Pearl Islands Offshore Fishing Extravaganza

Published Date: September 15, 2025
Fishing

Panama City
$890 - $2,580 price range

Summary

Ready for an action-packed day on the water? This full-day fishing trip from Panama City takes you to the beautiful Pearl Islands, about an hour and 20 minutes away. Once there, you've got options - troll for big game like Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Sailfish, or try bottom fishing for Grouper and Snapper. The crew provides gear and knows the best spots. After reeling in some fish, you'll get to chill on the beach at one of the islands. Take a swim, soak up some sun, and enjoy the scenery. With room for up to 10 people, it's great for groups or families. Whether you're an experienced angler or just getting started, the guides can tailor the trip to your skill level. You'll get a mix of offshore, nearshore and reef fishing, so there's a good chance of hooking something exciting. It's a full day out on the water with plenty of fishing action and some island relaxation thrown in.

Pearl Islands Offshore Fishing Extravaganza

Reels and Beaches

A group of 6 little tunny and dogtooth tuna fish caught in Panama

Offshore day in Panama City

Hooked up just off the coast!

Photograph of a greater amberjack fish caught while fishing in Panama City

Offshore action in Panama waters

Sunrise fishing in Panama City

Full Day Fishing Adventure in Panama City

Get ready for an action-packed day of fishing in the beautiful waters off Panama City! We're heading out to the northern Pearl Islands, where the big game fish are waiting. Whether you're looking to battle a mighty sailfish or reel in some tasty mahi mahi for dinner, this trip has it all. Plus, we'll cap off the day with some beach time on a pristine island. It's the perfect mix of fishing and relaxation, and I can't wait to show you the ropes!

Trip Overview

We'll kick things off with a scenic 1-hour and 20-minute boat ride out to the Pearl Islands. These islands are a real gem (pun intended), and the waters around them are teeming with fish. Once we arrive, it's up to you how you want to fish. Feel like trolling for the big pelagics? We'll set out the spread and see what bites. More interested in bottom fishing? We'll drop some jigs or live bait and try our luck with grouper and snapper. The best part is, we can mix it up throughout the day. After we've had our fill of fishing, we'll head to one of the nearby islands - maybe Contadora, Pacheca, or Bartolomé - for some beach time and a refreshing swim. It's the perfect way to wind down after a day on the water.

What to Expect on the Water

This trip is all about variety. We'll be rigged up for everything from inshore to offshore fishing, so we can chase whatever's biting. For the trolling, we'll typically run a spread of 4-6 lines with a mix of lures and maybe a teaser or two. If the mahi mahi are around, we might switch to pitching baits when we spot a school. For bottom fishing, we'll use heavy jigs or drop live bait, depending on what's working that day. The currents can be strong out here, so be ready for a workout! Don't worry if you're new to this kind of fishing - the crew and I will walk you through everything. And remember, the Pearl Islands are known for their crystal-clear water, so keep an eye out for dolphins, rays, and even whales as we cruise around.

Customer Stories

"The crew was experienced, and the boat was exceptionally clean and well-equipped. Captain Danielo knew exactly where to find the fish, taking us straight to the action. We even took some time to swim and relax on a beautiful beach while the crew prepared one of the tunas and Spanish mackerels we caught — a fantastic experience all around!" - Charles

Species You'll Want to Hook

Mahi Mahi (Dorado): These are the acrobats of the ocean, known for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked. They're fast-growing and can reach up to 50 pounds in our waters. Mahi mahi love to hang around floating debris, so we'll keep an eye out for logs or seaweed patches. They're also known for their beautiful colors - electric blues and greens that fade quickly after they're caught. The best part? They're delicious eating, so if you land one, you're in for a treat.

Indo-Pacific Sailfish: The sailfish is the prize catch for many anglers, and for good reason. They're one of the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of speeds up to 68 mph. When we're trolling for sails, we'll often use circle hooks to make sure we can safely release these beauties. The "bite" usually starts with the sailfish knocking the bait with its bill, so be ready! They typically range from 6 to 8 feet long here, and the fights can last anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour.

Wahoo: If you're looking for speed, wahoo is your fish. These streamlined predators can hit lures at over 60 mph, creating some of the most exciting strikes you'll ever experience. They're typically solitary or found in small groups, so when we hook one, it's cause for celebration. Wahoo flesh is white and delicious, often compared to albacore tuna. They average 30-40 pounds in our waters, but 100-pounders aren't unheard of.

Crevalle Jack: Don't let anyone tell you jacks are just a "trash fish." These bruisers will test your stamina like few other species. They school up in large numbers and when we find them, it's non-stop action. Crevalle jacks typically range from 10 to 30 pounds, but they punch well above their weight class when it comes to fighting power. They're not great eating, so we usually release them, but the battle is worth it.

Cubera Snapper: These are the kings of the reef, and they fight dirty. Cuberas love to dive for cover as soon as they're hooked, so you need to be quick on the drag. They can grow over 100 pounds, but even a 20-pounder will give you a run for your money. We typically target them with live bait near rocky structures or drop-offs. The meat is firm and white, excellent for ceviche or grilled whole.

