“The Best!!!”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 13, 2012

The best fishing resort I have ever been too, is how I would sum my wife and my stay at PBGFC, I would like to thank Mr. And Mrs. C for being so gracious. I also would like to thank the staff. Carlos for being a great driver and tour guide on our way to the Lodge,

Victor for organizing, Rolando for keeping our drinks full, Carlos for tending to every need with a big smile, Bartolo and Jeffery for making our trip on the water fantastic, Victors mother for keeping our room impeccably clean and the cooking staff behind the scenes for making all our meals five star. For all those wanting to visit a magical place far away from the hustle and bustle of every day life look no further this is it. Thanks to everyone for making our trip amazing. Can’t wait to return with friends and family.

George W New Braunfels, Texas

“Jurassic park Yellow Fin Tuna”

4 of 5 stars Reviewed September 10, 2012

First class staff and accomadations. The Black Marlin we wanted eluded us do to the bait situation, But the Yellow fin action was fantastic with our smallest at #125 and largest # 300 IT WAS WAS A REAL TREAT. I WILL SUGGEST THIS LODGE AND FISHING TO EVERY ONE.

Mike D Victoria, Texas

“Recent trip – Mid August 2012”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed August 31, 2012

Just returned from fishing trip to PBGFC and was treated to one of most desirable trips I
have ever been on. Rooms were 5 star with 50″ flat screen on satalite, stocked fridge, phone,
microwave,large walkin showers and more. Service was beyond compare.Food served by excellent chef such as turkey & dressing, lobsters, ham, tuna fantastic, shrimp coctails more.
Boats and crew were excellent. Caught 200# tunas, 70# rooster fish, snappers, wahoo, jacks
doradas and others. My wife Ann and grand son Cross and I will never forget this trip, and
will return. Excellent swimming pool and bar.

Everett H Denver City, Texas

“Why I love my Dad”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed August 31, 2012

Why I love my Dad
This all started with a deal I had made with my father. IF I could graduate high school with honours, I would earn the trip of a lifetime. Eight months, and a heck of a lot of work later, I managed to exceed my expectations and not only did I pass, but I passed with honours, HOORAY!.
I had two decisions to make. The first was easy. I wanted to go fishing with my Dad !!!. After extensive research and due diligence, there was only one place I wanted to go to- The legendary Panama Big Game Fishing Club, Isla Boca Brava, Panama. I read about the world-renowned Hannibal Bank and Montuosa Island and the monstrous Tuna and Marlin that are produced from them.
From the arrival at Panama Airport, I was whisked through customs and immigrations from the PBGFC Royal VIP meet service and was enjoying a beer in there VIP Saloon within 3 min’s of getting off the plane, no waiting in line for me and Dad, for an hour like the rest of the passengers . The same happened all the way to the dock of the club, everything was smooth sailing, this is the only way to travel.
As soon as we arrived on Isla Boca Brava, we were greeted by the staff, and although it was the middle of the night, everyone belonging to the club was willing to cater to our every need. We hit the mattress early and were awoken to a steaming cup of the finest Panamanian coffee and a hearty breakfast of whatever we requested.
We stepped on to an immaculate boat with a hardworking Skipper and Mate. I can’t emphasize enough the work these people did to get us the fish we want. We slammed some monster snapper and had a great day on the water. Later in the week we even had a huge Marlin on, even though we lost it a couple minutes later, it had certainly raised the heart rate of everyone on board.
We stepped off the boat and were welcomed with a cold beer and whatever snack we requested. The food at the Club was first-rate. The chef, Fidel, was truly a professional, and would cater to whatever you wanted to eat. After a delicious meal, it was an amazing touch to sit in the Jacuzzi with a drink and chat about our day’s adventures and reflect about the greatest catch of the day.
To summarize an overall exhilarating trip, I was overly impressed by the accommodation that were simply fantastic. The care that the Club takes of its guests to the island of Boca Brava is just first class. I couldn’t begin to describe the lengths of the crew had gone to, to make sure that this was a family feel. Within hours of being here, I had felt like I was at my own home. Although we hadn’t landed the record breaking fish this week, the feeling I received while out on the ocean was amazing. The time I spent fifty miles out with my Dad offshore, chatting ,laughing and fishing will stay with me for the rest of my life. I dream of the day I can return here and bring my father and my grandfather for a week to catch the dream marlin that all of us fishermen dream to reel in.
I am sitting at the pool bar writing this review, before I have to leave first thing in the morning to Panama City, wondering how I can earn the cash to bring my Dad and Grandfather back here next time, but this time on me to catch the Marlin that escaped back into what they call here” Jurassic Park”, to put on a few hundred pounds more for our next meeting. Thank you Dad for showing me the power of hard work. I will truly never forget this experience, and await the day we come back.

