Area Attractions in Coiba National Park
Fishing Coiba's Abundant Waters
Fishing Panama’s Coiba Island and nearby Hannibal bank is a fisherman’s nirvana. Large populations and wide variety of fish make fishing the reefs and banks in and near Coiba National Park a year round activity. From hard hitting cubera snapper and rooster fish inshore to frequent and potentially enormous black marlin and yellow fin tuna offshore, there is something for every saltwater aficionado.
Inshore Fishing
The shorelines of Coiba Island and other park islands and islets are patrolled by an enormous army of cubera snapper and roosterfish. These explosive fish provide thrilling action as they explode on top water plugs along sandy beaches and rocklines. Often, a travally or jack may attack the lures to add variety to an already exciting outing. The various mangroves and near shore fishing extend the variety of fish to include snook.
The east side of Coiba from Isla Rancheria south through Bahia Damas often offers smooth waters were large snapper, snook and jacks can be enticed by fly fishing techniques.
Offshore Fishing
Because Coiba is located just a few miles from the drop of the continental shelf, the line between inshore fishing and offshore is quickly blurred. Within sight of Isla Coiba, marlin, tuna, sailfish, wahoo and more are routinely landed.
Coiba Fishing Information | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Amberjack |
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Black Marlin |
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Blue Marlin |
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Dorado |
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Grouper |
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Rooster Fish |
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Pacific Sailfish |
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Cubera Snapper |
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Yellow Fin Tuna |
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Wahoo |
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Peak Season | Available | |||||||||||
| This chart is intended as a guideline and the information has been gathered from a variety of sources we consider reliable. Please remember there is a difference between fishing and catching and we cannot guarantee your success in catching regardless of the information we provide! | ||||||||||||
Just a few miles further west, a monstrous cliff soars from thousands of feet below the ocean surface to plateau within 120 feet to create the famed Hannibal Bank. This edge between ocean environments offers one the most productive oceanic fish habitats in the world. Marlin exceeding 1000 pounds and clouds of 300 pound tuna are known to lurk in the waters around Hannibal Bank.
A little further west and slightly north, Isla Montuosa rises out of the water to offer some limited protection for anchorage and another very productive fishery.
Restrictions
Within the immediate area of the park, a $50 per boat fishing permit is required and is valid for one week. To protect the resource, fishing is catch and release. Further out, around the Hannibal Bank and Isla Montuosa, fish can be kept to eat and no permit is required.