Signature Experiences
Peacock bass on Gatún Lake
01The lake
Gatún Lake was built to run the Panama Canal. When the dam closed in 1913 it became the largest artificial lake in the world, and ships still cross 33 kilometers of it on every transit.
Peacock bass arrived later. In 1969 a few dozen were brought from Colombia to a pond for sport fishing; some escaped, and by the early 1970s they had made the lake their own.
Today the drowned forest along its shores holds one of the finest light-tackle days you can have in Panama.
8
Medals won by Keishmer Hermoso at the Pan American Games of Sport Fishing, according to the International Game Fish Association.
02Your captain
Keishmer started fishing as a boy, following his father after trout in mountain streams. Peacock bass came later, along with black marlin, cubera snapper and roosterfish on the open water.
Today he is the IGFA Representative for Central America and the Caribbean, sits on the board of the Pan American Sport Fishing Federation, where he helps organize tournaments across the Americas, and works for sport-fishing regulation and conservation in Panama.
International Game Fish Association (IGFA) · Representative for Central America and the Caribbean since 2024.
Pan American Sport Fishing Federation · Board member since 2019.
Guy Harvey · Ambassador since 2020.
Pan American Games of Sport Fishing · Eight-time medalist.
03Two ways onto the water
A private day of peacock bass fishing with Keishmer, among the drowned trees and winding arms of Gatún Lake. For couples, families or groups of up to six, in fishing boats for two, four or six, depending on the group.
Everything the day includes is listed below.
Lessons and fishing on the lake, designed for two so the teaching stays personal.
Includes tackle, snacks, meals, soft drinks, a T-shirt and a cap. For more than two, ask us.
04The day
An example of how the day runs. Times are indicative and confirmed with you beforehand.
Private transfer from Panama City to Gamboa, forty minutes by road.
Keishmer meets you at the dock, and the boat heads out onto Gatún Lake.
Fishing and cruising with Keishmer, at the pace you set. Snacks, a meal and soft drinks on board.
Private transfer back to your hotel, forty minutes by road.
05Included in the day
Private transfer From your hotel to Gamboa and back.
Keishmer Hermoso Your captain and guide for the whole day.
The boat A fishing boat with digital navigation, for two, four or six, depending on the group.
Fishing tackle For everyone on board.
Snacks and a meal Served on board.
Soft drinks Throughout the day.
Life jackets A life jacket for everyone on board.
06In the lake
Gatún Lake is known for its peacock bass. Tarpon and snook, which also live in the sea, share the water with them.
Cichla
Known in Panama as Sargento and in Brazil as Tucunaré. The dark spot ringed in gold on its tail gives it its name. It hunts among the drowned trees and strikes hard. This is the fish the day is built around.
Megalops atlanticus
It can grow to 2.5 meters. It rises to gulp air at the surface, which gives away where it is, and once hooked it leaps clear of the water.
Centropomus
Recognizable by the dark line along its side. The common snook can reach 1.4 meters and moves between salt water and fresh.
Tell us the dates and the shape of the trip. We quote NET for agencies and tailor-made for direct inquiries — the same program either way.
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