Fishing the Hannibal Bank
At a Glance
Go big or go home. The Hannibal Bank is known by saltwater anglers around the world for its prolific black and blue marlin bite and jaw-dropping yellowfin tuna action. Located 50 miles of the coast of the Chiriqui Region in Western Panama, the Hannibal Bank rises from several thousand feet of water to within 120 ft of the surface and provides the perfect habitat for bait fish and game fish alike. Spend your week big game fishing for black and blue marlin, sailfish, dorado, and schools of giant yellow-fin tuna as you enjoy all inclusive accommodations at one of Panama’s top fishing lodges.
Destinations: Panama City & Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama
Duration: 6-9 days
Package Details
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Day One
Fly into Panama City, Panama where you will be met inside, taken to the VIP Lounge while we get you through customs and immigration, and then to your waiting private transfer. You’ll be taken to your hotel in downtown Panama City, which we will hand pick for you. Enjoy a great international food scene, casinos, and nightlife in the capital city as you officially set your brain to vacation mode.
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Day Two
After breakfast we will pick you up and take you to the Albrook Airport for your domestic flight to Panama’s second largest city, David, located in Western Panama. The Gulf of Chiriqui is home to Panama’s best inshore and offshore fishing so this is where you will find most of Panama’s best fishing lodges. Here we will customize your package to hand pick the best fit for your group: our top ranked luxury island fishing lodge, our affordable land-based fishing lodge, or even our 70′ mothership that anchors just a few miles from the fishing grounds. All of these options will give you access to fish the famed Hannibal Bank, we will simply hand-pick the right fit based on your group dynamics and budget.
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Day Three
Let’s go fishing! Your fishing day will start early (6 AM) as you’ll run out to the famous Hannibal Bank. Located 50 miles from the coast, this incredible underwater topography creates the perfect environment for world class marlin and tuna fishing. Named after the US Navy ship that discovered it in 1914, the USS Hannibal, this seamount rises from several thousand feet to within 120 feet of the surface. Warm clear water, a natural upwelling of nutrient rich currents, and structure for baitfish make this a dream marlin fishing location. Both blue and black marlin are caught year round here, many in the 400-500 lb range, though granders are raised every year as well. Some days they’ll hit on plastics and squids, but if you want a shot at a trophy marlin slow trolling live bonito is the tried and true method for lots of action.
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Day Four
Let’s go fishing! Head back out to the Hannibal Bank for another day of deep sea fishing. Panama is as famous for its marlin fishing as it is the yellow-fin tuna fishing, so when in season you can catch boatloads of 30-80 lb tuna on light tackle spinning gear or 200-300 lb “cows” on bigger 50#-80# tackle if you are up for the challenge!
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Day Five
Let’s go fishing! Head back out to the Hannibal Bank for one last day of big game fishing. Depending on the day and the conditions you can troll live bait like bonito, dead bait like ballyhoo, or their custom made lures in hopes of raising a trophy billfish or a nice dorado for dinner. On the way out to the offshore grounds or on your way back in you can also spend a few hours inshore fishing around the 200+ islands in the Gulf of Chiriqui for roosterfish, cubera snapper, and more than twenty other species.
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Day Six
Early in the morning we will take you back to David for a one hour flight back to Panama City. Upon arrival at the Albrook Airport you will be met and taken to the PTY Airport for your international flight home. If your international flight times don’t match up well we can certainly have you spend one final night in Panama City as well.
Package Highlights:
- VIP Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival into the PTY Airport
- Private air-conditioned transfers with English speaking driver.
- First night accommodations in the modern capital city of Panama City at 4-star hotel (we’ll hand pick the best fit for you)
- Domestic flights between Panama City and David (50 mins)
- Your choice of an economical ocean-front hotel, our top land-based fishing lodge, our 70′ mothership, or our #1 ranked island lodge (we’ll hand pick the best fit for you)
- Private fishing charters with experienced, local captains. Our crews have been fishing here for over a decade.
- Private offshore fishing charters on our 28′-33′ center consoles. Boat is 100% yours.
- All bait, tackle, gas, lunch and drinks (beer/water/soda) are included
- All Panama taxes
- Free quotes on travel insurance
- 24/7 support once you are here in country
Blue Marlin
Wahoo
Jacks
Sailfish
Roosterfish
Mackerel
Dorado
Grouper
Amberjack
Yellowfin Tuna
Snapper
Why Fish With CAF?
Media & Press
All fishing vacations booked with Central America Fishing include the following:
- Free Vacation Planning (no fees + direct rates)
- VIP Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival into SJO
- Private, air-conditioned transfers with English speaking driver.
- Luxury, private accommodations hand-picked and customized for your group. Choose between private condos & villas, luxury beach resorts, exclusive boutique hotels, and fishing lodges.
- Private fishing charters
- All eco / adventure tours you’d like to include
- All Costa Rican taxes
- Free quotes on travel insurance
- Pre-arrival assistance with dinner reservations, tee times, pre-stocking your condo or villa, hiring a private chef, and special requests.
- 24/7 support once you are here in country
Most Popular Fishing Packages
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Most Targeted Species
