OK here's some more information. The Tuna Coast is considered an "entry-level" destination for anglers who want to try Panama but on a budget. Rather than spending $5,000 at a lodge or mothership a week-long trip here will cost you about $1500 per person, two people. The Villa Marina is a "top end" resort for this area but even so it is only $75 a day per person double occupancy ($25 for each additional person). The Ciruelo Bay B&B (three rooms available on a bluff overlooking the bay) is $60 per room and the owner, Augusto "Pimply" Lopez, also has a center console panga that he will guide on ("Pimply" is a world-class surfer as well). The Hotel Residencial in Pedasi is about $20 per night with A/C and comfortable with no frills where a lot of guys stay just to stretch their budget. You will be hard pressed to find a restaurant that offers a meal over $10. Everything is priced for the local agrarian economy rather than for tourists but this can't last forever.
There are some modern boats in the area but these are generally privately owned (once you get to know people you may be able to bum a ride and chip in for gas). Pangas are the primary fishing boats and range from bare bones commercial style with no rod holders and have a large built-in fish box in the middle to nicer center consoles. These range in price from about $40 to $250 per day depending on how far and where you are going.
Trips can be arranged by John Shyne at
johns@panamayachtours.com ;
info@panamayachtours.com; (www. Panamayachtours.com); Richard Castaneda at
casstours@sbcglobal.net; 800-593-6510; (
Cass Tours - Discounted fishing and vacation packages) takes groups to the Tuna Coast about three or four times a year; Pimply can be reached (sometimes!) at
pimplisuaf@yahoo.com; Manuel Zambrano who posts on Bloodydecks under "Manhe" ("Mon-gee") lives in Panama City but frequently fishes the Coast can be reached at
imazad@ayayai.com; the Villa Marina is at
Villa Marina Retreat; If you want to fish the most productive and most remote part of this 50 mile coastline at the western end around Punta Mariato treat yourself to a trip to Cebaco Bay Sportfishing Club where pangas, a 31' Bertram "Extreme" and 47' tricked-out Buddy Davis "Aguja" is available along with the 112' mothership "Cebaco Bay". These guys, under owner Capt. Jim Wiese, will go anywhere and catch anything in style;
info@cebacobay.com (
Welcome to Cebaco Bay - Sportfishing Club).
If you would like more info pm me. I'll be going to Panama in late November, late December, January, March and April so I'll have all the latest news for those of you who want to make a trip down there. The best weather/sea conditions are January to June.
Tony Pena
"The Roving Angler"
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