Gran Canaria fishing guide

Gran Canaria is one of the Spanish islands among the Canary Islands that is situated towards the north western coast of the African subcontinent. Of the many Islands in this group of Islands, Gran Canaria is called the Miniature Continent as it is bestowed with diverse climates and very different forms of landscapes all through the island. This small Spanish Island has been attracting tourists from around the world to its beautiful beaches that extend to over 60 kms. Replete with beach resorts, botanical gardens, light-houses, archeological parks and the like the island of Gran Canaria is a great place to spend some quality time away from bustling crowds, chores and busy schedules.

Getting to the Gran Canaria has been made easy by the Gran Canaria Airport. This is a commercial airport in the island that allows visitors from around the world to get to this favorite vacation destination easily.

Weather in Gran Canaria:

The location and volcanic origin of the Gran Canaria allows it to enjoy a variety of climates. One of the most enticing characteristics of Gran Canarian climate is that all through the year the island bakes in sunshine and pleasant temperatures. The southwestern region stays warm even through the winters and the northeastern mountains keep the northern region cooler. The summer months from May to November enjoys a warm climate with a maximum of 26 degree Celsius and a minimum ranging anywhere between mid 20s.

The winter months are from December to April and during this time you can experience comfortably warm days and cooler nights. Temperatures during the winters range from 22 degree Celsius to 14 degree Celsius. These diverse climatic conditions allow you to find different kinds of landscapes such as alpine meadows, palm grooves, tropical forests and even deserts. The best news for the sea loving folk is that the coasts are the best place to enjoy pleasant climate all through the year in Gran Canaria. So pack your bags and drop in by this wonderful island any time of the year and enjoy the sun, sand and the sea.

Fishing in Gran Canaria:

The Gran Canaria is located in the Northern Atlantic Ocean and is home to a various species of game fish. The abundance of marine life and the pleasant climate that envelopes this island is one of the primary reasons why anglers from around the world come seeking for these waters to indulge in their favorite sport of reeling in water monsters. The southern part of Gran Canaria is known to be a better spot for sport fishing than the northern region. Replete with experienced charter captains and well equipped fishing boats Gran Canaria is a great destination for fishing enthusiasts.

To book a fishing charter to take you into the deep sea to fish for your favorite game fish click here.

The fishing season is on all round the year and the pleasant climate makes everything even better. The open sea, the blue sky and a rod in your hand with a professional angler guiding you all sums up to a splendid fishing time off. Species like the Blue Marlin, Atlantic Tuna, Barracuda, Albacore tuna and the regional favorite Needle fish all await you in these waters. The best time for Marlin and Tuna fishing spans from May to November when the water temperatures are warmer and these species are found in abundance.

The charter boats leave from different marinas in Gran Canaria but one of the most popular marinas is the Puerto Rico. This is a popular beach resort and is popularly known as the sunniest place in the whole of Gran Canaria.

The Blue Marlin are huge predatory fish that have a distinctive bill which is formed by the elongation of their upper jaw. These fish are very powerful and are well known to put up fierce fights when they are hooked up while fishing. Adventurous fishing enthusiasts consider these mighty Blue Marlins to be one of the ultimate fish species to be pursued. They are among the biggest fish in the world as they can grow over 4.3 meters in length and can weigh more than 900 kg. The are distinguished from the other Marlin species by a pronounced cobalt blue color on the color on the top and a silvery white color on its lower side over its belly. A glimpse of these majestic fish itself is a dream come true for many sport fishing anglers and if they get to land one of these beauties it is considered as attaining the holy grail of fishing.

When and where to fish for Blue Marlin in Gran Canaria:

Blue Marlin of average weights of 500 kg can be caught off the southern coast of Gran Canaria between the months of May and November.

How to catch a Blue Marlin from Gran Canaria:

The Blue Marlin is a very elusive fish and hence hooking and landing one of these magnificent creatures requires the guidance of someone with good experience in Marlin fishing. The most common fishing method that is used all around the world to catch a Marlin is trolling. Usually whole baits like Bonito, Ballyhoo, Mullet and Mackerel are used and at times artificial lures and strip baits are also used.

