Marlin Fever
Cap Cana Marina, Punta Cana (DO)
If you want to know why the Dominican Republic is ranked the #2 billfishery in the world, then you must go marlin fishing in Punta Cana Read more..
If you want to know why the Dominican Republic is ranked the #2 billfishery in the world, then you must go marlin fishing in Punta Cana. The blue and white marlin bite is strong and plentiful in the offshore waters east of Punta Cana due to its geography and proximity to the Mona Passage: a 65 kilometer channel between the island of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.
Punta Cana is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and balnearios. Besides fishing Punta Cana it's also a great place for windsurfing, golf and diving (due to the fantastic Marine biodiversity).
As is true with most of the Dominican Republic, at Punta Cana deep water is very easy to get to; boats will have fishing lines in the water 5 minutes after leaving the dock. But proximity to the Mona Passage is what makes Punta Cana fishing exceptional. Major currents flow through the channel, and combined with tropical trade winds, can create the conditions for rough seas. But it’s those same currents which make the passage a major thoroughfare for pelagic species of fish, migrating from one body of water to the next.
Punta Cana fishing is closely related to the Mona Passage. Punta Cana is right next to a fish highway, with easy access to game fish such as wahoo, dolphin, tuna, and every species of Atlantic billfish. In addition to the accessibility, the Mona Passage also boasts of a unique series of banks, known to locals as “the rocks.” These underwater rocks are attractive to pelagic species because they provide reef-like shelter and food sources for bait fish— this is what Saltwater Sportsman calls “marlin country.”
When the marlins are not biting there are plenty of alternatives. Deep dropping or deep sea fishing in Punta Cana for snappers and groupers always brings a healthy catch home, and it’s hard to troll a line and not catch some dolphin. Inshore fishing in Punta Cana is mostly reef, lagoon, and beach. Although many good fishing grounds are located on private property, and inaccessible, beach and shore fishing is available in certain areas.
If you are staying at a hotel it is a good idea to ask permission, some beaches and inshore areas are only open to hotel guests. Inshore fishing focuses on catching jacks, groupers, small snappers, barracudas, and needlefish. Permit are known to roam in between the reef and the beach. According to local fishing captains, a good place to fish from shore is Cap Cana channel, Cabo Engaño, and Bravero Beach, but be mindful when wading, boots are recommended.
Lagoons are also popular inshore fishing spots, where you’ll find tilapia, snook, and tarpon. Laguna Limon, Laguna de Nissibon, and Laguna Cabeza de Toro are all recommended and accessible from Punta Cana. Reef fishing by kayak is another inshore option, and a great way to catch smaller grouper, snappers, wrasse, and other reef species.
Punta Cana is a luxury resort area with over 50 international hotel chains, private cabanas, and condos for rent— some which have a sportfishing boat docked right in the backyard! Punta Cana airport is one of the busiest in the Caribbean region. The climate is tropical, and the rainy season is in the fall (October – November).
Yellowfin tuna grow fast, up to 400 pounds (180kg) in about a 7-year lifespan, and they range in length from 59 inches to 88 inches long. They’re known for their torpedo shape, with a pointed nose and a sickle-shaped tail, and have dark blue backs with yellow sides (thus their name) with a silver underside.
The Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is probably the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. The magnificent fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. Blue Marlin is mainly caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are also commonly referred to as dorado, dolphin or dolphinfish. They are recognizable by their bluntly shaped heads, long dorsal fin and their bright colouring, dark blue and green on their dorsal side and yellow on their sides and underside.
Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), also known as Ono (meaning “delicious” in Hawaiian), are found in many subtropical and tropical waters. They’re identifiable by their blue-green upper body which shifts into silver towards their belly. They also have blue vertical striping along their sides. These predators are torpedo-shaped and have long and largemouths with teeth.
The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), often referred to as barracuda, is a long predator that can be found in tropical and subtropical waters where they like to patroll mangroves, reefs and drop-offs. Record barracuda can grow to 1,5m and weigh over 45kg (100lb+).
The White Marlin (Kajikia albida) is a very nice predator which can be caught off shore in warmer waters. This powerful fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. They can be caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
The Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) has large eyes and long pectoral fins. This is why this species is also known as longfin tuna. The largest Albacore can reach up to 140 cm (4.6ft) and weigh up to 40 kg (90lb).
The Amberjack species are a game fish that are found both in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Jigging and live bait fishing are the best techniques to target these magnificent fighters. Greater Amberjack can weigh up to 170 lb (80 kg).
Famous for its runs, - which is why they're also called the torpedo of the flats - bonefish (Albula vulpes) are the fly fishing favorite. They inhabit inshore tropical waters in Florida, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Riviera Maya in Mexico, Belize, Venezuela and the Seychelles, for example. Bonefish can weigh up to 19 lb (8.6 kg) and measure up to 105 cm (41 in) long.
The Crevalle Jack or Jack Crevalle (Caranx hippos) is a very popular sport fish that belongs to the Carangidae fish species. Horse mackerel, amberjack and giant trevally also belong to this family. Jack Crevalle can grow to a length of 120 cm and a weight of 30 kg.
