Guided Peacock Bass Fishing Trips on Lake Gatun from Arenosa
Arenosa is small village located 45 miles from Panama City on the western end of Lake Gatun. The lake is 85 feet above sea level and was created by dams built during the construction of the Panama Canal. It covers about 160 square miles and supplies over 52 million gallons of water for each ship that passes through the Panama Canal as well as potable water to the approximately 2 million people in Panama City and the surrounding areas. The land surrounding the lake and the hundreds of small islands are filled with tropical wildlife and fauna. Peacock Bass are the primary sport fish with Tarpon and Snook also found from time to time. Whether you are a fisherman or someone that just likes to get out on the water and sight see, this is a great location.
Fishing Trips
I have two pontoon boats that I rent to the local guides, to take people out when a group wants or needs something more comfortable than a bench seat in a Jon boat all day. The rated capacity of the 28 ft. pontoon boat is more, I do limit fishing parties to six people or less so they can fish off the pontoon in comfort. The second pontoon is 26 ft. and due to its layout is most well suited for two or three fishermen and I limit it to four maximum. Both boats have canopies for the sun and rain and even a stereo Radio/USB/MP3/Bluetooth systems. Fishing trips on the pontoon boats are private charters that include the boat with guide, fuel and live minnows. Minnows are the preferred bait for Peacock Bass and the guide orders those from the local boys here in Arenosa. You can bring your own tackle if you like, or we have light spinning rods and reels and tackle available at an additional cost of $5 per tackle set. For a complete listing of prices, please click on "Charter Rates" here or in the menu. If you don’t have a cooler there are also coolers on board for your use. The only other costs involved, besides food and drinks, would be for filleting fish and a tip for the guide. There are also some local guides that take people fishing in small (14 to 18 foot) aluminum Jon boats for about $100 a day, if you have your own rods, reels and tackle.
I have been fishing out at Arenosa since 1999 and found that the guides out here know the lake and know where to fish. The lake is quite scenic and even non-fisher persons always have a good time. We like people to plan on arriving around 7:00 AM or before. If you want to take your fish home with you we will skin and fillet your catch for you. Just bring some zip lock bags with you to carry the fillets home.
Over the years many of our clients have eaten at the Escondido Restaurant in Arenosa. Depending on the day the week there are are now two restaurants available to fry your catch up for you. Just let your captain know if you would like to have a late lunch at one of the restaurants.
Want to Spend a Night in Arenosa?
I routinely have people asking me about places to spend the night out near Arenosa. Well as you can imagine Arenosa is a small rural village and there is not a Hilton or even a Holiday Inn Express. However, there are a couple local options.
First off there is a waterfront lodge called PanaLake directly across the street from my place that has room options for various groups. Our guides can even pick you up and return you to their docks. I do not make reservations for them, so please contact them directly for any questions or reservations. Here are the links to their FaceBook and Instagram accounts. https://www.facebook.com/perfectpanama/ https://www.instagram.com/lakeside_arenosa/
There is also local rancher that has a small house on his finca (a working cattle ranch) that he rents out by the night. Finca La Leona is owned and operated by Julio A. Martinis G. and is about 3km up the road from Arenosa on a private road. I do not make reservations for him, so please contact Julio at Finca La Leona directly for any further information. You can see his information about booking a night at Finca La Leona by clicking below
Email: [email protected]
Telephone : 011-507-6-267-3339 Voice or WhatsApp