Fishing in Gran Canaria

While deep sea fishing in Gran Canaria can be done all year round. On the reef all kind of differens smaller species can be caught with natural bait such as cut fish, squid or shrimp.

What is the fish of the season in Gran Canaria?

March, April and May use to be very good for Tuna Fishing. The first marlin show up towards May and hang around until October more or less. Every year is different though and depending on currents in the Atlantic Ocean, weather conditions and other factors. These are our favorite game fish in Gran Canaria.

What fish can you catch in Gran Canaria? 

Blue Marlin

Gran Canaria fishing can't be thought of without blue marlin. These powerful fish are sought after by fishermen for their size, power and their great fight. The excitement and action that is involved attracts anglers from around the world who want to meet the challenge of catching a blue marlin. The best time to fish them is from July to October.

White Marlin

The white marlin feeds on all kinds of fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. You’re most likely to use the trolling technique with artificial lures or with bait such as octopus, with the best time to try between July and November.

Amberjack

From November to January, the big amberjacks (30-50 kg) or medregal as they are called in the Canaries, go back up to the top of the trophy food pyramid. During these months, you can go fishing in Gran Canaria with live bait in optimum conditions: calmer sea and with temperatures between 23 and 25°C. For live-bait fishing, you should use a technique pattern that you have mastered to get the best results. 

Bigeye Tuna

You're most likely to hook big eye tuna by trolling with artificial lures and sometimes with natural bait. Big eye tuna and other tuna such as Albacore and Bluefin Tuna can be fished especially during the months of February, March and April.

Bocinegro

This dweller prefers subtropical Atlantic Ocean waters at low and medium depths. Adults are usually more voracious predators, deceiving jigging from boats. To catch this snapper, it is recommended to put a whole or piece of a prawn, cuttlefish or octopus on the hook.

If you're interested in fishing in Gran Canaria, you might also be interested in fishing in Barcelona, fishing in Mallorca, fishing in Marbella and fishing in Tenerife.

Whether you practice spinning, jigging, coastal trolling or bottom fishing, Gran Canaria fishing is exciting & diverse.

Big Game in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is ideal for big game fishing as, at a short distance from the coastline, there are significant depths of water and you can catch almost anything from just outside of the port. The island, next to La Gomera and Lanzarote, is known worldwide for its blue marlin fishing.

Several international big game fishing tournaments are held every year in July and August in ports like Pasito Blanco, Puerto Rico, Puerto Base and Mogan. This is when the biggest, fastest and most expensive yachts come to the island to troll off its coasts to target the granders: blue marlin up to 1000lbs! 

These massive pelagic fish visit Gran Canaria from June to late October, along with white marlin, dolphinfish and different types of tuna (yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, big eye tuna). Bluefin tuna comes to the waters in from February until May. Whilst Gran Canaria fishing with natural bait, you can also catch the hammerhead shark.

Light tackle trolling in Gran Canaria

Light tackle trolling with equipment of 20-30lb and small lures can provide a good fishing trip in Gran Canaria. Depending on the season, it is possible to catch different species such as Pacific sierra, pargo (red snapper), wahoo, Atlantic bonito, barracuda, pink dentex, amberjack, bluefish, tuna (red and yellowfin) and dorado.

Jigging in Gran Canaria

The rocky bottom of the sea with its sandy areas make Gran Canaria a really great place for fans of jigging. Throughout the seasons, it is possible to practice this vertical fishing, allowing you to capture Atlantic bonito, Pacific sierra, grouper, amberjack and barracudas. For a successful trip, it is advised to have a good guide who knows the area of Gran Canaria, since it’s important to know many things including the tides and currents, when and where to drop the jig, the best time of day and what kind of jig to use. Otherwise, the fishing opportunities in Gran Canaria can be significantly reduced.

Sport Fishing Seasons in Gran Canaria

Autumn and winter

Anchored or drifting are the best techniques for deep sea fishing in Gran Canaria during autumn and winter, and this can be done with natural bait to catch all kinds of rockfish, stingray and Atlantic sierra. With live bait (mackerel, cuttlefish or squid for example) you can catch amberjack and pink dentex during your fishing trip. Winter is the best time to catch bluefin tuna, big eye tuna and albacore. This type of fish can be caught with lures and natural bait, and for catching tuna, the best technique is to drift with natural bait. 

Spring and Summer

Springtime is when warmer water currents reach the Canaries, with this stream able to attract an abundance of nutrients for small fish like mackerel and sardine (the preferred food of wahoo), albacore and especially the blue marlin. Billfish visit Gran Canaria from June to October, although the best time for fishing marlin in Gran Canaria is during the months of July and August.

Gran Canaria is also a great place to go cycling, kite surfing, windsurfing in Pozo Izquierdo, Mountain biking, wine tasting experience, whale watching, snorkeling & diving, sailing, horse riding, hiking and much much more.

Enjoy the local food in the hundreds of bars & restaurants of Pasito Blanco, Playa del inglés, Meloneras, Mogan and Puerto Rico; try dishes like Mojo Picón, Papas Arrugadas, 
Almogrote or Sancocho canario.

Gran Canaria host several famous festivals such as the Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Branch Festival - also known as La Rama, Corpus Christi or the Canary Islands International Jazz Festival.

The capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is certainly worth a visit with its old city centre, the boulevard, the beaches and its nightlife.

Wether you fish from the shore, on your own boat, with a shared charter or a private charter, you need a fishing license to go sea fishing in Gran Canaria. The fishing charters normally have the fishing license included in the price, so you don't need to buy one if you're chartering a boat.

Do you need a license to fish in Gran Canaria?

Yes, a fishing license is required to fish in Gran Canaria. Fishing without a license can result in fines and penalties. The license can be obtained from the local authorities or in the local tackle shop, like for example Quintana Pesca in Vecindario or Fishobby in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. You can buy one on-line on the official website of the Gobierno de Canarias.

Depending on the charter fishing boat and on the duration of your fishing tour, you’ll pay more or less for the tour. The price for a shared half day trip is 80€ per person, usually these trips are from 09 am to 3 pm. A half day 6-hour private charter costs around €700, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you €900.

What does the price include?

The price usually includes the captain, fishing tackle, fuel, bait & lures, drinks and licenses. Most charters also include a small sandwich; feel free to bring extra food if you want.

The fishing charters also offer (free) pick-up and transportation from and to the hotel. The transportation service is only for the south of the island (Mogán, Puerto Rico, Meloneras, Pasito Blanco, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés...).

Once you’ve made a booking, the captain will contact you to arrange the meeting point and the departure time. Also, we recommend you contact the captain a couple of days before the tour to confirm the weather forecast.