Inshore Fishing
With over 100 islands in the Gulf of Chiriqui, one can only image the amount of additional underwater structure that provide incredible habitats for dozens of inshore species. Many say, pound for pound, fish in the Gulf of Chiriqui are much stronger and put a bigger fight than many other fishing grounds.
The Gulf of Chiriqui’s diverse fishery is remarkable due to its unique bathymetry, dominated by undersea structure and currents. The banks and pinnacles around the various island groups, like the fishing grounds at the famed Hannibal Bank and near Isla Montuosa, are fed by the nutrient rich waters of the Humboldt Current. It is common to come across huge schools of Yellowfin Tuna or to see Black Marlin exploding on the surface while feeding at these offshore banks. Fishing in the Gulf of Chiriqui is unique due to miles of rocky coastline and the many island groups that are encompassed within the Gulf of Chiriqui.
What is the Weather Like?
Temperatures average 85 degrees with high humidity. There are two seasons here in Panama. The ‘dry’ season and the ‘wet (or green)’ season. The dry season is from about December until May and the wet season is from about May until December. The ‘dry’ season weather is typically hotter with blue skies, little wind, and no rain. During the ‘wet’ season it will usually rain in the late afternoon and evenings, it’s a bit more humid, and bit milder temperatures during the day with partly cloudy skies. It is rare to have to cancel a day of fishing due to weather but bring your rain jacket just in case!
How are the Sea Conditions?
The seas are usually calm because the Gulf of Chiriqui is protected from the winds by the mountain range of the continental divide to the north and the peninsulas to the east and west that provide a natural shelter from the ocean swells. Typically the seas run 2 feet or less during the ‘dry’ season and are slightly bigger in the ‘wet’ season months.
These waters feature an abundance of Roosterfish, Cubera Snapper, a handful of Jack species, Sierra, Rainbow Runner, African Pompano, and Red Snapper.