Hook & Reel Fishing Panama · Spearbaby Santa Catalina

Why Panama

The world
fishes here
for a reason.

The Pacific current that sweeps Panama's coastline creates one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet. Cold upwellings bring nutrients to the surface, triggering massive baitfish schools — and the predators that follow them.

From Santa Catalina we access world-class offshore grounds in under an hour. Our captains have been reading these waters their entire lives. They know where the fish are today — not where they were last season.

Offshore & Inshore All Skill Levels 100% Private Tackle Included Catch & Keep

How We Fish

Three techniques.
One obsession.

Every trip is built around what you want to catch and how you want to catch it. We adapt to conditions, season and skill — our job is to put you on the fish.

Trolling

Sailfish · Marlin · Tuna · Wahoo · Dorado

We run lures and rigged baits through productive zones — current breaks, bait schools, temperature edges. Trolling covers ground fast and triggers aggressive strikes from pelagics that can't resist a moving target. Our captains know the exact speeds and patterns for Panama's offshore fish. The reel screams — you fight.

Jigging

Yellowfin Tuna · Amberjack · Cubera · Jack

Drop a heavy metal jig to depth and work it through structure with rhythm and power. Jigging demands physical effort — and rewards it. When a cubera snapper or a yellowfin hammers a jig at 40m, it's one of the most visceral experiences in fishing. Best suited for anglers who want to feel every moment of the fight.

Popping & Spinning

Roosterfish · Tuna · Jack Crevalle · Wahoo

Surface lures worked through baitballs and reef edges. The explosion of a roosterfish hitting a popper on the surface is something you never forget. We time our popping sessions to tide and light — early morning on the right reef can produce non-stop action for hours. High-energy, high-skill, unforgettable.

Tackle & Gear

Professional gear.
Your fish.

We provide full professional tackle for every technique. Experienced anglers are welcome to bring their own — our captains will work with whatever setup you prefer. What matters is putting you on the fish.

Rods & Reels

Heavy trolling setups (50–130lb class), medium jigging rods and spinning combos for popping. Shimano and Penn reels, professionally maintained and loaded with quality braid and mono. Bring your own preferred setup — we welcome it.

Lures & Baits

Full selection of offshore trolling lures, metal jigs in proven colours and weights, surface poppers and stickbaits for roosterfish. Our captains choose the right presentation for the target species and conditions of the day.

Safety & Boat Equipment

Every boat carries full safety equipment, VHF radio, GPS chartplotter and fighting chair where applicable. We carry ice for your catch, water, snacks and a packed lunch on full-day charters. First aid kit always aboard.

What's on the Line

Trophy species.
Every trip.

Panama's Pacific hosts one of the most diverse collections of sport fish on the planet. Depending on season and technique, any of these species can be on your line today.

★ Offshore Trophy

Yellowfin Tuna

Bluewater · Dec–Apr peak · up to 200lb+

↩ Catch & Release

Sailfish / Marlin

Offshore · Dec–Apr · 300lb+ Marlin

★ Inshore Trophy

Roosterfish

Reef & Surf Zone · Year Round · up to 100lb

★ Offshore Target

Wahoo

Bluewater · Dec–Apr · Fastest fish in the sea

★ Offshore Target

Dorado / Mahi-Mahi

Bluewater · Year Round · Exceptional eating

★ Reef Trophy

Cubera Snapper

Deep Reef · Year Round · up to 80lb

★ Reef Target

Amberjack / Almaco Jack

Reef · Year Round · Hard fighter

★ Inshore Target

Jack Crevalle

Inshore · Year Round · Relentless fighter

Catch & Keep

Your catch cleaned on the boat · Take it home or cook it tonight

Yellowfin Tuna
Wahoo
Dorado / Mahi-Mahi
Roosterfish
Cubera Snapper
Colorado Snapper
Amberjack / Almaco Jack
Jack Crevalle
Barracuda
Snapper (various)

Catch & Release

Respect the ocean · Fight the fish, set it free

Sailfish
Blue Marlin
Black Marlin
All Billfish

Panama's billfish are too valuable to keep. We practice strict catch and release on all marlin and sailfish. Every fish gets a proper revival before release — these animals are what make Panama special. We want them here for the next generation.

