Inshore Fishing in Panama City, Panama: Skyline Views, Hard-Fighting Fish, and Killer Ceviche

If you're chasing that perfect mix of big-city vibes and world-class saltwater fishing, let me tell you—Panama City, Panama delivers in a way that's hard to beat. I recently headed down to Panama for a vacation with the family and a few of us decided to fish the saltwater right outside Panama City with the outstanding team at Blue Lobster Fishing. Here is the instagram link for Blue Lobster. These guys are pros through and through—knowledgeable, friendly, and dialed in on every spot. They made the whole trip smooth, fun, and incredibly productive. Highly recommend booking with them if you're planning a Panama adventure (check them out on FishingBooker or their site for trips). We launched close to the action and were immediately treated to one of the coolest backdrops in fishing: The glittering Panama City skyline rising sharp against the horizon, with massive ships gliding in and out of the Panama Canal entrance nearby. Casting lures while skyscrapers loom in the distance and freighters cruise past? It's surreal—like urban fishing on steroids. The energy of the city meets the raw power of the Pacific, and it's something every angler should experience.

The Panama City Skyline is a beautiful backdrop for fishing!

We started with live shrimp rigged up, dropping them down for rose spotted snapper. These guys hit hard and put up a scrappy fight—perfect eating size and delicious. My son, Thomas got us started with a beautiful sanpper.

My son Thomas with the first and biggest fish of the day!

When the Snapper action slowed down, we switched to casting lures, and that's when the real fun began. Big schools of Jack Crevalle and Skipjack tuna were crashing the surface, and they absolutely demolished topwater plugs and jigs. These fish are built for speed and power—long runs, fun fights, and that classic jack shoulder-slamming energy. Nothing beats the thrill of watching a big jack explode on your lure with the city skyline as your witness.

Jack Crevelle on topwater and Probraid Blue 65 Pound Braid!

Skipjacks on sub surface lures and Probraid W40 Blue 65# line.

Through it all, one piece of gear stood out and earned MVP status: the new ProBraid "W40" in that striking blue color, spooled up at 65# test. I brought a reel spooled up this it, and it performed like a champ.

Super smooth casting, zero stretch for instant hooksets, incredible abrasion resistance against structure and sharp teeth, and that tight weave held up to every blistering run without a hitch. Whether we were dropping shrimp or bombing casts for jacks, the Probraid W40 performed flawlessly—no wind knots, no fading, just pure reliability. If you're serious about saltwater, this braid is worth every penny—check out Pro Braid's site for the full scoop on the W40 series.

Probraid "W40" Blue 65# test was the perfect choice for this trip!

After a solid day on the water, we headed back with a cooler of fresh Rose Spotted Snapper.

That night, we got all the ingredients at the local market for Elaines secret ceviche recipie and turned the fillets into some of the best ceviche I've ever had—super fresh, zesty with lime, onions, cilantro, and a little heat. Paired it with crispy plantain chips, it was the perfect appetizer. If i can ever get the recipe I'll share it on the blog.

Fresh Ceviche, Plantine chips and Panama Light beer!

Talk about the perfect end to an epic day—fresh catch to table, and memories that will last. Panama City, Panama isn't just about offshore giants; the inshore scene right in front of the skyline is great fishing and accessible. Whether you're after snapper for the grill, jacks for the adrenaline, or just soaking in the views, this spot has it all. Big thanks to the Blue Lobster crew for showing me the ropes—you guys rock! If you've fished Panama City or have questions about gear like the ProBraid W40, drop a comment below. Tight lines, and get out there!