DavidPanama

“Father’s Day Delight at Panama Big Game Fishing Club”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed July 6, 2012

What more could a Father ask for, a daughter visiting from the States who likes to fish and a day with 5 tuna to 50 pounds topped off by a 500 lb Blue Marlin that tried to drag me off of the boat!!

My story

Here I was planning my daughter’s arrival from the US and setting up a little boating with a friend in Boca Chica when I get this call from Dubai. Dubai, what the heck!!! Well it was a guy named Mark Charman who introduced himself and proceeded to tell me that he is the guy who bought the legendary Panama Big Game Fishing Club in Boca Chica and he enjoyed reading my blog. He invited me to visit with him sometime and I told him that I would stop by and check out his resort when I took my daughter boating. Well one thing led to another and before I knew it my daughter and I were at his resort enjoying a wonderful evening and preparing for a day of fishing.

Arrival is via boat then a short funicular ride up to the resort on top of the hill. And of course the complimentary beverage and shrimp cocktail! The resort has been completely rebuilt and an infinity pool was added with a swim up bar overlooking the water where we enjoyed an incredible sunset.

The next morning we were up before dawn and headed out to sea by 6:15 on the hunt for big game and we were not disappointed.

The long ride out was smooth and uneventful as we were on a classic 31 Bertram Sportfish powered by new Cummins diesels. Before we knew it we were in a pod of dolphin that follow tuna and in one cast we were hooked up.

Next up, 4 more of these nice fish and then off to catch bigger bait for bigger fish. We got some nice bonito, loaded up the tuna tubes and then set out a nice spread of bridled baits. And oh yes, our mate Jeffrey can bridle a bonito in under 30 seconds insuring fresh presentation in the water.

Within 45 minutes the right outrigger clip popped and we had a FISH ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I had hooked up my first blue marlin and set in for a long fight. After an hour and fifteen minutes, I could not raise the fish as it sounded and with the mates help, we got the fish to the boat in an other 15 minutes where we released it unharmed. Better to break a IGFA rule and have someone help manage the line while you crank so you do not kill the fish. Estimated weight — 500 pounds, yeah baby!!

We arrived back at the resort and I can tell you that this was probably the most memorable fishing trip in my life. After catching a few smaller black marlin here in Panama, I finally tagged a big blue and was I happy! This was after I caught the 5 tuna to 50 lbs. The chef prepared a wonderful spread of fresh yellow fin sashimi and we ate every last piece.

The next morning was a beautiful day waking up at poolside watching the monkeys playing and eating in the trees next to us. We could not have had a better time and I looked forward to coming back to Panama Big Game Club soon and fishing with Mr C.

One of the best fishing resorts in Panama!! Well done Mark

Babe Boquete, Panama

“Amazing Resort & Amazing Father’s Day Fishing!”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 23, 2012

My dad and I spent Father’s Day weekend at PBGFC – two nights two days and a full-day deep sea fishing trip. We arrived right before dinner time and were greeted with shrimp cocktails and caprese salad appetizers along with our drinks – the bartender makes a delicious dirty martini!

Then we spent a little while chilling in the jacuzzi and infinity pool – amazing views all around and just the perfect temperature – followed by a perfectly rare filet mignon and fresh vegetable dinner.

We went for a beautiful pre-bed time swim – the jacuzzi and infinity pool are lit with LED lights at night. We headed to bed early so we could get up at dawn for the full day of fishing. The room was wonderful – amazing walk-in shower and bathroom; huge TV with fishing DVDs on hand; four comfy beds; big couches and a little living room area.

We got up and headed to an awesome made-to-order breakfast – the chef is amazing. We headed down to the Bertram 31 Sportfish – gorgeous boat – for our full day fishing trip. They have bean bags on board! The whole trip was so comfortable I even took a nap on the way back in. We caught five 50+ pound tuna and my dad battled a 500+ pound marlin up to the boat – mind-blowing experience and fresh fish for dinner.

As soon as we returned we rode (with trimmed tuna in hand) the train lift up to the resort – no walking dozens of steps after a long day on the boat is so wonderful! My dad hopped in the pool and I opted for the jacuzzi, which they kept at a nice cool temperature for me – so perfect.

We had a few drinks and ate a fresh sashimi dinner of the most delicious tuna – so awesome to catch your own dinner!

Overall, the trip was amazing – as the title states. I’d go on, but the pictures say it all!

Ashleigh B Istanbul, Turkey

“Huge Battles, Huge Fish – Panama Big Game Fishing Club”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 21, 2012

I went out to Panama Big Game Fishing Club with my buddy to do some fishing and I have to admit it was AWESOME! It had to be the best fishing trip I have had in a long time.

