BARRED SNAPPER

Barred Snapper most commonly come on board after biting a small rapalla countdown.

 Catch Barred Snapper while  jigging also.

Barred Snapper always put a smile on an anglers face.

They are a common catch while fishing for mixed bag.

   Enjoy catching, holding and releasing so many different kinds of fish.

There’s no place better to fish than here.

Near shore over rocky bottom there can be lots of them. Of course we let them go free almost always. All snappers are good to eat.

Barred Snapper in Panama: Striped Sluggers of the Shallows

Barred Snapper (Hoplopagrus guentherii), with bold black bars on red flanks, are tough inshore fighters reaching 3 feet and 50 lbs. Native to Panama’s Pacific coasts, they’re a bottom-fishing delight around Isla Coiba—perfect for ceviche with their flaky white meat.

Migration, Territory, and Habits

• Pelagic Migration: Short coastal shifts (5-50 miles); deeper in dry season (December-April), shallower in rainy (May-November).
• Territory: Adults defend 50-200 yard rocky zones; juveniles school lightly.
• Breeding: Peaks May-September in 20-60 foot depths; eggs drift to estuaries.
• Water Temp and Depths: Best 72-84°F (optimal 75-82°F); from 6 feet shallow to 200 feet, often 20-100 feet.

Diet and Habitat

These ambush predators rule over rocky bottoms in Coiba’s near-coastal waters, blending in with their bars for stealthy hunts. They feast on small schooling fish like Pacific anchovies (tiny 3-6 inch bait that clusters near rocks) and white mullet juveniles (4-8 inches, grazing sandy patches). Other favorites include Pacific sardines or threadfin herring (4-10 inches) that get pushed by tides. For crustaceans, they crush penaeid shrimp (3-6 inch white or brown varieties burrowed in sand-rock mixes), rock crabs like Sally Lightfoots (2-4 inches scuttling intertidal zones), and swimming crabs (4-8 inches hiding in crevices). Squid (4-12 inches) add variety, darted from the water column. This diverse menu from Coiba’s nutrient-rich reefs fuels their growth and power—river outflows stir up these prey, making hotspots even hotter.

Fishing Tips for Panama Anglers

• Techniques: Bottom rigs with shrimp or jigs mimic their crustacean prey—they thump hard and bulldog down, fights lasting 10-20 minutes. For pure fun, nothing beats trolling shallow waters (10-30 feet) with a Rapala CD-7 or Gotcha on ultra-light tackle—the rod dances as they smash it, imitating small fish like anchovies or mullet for light-tackle thrills without heavy gear.
• Hotspots: Coiba’s rocky shores or Hannibal shallows in 20-80 feet; medium tackle (30-50 lb) for bigger ones.
• Why Chase Them?: Solid action and tasty eats—grill or ceviche the firm fillets. Release trophies per Coiba regs to keep populations strong.

Barred Snapper bring coastal thrills to Panama—book a trip and bag your striped prize!

Contact Coiba Adventure marlinpanama.com for saltwater fishing guides.