Fishing in Cape Verde

Fishing in Cape Verde is known for being the best fishing spot in the world for Atlantic Blue Marlin. This predator lives here all year round, but the best time for Fishing in Cape Verde is from mid-March to the end of June. In September and October there are far fewer fish, but they tend to be larger. From September to December, Cape Verde waters are very interesting for Fishing in Cape Verde for Yellowfin Tuna (up to 150kg).

Light trolling can catch Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, etc. The northeast coast of Santo Antão is especially interesting for this technique as it has the largest concentration of Wahoo in the Cape Verde archipelago. Jigging is a very popular technique because it gives very good results. The rocky and volcanic bottom forms an ideal habitat for Amberjack that can reach considerable sizes (sometimes up to 60 kg). Blackjack, Barracuda, Grouper and Oilfish can also be caught by jigging. Anglers practice a lot of bottom fishing at depths of no more than 100 meters. At greater depths, bottom fishing can bring excellent results because they are practically virgin fishing areas.Finally, it is worth mentioning that Fishing in Cape Verde is also an interesting place to fish for Shark (Tiger Shark, Bull Shark, Hammerhead Shark, etc) and also Big Manta Shark over 300 kg.

TOP SPECIES

Atlantic Blue Marlin Fishing

The Blue Marlin is undoubtedly the king of the oceans. These powerful fish are sought after by passionate Anglers for their size, power and fight. The Blue Marlin is tough and puts up a hard fight without surrender. The average size of a Blue Marlin is 3.4 meters and they can grow up to 4.3 meters. During the fight they often jump several meters above the sea repeatedly. The excitement and action involved in fishing in Cape Verde for this species attracts Anglers from all over the world who want to get their dream trophy. Landing a Marlin is considered a great feat and even the famous Robson Green calls the Blue Marlin the Holy Grail of Cape Verde Fishing.

Fishing in Cape Verde is known to be the best place in the world for Atlantic Blue Marlin fishing. This predator lives here year-round, but the best time to fish for it is from mid-March to the end of June. In September and October there are considerably fewer fish, although they tend to be larger. The best island for Fishing in Cape Verde is undoubtedly São Vicente. Starting from its port dozens of Fishing charters leave every day in search of Marlin. There are so many fish that the Anglers complain when they "only" catch 2 Marlin in one day. The Salt Islands, Boa Vista and Santiago are also excellent places to catch this marlin.

White Marlin

Sailfish (Istiophorus spp.) are two species of marlin that inhabit the Atlantic Ocean. Because of their sail-shaped dorsal fin, their 3 meters long and more than 100 kilos in weight, they are said to be some of the most elegant specimens in the sea. But in the case of the white marlin, it is the little brother of the family. It is quickly recognized by its bright blue stripes and its dorsal fin, which is more rounded than that of the Blue Marlin. Its average weight is between 20 and 30 kg approximately. It tends to move in small groups of several individuals in waters deeper than 100 m. White Marlin feed on a wide variety of fish, cephalopods and crustaceans.

The best time for fishing in Cape Verde for White Marlin is between July and November.

Yellowfin Tuna

The Yellowfin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna or Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a type of tuna found in the open waters of tropical and subtropical seas around the world. It is an epipelagic fish that inhabits the first 100 meters of the water column. Its size can reach 239 cm in length and 200 kg in weight. It is also known by its Hawaiian name "Ahí". The Yellowfin Tuna has become an effective substitute for Bluefin Tuna, whose populations have been severely reduced. From September to December, Cape Verde waters are very interesting for Fishing in Cape Verde for Yellowfin Tuna (up to 150kg).

It is a fish with a fusiform body, more stylized than other tuna. Both the head and eyes are small, and the second dorsal and anal fins are longer; during maturity they reach sizes up to 150 kg. They have a swim bladder. There are 26 to 35 denticles on the first gill arch and its pectoral fins usually extend beyond the second dorsal fin, but do not go beyond the end of its base.

Yellowfin Tuna are a popular sport fishing fish in many parts of their range and are prized for their speed and strength when fighting.

Wahoo

This razor-toothed predator is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. Anglers know it for its speed and prized meat. It is an elongated fish with very small scales. Its dark back has radiant blue vertical stripes. Wahoo have been caught up to 2.5 m long and weighing up to 83 kg. The wahoo can reach a speed of up to 95 km/h and is therefore called the fastest animal in the sea. The wahoo is mostly caught trolling with artificial lures.

Fishing in Cape Verde is done all year round. By light trolling you can catch besides wahoo, wahoo, dorado, barracuda, etc. The northeast coast of Santo Antão is especially interesting for this technique because there is the largest concentration of wahoo in the Cape Verde archipelago.

