Panama:jig:

tbuckshot · Mar-25-2008, 07:13 PM

OK, I will be on the pacific coast of Panama from PC north to Santa Catalina. I am wide open for suggestions in June. Please don't tell me that it will totally suck in June and I am wasting my time. Can ANYBODY chime in here? This will be my first trip to Panama, and I don't want it to be my last.

tap · Mar-26-2008, 08:41 AM

June is an excellent month in Panama (you'll just get a few more thunderstorms). However, there is a direct correlation between the best fishing opportunities and your budget. If you want to fish on a bare bones panga from catalina you're not going to be able to get to the best places or the best pelagic action. If you stay with operators such as Cebaco Bay Sportfishing Club (about 25 miles offshore of Catalina at Cebaco Island), Paradise Lodge west of Catalina near Remedios or other well-established operation with good, reliable, fast boats then your Panama experience will be maximized. You will find out that Panama has relatively few fishing charter operations compared to Costa Rica and most of the coastline is undeveloped. That doesn't mean you can just drop a boat in the water anywhere and catch fish. The operators who are successful in Panama have overcome tremendous logistical challenges (fuel transport, boat maintenance, food, personnel, etc.) and have located in areas that have a resident body of fish augmented by migratory or seasonal species.

I will be down there again in May and July (I've fished Panama 9 times since January '07) and every time it's different due to location, type of boats, etc.

Tony Pena
"The Roving Angler"

tbuckshot · Mar-26-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tap

June is an excellent month in Panama (you'll just get a few more thunderstorms). However, there is a direct correlation between the best fishing opportunities and your budget. If you want to fish on a bare bones panga from catalina you're not going to be able to get to the best places or the best pelagic action. If you stay with operators such as Cebaco Bay Sportfishing Club (about 25 miles offshore of Catalina at Cebaco Island), Paradise Lodge west of Catalina near Remedios or other well-established operation with good, reliable, fast boats then your Panama experience will be maximized.

Tony, If I had a bunch of guys that were gung ho on a fishing trip, Paradise Lodge would be perfect. However, this trip is going to be multifaceted with visits to casinos, golf courses, the canal, and surf camps. Fishing is an ancillary BONUS for me on this trip. Would Paradise or Cebaco set me up for a day trip? I don't mind paying lodging and all, but just need one day (and night) of fishing. I was just going to hook up with some pangas at the beach.
Thanks,
Tom

makomiko · Mar-27-2008, 02:14 AM

Tony, I will be in Panama May 4 - 12. 4 days panga fishing in Pedasi, and 1 day fishing on Lake Gatun. What lures, jigs, etc. do you think I should bring.? I really would like to concentrate fishing for roosters. I know fishing from the panga we will not venture very far offshore, but that's fine with me. Caught my share of sails, and billfish. Thanks for your help. Mike W.

tap · Mar-27-2008, 10:20 AM

RESPONSE: Cebaco is set up better for two day trips or more due to the distances involved in getting out there and other logistics. Patadise Lodge could more than accommodate a one day trip. Also, Capt. Lalo Bernal (o11-507-6767-8279; 011-507-6536-4174) in David can take you out on day-trips on a fast 31 footer from the port of Pedregal where the big outfitters are located. Otherwise picking up a panga can produce decent inshore results IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING and you come fully prepared with tackle because chances are a local pangero from the commercial fleet won't know much about sportfishing (e.g. using live bait, popping, deep jigging, etc.). Check on the availability of a SPORTFISHING panga for best results.

Regarding Pedasi and Gatun Lake: The Pedasi area in May can be good depending on water conditions and bait movement combined with moderate tides/current. This area is in great need of fast boats with bait tanks, etc. not because you may want to venture offshore but you may have to run west along the coast to Punta Puerco or even to Punta Mariato to find excellent action. Pimply and Jose Munoz probably have the best pangas in the area. For roosters, try fishing at least one morning on an incoming tide at the mouth of Canas River. Rafa is the local guide with no phone. Manuel Zambrano (check his posts under "manhe") can help as he fishes with him a lot or Pimply and Jose as well. Roosters can also show up anywhere and it's always a good idea to slow troll live bait such as cojinua (green jack or "cocinero" in Baja) while you are casting poppers or trolling diving plugs (red/white is a good color). Bring poppers, Butterfly style jigs, circle hooks (5/0 to 9/0) and assorted plugs for casting and trolling. Rig a few with wire if wahoo are showing at Frailes or Puerco.

Gatun Lake is easy fishing for just about as many small peacock bass as you want. Lake minnows are the standard bait but I've caught them casting small mylar jigs and small plugs. I also saw a 100 lb. class tarpon on my last trip there but didn't have the gear for them. Both tarpon and snook can be encountered and if you see bait being pushed and big fish rolling it would be nice to have a bigger outfit to cast or troll larger plugs. I tend to leave my personal gear in the hotel destined for more distant locations.

Tony Pena
"The Roving Angler"