Full disclosure, this is the 3rd time I’ve chartered this exact fishing trip with Panama Gem Charters.  I enjoy it because each time we go out, it feels like a different experience, new adventure, and we always have a great time.

Honestly, if you’re looking for a great trip with a very personalized experience (between fishing, snorkeling the best places, and just enjoying being out on the water), I HIGHLY recommend this charter.  If you want to fish the entire time, they got you.  If you want to fish and swim (like us), they got you. 
Miguel is extremely knowledgable and I feel like I’m on a guided tour with him.  He’s awesome!  Tibu was a great addition on our 3rd trip helping us fish. Just a super cool guy.

Details on the 3 trips:

The first time was 10hrs to Las Perlas, we caught a few Spanish Mackerels and a Blackfin tuna.  Not only that, we saw whales, turtles, sting rays, trumpet fish, etc… It’s like we hit the jackpot on this trip.  Did a little swimming and snorkeling at crystal clear water beaches.  Grilled some meats for lunch.  We brought our dog on this trip too (so yes, dog and kid friendly)!

The second time was 8hrs to Las Perlas, caught more Spanish Mackerel.  Miguel was gracious enough to make ceviche for us with the fresh catch.  Not sure if it was because we caught it ourselves OR it was super fresh but it was the BEST ceviche.  We visited some more beautiful beaches (different ones) and saw some playful dolphins along the boat. 

The third time was 8hrs to Las Perlas, Miguel (our captain) was accompanied by Tibu.  This was the choppiest the waters had been but that only made for a more exciting time.  We didn’t have as much luck on the fishing front but we caught a beautiful mackerel (see pic) and tiny grouper (lucky guy was released).  The guys cleaned the fish for us and we had it for lunch.  It was delicious!  More snorkeling (different beaches yet again!).  We even had the luck of coming upon a sea turtle.  Amazing!

Captain Miguel is without a doubt a master of his craft and the best Captain we could have asked for on our half day fishing trip. He took us out bright and early, 6 am, just in time to see a beautiful sunrise over the Bay’s waters on our way several miles out for some early morning blue water trolling.

Even though it was towards the end of the season, he had no reservations over us choosing trolling over the safer pick of shallow water jigging near Taboga Island. We trolled along an underwater structure near an underwater shelf for most of the morning. The result was several hours of exciting fishing pulling in a few picture worthy Spanish Mackerel and a Black Fin Tuna.

Once the fishing had slowed down he took us on a picturesque tour around Taboga Island on our way into the docks. Once there, he dropped us off for a small excursion around the city while he prepped our fish himself. Upon returning to the boat we were greeted with bags of fresh fish fillets and the freshest, tastiest Ceviche either of us had ever tasted. There’s nothing better than Ceviche made out of a fish you caught 30 minutes prior.

Miguel took care of everything and our amateurish nature of ocean fishing was never a problem. He had a knack for finding the good areas and made the whole experience extremely fun and memorable.

We ended up catching more fish than a tourist to the area would know what to do with and his good nature showed through more when he would take those fish we wouldn’t use and donate them to workers on the docks and piers.

100% recommend Miguel and Panama GEM Charters - 27’ Proline to anybody looking to do some fishing in the Panama City area and we will be looking his way if/when we make our way back down there for a longer fishing adventure.!!

Cheers!! #TightLines

Captain Miguel and Jorge were great! They were very personable, patient and got us on the fish. Highly recommend!

With only one day available for fishing from Panama City, I put my bet on GEM, Capt. Mike and deck hand José, heading for Las Perlas.

8 dorados and 1 jack crevale later, my conclusion is; excellent guiding, fishing, gaffing and company.

I’d do it again!

Guys were the best dudes around. Would have them take me out anytime. Super polite, knew what they were doing, etc. No lunch, no bites, sunburnt.