Panama Canal Fishing
Panama Canal Fishing
4.5
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
#1 Fishing day trip in Panama for catching Peacock Bass, Snook & Tarpon, operating and guiding for 15 years with flat deck boats. Great fishing rods and reels nothing beats fishing the Panama Canal. Fly fishing, bait casters, or spinning rods. Wildlife observation, Fishing in Gatun Lake, Deep Sea Fishing, Fishing in San Blas Island, and Bayano River. FUN GUARANTEED!!!
Panama City, Panama
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Panama Canal Fishing
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
185 reviews
Excellent
156
Very good
15
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
2
RJK3000
Boston, MA26 contributions
Aug 2022
This was my second time booking a fishing trip with Panama Canal Fishing and it was even better than the first time with them (which was pretty great). I brought my son with me on this trip in August and it was nothing short of spectacular—highly recommended.
I have done both the Panama Canal fishing expedition where we caught terrific peacock bass in Gatun Lake as well as the recently launched Deep Sea Adventure where my son and I caught Sailfish and Dorado, AKA Mahi-Mahi. The weather was fantastic and the folks at Panama Canal Fishing took care of everything from transportation to food and beverages and a spectacular tour of the Pacific coastal waterways and nearby islands.
Rich Cahill is an expert charter fishing guide but as many folks in Latin America and beyond know he is also a noted naturalist and expert on Panama’s unique wildlife and geography. You will have a lot of fun and will learn a lot booking one of his fishing charters, you will catch fish and the experience with Rich and his crew is very reasonably priced, super-entertaining and enlightening, and worth every penny.
The fishing charters they offer are perfect for families but also fun for a group of friends who want to get out to a wonderful location and do something fun and different from the usual trip in the outdoors.
Rich and Gaby and their guides are all bilingual and they know Panama and its natural environment intimately. It was clear during our adventure and from friendly interactions with people along the way that they have earned the admiration and respect of the region’s boaters, anglers, eco-tour colleagues and local conservation leaders. Very cool people who are friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable hosts.
This was an amazing adventure that we’ll be talking about for the rest of our lives!
I have done both the Panama Canal fishing expedition where we caught terrific peacock bass in Gatun Lake as well as the recently launched Deep Sea Adventure where my son and I caught Sailfish and Dorado, AKA Mahi-Mahi. The weather was fantastic and the folks at Panama Canal Fishing took care of everything from transportation to food and beverages and a spectacular tour of the Pacific coastal waterways and nearby islands.
Rich Cahill is an expert charter fishing guide but as many folks in Latin America and beyond know he is also a noted naturalist and expert on Panama’s unique wildlife and geography. You will have a lot of fun and will learn a lot booking one of his fishing charters, you will catch fish and the experience with Rich and his crew is very reasonably priced, super-entertaining and enlightening, and worth every penny.
The fishing charters they offer are perfect for families but also fun for a group of friends who want to get out to a wonderful location and do something fun and different from the usual trip in the outdoors.
Rich and Gaby and their guides are all bilingual and they know Panama and its natural environment intimately. It was clear during our adventure and from friendly interactions with people along the way that they have earned the admiration and respect of the region’s boaters, anglers, eco-tour colleagues and local conservation leaders. Very cool people who are friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable hosts.
This was an amazing adventure that we’ll be talking about for the rest of our lives!
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik B
Meridian, ID6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
My girlfriend and myself booked a charter for peacock bass fishing in February. Not the best time of year for fishing Gatun lake. But our expectations were more than met. Our guides went out of their way to get us into the fish. Moving often looking for better fish and trying different techniques. Most of what we caught were smaller bass but a blast to catch regardless and lots of them! My girlfriend had pretty limited fishing experience but our guide(Jorge was his name if I remember correctly) was really good with getting her set up and working with her. We ended up catching quite a few. And she even hauled in a beautiful 6 pound bass as well as a red snapper. I hooked into a little tilapia as well. Over all the guides provided an excellent experience. We even made a stop at a little island to hang with a monkey. I would definitely recomend these guys. They went above and beyond our expectations.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul W
1 contribution
Feb 2020
This was an amazing trip. Jorge really knew where to go to get us on the fish, not to mention he was very knowledgeable able the local plants and animals. It was really nice to have our fishing guide and tour guide rolled up into one person. We also went and saw the monkeys and that was a nice treat. All in all I would highly recommended the trip. We kept a few fish each trip and had them cooked for us at the gamboa rainforest resort restaurant, it was delicious. I am planning a trip back next year already!
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2kayak
Florida150 contributions
Dec 2019
We had a great day fishing on the Panama Canal with Augusto and Elio. Although we ran out of bait early, they worked to put us on the fish and trolled the rest of the time where we caught some big ones.
