Panama Trophy Roosterfish at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge

Three smiling anglers holding Panama trophy roosterfish fish

Roosterfish Fishing

Panama Trophy Roosterfish at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge

The most sought after inshore species clients are looking to target here at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge is undoubtedly the exotic Panama Trophy Roosterfish. And the Gulf of Chiriquí has some excellent year round Roosterfish fishing. The areas around Isla Coiba, Isla Secas, and right in front of out island lodge here on Isla Paridas are all home to the elusive Roosterfish!

Two smiling anglers holding a Panama trophy roosterfish fish with Isla Ladrones in the background

Panama Roosterfish like rocky shoreline as well as sandy beaches to hunt their prey. They are ambush predators and will commonly hide near rocky points waiting for their prey to swim by. The smaller fish tend to hunt in packs and it is not uncommon to see them herding bait on many of the beaches here. If a concentration of bait is around inshore…chances are that a Roosterfish is close by.

Smiling lady angler holding a Panama trophy roosterfish fish with Isla Parida in the background

The best way to put a hook in a Roosterfish is with a live bait. Slow trolling live Blue Runners (Green Jacks) and/or live Bonitos near these rocky shorelines is a sure fire way to get a Rooster to eat. We also catch quite a few on poppers or stick baits that we cast near the shoreline as we slowly slow troll our live baits.

Mate and angler holding a panama roosterfish aboard the T.O.P. CAT

We practice catch and release of all Roosterfish here. Roosterfish, being part of the Jack family, are not very good to eat and also do not reproduce in great numbers. In order to insure that future generations of Panama Roosterfish are sustainable we always take a picture and then release!