The permit (Trachinotus falcatus) is a sought after fly fishing game fish. They are usually found in shallow tropical waters such as flats and channels of the Atlantic Ocean. Permit also frequent offshore wrecks. This species is distributed from Florida, Riviera Maya in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua all the way down to the Carribean Islands and Brazil. Permit can grow to about 4ft (1,2m) in length and weigh up to 27kg (60lbs).
The tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a silver coloured predator who loves hunting for fish and crustaceans in lagoons, rivers, ports, estuaries and other shallow waters. They inhabit the coastal waters in the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Argentina. Tarpon can grow up to 2,5m and weigh over 150 kg (350 lb).
Sailfish (Istiophorus) are one the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. Often described as the fastest fish in the sea, sailfish can weigh up to 90 kg (200 pounds) and grow up to 3 m (9.7 ft) in length.
The skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) have a strong body with black stripes on the side. The largest skipjack tuna can reach up to 100 cm (40 inch) and weigh up to 10 kg (22 lb). Skipjack are mainly caught trolling lures.
Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda) is a rapid fish species known for being great hunters. They have striping on their backs with silver-coloured undersides and they grow up to 30 inches long. They have a hydrodynamic body shape, even more so than larger tuna.
Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) or simply mackerel have a great back with irregular black bands. They're very common and like the temperate waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the northern Atlantic Ocean. Mackerel are typically between 25-35cm.
Spearfish (Tetrapturus) are a generic name for several species such as the shortbill spearfish and longbill spearfish. These billfish are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world: Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
Striped marlin (Kajikia audax) can be told apart from blue marlin due to their “stripes” of blue that run vertically down their bodies. Striped marlin is lighter than blue marlin, but their body shape and even colouring remains the same aside from the stripes. These marlin can weigh up to 180kg (400lb) and have a maximum length of 4 m (12 ft).
The Atlantic Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) is a species of mackerels that can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean in the waters of Mexico, Gulf of Mexico to Florida. Atlantic Spanish mackerel have very sharp teeth and can grow up to 13 pounds (6kg) and live up to 12 years old. Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel live in tropical and sub-tropical waters of in Southeast Asia and can grow up to about 2.4 m and more than 40 kg.
The Little tunny or False Albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus) is easily identified by the dark spots under its pectoral fins. They like warm temperate and tropical waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The larger Little Tunny weigh up to 35lb and can reach 1,2m.
Grouper is common name for all the bass-looking-fish from the Epinephelinae Family. This family also includes sea bass by the way. Grouper are colorful predators who like to live in rocky areas, reefs, wrecks where they can hide.
Punta Cana is known for its unique beauty and the best deep sea fishing spots for Marlins (Bill Fish). Within 10 minutes from departure time you can start fishing in Punta Cana. In no time, you will be ready to catch Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Blue and White Marlins, Yellowfin Tuna, Albacora, Barracuda, and Carite.
Punta Cana fishing and its fish species. Generally speaking, from January to May, we have white marlin, sailfish, mahi mahi and wahoo. And from July to December there's blue marlins, mahi mahi (dorado), yellowfin tuna, and wahoo.
Although there's mahi mahi all year round, the best time to catch mahi mahi in Punta Cana is from November to March.
Blue Marlin: July – September, but you can catch them until December
White Marlin: March, april, may & june are great months
Wahoo: September – December
Sailfish: February – May
Yellowfin Tuna: July to December
The following fish can be found year-round, from the shore or on board a Punta Cana fishing charter:
Snapper, grouper, cobia, jack, mackerel, kingfish, swordfish, tarpons, permit, bonefish, and shark.
There are 62 miles of shoreline and tons of things to do instead of fishing in Punta Cana. Humpback whales migrate to the warm tropical waters off of the North Shore from January to March, so check out the whale watching tours from Punta Cana to see these giants up close.
Watersports are very popular activities in Punta Cana. You’ll find everything from speedboat rides, sailing, discovery cruises, dolphin tours, dive tours, and snorkeling. You can also explore the reef and shallows by renting a kayak or stand up paddleboard (SUP).
Windsurfing and Kiteboarding in Punta Cana are very popular activities thanks to the steady trade winds year-round. Cabarete is a world-famous windsurfing and kiteboarding destination, so if you’ve never tried windsurfing or kiteboarding before, it’s a great place to try it out!
Golf enthusiasts will want to explore some of the Domincan Republic’s world-class golf courses. The D.R. has 26 golf courses, 11 of which are in Punta Cana!
The most popular sport in the Dominican Republic is baseball, and it is home to 10% of Major League baseball players, including David Ortiz, Luis Pujols, and Jose Reyes. If you happen to be in D.R. during the months of October – January, you can get your offseason baseball fix by scoring tickets to one of the 50 games during the Dominican Republic Winter League season.
Fishing in the Dominican Republic is lightly regulated. Although technically fishing licenses are required, fishing regulations are rarely enforced, therefore it is difficult to find places that sell fishing licenses to even buy one. The one rule that is enforced is the catch and release of billfish species.
Fishing charters in Punta Cana and in the Dominican Republic normally include the local fishing license in their service and you don't have to worry about permits.