Known as the Vanuatu of the northern hemisphere, boasting a year-round fishery of marlin to Mahi and everything in between. Panama has been a staple for international anglers for the last 50 years.
The warm waters of this Central American nation regularly produce record-setting catches year-round. Panama’s Pinas Bay is home to more IGFA world records than anywhere else on earth.
With 2,490 km of tropical coastline and more than 1,000 islands, Panama is home to some of the world’s best game fishing. So, fishing in Panama is a natural choice when you’re targeting trophy fish. Here’s what you should know when planning fishing trips to this angler’s paradise.
Why Fish in Panama?
Panama means “an abundance of fish.” Sitting between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the waters surrounding this isthmus live up to that name. Panama’s coastline offers year-round fishing for more than 20 species of gamefish.
The Pacific coast of Panama, along the Azuero Peninsula, is called the Tuna Coast. The area is famous for its monster billfish, with an abundance of blue, black, and striped marlin, sailfish, yellowfin, wahoo, and swordfish.
Panama offers anglers a huge variety of coastal pelagic species as well, including the likes of roosterfish and cubera snapper (Cuban snapper).
Targeting Trophy Fish
Every offshore angler’s dream is to land that fish over 1000lb! Panama’s year-round fishery offers anglers a chance at monster blue and black marlin that are frequent in the area.
The best marlin action is offshore at Hannibal Bank and Isla Montuosa. Pinas Bay is legendary for its record-setting blue, black, and striped marlin action. You will find monster marlin all along the Tuna Coast.
Most of the big fish are targeted using live bait but trolling with bright-coloured, artificial lures can also be very effective for getting these giants to bite. You’ll need some seriously heavy-duty rods and reels to withstand the pressure of hauling in your target.
Tournament Fishing in Panama
With great coastal and offshore fishing year-round, there are dozens of fishing tournaments in Panama each year, including some world-class events. Some of the biggest include:
- Tropic Star Lodge Roosterfish Tournament
- Flamenco Yacht Club Fishing Competition
- Tournament Gamboa, Gamboa
- Tournament Panama City, Panamá City
- Tournament Hacienda del Mar, Isla de San Jose
- Don Porfi Interclub Tournament, Club de Yates y Pesca, Panama City
- Tournament de Pedasí, Pedasí
- Tournament Yamaha, TOCHISA de Panamá, Isla Contadora
- Tournament Gran Dorado, Diablo Spinning Club, Diablo
Best Seasons to Travel for Fishing
Panama has a tropical climate with a dry season and a rainy season. Fishing is a year-round pastime. The best time to travel depends on the kind of fishing you want to do.
During the dry season, December–May, anglers will find the most success closer to shore. If you want to catch a lot of fish and love topwater action, this is your season—especially along the Tuna Coast. Roosterfish, amberjack, yellowfin, and cubera snapper are plentiful.
The rainy season or green season runs June–November. That’s when anglers set records. Offshore fishing is productive, and most of the best Panama fishing spots are accessible. Record-setting billfish, blue and black marlin, yellowfin tuna, and dorado are abundant.
Where to Stay When Fishing in Panama
For fishing in Panama, the best choice is a fishing lodge. Most are on the Pacific Ocean side, but there are fishing resorts along both coasts. Here are five great lodging options, each offering a completely different fishing adventure.
Tropic Star Lodge
Tropic Star Lodge in Pinas Bay is one of Panama’s premier destinations for fishing, offering some of the best inshore and offshore excursions available. It’s world-renowned, thanks to more than 300 IGFA world records earned there.
A fleet of 31’ Bertrams can take you to the famous Zane Grey Reef 20 miles offshore to fish for marlin, sailfish, dorado, and wahoo. The air-conditioned accommodations include meals. But plan ahead; there’s a one-year wait to book a fishing adventure at Tropic Star Lodge.
Panafishing Adventure Lodge
Panafishing Adventure Lodge on the southeast tip of the Azuero Peninsula caters exclusively to popping and jigging enthusiasts. Depending on the season, their location allows them to fish south or east of the peninsula.
Their green season excursions take anglers to the world’s best spots for catching record roosterfish and cubera snapper with light tackle. The small, all-inclusive lodge offers simple but comfortable accommodations with A/C, Wi-Fi, and good food.
El Rio Negro Lodge
The family-run El Rio Negro Lodge on the west side of the Azuero Peninsula is one of the oldest fishing lodges in Panama. El Rio Negro caters to smaller groups looking for an all-inclusive fishing adventure.
The comfortable lodgings include A/C, free Wi-Fi, all food and drinks. And anglers get both inshore and offshore fishing or light tackle excursions to one of Panama’s largest estuaries.
Tranquilo Bay Eco Lodge
On the Caribbean coast, the Bocas del Toro archipelago is home to one of the most luxurious fishing hotels in Panama, Tranquilo Bay Eco Lodge. Surrounded by the Bastimientos Marine National Park on Isla Bastimientos, this boutique hotel offers all-inclusive, four-star accommodations.
The lodge’s American owners will take you out on their 26’ SeaVee CC to the mouths of the Changuinola and Sixoala Rivers. The target species along this coast are tarpon and snook. But you’ll also find black-tailed trevally, barracuda, dorado, blackfin tuna, mackerel, and wahoo in season.
Panama City
At the entrance to the Panama Canal, Panama City offers anglers a wide variety of fishing experiences. There are half-day, full-day and multi-day charters available to experience everything from shallow inshore waters to deep offshore waters.
Explore the reefs and islands to hook snapper, roosterfish, and grouper then head onshore to fish the canal and flats for tarpon and snook. You can also head offshore to have a go at those big billfish, tuna, and dorado.
Since it’s a major city, there are accommodations for every Panama vacation budget—everything from five-star hotels to budget-friendly inns and vacation rentals—many with ocean or canal views.
Getting to Panama
Panama City Tocumen International Airport is the largest airport in Central America. More than 21 airlines offer 2,500 weekly flights to major cities across the globe.
Direct flights from New York, Baltimore, Chicago, and Atlanta can get you to Panama in about five hours. It’s three hours from Miami.
Flying from Europe takes longer. London to Panama can be done in 15 hours. But flying from Copenhagen or Berlin takes more than 24 hours. And the trek from Australia or New Zealand can easily take a day and a half.
Most of the fishing lodges are in remote areas. So, they’ll generally provide transportation between Panama City and the lodge.
What You Need to Know
Keep your passport with you at all times. It’s the ID that’s universally accepted in Panama. If you plan to take an offshore fishing trip, you will probably be required to show your passport to board and disembark.
Fishing is allowed year-round (except shrimp and lobster). You don’t need a permit to fish. And there’s no limit to the size of your catch, but those trophy sailfish and billfish are generally catch-and-release only.
Planning Fishing Trips in Panama
If you plan to stay at one of Panama’s famous fishing lodges, they’ll arrange to take you to the best fishing spots. If you’re staying elsewhere, you can arrange fishing charters directly through local operators and some hotel concierge services.
There’s no shortage of charter boat operators in resort areas, and many of the resorts offer their own fishing charters. You can book day trips and overnight adventures. Fishing gear is often provided (sometimes for an additional fee). Let your charter operator know if you’ll need to use their equipment as soon as possible.
Fishing in Panama is paradise and bucket-list-worthy. With the opportunity to catch a monster marlin, record-setting roosterfish, and hard-fighting dorado—sometimes all in the same day—it’s hard to imagine a more perfect destination for fishing.
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