Panama Inshore Fishing
Packages
Fishing Info
Seasons
Available Species
Accomodations
FAQ's
Panama offers some of the best inshore fishing in the entire world. It’s a bold statement, but when you consider that we can catch up to 40 different species in a week, the sheer quantity we catch, and the size of some of these fish you’ll understand why we say that. In Western Panama, the Gulf of Chiriqui features over 200 islands which provide the perfect habitat for a variety of inshore species. The inshore fishing here is so good it has earned the nickname “Jurassic Park” thanks to 50+ lb roosterfish and cubera snapper being a common occurrence. The inshore fishing in Panama is so good we even have one fishing lodge that is 100% dedicated to inshore fishing with artificial lures & jigs – no offshore trolling and no live bait. Whether you prefer jigging, poppers, crank baits, or slow trolling live bait, when you spend a week in Panama inshore fishing with us it is a safe bet that you’ll go home happy and with tired arms. Once you speak to us we’ll help you sort through the various options and you’ll see why nearly 40% of our anglers are repeat or referral guests!
Inshore Fishing at Jurassic Park
Popper Addicts
Artificials Only
Panama Coast to Coast
Panama Fishing Paradise
Panama Mothership
Inshore Fishing In Panama
The sport fishing that made Panama a bucket-list destination among saltwater anglers decades ago was almost always centered around the epic blue and black marlin action. Soon after the top water tuna action and 200-300 lb cows because just as synonymous with Panama. While always available, it wasn’t until the last decade or so that the inshore fishing in Panama became just as popular as the offshore fishing. Today we have just as many anglers contact us dreaming of catching their first black marlin as we do hoping to catch a 50+ lb trophy roosterfish or cubera snapper. Panama inshore fishing is almost unrivaled anywhere else on Earth due to the fact you can fish two oceans on the same trip, you can catch up to 30-40 different species in a week, and you can fish using any method or technique you prefer.
Apart from the Tropic Star Lodge in the far east, which has a fleet of 31′ Bertrams, the vast majority of fishing lodges and charter boats are center consoles. These are the ideal boats for inshore fishing in Panama because they can take you to different fishing spots quickly, they can maneuver in much closer to to rocky islands and river mouths than the big diesel offshore boats, and they allow multiple anglers to be fishing at the same time as opposed to being crammed into the cockpit at the back of a larger sport fisher. Every captain has a different personality and every operation has different pros and cons, so trust our local knowledge to hand pick the perfect fishing charter for your group. All Panama inshore fishing charters are private so the boat is 100% yours, we do not set up shared charters with strangers. All Panama fishing charters include bait, tackle, gas, lunch, snacks, and drinks (beer/water/soda). A quality tip for your crew is generally 15%-20% of the cost of the charter.
Techniques For Tuna Fishing in Panama
Panama is a paradise for inshore anglers because we have two oceans, thousands of miles of coastline, hundreds of islands, and over 30 different species to catch. Inshore fishing in Panama also offers anglers the freedom to fish a variety of different methods, a healthy fish population as all roosterfish and cubera snapper are catch and release, and still a relatively low pressured fishery as there are no major marinas or beach towns to flood the waters with tourists. No matter what species you are after or how you want to fish for them, few places in the world can hold a candle to the inshore fishing that Panama offers.
Fishing with Live Bait
Without any doubt, the best way to get bit when inshore fishing in Panama is fishing with live bait. Just as there is no shortage of game fish, there is no shortage of bait fish most mornings either. Our Panama fishing charters will be equipped with livewells and/or tuna tubes, so keeping fresh bait on hand is never an issue. The preferred live bait on the Pacific are blue runners, but we’ll also use lookdowns, mackerel, and sardines. If you want to land one of the giant trophy cubera snapper that Panama is famous for don’t be surprised when the mates bridle a circle hook to the top of a large bonito and send it down – big bait, big fish!
