Fishing Highlights of Panama
At a Glance
You came to Panama to fish, so let’s go fish the best that Panama has to offer! Start your trip by fishing for peacock bass and snook on the Panama Canal then head over to the Bayano River to fish one of the few spots in the world where tarpon are regularly found on the Pacific Coast. After three nights in the city head over to Western Panama where you’ll enjoy incredible inshore and offshore fishing in the Gulf of Chiriqui. Enjoy all inclusive accommodations, a fleet of Contender center consoles, and amazing ocean views at the Paradise Fishing Lodge. If you have time an optional add-on are 3-4 nights on our Caribbean Coast to fish for tarpon and snook.
Destinations: Panama City & Gulf of Chiriqui (Bocas del Toro optional)
Duration: 7-10 days
Package Details
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Day One
Fly into Panama City, Panama where you will be met inside the PTY Airport and escorted to our VIP Lounge. Once you are ready we’ll take you out to your waiting private transfer and will make the 30-minute drive into the city. You’ll spend your first three nights downtown at one of our luxury four or five star hotels. We’ll hand pick the best fit for you so you can experience the capital city’s vibrant culture, food scene, adn nightlife.
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Day Two
Let’s go fishing! You’ll be picked up early in the morning for a full day of fishing on the Panama Canal. Today you’ll fish on the Panama Canal itself, or more specifically Lake Gatun. At nearly 200 sq miles this is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world and was formed during the construction of the Panama Canal in 1913. At that size there is no shortage of structure in the form of rocky outcroppings, submerged forest, and inlets to create habitat for the voracious peacock bass. Spin cast on light tackle with live bait sardines or toss out poppers for exciting crashes at the surface as these peacock bass feed with reckless abandon. The majority of the peacock bass caught are in the two to three pound range, but with enough skill and patience mature adult trophy bass in the seven to ten pound range can be caught. Other species you can catch fishing in the Panama Canal include mojarra (tropical bluegill), jacks, snook, and sometimes even tarpon.
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Day Three
Let’s go fishing! You’ll be picked up early in the morning for another day of fishing, this time on the Bayano River. Located about 1.5 hrs east of the capital, the Bayano River was a long, winding river that was damned in 1975 to create hydroelectric power. The lower 20 miles of the river between the damn and the Pacific is a watershed area that is so big it is also referred to as Lake Bayano. These estuaries and coastal mangroves serve as the perfect habitat for juvenile fish and other tasty critters like shrimp and mollusks – all of which attract huge snook and even tarpon. This is one of the unique areas in Panama to fish for tarpon on the Pacific Ocean as they have established themselves here after making their way through the Canal decades ago.
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Day Four
After breakfast we will pick you up and take you to the Albrook Airport for a quick flight out to David in Western Panama. Here you will be met and driven in an air conditioned transfer to the small town of Quebrada de Piedra, which is home to thebeloved Paradise Fishing Lodge. Located up on the hillside, the lodge offers incredible panoramic views of the mangroves and Pacific Ocean to set the tone for a great week of fishing. The 9 rooms here include creature comforts like AC, private baths with hot water showers, smart TVs, and comfortable bedding for a restful night of sleep. Your stay here is all inclusive so all meals, snacks, daily appetizers, and all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are already included. After a long day of fishing few things can beat their infinity edge pool and having a drink at the swim up bar.
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Day Five
Let’s go fishing! Fishing starts early at the Paradise Fishing Lodge (7 AM) so after a light breakfast head down to their private, full service marina and board your private boat for the rest of the week. The Paradise Fishing Lodge boasts a fleet of 28′ and 32′ Contender center consoles which are the ideal boat to run offshore or get you close to the islands when inshore fishing. All boats come fully equipped with outriggers, live wells, tuna tubes, twin Yamaha engines and a full arsenal of Penn & Shimano tackle. Today you’ll head 50 miles offshore to the world famous Hannibal Bank. This revered seamount, named after the US navy ship (USS Hannibal) that discovered it in 1914 while doing surveys for the Panama Canal, is home to some of the world’s best big game fishing. Nutrient rich upwellings, warm clear water and plentiful baitfish like bonito, yellow-fin tuna, dorado, and rainbow runners make this a paradise for big pelagics like black and blue marlin, sailfish, dorado, and of course yellow-fin tuna.
