Captain Jorge Petti: IGFA-Certified Captain of Majo Fishing Lodge
Every Majo Fishing Lodge charter is run by Captain Jorge Petti and his crew. Captain Jorge has fished the Gulf of Panama for more than 22 years, after 15 years fishing the Venezuelan Caribbean off La Guaira. He is a current IGFA Captain member, Majo Fishing Lodge is an IGFA Corporate Member, and Captain Jorge is the official host of the Navegante TV program.
Experience on the Water
- 22+ years in the Gulf of Panama, fishing from Vista Mar Marina to the Pearl Islands and the grounds farther south toward Piñas Bay.
- 15 years in the Venezuelan Caribbean, off La Guaira and Puerto La Cruz, before Panama.
- Current IGFA Captain member, listed in the official IGFA Captains and Guides directory (International Game Fish Association).
- Majo Fishing Lodge is an IGFA Corporate Member.
- Official host of Navegante TV.
- Civil engineer, a key part of the family business Vista Mar Marina and founder of the Majo Yacht Group brand, which supports the marina operations, shipyard, boat refits and boat sales.
IGFA Catch Certificates
On September 1, 2025, in the Pearl Islands (Archipiélago de las Perlas), two catches aboard Majo Fishing Lodge received official IGFA Catch Certificates, signed by the IGFA President:
| Species | Weight | Angler |
|---|---|---|
| Cubera snapper | 27.6 kg (60 lb 14 oz) | Capt. Jorge Petti |
| Almaco jack | 30.3 kg (66 lb 13 oz) | Joel Boyd, with Capt. Jorge Petti |
Billfish Conservation and Satellite Tagging
Captain Jorge and the Majo crew have worked with the Smithsonian, deploying dozens of satellite tags on blue marlin, black marlin and sailfish for research that supports billfish conservation. On every Majo trip, billfish are released.
What This Means for Your Trip
- A captain who knows the Gulf of Panama: its seasons, bait and structure, and where the fish move through the year.
- Honest advice on what to target: one-day trips mainly target blue marlin, sailfish, tuna and dorado. Black marlin are migratory and can appear in many areas, including the Gulf; in more than 22 years of our own records, the best odds have been south of the Pearl Islands toward Piñas Bay, so for the best chance we recommend a Pro Fishing Expedition or Hacienda del Mar of 3 to 5 days (minimum 3).
- A crew that rigs, sets and watches the lines and coaches every angler, from first-timers to tournament fishermen.
See what we have been catching in Captain Jorge’s Fishing Report and meet the boats on Our Fleet.
Fish with Captain Jorge
Pro Fishing, full day (10 h): Hatteras 40 “Makaira” US$2,850 · Stamas 39 “Majo V” US$2,400 · up to 5 anglers.
Multi-day: Hacienda del Mar from US$3,300 per day (Hatteras) or US$2,700 per day (Stamas); Pro Fishing Expedition on request. Prices per boat; taxes (ITBMS) not included. All trips depart from Vista Mar Marina, San Carlos.
Captain Jorge Petti FAQ
Who is the captain of Majo Fishing Lodge?
Captain Jorge Petti, an IGFA-certified captain with more than 22 years fishing the Gulf of Panama and 15 years before that in the Venezuelan Caribbean off La Guaira. He is also the official host of Navegante TV.
Does Majo Fishing Lodge have IGFA-certified catches?
Yes. On September 1, 2025, in the Pearl Islands, a 27.6 kg (60 lb 14 oz) cubera snapper caught by Capt. Jorge Petti and a 30.3 kg (66 lb 13 oz) almaco jack caught by Joel Boyd aboard Majo Fishing Lodge received official IGFA Catch Certificates.
Do you release billfish?
Yes. Marlin and sailfish are released on every trip. Captain Jorge and the crew have also worked with the Smithsonian deploying dozens of satellite tags on blue marlin, black marlin and sailfish for conservation research.
Where do trips with Captain Jorge depart from?
Every trip departs exclusively from Vista Mar Marina in San Carlos, Km 92 of the Pan-American Highway, on Panama’s Pacific Riviera.