How To Catch Any Fish
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Picture
Amberjack, Panama
Panama Fishing

The word Panama actually means "an abundance of fish" in the indigenous language and there certainly are a lot of fish here.  The Caribbean side does not offer much in the way of notable fishing, certainly not compared with some other Caribbean destinations, but the fishing on the Pacific side is world-class.  At the far south end of the country is Tropic Star Lodge, a very high end lodge that is supposed to be very nice and offers good fishing for Black Marlin among other species.  I have never fished there but the people I have talked to who have gone there have all liked it.

All the fishing I have done in Panama was in the area from the Azuero Peninsula near the center of the country on the Pacific side up to some of the islands near Coiba and Montuosa.  I spent a total of four weeks fishing there at different times of the year and the inshore fishing for Pacific Cubera Snapper, Amberjack, and Roosterfish was fantastic.  If you are into popping and jigging I doubt there are many better places than this; it seems like every species there will hit a popper.  We had a couple of 40+ fish days on poppers and jigs.  At certain times there were so many school-sized Yellowfin Tuna that it was hard to get away from them.  There was also some good fishing for Wahoo and we saw quite a few Sailfish.
A great operation down in that area is Cebaco Bay Sportfishing Club.  They have a comfortable mothership that is close to many great fishing spots.  All of the fish pictured below except the Peacock Bass were caught in areas fished by this fine operation.
Panama is famous for its Black Marlin fishery around the Hannibal Bank.  There are also some triple digit Yellowfin Tuna to be had in that area.  I have never fished there but have been meaning to for some time.  

Check out a video from the last trip:

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