Fishing Charters in Panama — Private Sportfishing Yachts

Where the fish are, month by month

Pearl Islands inshore

Roosterfish, snapper and jacks on the rocks and drop-offs, year round, an hour and a half from Amador.

Offshore

Yellowfin tuna, dorado and sailfish from December to April, when the Pacific is calm enough to run out.

Coiba and Hannibal Bank

Black marlin, cubera and the big tuna, by expedition from Boca Chica or Santa Catalina.

Half-day vs full-day fishing

Four hours fishes the bay and Taboga’s structure; eight reaches the Pearl Islands and gives the morning bite. Dry season, December to April, is the settled water; the green season fishes well closer to shore.

What is aboard a Panama sportfisher

Conventional and spinning tackle for the day’s target, live bait from the Amador bait boats, a fighting chair on the Bertrams and the Hatteras, outriggers on the 38 footers, a fish box with ice and a crew of two who rig, gaff and clean. Bring sunscreen, a hat and whatever you want to drink; the rest is on the boat.

Fishing charter prices

From about $800 on the 33 ft Deep Impact to $2,300 on the 60 ft Bertram, crew and tackle included, fuel by route; the whole fleet is on Panama yacht rentals. Fishing plus a beach stop is the family version: the anglers fish the morning, everyone swims at noon.