This website and pictures look great, but links do not work for online booking, the boat you get may not be the one pictured, and payments can only be made by direct deposit into owner's bank account or cash. Reservations had to be confirmed via multiple emails and overseas phone calls.
We do not recommend using this company for Pacific fishing. "20 fathom" fishing turned out to be trolling around the islands off Panama Bay, "live bait and all lures" was only lures no live bait at all, and "fully equipped boat" was three rods.
This website and pictures look great, but links do not work for online booking, the boat you get may not be the one pictured, and payments can only be made by direct deposit into owner's bank account or cash. Reservations had to be confirmed via multiple emails and overseas phone calls.
We do not recommend using this company for Pacific fishing. "20 fathom" fishing turned out to be trolling around the islands off Panama Bay, "live bait and all lures" was only lures no live bait at all, and "fully equipped boat" was three rods.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill R
Vail, CO16 contributions
Sep 2022
WOW! If you are a flyfishing enthusiast, this is an adventure for you. Flyfishing for peacock bass in the small and remote coves of Gatun Lake (that supplies the Panama Canal) is challenging, fun and rewarding. These fish are smart and good fighters, the kind of fishing an avid fly fisherman wants. And there are also snook and the occasional tarpon to be caught on flies as well. Rich is a great guide and fisherman, and he knows the intricacies of the lake better than anyone I have met previously. Rich is also an extremely knowledgeable naturalist and a true conservationist. You are likely to see all sorts of wildlife including monkeys, toucans, and even crocodiles. I have fished with Panama Canal Fishing on several occasions, and just a few days ago we caught more than 30 fish in about three hours, all strictly on fly rods. It is a great experience! I highly recommend it!
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John A
13 contributions
Apr 2021
Could not be more pleased. I’ve had the opportunity to fly fish many places around the world. Catching Peacock bass in the Panama Canal will be a highlight. Rich understands fly fishing and catching Peacock bass. He is more impressive as a knowledgeable Naturalist and historian of the Panama Canal area. Not only did he work hard to make it a successful day for me fishing but, worked just as hard to help my college age daughter catch her fish and keep her interested as well.
Written April 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joel M
8 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Spent a day with my family fishing the Panama Canal and what a great experience. Family really enjoyed themselves and the guide and boat captain were very professional and knowledgeable of the canal. Experience will remember for sure!
Written April 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruffin J
6 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Awesome trip! My GF and I elected to book a fishing trip in the Panama Canal in lieu of taking a tour and couldn’t be happier with our choice. We technically fished Gatun Lake which is connected to the Panama Canal and still allowed us to see the big ships passing through, so it was the best of both worlds.
I fly fished and my gf used a spinning rod. We lost count of the amount of peacock bass we caught. We saw monkeys, and even saw a few tarpon that were to tricky to try to catch.
The setting is beautiful and the guides were great. We fished with Augusto and Elio, both of whom were fantastic and friendly. Our guide, Augusto, spoke English and told us all about the history and area. Our captain, Elio, drove the boat and put us in some great spots. Rich was very helpful coordinating the whole trip for us as well.
This was one of the highlights of our week-long vacation in Panama.
I fly fished and my gf used a spinning rod. We lost count of the amount of peacock bass we caught. We saw monkeys, and even saw a few tarpon that were to tricky to try to catch.
The setting is beautiful and the guides were great. We fished with Augusto and Elio, both of whom were fantastic and friendly. Our guide, Augusto, spoke English and told us all about the history and area. Our captain, Elio, drove the boat and put us in some great spots. Rich was very helpful coordinating the whole trip for us as well.
This was one of the highlights of our week-long vacation in Panama.
Written November 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken C
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • Family
I began preparing a trip with the owner Rich 2 weeks before arrival. I'm an avid experienced angler who uses guides everywhere amd book them all the time.
After the usual email exchanges confirming the type of trip and scheduled day....all communication then stopped after I landed in panama city with my equipment. I began calling / emailing and could not get any response. I'm not sure what I did wrong???? or did I became irritating to them...???..however...the date was approaching, they accepted and told me they would set specifics based on the tides. (Common) . I spent hundreds of dollars preparing for these days!!!!
They said yes...then went completely silent ...ruining this big part of my Panama experience. This tarpon amd snook fishing is most of the reason I traveled amd flew to panama. Very disrespectful to stop all comminications.
If the situation didn't permit them to take me...or they gelt i was a bother.....they should have cancelled amd communicated something. Anything. Not just dissapearing. Unprofessional.... I'll be *sure to let others know* so they don't get blown off at the last minute before the trip. So disappointed in them.