Popper Fishing
As effective as fishing with live bait is, it seems every angler has the dream of watching their top water popper be crushed by the orange explosion of a cubera snapper or to be followed by the dorsal comb of an excited roosterfish. It varies by day, but generally poppers in the 4″ to 8″ range do the trick and blues, purples, blacks, greens and the red/white combo always get the job done. These need to be cast up tight to the rocky islands or directly over reefs to entice fish to rise up and get them.
Stick Baits, Swim Baits & Crank Baits
Another favorite among light tackle enthusiasts are stick baits, swim baits and crank baits. These can often be more effective than poppers, especially if conditions are a little choppy, as they get a bit deeper in the water column. Typically 1′-3′ divers are devoured, but having a few deep divers is always good in case you fish deeper water or can’t get that stubborn snapper to leave his cave. Again colors that mimic their natural prey like sardines, bonito, and mackerel are ideal.
Jigging
Jigging continues to grow in popularity as it’s extremely hands on and technical. Jigging in Panama can be anything from dropping irons down deep for snapper & grouper, working a butterfly jig through the water column, or even using soft baits in hopes of landing a snook or sea bass near a river mouth. Most anglers who want to exclusively jig on their fishing trip to Panama bring their own gear, so we recommend 60# to 80# braid on all reels with a variety of colors and sizes in your jigs.
Trolling
Last but not least, if it’s been a slow day without bites, if the sea conditions aren’t ideal, or if you are simply tired from casting or jigging all day you can always set a spread and go trolling. While not the most interactive type of inshore fishing, it does allow you to cover a lot of ground and try a new technique if the others haven’t worked. More often than not, the best way to catch wahoo is to speed troll over some of our underwater pinaccles (with wire leaders of course!).
Where is the Best Inshore Fishing in Panama?
Being the thin isthmus that connects Central America to South America, Panama has been blessed with two lush coastlines on two different oceans. Panama’s ‘S’ shaped geography makes each one about 1,000 miles long, so there is no shortage of pristine habitat for various inshore species. From expansive mangrove systems and river mouths to rocky islands to underwater pinnacles, the inshore fishing in Panama is varied, technical, and incredibly scenic. While the inshore game fish can literally be found all over the country, the four main destinations we focus on when inshore fishing are:
1) Gulf of Chiriqui
Located in Western Panama, the Gulf of Chiriqui is home to over 200 different islands which provide perfect habitat for these inshore species. The muddy bottom gradually slopes from land out to the continental shelf, so the various volcanic rocks and reefs provide habitat and structure for bait fish and game fish.
2) Azuero Peninsula
The Azuero Peninsula is nicknamed the ‘Tuna Coast’ due to it’s proximity to the continental shelf and being able to catch yellow-fin tuna in pangas just a few miles from shore, but it’s actually the inshore fishing here that has made it a real fishing hot spot. The rocky coastline features river mouths, mangroves, and reefs that are home to incredible variety. The inshore fishing is so good here we even have a ‘lures only’ fishing lodge that exclusively offers popping and jigging trips.
3) Bocas del Toro Archipelago (Caribbean)
Panama isn’t known as a tarpon hot spot like Costa Rica and Belize, but it’s Caribbean Coast does offer great fishing. The Bocas del Toro archipelago is picture perfect with coral reefs, mangroves, and major river mouths that hold tarpon and snook.
4) Piñas Bay
Home of the famous Tropic Star Lodge, Piñas Bay is more famous for it’s marlin than anything else. This pristine corner of Panama offers much more than just marlin as the roosterfish and other inshore species don’t see anywhere near as much pressure as other destinations.
When is the Best Panama Inshore Fishing?
With two 1,000 mile long coastlines on two different oceans, the weather and fishing seasons vary as much as they do from east to west as they do from the Pacific to the Caribbean. Fortunately for us anglers, the vast majority of the inshore species in Panama are not highly migratory so they can be enjoyed 12 months a year. That said, some months tend to be better than others based on sea conditions, the presence of baitfish, and seasonal patterns so you can review our Panama fishing calendar below. Once you contact us and we have a better idea of what you want to fish for and when you are visiting, we can customize a package to put you in the right spot, at the right time.
