If you are searching for the ultimate fishing experience, Panama City should be at the top of your list. This dynamic and exciting city is a fisherman’s dream. There are opportunities for both inshore and offshore fishing. In this article, we will take a closer look at what fish can you catch in Panama City and more.
Hook, line, and sinker: What fish can you catch in Panama City?
You can visit Panama City on the Pacific coast of Panama. It’s situated right next to the famous Panama Canal. By visiting this amazing location, you can access some of the best fishing grounds in the world, such as the Gulf of Panama, the Pearl Islands, and the Coiba National Park. You can enjoy year-round fishing opportunities in Panama City. There are different seasons for different species. And you do not have to travel far from the city to enjoy some world-class fishing action. You will find bountiful fishing spots just a short trip from the shore. If you are feeling adventurous, you can head out for some deep-sea fishing excitement.
Inshore Fishing at Panama City
You can enjoy easy fishing close to shore with inshore fishing in Panama City. If you are a beginner or an experienced angler who wants to target some hard-fighting fish on light tackle, this is perfect for you. You can also bring your family and kids and enjoy fishing from shore, pier, or boat in the calm waters of the bay or canal.
What fish can you catch?
Common fish species you can find inshore are,
- Redfish
- Jack Crevalle
- Blacktip Shark
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Barracuda
- Mackerel
- Pompano
These fish never really take a break, but there are peak seasons when they are more plentiful and lively. For instance, if you are willing to catch Redfish, your best bet is to try between January and April or September and December. And for Tarpon, aim for May to August.
Where to catch peacock bass in Panama Beach?
Lake Gatun is one of the most popular inshore fishing destinations in Panama City. This lake is teeming with Peacock Bass. Peacock Bass are colorful and powerful fish. They can grow up to 15 pounds. They will test your skills on light tackle. You can catch these beauties all year round, but they are especially active from May to October.
Read more about the ecology, biology, and introduction schemes of Cichla spp., also known as peacock bass here.
Offshore Fishing
You can get some big game fishing action by heading offshore from Panama City. You can reel in some of the most coveted fish in the world while offshore fishing.
What fish can you catch?
In the deeper waters beyond the continental shelf, you will encounter species like,
- Marlin
- Sailfish
- Tuna
- Dorado (Mahi Mahi)
- Wahoo
- Amberjack
- Red Snapper
- King Mackerel
You will need more time, skill, and specialized equipment to reel those big catches in offshore fishing in Panama City. You will need a larger, faster boat to reach the offshore fishing grounds. You will also need heavy-duty rods and reels, strong lines and leaders, and various types of lures and baits to attract these fish.
Tuna and Tarpon fishing
An Overview of Tuna Fishing Panama City Beach
Tuna fishing is one of the unforgettable offshore fishing experiences you can have in Panama City. When considering tuna fishes, they are on the list of the fastest and strongest fish in the ocean. Their speeds go up to 50 mph, and they weigh up to 400 pounds. And they are always on the move, migrating across vast distances in large schools. The best time to catch these mighty fish is from January to April and July to October, when they are plentiful in the Gulf of Panama.
Tarpon fishing Panama City beach
And if you are looking for another thrilling challenge, go for tarpon fishing. Tarpons are large and powerful fish. They can grow up to 8 feet long, and they weigh up to 280 pounds. And they do not go down without a fight. You can try out Tarpon fishing from May to August when these fish are at their most active and ravenous.
Read more about the life history of Tarpon HERE.
Fishing Regulations in Panama City
Before heading out on your fishing adventure in Panama City, ensure you are up to speed on the area’s fishing regulations.
You should have a valid fishing license.
This is one of the most important regulations to fish in Panama City waters. You can get one online or from an authorized vendor. The cost will depend on what kind of license you choose and how long it is valid.
There are size and bag limits for certain fish species.
Size and bag limits are there to ensure fish populations remain healthy and sustainable. To find out fish species’ current size and bag limits, you can look online or ask at a local bait shop.
What size of pompano fish in Panama beach?
The size limit for Pompano fish is 11 inches long. You can catch up to six per day.
Read about the impacts of raising the minimum size limit for Florida Pompano here.
Conclusion
Panama City is a famous fishing paradise on the Pacific coast of Panama. You will get a lot of opportunities to catch some amazing fish here. What fish can you catch in Panama City? It really depends on your choice of fishing. Whether you like to fish inshore or offshore, we discussed the many choices you can catch in Panama City.