I am a professional fishing guide myself so I spend the majority of my days on fishing trips and I have to say this trip to Panama was incredible! Battling the gigantic fish was INCREDIBLE! If you are looking to fight with some BIG FISH, then this is the place for sure.

The staff at the lodge is fantastic and food was great too! Thank you Panama Big Game Fishing Club, looking forward to making this trip again!
Tight Lines!

Marc O Ojai, California, United States

“Best Fishing Trip Ever By Far – Thank You PBGFC!”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 21, 2012

Just wanted to say Thank You! The Panama Big Game Fishing Club was an
incredible adventure and your personal service made it the BEST
fishing trip of the year by far!

The inshore dinosaurs were too much for any light tackle under 60lb. I
caught 5 different species of fish in 4 hours and all of them were
world class fish. But that was to be out done by the a 160 lb. yellow
fin tuna that hit while trolling skipjack, it hit around 11:30 am with
a long battle making me excited to see it in the boat. About 15
minutes later a 400 lb. Blue Marlin struck with a quick battle to the
boat and a nice healthy fish release!

About the food, boat and crew, I can see they are a hard working bunch
with whom I became fast friends. Coffee at your door in the morning
the minute you wake and a cold drink in the pool after fishing is the
ticket to a better life.
Sitting at the bar telling stories about the day and spending time
enjoying the views of the ocean does not get any better for me.

The highlight of the service had to be when they prepared my catch of
the day; a Grouper with a side of wild rice, salad, freshly baked bread, and red
wine. I feel like this resort truly is 5 star lodging and World Class
Fishing at its best! What a fishing trip!

Thank you Mr. C, Captain Lee, Captain Scott and all of the crew, for the great
experience

Keith San Diego, California

“Excellent fishing experience with my kids!”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 7, 2012

I just arrived from a 4 day fishing trip experience in Panama Big Game Fishing Club with my 3 boys ages 12, 11 and 9. This is my first fishing trip on the open ocean and it was excellent!

The fishing was spectacular; 12 tunas, 7 dorados, 5 rooster fish, 5 snappers and all within the 50-60pds. We tried catching marlins but for a few hours we didn’t see anything and returned to the tuna. Anyway, all this was in June, which was low season. I can’t imagine going on March. Every afternoon, once we arrived from the fishing the chef would bring different types of creations with the fresh fish we caught. The kids loved it!

The resort is beautiful, with all sorts of birds and other wildlife such as monkeys, which are everywere. The facilities are brand new with a refreshing pool that overlooks the river and a very comfortable salon to have your meals and a few drinks after the fishing. The rooms are very spacious and with all the best equipment, big bathrooms and very comfortable beds.The whole structure is built up on the mountain but they even have a small cable car to take you up there. The best part was the service.

From the moment they picked us up at the airport in David, the treatment was amazing. The whole crew made sure that we had a great time, and we did! My kids say that “its the best hotel they have been in…”

Next time I would probably go only for 3 days since the kids did get tired after a few days at sea. The weather was great but the trips are long, but worth it!

I have not visited other fishing resorts but these guys raised the bar very high.Thanks to Capt Mike, Victor and the whole crew for a great experience my kids (and I) will never forget!

Chucky Bruno San Juan, Puerto Rico

“April trip-awesome!”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 21, 2012

A friend and i had the fortune of making a last minute trip to the lodge in april. i had been to panama previously twice and this trip was the way to go. no hassels from the minute we landed. vip service waiting for us,less than 3 minutes at customs,wisked to our overnite hotel,and promply picked up and taken for our last leg of the trip to the lodge. it took all the worries out of a foriegn country trip.
the accomadations ,lodge,swim up to a bar pool,and the the mountain top view from the island it is situated on was breathtaking.the new owner obviously has spared nothing to make it one of the best fishing destinations in panama.the open bar,nitely ordourves,and the meals were at a level of the very finest resturants.on shore staff also went out of their way to have everything right including daily laundry (next time i’m only bringing 2 changes),wake up coffee delivered to our villa for an eye opener before breakfast,etc.the boats were spacious and well maintained,the equipment and fishing gear was all new and high quality.the captians and mates were expereinced and put forth sincere efforts every trip out. our best fishing was tunas to 125# with alot of 50-60#,and my favorite, inshore was outstanding with roosters to 60#,caberas up over 50#,big groupers and snappers and we never saw another boat fishing inshore . bait was easy to get each am. we did not hit the marlin bite the day we tried with the full moon and the highest tides of the season. we were told but wanted to go for the home run and the captian put in extra hrs trying to make it happen.previous groups boated big blacks. thats fishing.next time! ypu can’t go wrong if ou are looking for a high end fishing lodge on some the best fishing areas in panama.

Steve Mineral Point, Wisconsin