Where is the best place to go fishing in Central America? The answer depends on what your target species is. Panama stands out from other locations in Central America because you can catch sport fish both inshore and offshore year-round! Of course, some months are better than others, especially if you are after a specific species, such as a marlin or trophy-sized tuna. This guide outlines all the species you can encounter while fishing in Central America, and when to fish for them in Panama.
There are about 105 species of snappers that are very abundant, especially in the tropics. They live in schools and have large mouths with sharp teeth which help them catch other fish and crustaceans, as they are carnivores. Typically, they grow between 2 to 3 feet long. Snappers are a year-round fish in Panama with the most common being cubera and mullet snapper.
Cubera are a catch and release species in Panama.
Panama has several types of mackerel fish, but one the most common ones is the Sierra mackerel. With an average size of 35 inches or sometimes more, they are not the biggest fish you’ll discover in the region. Sierra mackerel are easy to recognize since they are silver with blue undertones and yellow-brown spots. Despite their size, they can put up quite a fight since they are fast and aggressive, making them a fun catch. The good thing about catching this species is that you will have a delicious dinner. It tastes best when consumed fresh, and the meat makes delicious ceviche or fish tacos.
Roosterfish are unique to eastern Pacific and can be found between Baja into Northern South America. Panama and Costa Rica are considered the best places to land a large one. You can easily recognize roosterfish by seven long spines that come out of its dorsal fin. They can reach up to four feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds. Usually, they swim near the shoreline since this is where they feed. They are very fast fish which fight strong. If one follows your lure, you should reel fast and pull. It is possible to catch roosterfish all year round in Panama. However, the best months are December through February and May through July, when the waters and winds are calmer.
Roosterfish are a catch and release species in Panama.
December through April is the season to catch blue marlins in Panama, which you can find around Hannibal Bank and Isla Montuosa. Unlike the black marlin, the fight starts as soon as you lure one. They are smaller than their black marlin counterpart. Males usually do not surpass 400 pounds, while females reach up to 1,980 pounds, making them the trophy fish. Most of their lives they live in the open sea without coming near the shore. They look similar to the black marlins, but maintain their blue color when caught and have stripes. Another difference is that blue marlin pectoral fins fold easily, while black marlin’s fins stay rigid.
The best Central America fishing for Black marlin is hands down Panama. Black marlin is one of the most sought-after game fish due to their size, which can reach up to 15.3 feet (4.65 meters) and weigh up to 1,650 pounds. The “Pearl of the Ocean” is a strong fighter that lives in the Pacific. It is the 9th fastest animal in the world and the fastest fish, reaching speeds of 80 mph (129 km/h). Unlike the blue marlin, the black marlin does come closer to the shore near reefs and landmasses. In Panama, you can find them in Hannibal Bank and near Coiba. Although they are a year-round species, the best months to catch them are March, April, August, September, and October. To catch them, we use live bait such as mackerel, bonito or small yellowfin tuna. When you catch one it will turn black, but when it is alive it is dark blue and white making it easy to confuse with the blue marlin.
Many refer to Dorado as dolphin fish and Mahi-mahi which means “very strong” in Hawaiian. November and December are specifically good months where you can catch them weighing between 40 to 60 pounds. The best time for fishing dorado in Central America is from October through February. The worse months to catch them are May through August. You can find them inshore and offshore. Usually, they swim in schools of fish except for the large “bull” dorado males. They are fighters and tend to jump in the air showing their colorful skin.
The best time to catch wahoo in the Gulf of Chiriquí is from September to December. If you are looking to catch this fish, then you should not come from March through May when conditions are poor. Mornings are the best time to catch them, so it is best to get an early start. This prized game fish is fast and long. They can swim up to 60 mph and grow up to 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in length. It is silver in color with blue in its back and stripes which go down its body. People confuse them with barracudas since they both have razor-sharp teeth.
There are many species of tuna worldwide, but in Panama, you will find the yellowfin tuna, also referred to as “ahi tuna”. This tuna lives in tropical waters and is a fast and strong fish due to its shape. It is easy to distinguish this colorful fish since it has a silver belly with metallic blue on its top and yellow fins, tail, and stripes. Yellowfin Tuna can range in weight from 10 to 400 pounds. If you want to catch bigger fish, it’s best to use live bait and wait till they tire out to reel them in. They travel in schools of their own kind or with other species including dolphins, whales, and whale sharks. The best time to catch them is from March through July, although fishermen can find them throughout the year. To find them, we usually head offshore to Isla Montuosa, Hannibal Bank or Isla Jicaron.
Selva Terra Island Resort resides in the Gulf of Chiriquí next to a marine park in Panama’s Pacific coast and specializes in organizing fishing trips in Panama. Some of our guests want to go out for a few hours near the Resort to do some inshore fishing. They can catch species such as roosterfish, snapper, or sierra, which our chef can then prepare for dinner.
If you are just coming to experience the best fishing in Central America then you need to head out to Hannibal bank for great offshore action. The best option is to select one of our Panama sport fishing packages. They are all-inclusive with transfers from the airport, lodging, meals, and drinks. We will assign a bigger fishing boat for offshore fishing, such as our 32-foot Blackfin Flybridge sport fisher. All options include an experienced captain and mates who know the area very well to take you to the best places to catch fish native to Panama. What varies between packages is the number of nights and anglers per boat.
Please contact us at Selva Terra Island Resort to help you plan your fishing trip in Panama or email us at info@selvaterraresort.com or call +1-800-507-1246.
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