Yellowfin Tuna Liveaboard | Panama's Hannibal Bank
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fiveday liveaboard targeting yellowfin tuna at Hannibal BankEightyfoot mothership with dedicated thirtyfivefoot fishing tenderMaximum five guests with professional photo and video services
Picture this: you're standing on the deck of an 80-foot steel-hulled mothership, watching your outriggers dance across some of the richest yellowfin waters on the planet. Panama's Hannibal Bank isn't just another fishing destination – it's where serious anglers come to tangle with world-class yellowfin tuna in numbers that'll blow your mind. This 5-day liveaboard adventure puts you right in the heart of the action, with a dedicated 35-foot Caribe Pro tender that gets you to the fish fast and keeps you fishing longer. With only 5 spots available, you're not dealing with crowded boat syndrome – just pure, focused fishing with a crew that knows these waters like their own backyard.
This isn't your typical day trip where you're racing the clock to get back to the dock. You've got 5 full days to work the Bank's legendary structure, and trust me, you'll need every minute of it. The mothership serves as your floating basecamp, complete with comfortable bunks, hot meals, and all the cold drinks you can handle. When it's time to fish, you'll hop on the Caribe Pro – a purpose-built fishing machine that can handle the Pacific swells while keeping you steady for those crucial hooksets. The professional crew handles everything from rigging baits to gaffing fish, so you can focus on what you came here for. They'll have the spread set before dawn, working the edges where the current breaks and the yellowfin are stacked up thick. Between the photo and video services capturing every moment, you'll have proof of battles that your buddies back home won't believe.
Hannibal Bank is all about structure fishing, and the crew knows exactly how to work it. You'll be running a heavy spread – think cedar plugs, skirted ballyhoo, and maybe some live bait when the bite gets picky. The Bank rises from deep water, creating upwellings that concentrate bait and bring the yellowfin up to feed. Most of your fishing happens in that magical zone where the bottom contour changes, usually in 100 to 300 feet of water. The crew runs a tight ship with outriggers, downriggers, and flat lines working different levels of the water column. When you hook up, it's all hands on deck – literally. These aren't the schoolie yellowfin you might catch closer to shore. We're talking about fish that'll test your drag, your back, and your willpower. The boat carries all the heavy tackle you need, from 50-pound class rods down to lighter stuff for when the fish are finicky.
Yellowfin tuna around Hannibal Bank are the stuff of fishing dreams. These aren't your average grocery store tuna – we're talking about 40 to 200-pound torpedoes that can strip line faster than you can blink. Peak season runs from December through April when the fish are thick and feeding aggressively on the massive bait schools that stack up on the Bank. What makes yellowfin so special is their combination of raw power and endurance. They'll make blistering runs that can empty a reel in seconds, then settle into a deep, grinding fight that'll have your arms screaming. The bigger fish – we call them "cows" – are smart and stubborn, often diving deep and using their weight against you. But when you finally get one to color and see that bright yellow dorsal fin cutting through the water, all the pain melts away. These fish are also incredible table fare, with deep red meat that's perfect for sashimi or searing. The crew knows how to bleed and ice them properly, so you're taking home restaurant-quality fish.
Look, trips like this don't come around every day. You're getting access to some of the best yellowfin fishing in the Pacific, with a crew that lives and breathes these waters. The 5-angler limit means you're not fighting for rod time or dealing with tangled lines from inexperienced fishermen. Everything's included – your bunk, your meals, your drinks, even professional documentation of your catches. Life Below The Surface Charters has built a reputation on delivering top-rated experiences, and this liveaboard trip is their crown jewel. The Hannibal Bank isn't going anywhere, but the fish don't wait around forever. Weather windows, moon phases, and seasonal movements all play a role in when these yellowfin are most active. Don't be the angler telling stories about the trip you almost booked – be the one showing pictures of the yellowfin that nearly spooled you.
San Juan