There’s nothing better than feasting on fish you caught by yourself! Sofimar Charters will do their best to put you on fish and help you have the best meal of your life! With Captain Melvin Arrocha Pimentel at the helm, you can be sure your day on the water will be an adventure you’ll never forget.

Join Captain Melvin on his 25’ custom-built skiff, docked at the Diablo boat ramp, right at the entrance to Panama Bay. This vessel accommodates up to 4 guests and has all necessary navigational electronics and safety equipment. Children of all ages are welcome but for the Otoque Island Tour, they have to be at least 14 years old.

There’s plenty of locations to choose from, with all of them being both great fishing spots and sightseeing places. The captain can take you to Otoque, Taboga, Taboguilla, and Uraba Island, depending on what you want to catch and how much time you have. You’ll target Mahi Mahi, Mackerel, Tarpon, Roosterfish, Snapper, and many more.

Use the opportunity to experience these beautiful, turquoise waters first hand – by snorkeling! Simply request snorkeling equipment in advance and the captain will prepare it for your trip. Your fishing equipment is also included in the price and with it also come lures, baits, and snacks. After the trip, the captain will clean and fillet your catch free of charge.

Sofimar Charters welcome you regardless of your fishing experience. Don’t hesitate to book a trip with Captain Melvin, even if you’ve never held a rod before. He’ll make sure you have a great time, learn something new and have your first catch.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Special Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $350
    Fishing Tour to ML Buoy. You'll target Mahi Mahi, Bonito, Tuna, Snapper, and many more using various techniques. Kids all ages are welcome and no previous fishing experience is required. Before the trip starts, verification of identification is required.
  • Private trip
    Jigging Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jan 1 - Apr 30
    US $425
    Bring all your jig tackle box and run up to 10 miles offshore to hit the sweet spots. You'll be targeting a variety of Snapper species, including Mutton, Rock, Mullet and Spotted Snapper, as well as Grouper, and Sea Bass. Before the trip starts, verification of identification is required.
  • Private trip
    Bay Tour
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $500
    Fishing around the Panama Canal Buoys. You'll go up to 14 miles offshore. Whale watching is an option and is only between July-November. The captain will provide your fishing equipment, snacks, and drinks. Contact in advance if you want to go snorkeling. Before the trip starts, verification of identification is required.
  • Private trip
    Island Tour
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 6:40 AM
    US $575
    Tour around the Bay Islands of Taboga-Uraba-Taboguilla-Chama. The captain will cover your fishing equipment, snacks, and drinks. Departure times are flexible. You'll target Mahi Mahi, Snapper, Bonito, Barracuda, and False Albacore. Before the trip starts, verification of identification is required.
  • Private trip
    Otoque Island Tour
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Dec 1
    US $750
    You'll be fishing around Otoque - Bona - Estiba. You'll mainly use trolling, bottom fishing, and casting. Your main targets are Mahi Mahi, False Albacore, Bonito, Snapper, and Barracuda. If you would like to go snorkeling, just request it in advance. Before the trip starts, verification of identification is required.
  • Private trip
    Torrent Tour
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Dec 1
    US $925
    Fishing around Panama Bay Torrents. You'll try out different fishing techniques, such as trolling, casting, popping, jigging, and more. You'll target Snapper, Barracuda, Sierra, Mahi Mahi, Bonito, False Albacore, Sailfish, Wahoo, and Yellowfin Tuna. Your fishing equipment is covered by the captain. Before the trip starts, verification of identification is required.
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FAQs about Sofimar Charters

Sofimar Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $350 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Special Trip (4 hours)
  • US $425 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Jigging Trip (5 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Bay Tour (6 hours)
  • US $575 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Island Tour (7 hours)
  • US $750 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Otoque Island Tour (8 hours)
  • US $925 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Torrent Tour (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Sofimar Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Snorkeling Equipment Request in advance
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Sofimar Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Penn and Shimano)
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Snacks (Doritos)
  • Drinks (Water, soda, beer)
  • First Mate (Tips are appreciated)
  • Fishing License

Sofimar Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (mackerels / Jacks / Snappers / Bonitos)
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing

Sofimar Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing (Jigg / Live Shrimps / Squids )
  • Trolling (From Rapala till Fishing Skirts)
  • Spinning (We love to take you in front of the action)
  • Jigging
  • Popping (This is our Brand - Topwaterexplotion)
  • Drift Fishing (Lot of action if we find that Drift Line)
  • Handline (Just like the old times)

Top targeted fish species with Sofimar Charters include:
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Broomtail)
  • Little Tunny (False Albacore)
  • Roosterfish
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Cubera)
  • Snapper (Lane)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snapper (Mutton)
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Tarpon

Meet the Captain

Melvin Arrocha Pimentel
Panama City, Panamá
7 Fishing Reports
11 Customer reviews
Response time 19 hours
Member since July 2019
"I'm a professional angler that knows all about casting fishing and all species that you can catch on the topwater game." Captain Melvin fishes Tarpon with lures and says that not many captains do that in this area. It took him 2 years to learn how to fish this species. He speaks English and Spanish. His favorite part of his job is when customers tell him they got a fish for the first time.

About this listing

Targeted species

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Grouper (Broomtail) Broomtail Grouper
Little Tunny (False Albacore) Little Tunny (False Albacore)
Roosterfish Roosterfish

Boat specs

Custom built (Skiff) originally built in 2014. Powered by a 60HP Yamaha Enduro engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 20 knots.

Length
25 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
mackerels / Jacks / Snappers / Bonitos
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Jigg / Live Shrimps / Squids
Trolling
From Rapala till Fishing Skirts
Spinning
We love to take you in front of the action
Jigging
Popping
This is our Brand - Topwaterexplotion
Drift Fishing
Lot of action if we find that Drift Line
Handline
Just like the old times

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Snorkeling Equipment
Request in advance
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Penn and Shimano
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Snacks
Doritos
Drinks
Water, soda, beer
First Mate
Tips are appreciated
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
All ages welcome
No Smoking
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
PayPal

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 11 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (22)
Great day!
Amazing experience
Great trip
+19
Angler rating
11
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 11 reviews
Jeffrey S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day!

VERIFIED   Bay Tour on February 1, 2024
Slow biting day, but we were Infish all day caught 2 albacore tuna!
Jeffrey S. recommends Sofimar Charters
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Jeffrey S. recommends Sofimar Charters
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Jason W.
Suwanee, GA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Mel is the BOMB!

VERIFIED   Special Trip on September 24, 2022
Captain Mel goes above and beyond to make sure his charter clients are comfortable, have a great time, and most importantly,...
Jason W. recommends Sofimar Charters
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Jason W. recommends Sofimar Charters
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David S.
Houston, TX
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall
My Fiancé and I had a very special day with Capt. Melvin (CM). The day started out with threatening sky’s that turned black...
David S. recommends Sofimar Charters
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  Melvin Arrocha Pimentel Captain replied

Even L.
Cliffside Park, NJ
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Bay tour fishing with captain Melvin

VERIFIED   Bay Tour on August 7, 2022
Had a wonderful day at sea with Captain Melvin and his friend. We went early I. The morning and fished until late in the afternoon....
Even L. recommends Sofimar Charters
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  Melvin Arrocha Pimentel Captain replied

David P.
Cocoa, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED   Special Trip on January 31, 2023
What great day! If fishing from out of panga is your thing this is the charter for you. Knowledgeable captain and crew, service...
David P. recommends Sofimar Charters
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David P. recommends Sofimar Charters
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