Fishing Calendar

Fish all year.
Plan smart.

Panama fishes year-round. The dry season (Dec–Apr) is prime time for offshore species, but inshore action never stops. Here's when to come for what you want.

December – February

Peak Season

Offshore Explosion

Yellowfin Tuna running hard. Sailfish and Marlin active. Wahoo in numbers. Dorado schooling. Dry season begins — flat seas, blue water, great visibility. Best trolling and jigging of the year.

March – April

Peak Season

Giant Tuna & Billfish

Biggest yellowfin of the year. Striped Marlin arriving. Roosterfish on fire inshore. Perfect conditions — calm seas, clear blue water. Most dedicated big-game anglers target this window.

May – August

Good Season

Green Season Action

Rainy season begins — offshore trips still very productive on calm days. Roosterfish, Cubera and Jack Crevalle excellent inshore. Dorado year-round. Fewer boats, more intimate experience.

September – November

Good Season

Inshore Dominates

Prime time for reef species — Cubera Snapper, Almaco Jack, bottom fish. Inshore popping for Roosterfish and Jacks. Offshore possible on weather windows. Green season at its lushest.

When to target
each species.

Species	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Yellowfin TunaOffshore — Trolling / Jigging
Sailfish C&ROffshore — Trolling / Live bait
Blue / Black Marlin C&ROffshore — Trolling
WahooOffshore — Trolling / Jigging
Dorado / Mahi-MahiOffshore — Trolling
RoosterfishInshore — Popping / Spinning
Cubera SnapperReef — Jigging / Live bait
Almaco JackReef — Jigging
Jack CrevalleInshore — Popping / Spinning
Colorado SnapperReef — Bottom fishing
BarracudaInshore / Reef — Trolling

Peak Season

Good Fishing

Present / Slower

Not targeted

C&R = Catch & Release only

Your Captain & Crew

Locals who
know every drift.

Our captains grew up fishing these waters. They know which current break holds tuna today, which reef corner has the cubera, and when to run offshore and when to stay inshore. Local knowledge you can't find in any guidebook.

Local Expert Captains

Sport Fishing · 10+ Years on Pacific Panama

Born and raised on the Pacific coast of Panama. English, Spanish and Italian spoken. Every captain is safety-certified, first-aid trained and passionate about putting you on the fish of a lifetime.

The Spearbaby Fleet

25ft & 30ft Pangas · Yamaha Powered

Fast, seaworthy and maintained to the highest standard. Our pangas are purpose-built for Pacific fishing — stable enough for offshore work, nimble enough for inshore reef edges. Every trip is 100% private.

FAQ

Before you
book.

Not at all. We take first-time anglers regularly. Our crew will show you everything — how to hold the rod, how to fight the fish, when to reel and when to let it run. We've put complete beginners on 100lb+ tuna. All you need is enthusiasm.

All professional tackle (rods, reels, lures, terminal gear), ice in the cooler, water, fruit snacks, and a packed lunch on full-day trips. Our captain and crew handle rigging, baiting and boat driving. You fight the fish. On return, we clean your catch on the boat.

Absolutely — experienced anglers are welcome and encouraged to bring their own preferred setup. Our captains fish with whatever works best. If you're traveling light, our gear is more than capable for any species we target.

December through April is peak season for offshore species. The dry season brings calm seas, clear blue water and massive baitfish schools that pull in yellowfin tuna, wahoo and marlin. March and April tend to produce the biggest individual fish of the year.

Yes — all marlin and sailfish are strictly catch and release. We revive every billfish properly before release. These fish are what make Panama special and we want them here for future generations. Everything else is your call to keep or release.

Yes. We clean your catch on the boat and you can take it home vacuum-sealed, or we can connect you with local restaurants in Santa Catalina who will prepare it for you that evening. Yellowfin tuna sashimi straight off the Pacific — there is nothing better.

It depends on conditions and your target species. Inshore reef trips stay within a few miles. Our offshore grounds — including the banks in front of Coiba — are 30–60 minutes from the dock at speed. Full-day offshore charters give you maximum time on the best grounds.

On The Water