailfish year round. You will also have a good chance of reeling in huge dolphin, tuna (some over 200 pounds), above average roosterfish, snapper, grouper, amberjack, rainbow runner, wahoo and mackerel. In recent years, a few tarpon have also been caught. The prime Black Marlin season is December through mid-April. Typically there is an additional run of marlin in July, August and September. The majority of the marlin released in this time period average in the 500 plus pound range. Pacific Sailfish are here year-round and are very abundant from mid-April through June. If it’s a grand slam you’re after, March to mid-April is the best time, as well as July and August. Your grand slam could be a Black, Blue, Striped Marlin, Sailfish, or even a Swordfish! We highly recommend you spend some time fishing the rocks, so you may want to bring some of your own lucky plugs and lures.
IGFA World Records: TSL has broken over 250 IGFA World Records.
The lodge currently holds over 40 World Records, the majority of them being Black, Blue, Striped Marlin, and Pacific Sailfish. Tropic Star Lodge is recognized worldwide for records set on light and ultra light line.
BOATS AND EQUIPMENT
The lodge has a modern fleet of 14’ – 31’ Bertram twin-diesel Sport Fishers.
GETTING THERE
Guests will fly into and out of Panama City. Upon arrival at the Panama City Tocumen International Airport, you will be met at the gate by our VIP Royal Saloon Meet and Greet Service. After you clear Immigration and Customs, you will be escorted out of the terminal. Your city Transfer Service will be curbside as you exit the terminal and will take you to your hotel. The next day you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the domestic airport. You must arrive at Albrook Airport at least forty-five minutes prior to departure so that carry-on luggage can be weighed and loaded aboard the aircraft. If there are any changes we will leave a message at your hotel. You will receive a letter detailing the luggage pick-up time for Friday evening and Saturday morning’s pick up time for transportation to the domestic airport. After a 50 minute flight you arrive at the Pinas Bay airstrip. You are then transported to our panga boat for the breathtaking 10 minute boat trip to the Lodge. Depending on the tides, it may be necessary for you to get your feet wet while boarding the panga. Be prepared with slip off shoes or beach shoes that can get wet and/or easily removed; wear shorts or pants that can be rolled up. Upon your arrival at the Lodge, you will be greeted by our staff and given a short orientation followed by lunch. There is a Welcome Party on Saturday evening around the pool, followed by a buffet barbeque dinner, where you can get acquainted with the other guests.
Slipstream is a full service travel company that can handle a variety of services relating to your trip. For assistance, please contact us directly at 1 866 644-7703.
2024 Rates
Because of the number of options with different accommodations and seasons, Tropic Star Lodge pricing is done on an individual basis.
Please contact our office for customized pricing and availability.
FULL WEEK – 6 DAYS FISHING / 7 NIGHTS LODGING
SATURDAY – FLY TO PINAS BAY
SUNDAY THRU FRIDAY – FISH
SATURDAY – FLY TO PANAMA
A Fuel Surcharge of $50.00 USD per night per person will be added to the Pinas Bay Resorts invoice
PARTIAL WEEKS
DECEMBER AND APRIL THRU SEPTEMBER
(Partial weeks not available during January, February or March)
- BLB - Panama City
- December to mid-September
- Black, Blue and Striped Marlin…
- 36 anglers guests
- Wifi: Yes
- Language: English
- Physicality: Low
- CC Payment at Facility : Yes
From our gallery
Tropic Star
Tour Location
LOCATION
The Lodge is located on the Pacific Coast of Panama, roughly a 150 miles south of Panama City, on Pinas Bay. It is surrounded by a National Park, which includes local tribal lands and there are no roads within 100 miles of the lodge; it is accessible only by boat or plane.
PRIMARY SPECIES
Sailfish, Black, Blue, and Striped Marlin are available year-round. Dolphin, tuna, roosterfish, snapper, grouper, amberjack, rainbow runners, wahoo, mackerel, and some occasional tarpon.
SEASON OF OPERATION
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE LOGISTICS
For guests on the full week package, you will be arriving in Panama City on a Friday and departing Panama for home the following Sunday. Guests on the 5 night 4 day fishing package you will also arrive on a Friday and depart the country the following Friday. Guests on the 4 night 3 day fishing trip package, you will arrive in Panama City on a Monday and depart for home the following Sunday.
Please note that partial weeks are not available during the months of January, February and March.
ACCOMMODATIONS
All of the spacious air conditioned cabins have a beautiful view. Each room has two twin beds (or one king bed if requested) and a private bath/dressing room. The cabins have bench swings and chairs out on the wraparound porches, inviting you to a relaxing afternoon or evening while enjoying the sights and sounds of the rain-forest. One cabin has wheelchair access. Mosquitoes are a rarity in this particular location of Panama, making our bit of paradise even more desirable. Casa Grande is great for groups to be close by and share a large porch with a bay view and easy access. Meals are one of the many highlights at the Lodge. The catch of the day is offered as well as our regular main course selection. The chefs prepare various specialties, such as the famous Tropic Star Lodge black bean soup, freshly baked bread and pies, ceviche, sashimi, baked Alaska and many more varied and delectable dishes. The scenic dining room offers the perfect setting every night for the multi course dinners, served with complimentary wine. When you arrive on Saturday, dinner is buffet style at the pool, where the chefs prepare your fish, chicken, ribs or steak kabobs on the outdoor grill.
DESTINATION CAPACITY
Tropic Star
Tropic Star
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- Three, four or six days of fishing, depending on the package purchased
- 31’ Bertram yacht with experienced captain and mate, first class fishing tackle
- Deluxe air-conditioned room with private bath and scenic view (number of nights based on package purchased)
- All meals (full breakfast, boxed lunch, and four course dinners with complimentary wine, sodas, bottled water and ice-tea are all included)
- A basic gratuity of $150.00 pp per week or $75.00 pp per half weeks is included in your rate for our land based staff at the lodge. This built in gratuity does not include your captain and mate(s) or our dock masters.
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
- Return International Airfare to Panama City
- Hotel and all expenses incurred in Panama City
- Alcoholic beverages or drinks other then sodas, bottled water or ice tea will be charged to your room.
- A Panamanian room tax of $50.00 USD per room per week (or $25.00 USD pp double occupancy) and for shorter stays a charge of $3.50 pp per day double occupancy or $7.00 pp per day single occupancy will be charged.
- Tips for your boat crew are not included.
- Transfer fee per guest. See below
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
For United States citizens, a valid passport is required to enter the Republic of Panama and the expiration date must be valid 6 months prior to Arrival. Your airline will sell you a Panamanian tourist card before departing the United States for Panama upon presentation of your passport. Guests coming to Panama from countries other than the United States must check with officials in their respective homelands as to what documents are required to enter the Republic of Panama. Be advised that required documentation is subject to revision; what was acceptable last month or last year may not be acceptable on the dates you are traveling. It is your responsibility to check with the airline or your travel agency about any changes that may have been made by the Government of Panama that would require any additional information or documents. For up to date information on Passports, Visas, etc. you can log onto http://www.travel.state.gov . New in 2006, Passports must be valid at least 6 months after you return back home, from your trip.
AIR TRANSFERS
The Transfer fee of $500.00 USD per person payable to TROPIC EXPRESS is not included in the RATE and will be added to your package price. This must be paid separately via Visa, Master Card or American Express. The Transfer fee includes round trip airfare from Panama City to the lodge, meet-and-greet and up to four transfers between the airport and hotel in Panama City. Please see Info Pak for detailed information about Transfers.