TARPON

Tarpon are world-famous for their size, power, and acrobatic leaps, and they are one of the most iconic gamefish in the Americas. The Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) naturally occupies the western Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico, but for decades these fish have moved freely through the Panama Canal. As a result, tarpon have been caught on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Panama, occasionally inside the canal system itself, and even as far south as northern Peru in recent years.

Tarpon regularly reach lengths of four to eight feet and can exceed two hundred pounds. Their bright silver scales, oversized eyes, and large, jutting lower jaw give them a distinctive appearance. One of their most remarkable traits is their ability to breathe air using a modified swim bladder, which allows them to survive in low-oxygen waters where few other large predators can live. Because of this, tarpon commonly enter rivers, lagoons, marshes, and backwater areas, and their slow rolling at the surface is a clear sign of their presence.

Their wide range and ability to tolerate saltwater, brackish water, and freshwater make them one of the most adaptable species in the tropics. Studies have confirmed tarpon migrations through the Panama Canal for more than seventy years, with both juveniles and giant adults recorded on either side. They prefer warm water and tend to become inactive in colder temperatures, which limits how far they can travel north or south.

Despite their strength and size, tarpon are not valued as food, so most are released. They remain one of the most thrilling gamefish an angler can encounter, known for long runs, spectacular jumps, and unforgettable fights.

JACK CREVALLE

The jack crevalle is one of the toughest and most aggressive gamefish found around the Panama Canal and its connected waterways. Although naturally a saltwater species, jacks regularly push into brackish zones and sometimes make their way into the canal system and lower areas of Gatun Lake. They are built for pure power, with a deep body, fast acceleration, and a reputation for long, punishing runs. Jacks often patrol reefs, river mouths, bays, and other dynamic environments where baitfish gather, and they feed on anything they can chase down. Large individuals can grow over a meter in length and exceed thirty kilograms, though most encountered by anglers are smaller.

Despite not being prized as table fare, the jack crevalle is respected everywhere for its fight. It is one of the strongest pound-for-pound species in the region and provides an explosive challenge for any angler who hooks one.