Tropic Star provided a unique experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Recently, my family and I came back from a 4-day fishing adventure at the Lodge.
Let's start with the fishing results, which were truly impressive: 1 Blue Marlin (350lbs), 2 Black Marlin (300 and 450Lbs), 4 Sailfish (80-120lb range), 2 Yellowfin Tuna (45-55lb range), 7 El Dorado's (45-60lb range), 4 Roosterfish (1 was around 50-60lbs), 1 Amberjack, 1 Blue Jack, 2 4ft long Needlefish, and a pair of massive Snappers. Our Captain (Vincente) and Mate (Manuel) were clearly experienced and knowledgeable. It was evident that other boats also had successful trips, as many flags were flying when we returned to the dock each day. This indicates that all the boats are equipped with skilled Captains and Mates. Both the Captain and the Mate were able to communicate effectively in English. Their English, combined with our limited Spanish, allowed us to interact well and learn a lot about the local area, especially the Indian Village to the north that we saw while Rooster fishing.
In addition to the fantastic fishing experience, the accommodations were outstanding. Our Villa was luxurious, complete with an outdoor shower and a separate room for our son. The outlets were based on US standards, the water was safe to drink, and the air conditioning worked perfectly.
The food was delicious, with a diverse menu featuring the freshest seafood imaginable. My son even had sushi made from the Yellow Fins we caught on the boat. We could have continued fishing and caught more, but we decided to stop at 2 to focus on getting my wife a Sailfish that day (which we did).
One of the most remarkable aspects of Tropic Star is its exceptional staff. I have never seen an operation run as smoothly as Tropic Star. From the woman who greeted us at the airport and guided us through customs to the man who gave us a tour of the Panama Canal and historic Panama City before our flight home, every interaction was exceptional. Special mention to Russ, who welcomed us in the Jungle and shared his knowledge during our stay, Patterson, who managed the kitchen and went above and beyond to make my son's trip memorable, and Marvin, who ensured we had cold water waiting for us after fishing. Everyone was truly amazing.
A true test of a location is how they handle problems. On our last day of fishing, the air conditioning on our boat was not working. Despite this, we decided to continue offshore. Within an hour, Russ from the Lodge offered us another boat with AC ready to swap. We declined as we were already having a great time with our Captain and Mate. However, the quick response and problem-solving ability once again showcased the exceptional customer service at Tropic Star Lodge.
It was an honor to be a part of the Tropic Star Lodge experience, and we are eagerly looking forward to returning. Until then, we wish everyone at Tropic Star happiness, health, and successful fishing trips!
Best regards,
MV