I have had personal experience with Dennis Melton and suggest you

check with him about fishing Lake Gatun. He also has great reviews on

his expeditions. More info :

http://pesca-arenosa.weebly.com/

Charter Rates are on this site also.

and to contact Dennis directly:

Email: dgmelton@gmail.com

Skype ID "dgmeltonjr"

Telephone : 011-507-6-650-4625 or 011-507-6-792-8027

LN, does he do saltwater charters too? I think the OP is interested in big game fishing, not Bass fishing in a lake... Arenosa is a place where you can also just hire a local to take you out for a few hours to fish at very reasonable rates, the outfit that LN suggests seems like a fine and reputable operator, just that seems that things are getting "pricey" in a place that´s always been very simple...

Thanks for the info. We want to do saltwater big game (Marlins/Tuna) fishing. The issue we are having is that most places appear to be fishing villages where you have to fly out to from Panama City. I'm wondering if there are any charters out of PC that anyone can refer?

Some of the group we are going in don't want to go away to a village just for fishing. I guess we need the best of both worlds to appease our group. Fishing and nightlife.

If anyone knows anyone chartering out of PC... More worried about quality than cost...would love to make a memorable trip.

I know you can take charters out of Flamenco Marina in Panama City (http://www.flamenco-island.com/index.php/en/), but I can't tell you how reliable or affordable. You can also google Panama fishing charters and will get a bunch of hits on outfits, some of which can probably give you better information. You can also contact Abernathy (fishing store and center) and they can help you, http://www.abernathy.com.pa.

I've never hired a charter out of PC, been out many times in private boats, so I can't give you a recommendation. I hope it helps.