Available Species Offshore Sport Fishing in Panama
Roosterfish
Cubera Snapper
Mackerel
Barracuda
Jack Crevalle
Horse-eye Jack
Bluefin Trevally
African Pompano
Amberjack
Almaco Jack
Needlefish
Rainbow Runner
Black Grouper
Broomtail Grouper
Lane Snapper
Mullet Snapper
Red Snapper
Schoolmaster Snapper
Yellowtail Snapper
Squirrelfish
Wahoo
Snook
Tarpon
Panama Fishing Lodges & Accommodations
Anglers have been traveling to Panama for decades so fortunately there are plenty of options to fit almost any travel style and budget. Your choices include affordable boutique hotels, luxury beach resorts, and all inclusive fishing lodges including an island-based lodge and our 70′ mothership that spends all week 50 miles offshore. We even have one fishing lodge in Panama that is 100% dedicated to lure fishing so they specialize in inshore and bottom fishing. As a luxury vacation outfitter, we only work with the nicest 3, 4, and 5-star operations that meet our expectations for quality, reliability, and service. Being local experts, we have personally visited every single property we represent so we’ll use our personal experience to hand pick the perfect fit for your group.
Panama Day Tours & Non-Fishing Activities
Our Panama Inshore Fishing packages don’t need to be all fishing, all the time. Panama has so much more to offer than just sport fishing such as great history, lush rain forest with incredible wildlife, beaches, islands, and of course the Panama Canal itself. Whether it’s an off day from fishing or for the non-anglers in your group, there are several great eco and adventure tours available. We can also customize your Panama fishing vacation so you spend a few nights in different locations throughout the country so you can see how diverse it is. The list includes:
- Canopy zip-line tour
- White Water Rafting
- ATVs
- Horseback Riding
- Surfing
- Golf
- Guided tours of national parks
- Waterfalls
- Island Hopping Tour
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Coffee plantation tour
- Bird Watching
- Cultural & Historical Tour of Panama City
- Panama Canal Tours
What Our Guests Love
About Panama Inshore Fishing
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What We Love
About Panama Inshore Fishing
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Panama Fishing FAQs
Do I need a fishing license to fish in Panama?
Surprisingly, the answer is no. Despite being one of the world’s premier sport fishing destinations for a couple decades now, Panama does not require a fishing license.
How many people will be on my fishing boat?
All fishing charters booked by Central America Fishing are private, so the boat is 100% yours. We do not set up any shared charters.
What is the standard tip for a fishing charter in Panama?
A standard tip for a charter fishing crew in Panama is 10%-20% of the cost of the charter. If you stay at an all inclusive fishing lodge in Panama you may not know how much the boats cost per day as you probably were given a package price, but in general $150 per day would be the lower end while $200-$300 per day would be towards the higher end.
Can I bring my own fishing gear?
OF COURSE! Even though our private charters and fishing lodges provide all the fishing tackle, lures, leaders and bait you’ll need, you are always welcome to bring your own if you want to catch fish using your own tackle. Perhaps more than any other destination in Central America, in Panama avid anglers want to put their own popping and jigging outfits to the test against yellow-fin tuna and our prized inshore species. Fly anglers are should plan on bringing their own fly gear as that will not be provided.
Which fish in Panama are catch and release and which ones can I keep to eat?
By law, all billfish in Panama are strictly catch and release. While not a law, we also strongly encourage releasing all roosterfish, tarpon, and cubera snapper as they are such prized inshore species. Other species like tuna, dorado (mahi), wahoo, snappers, groupers, corvina, snook can be kept and enjoyed for a fresh seafood dinner.
Can I bring fish back home with me to my own country?
