anyone shore fished the caribbean coast of Panama? Any advice?

[samfish]

hello all, I'm off to the Caribbean coast of Panama (Bocca del torro to be precise) to visit some friends who have opened a dive centre there and was woindering if anyone out there had any advice regarding tactics etc.. to get a bend in the old rod while away. Was planning to take a medium spin outfit and something a tad heavier for a bit of bait fishing - any advice greatly appreciated!

[budman]

I see this thread is old but I just did not want it to go unanswered.

I've been in Panama 2 years now and have fished extensively the Pacific and now the Caribbean side. If you're going for big game you should stay on the Pacific but if fighting a Tarpon is on your list then come to Bocas del Toro where we have some of the best Tarpon fishing around.

Sure we also get Snook, Mackerel, Wahoo and some smaller Tuna too. It's a beautiful, tropical paradise with a great boating environment. For the best Panama Tarpon fishing (http://www.watersportspanama.com)visit the Sixola river just an hour from Bocas del Toro.

I own Water Sports Panama and can create a custom trip for you to fish both the Caribbean and Pacific sides. Come on down!

[jeroen]

Hopefully I'll be in Bocas next year in October,a friend of mine moved there 1,5 years ago from Holland (name is Bram with girlfriend Lisa,works in restaurant called lemongrass I think).He sent me an email that he finally found a good place for tarpon,indeed that river you mention near Costa Rica.He bought his own boat and mainly fishes there with live bait and circle hooks and fishes around Bastimento trolling plugs.Shorefishing is apparently not too spectacular,maybe barracudas,snappers etc.Do you know if there are cuberas?
Regards,
Jeroen.