World Record Fishing in Piñas Bay, Panama with RodsbyDru

RodsbyDru
Mar 17
3 min read

Chasing Records at Tropic Star Lodge

5 pending records and one unforgettable trip.

There are fishing trips… and then there are trips that remind you why you fell in love with the sport in the first place. Our latest adventure to Tropic Star Lodge was exactly that, a perfect mix of family, craftsmanship, and history in the making.

Nestled deep in Panama’s Darien jungle, Tropic Star isn’t just a destination, it’s a proving ground. Known for producing some of the most legendary catches in the world, these waters demand precision, patience, and the right gear. We traveled to the heart of the jungle to see if Ava could lock down some female junior world records on our custom rods!

World Record Fishing in the Jungle

Tropic Star has been setting the bar for world-class sportfishing since the 1960s, offering access to some of the most productive fishing grounds on the planet.

We handcraft every rod on board these 31' Bertram's with purpose. Dialed in, and ready for battle.

Starting Strong with a Few Obstacles

The trip kicked off exactly how you dream it would.

Ava wasted no time — landing 2 pending junior world records right out of the gate for a skipjack and yellowfin tuna. Even after a brief slow start, she locked in and turned the day around in a big way. After securing the 80# line test record, she reached for the 16 lb line to go for a lighter line class record. After hooking a nice tuna and fighting for about 2 hours, we ran over the line! Our spirits were down after that, but we still had a few more days to find him again.

After that first day, the tuna bites kept coming. Ava decided to try for the 16 lb line class record again. After she hooked the right fish, we knew she was in for a long fight on that lighter line. That’s the thing about fishing on light pound test though — it’s not just skill. It’s patience and resilience. Can't muscle in a tuna on 16 lb line.

She landed the 52 pound yellowfin tuna on 16 pound line like a pro, and we did not run over any line this time!

By the end of the trip, Ava had secured 5 pending world record fish. An incredible achievement that speaks to her determination, focus, and love for the sport.

And through it all, our custom rods delivered exactly what they’re built for:

Precision when it matters
Strength under pressure
Confidence in every fight

Because when you're chasing records, there’s no room for compromise.

More Than Just Records

Tropic Star has always been a special place for our family. From past IGFA records to unforgettable milestones, this trip added another chapter to that story.

The Rods Behind the Records

Every RodsbyDru rod is built with intention.. designed to handle the exact conditions and species we target at Tropic Star. Whether it’s light tackle for inshore species or heavy setups for offshore battles, these rods are made to perform when it counts most.

Because when a record is on the line…you don’t want to wonder if your gear can handle it.