Time to Book Your Spot

Alright, folks, let's recap what you're in for: a full day of world-class fishing in the stunning Pearl Islands, with a chance to tangle with everything from high-flying mahi mahi to hard-fighting cubera snapper. We'll mix up the techniques to keep things interesting, and cap it all off with some beach time on a beautiful tropical island. With room for up to 10 anglers, it's perfect for a group of friends or a family outing. Just remember to bring your sunscreen and a good attitude - we'll take care of the rest. The fish are biting, and the water's calling. What are you waiting for? Let's get you booked and out on the water!

Customer Review

Fish Feast Adventure

The crew was experienced, and the boat was exceptionally clean and well-equipped. Captain Danielo knew exactly where to find the fish, taking us straight to the action. We even took some time to swim and relax on a beautiful beach while the crew prepared one of the tunas and Spanish mackerels we caught — a fantastic experience all around!

Charles G

January 2, 2025

Learn more about the species

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle jacks are bruisers - pound for pound, some of the hardest fighting fish out there. They typically run 5-15 pounds but can get up to 50. You'll find them both inshore and offshore, often around structure or busting bait schools on the surface. Look for diving birds - that's a dead giveaway. Jacks are around year-round but really fire up in summer. They're not known for great eating, but man, do they pull. Surface lures, jigs, or live bait all work well. Here's a tip: when you see a school feeding, cast just beyond them and retrieve fast. These guys love a chase. Be ready when you hook up - they'll try to wrap you around anything they can find.

Cubera Snapper

Cubera snapper are the bulldogs of the reef. These hefty fish average 30-40 pounds but can top 100. You'll find them hanging around rocky structures and deep reefs, typically in 60-150 feet of water. They're most active at night, so that's prime time to target them. Cuberas put up a stubborn fight, using their bulk to dive for cover. Live bait is your best bet - big blue runners or small jacks work well. Here's the trick: when you feel the bite, give them a few seconds to really eat it before setting the hook. Then, you've got to muscle them up quick before they cut you off on the rocks. The meat is firm and tasty, great for grilling. Just be careful of ciguatera in larger fish.

Indo-Pacific Sailfish

Sailfish are the showstoppers of our offshore trips. They're big, averaging 6-8 feet long, and boy can they put up a fight. We usually find them in the open ocean, often following bait schools near the surface. Spring and fall are prime sailfish seasons here, but you can catch them year-round. Anglers love 'em for the spectacular aerial displays - these fish can leap 10 feet out of the water. We typically troll with ballyhoo or mullet, but live bait works great too. Here's a pro tip: when you see one in the spread, drop back the bait and let it eat. Sailfish have soft mouths, so patience is key when setting the hook. Most folks release sailfish, but if you do keep one, the meat's pretty good eating.

Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish

Mahi Mahi are a blast to catch and great eating too. These colorful fish average 15-30 pounds but can get up to 60. Look for them near floating debris or weed lines in open water. They're fast swimmers and hard fighters, known for aerial acrobatics when hooked. Peak season here is May to October when the water warms up. Mahi travel in schools, so if you hook one, keep it in the water to attract others. They'll hit just about any lure that mimics baitfish - I like using cedar plugs or skirted lures. The meat is mild and flaky, perfect for grilling or fish tacos. Just remember, their colors fade fast after catching, so snap a photo quick if you want to capture that electric blue and gold.

Wahoo Fish

Wahoo are the speed demons of the ocean. These sleek, torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and put up one heck of a fight. They average 30-40 pounds but can top 100. We find them in open water, often near drop-offs or underwater structures. Wahoo fishing heats up here from July to November. Trolling fast is the ticket - we'll run lures at 12-15 knots to trigger strikes. Wire leaders are a must; their teeth will slice through mono like butter. Wahoo meat is excellent, with a mild flavor similar to mackerel. If you're after a trophy fish with great table fare, wahoo's hard to beat. My go-to lure is a purple/black Ilander with a ballyhoo - seems to drive 'em crazy.

About the Make it Happen 37'

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 10

Manufacturer Name: Cox

Maximum Cruising Speed: 35

Number of Engines: 2

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Ready for an awesome day on the water? Join us for a full-day fishing trip out of Panama City that'll take you to the gorgeous Pearl Islands. We'll cruise for about an hour and twenty minutes to reach prime fishing grounds where you can try your luck at landing some big game fish. Troll for tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, and sailfish, or use jigs and live bait to go after grouper, snapper, and amberjack hanging out near the bottom. The best part? You get to choose how you want to fish. After reeling in some beauties, we'll hit up the picture-perfect beaches of Contadora, Pacheca, or Bartolomé so you can cool off with a swim and chill out on the sand. Whether you're a seasoned angler or totally new to fishing, this trip has something for everyone with options for inshore, nearshore, offshore, and reef fishing all in one day. Get ready for an action-packed adventure with plenty of time to kick back in paradise too!