Amberjack

The Serviola Dumerili, or also known by other names such as Lemon Fish, Medregal Coronado, Coronado de Ley or Lecha, is a perciform fish of the Carangidae family. As for its physical characteristics, its body is long and flat with small eyes and a large and wide jaw. Its color is bluish on the back and whitish on the belly (although many have a yellowish tone). It has three fins, two dorsal and one anal, and can reach a length of 160 cm and weigh 60 kg. Like the grouper, the Amberjack is a sedentary species. Fishing in Cape Verde for this species is usually done with live bait by drifting or trolling. The most interesting technique to fish Amberjack is jigging with large elongated jigs. The rocky and volcanic bottom forms an ideal habitat for Amberjack that reach considerable sizes, sometimes over 60 kg. Since there is a lot of drifting due to winds and strong currents, jigging fishing is done with very heavy jigs (more than 300 gr). With this technique you can also catch Blackjack, Grouper or Oilfish.

GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

The archipelago, which is part of the Macaronesia region, is composed of ten large and five smaller islands. The Windward islands include Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia (uninhabited), São Nicolau, Sal and Boavista. The Leeward islands include Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava.
The island of Sal is home to the country's largest international airport, Amilcar Cabral Airport. Other important islands are Santiago and São Vicente, where the capital Praia and Mindelo are located. Among the islets that make up Cape Verde are: Islote Raso (7 km²), Islote Branco (3 km²), Islote Grande (2 km²), Islote Cima (1.15 km²) and Islote Carneiro (0.22 km²).
The islands are of volcanic origin, and on Fogo Island there is an active volcano (last eruption in 2014). Most of them are steep mountains covered with volcanic ash, so there is little vegetation.

WEATHER

Fishing in Cape Verde has a dry and hot climate, with an average temperature of 20/25 °C. In January and February, the archipelago is influenced by storms from the Sahara. The Cape Verde islands are located west of the Sahel zone (the savannah area between the Sahara desert and tropical Africa) with a climate that could be defined as dry-tropical. Therefore, they enjoy a warm climate.

This situation is very limited by tropical rainfall, which means that the islands do not always receive a monsoon. In fact, it is not uncommon for many of them not to receive rain for years. Sea water temperatures range from 21°C in February to 26°C in September, temperatures that in shallow waters can reach a few degrees higher. Average daily maximum temperatures range from 24°C in January to 30°C in August/September. Daily minimums are around 19°C in winter and 24°C in summer.

If rain does come, it usually does so between August and October (the "rainy season") which can occasionally be quite uncomfortable, with high temperatures and high humidity. The other season is between December and June, when the northeast trade winds are frequent, during this season, only altitudes above 600m tend to receive regular rainfall. The northeastern slopes of the high mountains often receive an amount of rain that the southwestern slopes do not due to rainfall shading.

The clearest skies are usually found between February and June, with very little rainfall during these months - Salt Island receives an average of 0.0 mm of precipitation in May! When, and if, it comes, the rain can be very heavy - half of a year's rainfall can often fall in a single storm. Another factor that sometimes affects the islands is the Harmattan wind, laden with dust from the Sahara. This occurs between November and March and is usually similar to the "Calima" that affects the Canary Islands.

Fall and winter

Fishing in Cape Verde at the end of the year (September to December) Yellowfin Tuna (up to 150kg) is usually the most interesting. Fishing is trolling with artificial fish and octopus. Being months with less wind - relative factor in the fishing area in Cape Verde - it is usually the most advisable time for jigging fishing. There is less drifting and the jig falls more vertically towards the depths in search of large amberjack up to 60 kg. Blackjack, Barracuda, Grouper and Oilfish can also be caught while jigging.

Spring and summer

Fishing in Cape Verde is the Mecca for Atlantic Blue Marlin fishing. Although they live here all year round, the best time for Fishing in Cape Verde for Marlin is between mid-March to the end of June. In September and October there are far fewer individuals, but the specimens caught are much bigger. July to November is a very good time for Fishing in Cape Verde for White Marlin.

Apart from fishing in Cape Verde, you can also enjoy the area by biking, mountain biking, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, hiking, and much more.

Don't miss a visit to the Santa Maria jetty on Salt Island, where the local Anglers bring in freshly caught fish.

Discover the local customs and food in the bars and restaurants of Sal Rei, Mindelo and Santa Maria for example. Cape Verdean cuisine has Creole, African, Portuguese and Brazilian influences and is known for its rice, fried potatoes, cassava and vegetables. Not forgetting the fresh fish dishes: wahoo, tuna, mahi mahi...

Fishing in Cape Verde requires a fishing license. Remember that Fishing charters usually already have a collective fishing license so you don't need to buy one if you are hiring a Boat.

Depending on the Boat and the Duration of your Fishing trip, you will pay more or less for the trip. The price for a 4-hour Fishing trip in Sal or Boavista is possible from 349€, while an 8-hour Fishing trip will cost you around 749€. A full day Fishing trip in São Vicente costs between 1350€ and 1500€. Of course, there are bigger Boats that are more expensive, but for that you also have more comfort.

What is included in the Price?

The Price usually includes the Captain, fishing tackle, fuel, bait and lures and licenses. In each ad we indicate if drinks and food are Included.

Once the Booking is made, the Captain will contact you to arrange the meeting point and time of departure. We also recommend that you contact the Captain a couple of days before the trip to confirm the weather forecast.