After the usual email exchanges confirming the type of trip and scheduled day....all communication then stopped after I landed in panama city with my equipment. I began calling / emailing and could not get any response. I'm not sure what I did wrong???? or did I became irritating to them...???..however...the date was approaching, they accepted and told me they would set specifics based on the tides. (Common) . I spent hundreds of dollars preparing for these days!!!!
They said yes...then went completely silent ...ruining this big part of my Panama experience. This tarpon amd snook fishing is most of the reason I traveled amd flew to panama. Very disrespectful to stop all comminications.
If the situation didn't permit them to take me...or they gelt i was a bother.....they should have cancelled amd communicated something. Anything. Not just dissapearing. Unprofessional.... I'll be *sure to let others know* so they don't get blown off at the last minute before the trip. So disappointed in them.
Written September 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mlinbham
Birmingham, AL23 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Great trip. Rich is the man. Great everything. My son had a great time. We look forward to coming back again . I have a granddaughter now . If the Lord continues to bless me I will bring her fishing in around 10 years
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
what were the prices of trips?
Written December 13, 2017
my wife paid for the trip as a gift and wont tell me what it cost. Sorry. I think the shuttle was ~$65 rtn though.
The rates should be posted online.
Written December 16, 2017
El Tuyo C
5 contributions
hola.. me gustaria hacer arreglos de viaje para pescar con uds... fecha finales de agosto... cuales serian sus propuestas? saludos
Written June 23, 2017
Hola, pueden contactarlos directamente por correo info at panamacanalfishing punto com
Written June 29, 2017
Hello
I am arriving with my family on August 2 to the ninth. I am interested in a fishing trip through the mangroves. Could you tell me the cost per person from the Westin Playa Bonita? Two adults + two boys 17 and 14. Interested in fishing the Panama Canal.
Written May 19, 2017
Hello, have you try to contact directly check their website
Written June 29, 2017
Hello, Can you please tell me what tour company you used?
thanks,
Robert
Written April 5, 2017
Booked the fishing directly with Panama Canal fishing.
Written April 6, 2017
Coming on A cruise to panama Jan 11 want to go fishing Gatam lake. What would cost be to pick me up at dock and return me after trip
Written December 12, 2016
Hello, I am visiting Panama from August 16-19, I am interested in taking my son deep sea fishing. We have a condo in Coronado and so I would be interested in something within 1-2 hours drive from Coronado. Can you please send me information on location price and type of boat?
Written August 9, 2016
Hello,
I am traveling solo this week and would be interested in sharing a fishing boat on Thursday 24-March.
Regards,
WB
Written March 21, 2016
John R
Dallas, Texas
Hello,
I am travelling to Panama City this weekend and am looking to go fishing. I have a budget of up to $300 for a day (maybe a bit more for tip). Doesn't matter if it is canal, inshore, offshore, etc.
I prefer to share a boat if possible...maybe fill a spot on an existing boat that has an opening. Date is flexible - 9/11, 9/12, or 9/13.
Thank you
Written September 9, 2015
I'm interested in bass fishing in January....what is cost? ... length of trip?...how do I make reservations?
Written June 24, 2015
Hello Billy:
We offer an all-inclusive fishing trip with transportation from Panama city, an English speaking fishing guide, a fully equipped Hurricane Fundeck boat, an experienced captain, full tackle, live bait, all lures
And a cooler with waters, sodas, beers, snacks and sandwich lunches.
The tour day starts at 6:30 a.m. when your guide meets you at your hotel and drive you out to Gamboa Rainforest marine where the boat launches heading out to Gatun lake, we target Peacock Bass, Snook and Tarpon.
The time on lake depends on your choosing option as a regular day (six hours) or a full day (nine hours).
The price for a regular day for 2 adults is $495 plus 7% country tax, then $65 for the additional person.
Kids up to 8 years old are free of charge.
The full day option includes lunch in a lake side shore restaurant where they'll prepare "the catch of the day" in a Panamanian style, a wonderful time just for $150 additional (extra costs of tour guide, captain, gasoline and lunch)
Let us know which one of the options mentioned above would fit your preferences.
Looking forward to your responce
FUN GUARANTEED ! ! !
Gaby Cahill
Operation´s Manager
Office Phone: (507) 315-1905
Cell Phone: (507) 6678-2653
(507) 6672-1008
Written June 25, 2015
Lived in the Canal Zone in the mid 80s. Planning a trip back to fish the Canal n Arenosa( two separate trips.)Please give me the 3 best rated guides to fish in the Canal. Possibly out of Gamboa. 2 men, I can get to landing n launch site. Thanks, Tony
Written May 31, 2015
Hi Tony!
We offer an all inclusive tour with an experienced local captain and english speaking fishing guide. Please check out our website to see our offers.
Written June 10, 2015
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