10-Hour Pearl Islands Contadora Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore fishing targeting multiple game fish speciesProfessional crew provides all gear and fishing expertiseSmall group experience with maximum 2 guests aboard
If you're looking for world-class offshore fishing in Panama, this full-day charter around the Pearl Islands delivers exactly what serious anglers want. Running out of a reliable Bertram 31', you'll spend 10 solid hours working the productive waters around Contadora, Saboga, and the surrounding island chain. These waters are absolutely loaded with game fish, and with a small group of just two guests, you get personalized attention from an experienced crew who knows exactly where the fish are biting. The Pearl Islands have earned their reputation as one of Panama's top fishing destinations, and this trip puts you right in the heart of the action.
Your day starts early aboard the Bertram 31', a proven offshore platform that handles the Pacific swells with ease. The crew has all your tackle sorted – no need to worry about bringing gear unless you want to fish your own rods. You'll be targeting multiple species using a mix of techniques, which keeps things interesting throughout the long day. The waters around these islands hold different types of structure and currents, so you'll move around to hit the best spots as conditions change. With only two anglers on board, there's plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up, and the crew can focus on keeping you hooked up all day. The Pearl Islands sit about 30 miles southeast of Panama City, but the ride out gives you time to rig up and talk strategy with the captain.
This isn't a one-trick operation – the crew runs a combination of jigging, popping, and trolling to maximize your shots at different species. When you're working structure around the islands, vertical jigging with heavy lures gets down to where the bigger snappers and groupers hang out. The popping action works great for surface-feeding fish, especially when the mahi-mahi are up and active. Trolling lets you cover water between spots and pick up wahoo, Spanish mackerel, and amberjack that are moving through the area. The crew reads the conditions and adjusts tactics throughout the day – if the bite slows on one technique, they'll switch it up to keep the action going. All the gear is provided and maintained, so you're fishing with quality tackle that's set up correctly for these waters.
"My wife and I went on a full-day trip, and it was an absolute blast! We caught 21 fish from six different species. The captain and his first mate were incredibly helpful, guiding us every step of the way to ensure we had the best chance of landing fish. Their knowledge and expertise really stood out. I can't recommend this trip enough!" - William
Red Snapper are the bread and butter around these reefs, and for good reason. These fish fight hard from the moment they feel the hook, making strong runs toward structure where they can cut you off. Most of the snappers here run 5-15 pounds, with some bigger ones pushing 20-plus if you get lucky. They're most active during the cooler parts of the day and bite well on both live bait and jigs. What makes snapper fishing so addictive is their aggressive strike – when they hit, there's no mistaking it.
Grouper fishing around the Pearl Islands means working deeper structure and rocky bottom where these ambush predators wait for an easy meal. Black grouper are the most common, with fish ranging from 10-40 pounds. They hit hard but then try to get back to their hole, so you need to turn them quick. The bigger groupers are usually found in 60-120 feet of water, and they'll test your drag and your back. These fish are smart – they've seen plenty of lures, so presentation matters.
When the mahi-mahi are around, the fishing gets really exciting. These fish travel in schools and feed aggressively on the surface, making them perfect targets for poppers and surface lures. Mahi in these waters typically run 10-25 pounds, with occasional bigger bulls mixed in. They're acrobatic fighters that jump repeatedly, and their bright colors make them one of the most photogenic catches you'll land. Peak season runs from December through April, but you can find them year-round.
Amberjack are the muscle cars of the reef – they hit like a truck and pull like one too. These fish live around structure and make powerful runs that will test your tackle and your endurance. Most amberjack here are in the 20-50 pound range, with some real bruisers pushing 60-plus. They're not the prettiest fish, but they'll give you a workout you won't forget. The best fishing is usually on deeper reefs where the current is moving.
Spanish Mackerel provide fast action when you need a break from fighting the big stuff. These speedsters are abundant around the islands and hit small lures and bait with lightning-fast strikes. They're perfect for light tackle fishing and make excellent table fare. Most Spanish mackerel here run 2-5 pounds, and they often travel in large schools, so when you find them, you can catch several quickly.
Jack Crevalle are the bulldogs of the offshore scene – not much to look at, but they fight way above their weight class. These fish are common around the islands and will hit just about anything you throw at them. Jacks typically run 10-30 pounds in these waters, and they fight dirty, using their broad sides to leverage against the current. They're great when you want to get kids or novice anglers hooked up with a strong-fighting fish.
Wahoo are the speed demons that can show up anywhere during the day, usually when you're trolling between spots. These fish are built for speed and can hit 40-50 mph, making their initial runs absolutely explosive. Most wahoo around the Pearl Islands run 15-40 pounds, with their razor-sharp teeth and streamlined bodies
This restored 1973 Bertram 31' sportfisher cuts through the Pearl Islands waters with twin 145HP Sole Marine engines, delivering you to prime fishing grounds around Contadora and Saboga at a steady 18 knots. The classic design features a spacious flybridge for spotting schools and working lures, while the fish finder helps locate structure holding snapper, grouper, and mahi mahi. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during long fights with wahoo and amberjack. The GPS and radar system navigates safely between islands, and the onboard toilet means no cutting trips short. With trolling gear ready and jigging setups prepared, this proven fishing platform puts you on productive waters where spanish mackerel and jack crevalle patrol the reefs. The experienced crew knows these waters and provides all tackle needed for a successful day targeting Panama's diverse gamefish population.
My wife and I went on a full-day trip, and it was an absolute blast! We caught 21 fish from six different species. The captain and...
Panama City