World class offshore action is often to be enjoyed when fishing legendary Hannibal Bank and Montuosa Island. Monster Black and Blue Marlin, schools of Wahoo and giant Yellowfin Tuna, plus huge Pacific Sailfish and Dorado congregate to feast in these bait-rich waters. Panama is the northern hemisphere’s number one fishing location to pursue large Black Marlin. Most of these fish weigh from 300 to 500 pounds, with a 1,017-pound “grander” caught in 2004 being our largest to date. These same waters are also one of the Eastern Pacific’s top angling destinations for giant Yellowfin Tuna — 200 to 300-pounders and larger. At Pesca Panama, we specialize in catching Yellowfin Tuna on poppers — our largest to date a 170-pounder caught in 2005 on spinning tackle by Captain Al Ristori. Pacific Sailfish exceeding 100 pounds and big Dorado may be taken on light conventional tackle and flyrods, and for fast action, try trolling for Wahoo. From May through November, multiple hook-ups are common as these speedsters attack our lures.


Panama’s Coiba Island National Marine Park is home to some of the world’s most explosive inshore fishing action. Aggressive predators such as Cubera Snapper and Roosterfish readily attack top water plugs cast along the many sandy beaches and rocky coastlines. Fishing live baits in combination with this top water technique is also deadly in attracting arm-wrenching strikes. The avid top water angler should arrive with no fewer than 10 surface plugs, as we have found some of these strong pulling, inshore goliath game fish to be unstoppable, with break-offs commonplace. Recom- mended is the Yo-Zuri Surface Bull GT, a proven fish magnet that’s built to take the punishment. For the inshore light tackle angler, Snook, Pompano, and a variety of spirited Jacks and Snappers are among the many other willing species available.

The knowledge of our local captains, combined with the very latest in GPS chart plotter technology, guides our bottom fishermen to countless uncharted rocks and reefs. Here, many of our West Coast anglers prefer deep jigging, while our East Coast fishermen often choose to drop down with either live or dead baits. Both methods produce rod-bending, knee-buckling strikes from the likes of big Snappers, Grouper and Amberjack. For the avid fly fisherman, offshore bait-and-switch for Sailfish, along with sight casting to Dorado, provides phenomenal seasonal flyrodding. Typically, the Dorado action is at its peak in December, with Sailfish peaking in January. Added year-round excitement can be found flycasting the often flat-calm waters on the backside of Coiba Island for big Snappers, Jacks and Snook. It’s heart pounding action as you’re blind casting or sight casting to bait schools and surface feeding game fish, not always knowing what species will be next to engulf your fly.