Deep Sea Fishing in Gran Canarias | Spain

The Canary Islands are a bit of a secret in the deep sea fishing community leaving the more popular Atlantic fishing grounds of the Azores, and Madeira to take the spotlight. The Canary Islands sit on the edge of the African continental shelf 150 kilometres off the coast of Southern Morocco with much steeper slopes than those of similar volcanic islands such as Hawaii, allowing you to be in water with depths of 3,000 meters within minutes of leaving the marina. It is in these waters where the ocean is rich in baitfish you will find the king of all sport fish the blue marlin.

Marlin by Dominic Sherony

Marlins

Marlins along with other species of billfish return to their spawning grounds every year, much as in the same way as salmon return to the rivers where they were born. For marlin this is the warm waters of the Caribbean, and once the fish have laid their eggs they now head north along the Gulf Stream in search of food in the colder North Atlantic. The fish travel using the oceans natural currents to guide them in their search for food, and eventually end up passing along the Canary Current that makes up a part of the North Atlantic Gyre, which is why the Canary Islands are one of the best places on earth to catch a billfish.

Thanks to people’s awareness, of over-fishing and groups like the Ft. Lauderdale based Billfish Foundation most Sport fishing boats captains including all of those on Gran Canarias to practice a tag, and release form of fishing allowing these magnificent creatures to continue cruising the Oceans.

The best months for fishing in Gran Canarias are May through November where not only will you have a chance to catch a billfish, but also the possibility of a giant tuna with world record catches of big eye tuna being caught in Gran Canarias. The best time of year for Big Eye is spring, and autumn.

Deep Sea Fishing

Deep sea fishing for game fish such as marlin, sailfish, and tuna has always been thought of a sport  for the rich while this is true for the most part the main money cost involved is fuel for the boat, meaning the quicker the run out to the trolling grounds the less it will cost.  While still not cheap a boat can be chartered for a half day for around 400€ with a full days charter costing around 800€. With many people not being able to afford to charter their own boat you can always get three friends to chip in with the cost or if you are alone in wanting to fish call up the boats captain to see if there are any spots available on a shared charter. If sport fishing sounds like something you are really interested in the absolute best way is to organise a holiday through one of the boats captains, as they all have packages that in Include accommodation with between three and five days of fishing.

With the Canary’s being a year-round destinations the fishing is also available during the winter months where a day’s bottom, or wreck fishing  can be had on a party boat for €60.

Jack Crow is a travel writer who occasionally writes about his travel and hobbies. He recommends visiting outlet4spain apartments in Gran Canaria if you are looking for a perfect holiday accommodation.

Tags: baitfish, big eye, blue marlin, deep sea fishing, eye tuna, fish travel, fishing community, fishing deep sea, game fish, giant tuna, gran canarias, magnificent creatures, north atlantic gyre, salmon return, southern morocco, sport fishing boats, spring and autumn, volcanic islands

Category: Islands, Islands