10 hard-earned lessons about big-game kayak fishing on Panama’s Wild Coast

#9  Don’t be afraid to go with an odd-numbered group—or solo!

Most fishing lodges prefer even-numbered groups of two or more, because the boats are configured for two anglers and a guide. Some also discourage anglers from travelling alone. However Panama Kayak Adventure can accommodate both odd-numbered groups and solo anglers.

Newmarket, Ontario’s Don Willoughby and I fish together often, but no one else in our group of six anglers had met before. That included Sam Tomlin from Ohio, plus Dan Teage, Fred Simeons and Mike Dodds, from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively.

And we could not have gotten along any better. At big lodges, groups don’t necessarily mix easily, and anglers travelling alone—especially ones who aren’t naturally outgoing—might find the experience a bit solitary (speaking from experience).

But PKA is a different kind of place. Guides and guests alike squeeze together in the panga, everyone lends a hand loading and unloading gear, and both guests and staff eat, drink and relax together in the open-air rancho. Sharing these adventures builds a much deeper camaraderie than the average fishing trip. It’s wonderful.

#10  You will never forget the place, the people or the fishing

In the Jan/Feb 2020 print issue of Outdoor Canada, I wrote this about my first trip to Panama:

If your idea of tropical fishing is sipping a margarita in an air-conditioned cabin cruiser while the crew bait and set your hooks, this is not your trip. The Wild Coast is a place for anglers who like to fish hard, and who relish a challenge. I’ve never learned so much about fishing—and myself—in such a short time. I’ve thought about this adventure almost every day since, and I’ve reached a single, obvious conclusion: to make the most of everything I learned, I have to go back. Soon.

So I went back. And I was not disappointed.

Everything about my follow-up trip—the people, the place and the fishing—exceeded my wildest expectations. I even earned a spot on both the Cubera Wall and the Roosterfish Plank. But there’s still more to see, do and catch. So you know what? I’m gonna go again. Let me know if you want to come along. It will be a wild and unforgettable adventure.

Many thanks to my awesome angling companions: Dan, Don, Fred, Mike and Sam, who made the trip so much fun, both on and off the water. And even more thanks to Panama Kayak Adventure’s generous, cheery and incredibly hard-working staff, including Barbara, Pascal, Roque and Sam.      

Scott Gardner is Outdoor Canada’s associate editor, web editor and fly-fishing columnist.

Wild Coast Hosts

The Panama Kayak Adventure fishing season runs from December to July. The lodge hosts up to six guests at a time, and rates include five days of guided fishing, land transportation from Panama City, accommodations and all meals, which feature local, fresh and amazingly good food—often including your daily catches. Today’s Panama is also safe, stable and welcoming to Norteamericanos and Europeos. In addition, most hospitality workers—including everyone at the lodge—speak English.

Learn more about Panama Kayak Adventure at www.panamakayakadventure.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/panamakayakadventure.