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Day Six
Let’s go fishing! Head back out to the Hannibal Bank for another day of big game fishing. The Hannibal Bank is far from the only honey-hole in the Gulf of Chiriqui as other spots like Isla Montuosa, Isla Ladrones, and the area off Coiba Island all offer spectcular fishing. Few things surpass the excitement of grabbing a spinning reel and tossing a popper into a school of yellow-fin tuna feeding at the surface. Yellow-fin tuna are caught in every month on the calendar, but during the peak season (March through July/Aug) we see more of the 200-300 lb cows that everyone wants a shot at.
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Day Seven
Let’s go fishing! Last day of fishing so make it count! With all the marlin and tuna fishing Panama is famous for it would be a mistake to overlook the terrific inshore fishing available. The Gulf of Chiriqui is home to over 200 islands that make up what we call the “Jurassic Park” of inshore fishing due to the sheer size of the fish we catch here. These rocky islands provide the perfect structure for baitfish and gamefish alike, so no matter what is happening offshore you can almost always find great light tackle inshore action in Panama. Inshore fishing also allows you to try different methods such as casting poppers and stick baits, jigging, or slow trolling live bait. Huge cubera snapper, roosterfish, wahoo, jacks, mackerel, and grouper make for an exciting, and tasty, day on the water.
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Day Eight
Take and early flight from David back to Panama City and then we’ll transfer you over to the PTY Airport for your international flight home.
Package Highlights:
- VIP Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival into the PTY Airport
- Private air-conditioned transfers with English speaking driver.
- Three nights accommodations in the modern capital city of Panama City at 4-star hotel (we’ll hand pick the best fit for you)
- Fish the Panama Canal for peacock bass and snook one day
- Fish the Bayano River for the rare opportunity to catch tarpon on the Pacific Coast
- Domestic flights between Panama City and David (50 mins)
- End your fishing trip with 4-5 nights at the beautiful Paradise Fishing Lodge
- Your stay here is all inclusive so all meals, snacks, and open bar are included.
- Private fishing charters with experienced, local captains who have been fishing these waters for over a decade.
- Private offshore fishing charters on our 28′ or 32′ Contender center consoles. Boat is 100% yours.
- All bait, tackle, gas, lunch and drinks (beer/water/soda) are included
- All Panama taxes
- Free quotes on travel insurance
- 24/7 support once you are here in country
Blue Marlin
Wahoo
Jacks
Sailfish
Roosterfish
Mackerel
Dorado
Grouper
Amberjack
Yellowfin Tuna
Snapper
Why Fish With CAF?
Media & Press
All fishing vacations booked with Central America Fishing include the following:
- Free Vacation Planning (no fees + direct rates)
- VIP Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival into SJO
- Private, air-conditioned transfers with English speaking driver.
- Luxury, private accommodations hand-picked and customized for your group. Choose between private condos & villas, luxury beach resorts, exclusive boutique hotels, and fishing lodges.
- Private fishing charters
- All eco / adventure tours you’d like to include
- All Costa Rican taxes
- Free quotes on travel insurance
- Pre-arrival assistance with dinner reservations, tee times, pre-stocking your condo or villa, hiring a private chef, and special requests.
- 24/7 support once you are here in country
Most Popular Fishing Packages
– COSTA RICA –
Los Suenos Fishing
Costa Rica Tarpon Fishing
Costa Rica Fly Fishing
– PANAMA –
Panama Sport Fishing
Panama Tuna Fishing
Panama Fishing Lodges
– BELIZE –
Belize Fly Fishing
Belize Permit Fishing
Belize Tarpon Fishing
– GUATEMALA –
Most Targeted Species