The short answer to this is yes, there is no law in Panama against bringing fish that you caught back home with you. If you are fishing in Panama on a local day charter it is understood that you are the paying client and any edible fish you catch is yours, but of course it is always appreciated when you share the meat with your hard working crew. When you stay at an all inclusive fishing lodge however the mindset changes a bit as the fish you catch goes to feed the lodge staff and other guests, it should not be assumed that you’ll get to take home every fillet you brought in. We understand you may love the idea enjoying a seafood dinner in your own home upon returning from Panama, and that may very well be possible if there is enough to go around, but the lodge typically takes what they need to feed everyone first. There are a few things you should consider when trying to bring fish home from your Panama fishing vacation:
1 – Unlike some other popular fishing destinations, in Panama there is no service that will package and ship fish home for you. If you want to bring fish home with you you’ll have to do it yourself in your own luggage. Our best advice is to bring down a soft sided, leak-proof cooler, have your fish frozen completely solid, wrap them in newspaper, and then check your cooler as part of your luggage since it will stay cooler in the cargo hold of the plane versus in the cabin as a carry-on. If you don’t have a cooler or forget to bring one, you can purchase affordable plastic coolers here in local grocery stores. Some of our higher end fishing lodges will have vacuum sealers, ask us when booking your trip.
2 – While Panama does not prohibit you from bringing fish fillets home with you, your international airline might. We strongly recommend you confirm this with your airline (in writing if possible) or you may have the fish confiscated from you at the airport check-in.
3 – Even if your airline lets you fly the fish home, your local customs may have an issue with you bringing in meat products from a foreign country. In our experience most customs agents don’t seem too interested in you bringing back frozen fish fillets from your fishing vacation to Costa Rica, but it can depend on the agent and depend on the day.
What if there is bad weather on our fishing day?
This is a question we hear a lot and typically requires a two part answer:
If the captain, lodge, or government deem the conditions are unsafe the trip will be cancelled. The first course of action is to try and reschedule you, but if that is not possible you will be refunded in full.
However, rain and dark clouds are not considered bad weather. We are in the tropics and rain is a common occurrence here so that is not a cause for cancelling the trip. Many great fishing days happen in the rain, especially for tuna – as they say the fish are wet anyway! If you don’t want to fish in the rain there will be no refund.
Every single Panama Fishing Vacation booked with Central America Fishing includes the following:
- Free Vacation Planning (no fees + direct rates)
- VIP Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival into PTY
- Private, air-conditioned transfers with English speaking driver.
- Domestic flights (as needed)
- Luxury accommodations hand-picked and customized for your group. Choose between private condos & villas, luxury beach resorts, exclusive boutique hotels, and all inclusive fishing lodges.
- 100% private fishing charters on all our Panama Fishing Packages
- All eco / adventure tours you’d like to include
- All Panama 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
Why Fish With CAF?
We have been fishing, living, and traveling around Central America since 2003. Plan your trip with local experts to make sure you are in the right place, at the right time, and on the right boat. We’ll help you fish for what you want, the way you want.
Free vacation planning + the best direct rates. No booking fees!
Personalized service from pre-arrival to 24/7 in-country support.
Hand-picked accommodations, fishing captains, expert guides for the best vacation experience.
Nearly 40% of our anglers are repeat & referral guests. CAF puts you on the fish!
We are proud to have a global reach and have hosted anglers from 14 different countries here in Central America!
About the Author
I first visited Costa Rica during a semester abroad in 2003 and instantly fell in love with the language, culture, and natural beauty. I caught my first roosterfish on that trip, and ever since then I knew that I wanted to live here. After graduating in 2004, I worked for a year in the corporate world, but I was unhappy and unstimulated, so I returned to live in Costa Rica full time in 2005. Today I can proudly say that I’ve been in Costa Rica for half of my life, I met my wife here, and my two boys were born here so they are “Ticos”.
I’ve been working in the sport fishing industry in Central America for twenty years, I’ve had articles published in fishing magazines, hosted fishing TV shows, fished in several tournaments, and I’m a four-time IGFA trophy club member. I am however most proud to say that 40% of our anglers are repeat and referral guests. I’ve personally visited every destination, hotel, and fishing lodge that we partner with so that your next vacation with us is one of the best you’ve ever had.
Chris Atkins - Angler & Owner of Central America Fishing
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 –