Pedasi’s unique location, a four hour drive from Panama City, Panama or a short half hour flight, takes you to the pristine pacific coast where a vast array of fish can be caught year round. In fact, the majority of locals here make their living from fishing.  They don’t call it “The Tuna Coast” for nothin’.

The best time for fishing the “Tuna Coast” near Pedasi is from May to December, the rainy season, though you can also fish in the dry season from December to May. During the dry season you can only fish close to the shore along the southern edge of the peninsula and only in the early morning due to the strong northerly winds with gusts sometimes more than 30 knots.  Pedasi has four tide changes daily up to 14 feet and the average water surface temperature during the rainy season is 29ºc or 84ºf.

When To Fish?

All Year

Fortunately, all year long you can catch a number of different fish off the coast of Pedasi.  This list includes but is not limited to: Albacore and Yellowfin Tuna, Bonito (looks a lot like Bluefin Tuna), Red Snapper, Cubera and Amber Jack, Rooster Fish (this fish can be caught all year but the best months are March, April, and May due to the sardines off the coast), and Sierra Mackerel.

June though January

The best months to fish during this period are October and November due to more rainfall and driftwood in the sea.  You can catch Dolphin Fish, Wahoo, Sailfish, and Marlin

January and Febuary

In January and February the best fish to catch are Corvina and Robalo.

What Boats Are Available?

Most fishing around Pedasi is done in a basic Panga, however there are various other boats to choose from that will certainly suit your needs.

A Panga costs $275 for a full day and $225 for a half day.  The price includes transportation, gasoline, captain, equipment and tackle, lunch, and a cooler with drinks. The rate is based on two people, for every person above 2 there is an additional $25 charge, four people maximum.

“Mr. Trolling” is a 26 ft. center console Panga with twin outboards, 100 HP, electronics, GPS, tackle, drinks and one cooler with four bags of ice is included.  Fishing from Isla Iguana to Islas Freiles with up to four anglers costs $650 per day.

“Grumpy” is a 26 ft. center console, T top, with live well, tuna tubes, twin outboards, electronics, all tackle, ice, soda and bottled water included for $675 per day up to four anglers.  No Glass bottles, no coolers, IGFA Certified Captain.  The scheduling of this boat is dependent on tides and winds, so not all days are available.

“Flora Cristina” is a 30 ft. center cabin, with live well, tuna tubes, twin Yanmar Diesel with Diesel Generator, all tackle, ice, soda and bottled water included for $900 per day up to four anglers, and up to six people to sightsee or whale watch.  No Glass bottles, no coolers, IGFA Certified Captain.  The scheduling of this boat is dependent on tides and winds, so not all days are available.

Fishing Styles

Spinning

Most of the fish off the coast of Pedasi can be caught with light or heavy spinning gear; mainly cubera snapper, roosterfish, jacks and tuna.  You can use poppers inshore and offshore along with other types of casting lures for salt water. The size of the poppers can range from Yo Zuri GT bulls and smaller, depending the species and location.  It’s recommended to use a Shimano Stella 10, 000 spinning reel loaded with 50 and 80 lb braid line.

Fly Fishing

If weather conditions are good and there is no wind, fly fishing can be great.  You can catch the same species as with the spinning technique. It’s recommended to use 10 and 14 fishing rods with a floating light.

Jigging

Jigging is best for catching amberjack but also snapper, grouper, tuna,and sharks.  You will be jigging at a depth of 100 to 150 feet, good for when spinning top water lures are slow. It’s recommended to use a short jigging rod with stella 20.000 loaded with 80.000 braid line; a high retrieve ratio reel is preferred. Jigs can be diamond or butterfly, and some anglers even use bigger heavier spoons. Note: there are some days that jigging is not practical due to strong currents and location.

Trolling

For Inshore trolling, a stand up style of rod and rod belt is recommended if you are fishing from a panga, a stand up harness would also be an option.  Most of the inshore species can be caught like this. Lures are used since and almost all pangas do not have live wells.  For lures, dark colors work better during the rainy season when the water is clear, while lighter colors are more effective during the dry season when the water is colder and darker due to upwelling that occurs during that time of year.  The most common lures used in the waters of Pedasi are: Rapala Magnum’s # 11 thru 18, natural cedar plugs 4 and 6 inch, tuna clones (feather or plastic), jet heads, 9 inch plastic squid squirts, yo zuri bonita. If you are fishing on a boat that has a live well, green jacks are the bait of choice and are caught easily with sabiki rigs. For inshore trolling, it’s recommended to use 30 lbs trolling equipment

For Offshore Trolling you can find great action ten miles off the coast of Pedasi.  You can catch black and blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dorado and tuna.  All of the above information about inshore trolling applies to offshore trolling; however, for offshore trolling it’s recommended to use 30 lb, 50lb, and 80lb trolling equipment.

What Can You Catch?

A list compiled by Amado Cano of the Achotines Laboratory of game fish species that inhabit the Pacific Coast of Panama, recognized by the International Gamefish Association (IGFA).

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