Panama, located in Central America between Colombia and Costa Rica and with a coastline bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, is a tropical destination with a wild and rugged landscape. It has incredible biodiversity and supports an abundance of plants and wildlife.
While the country is known for its canal, its natural attractions include whitewater rafting, snorkelling tours and incredible big game fishing opportunities.
Even though Panama is a small country, its coastline is over 2,400 kilometres long and has over 1,000 offshore islands. This, along with its warm and predictable climate, helps create a perfect haven for all manner of game fish. Over the past two decades, it has become one of the must-visit destinations for the travelling angler, with near all year round, brilliant blue water and in-shore fishing in the Pacific Ocean’s rich waters.
The Gulf of Chiriquí is a real treasure of Panama. With the likes of renowned areas such as Hannibal Bank and Isla Montuosa being the fishing grounds, it’s no wonder why anglers describe this fishery as world-class and why it’s the home to so many IGFA records of all manner of species. Blue and Black Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Amberjack, Roosterfish and Snapper are just a few of the species you can catch from this incredible sport fishing destination.
Bluewater Fishing Panama offers travelling anglers the chance to enjoy a fantastic week of mixed fishing for an array of hard-fighting species. Fishing the rich waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí, an area responsible for over 50 IGFA World Records, you'll wet a line in some of the most famous fishing marks on the planet.
Every sport fisherman has heard of stories of how world-class the fishery is in Panama and it's no wondering when Panama is the home to so many IGFA records of all manner of species and our lodge is right in the thick of it. The Gulf of Chiriquí is a real treasure of Panama and with the likes of world-renowned areas such as Hannibal Bank and Isla Montuosa being the fishing grounds
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Fishing in Panama covers two main area’s, inshore and offshore fishing. With over 1,000 rocky islands located around Panama’s coastline, creating the perfect habitat for all manner of different species, it’s no wonder why fishing can be so action-packed and explosive. The inshore fishing is predominately with lures, poppers, and jigs. Here, you can expect to catch all manner of different hard fighting species, such as the Roosterfish, Amberjack, and many Snapper.
Offshore fishing is traditional big game fishing and trolling. The Pacific’s warm, fertile waters are a haven for tiny plankton, attracting the small baitfish and larger pelagics. It’s more relaxed than inshore fishing, you may not catch as many fish, but they can be huge! With giant Blue and Black Marlin, Tuna and Dorado all in abundance.
Without a doubt, the Hanibal Bank is one of the most famous and unique fishing grounds anywhere in the world. Located some 50 nautical miles from the mainland of Panama and spanning an area of 15 square miles, it’s a prime feeding spot for all manner of big game fish.
Part of the continental shelf of Panama’s Pacific coast, the ocean floor rises from several thousand feet to just over a hundred feet deep. Along with the Humboldt Current, the bank creates an upwelling of cooler, nutrient-rich water that kicks off the food chain.
Want to know more about it? Why not read our blog on the Top 5 Big Game Fishing Destinations From Around The World.
Isla Montuosa is another famous fishing spot off Panama’s coast, and it can be located just 40 nautical miles from the lodge. It’s a very productive area to fish, with Sailfish, Black Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna and huge Snappers all there in abundance. The grounds consist of undersea pinnacles creating the ideal fishing for Blue Marlin, Yellowfins, Mullet Snapper and Broom-tail Grouper.
Isla Ladrones, this island’s meaning is “Thieves Island” and is a short 17 nautical mile trip from the marina. The grounds are fascinating here and provide perfect fishing areas for Roosterfish, Cubera Snappers, and many exotic types of Tuna and Jacks. This area will suit all kinds of lure fishing from popper fishing, stick bait fishing, shallow trolled lures, and bait fishing.
Isla Secas is a stunning archipelago and the perfect place for some live bait fishing due to the sheer amount of baitfish found in this area. It is a short 15 nautical steam from the marina. The waters around here are home to some pretty notable species such as the white-tip shark, Rays, Roosters, Amberjacks, Wahoo, Barracuda and lots of Rainbow runners, a total dream area for those who like to drift live baits behind the boats.
Isla Parida is the closest spot to the marina and is only four nautical miles from the lodge. This location is fringed with luscious mangroves, and you can regularly enjoy the sights of Sea Turtles and Dolphins swimming freely. These prosperous fishing grounds offer the lure anglers great chances for Amberjacks, Cero Mackerel, Wahoo, Roosters, Barracuda and Rainbow Runners.
There are only two seasons, dry and wet. The summer or dry season runs from December to April, and the wet season from May to November. You will experience typical tropical showers in the wet season, but the weather and Panama fishing are pretty reliable all year round.
The inshore species, such as Roosterfish, Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack, are readily available throughout the year, but the offshore big game species have peak fishing times. These tend to be between December and June for the Blue and Black Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish and Dorado.
With more anglers now wanting to take the odd day off from their fishing or simply extending their trips to accommodate some eco-tours, our top-class lodge has a wide range of activities on offer.
Eco-tours, diving, snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and so much more are all available. The lodge can even offer an exclusive stay on a deserted island where it would just be you, your luxury accommodation and nature.
If you’re looking for something more exotic, then there’s Whale watching tours and some of the best bird-watching opportunities you’ll ever get.
From the UK, there are several different routes. We find that the quickest way is via Madrid and then on to Panama City, where you will then overnight. The next day there is a small flight from Panama City to David City.