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The Bigeye Tuna is found in abundance in Gran Canaria, in fact Gran Canaria is one of the world leaders in Bigeye Tuna population. This species of Tuna is larger than the Yellowfin Tuna but slightly smaller than the great Bluefin Tuna. A mature Bigeye can grow up to 2.5 m in length and can weigh easily over 200 kg. The most common sizes of Bigeye caught off the Gran Canaria coast weigh close to 160 kg on an average.

The Bigeye is a very challenging fish to land as they are one of the most powerful fish. These fish are huge, powerful and a storehouse of stamina. When fishing for a Bigeye Tuna you should prepare yourselves for a fierce battle of grit and strength. Reeling in a monster Bigeye Tuna can bring in a lot of excitement and a feeling of accomplishment of having won over a sea monster.

When and where to fish for Bigeye Tuna in Gran Canaria:

Gran Canaria is one of the best fishing spots in the world to fish for Bigeye tuna. This is because, the part of Atlantic Ocean near Gran Canaria falls on the migration route of these Bigeye Tunas. The Bigeye passes through the southern and north western coasts of Gran Canaria during early summer, halfway through the spring time and from the beginning of autumn till the start of the winter season. This concludes that the Bigeye tuna can be found and landed almost all through the year in Gran Canaria except for the winter season.

How to catch a Bigeye Tuna in Gran Canaria:

The best technique that can be adopted to catch a Bigeye Tuna is trolling. Since Bigeyes are fast swimming fish trolling with live or artificial baits is the most successful method to land a Bigeye Tuna. The usual live baits used in Bigeye Tuna fishing are sardines, squid, mullets, mackerels and the like.

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The Spearfish are a pelagic species of Marlin that are found in the waters of Gran Canaria. These long billed spearfish are elusive and are often fished by sport fishing anglers who aim at completing their quest for landing all the nine species of billfish that exist in the world. The Atlantic Spearfish can reach a maximum of 2.5 m in length and has been recorded to weigh about 58 kg. With a blueish black hue on the top and a silvery white color on the underside, these fish are easily distinguished from the other Marlin species owing to their shorter bills and slender bodies.

When landing a Spearfish you can expect quite some fight and leaping out of water before you get the fish on the boat.

When and Where to catch an Atlantic Spearfish in Gran Canaria:

The Atlantic Spearfish are surface feeders that feed on small fish like squid and the like. They are found in the Atlantic waters surrounding Gran Canaria over the months spanning from May to November. So if you are one of those enthused anglers who is trying to complete your list of the nine species of Marlin then this the best time to land in Gran Canaria to fulfill your ultimate fishing quest.

How to catch an Atlantic Spearfish in Gran Canaria:

Trolling is the best fishing technique in landing a Spearfish just like it is for any other Marlin species however, a lighter tackle is used for the Spearfish owing to its smaller size.

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The name says it all, Swordfish is one of the largest billfish with a sword like upper jaw. This flat upper jaw which is longer and wider than the bills of other billfish has also attributed the name broadbill to the Swordfish. The Swordfish is a huge fish and is very powerful, they are violent fighters though not as acrobatic as the Blue Marlin, these Swords can manage to pull off a few jumps on certain occasions. The Swordfish can easily reach lengths of 3 m and weights of over 650 kg.

The Swordfish are difficult to hook up as these fish are easily frightened by boats and are shy to strike blindly on a bait. This is the reason why experienced anglers make sure to repeatedly present the bait to the Swordfish carefully to lure the fish to take the bait. To add to the difficulty in hooking up a Swordfish, they have soft mouths that makes hooking uncertain and challenging. The bill also doesn’t makes things any easy as the slashing bill has at many times cut the line and freed the fish before landing it.

When and Where to catch a Swordfish in Gran Canaria:

The months from May to November are the best months in Gran Canaria to go fishing for Swordfish.

How to catch a Swordfish in Gran Canaria:

Drifting is the best method used in catching Swordfish. It is also during the night that most Sword strikes take place and hence accompanying an experienced charter captain who has the right equipment for night Sword fishing is most advisable. The veteran Swordfish fishermen say that rigged squids are the best baits for Swordfish however, rigged fish also works fine.

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The Mahi Mahi or the Dolphinfish is one of the most favorite game fish of many a fishing fanatic. Not only are these fish a spectacular sight to look at but they are also delicious and moreover an energetic fighter that gives away aerial acrobatics. The Dorado is a fast swimmer and are often fished using trolling. Anglers go after this fish as they are die hard fighters leaping and plummeting from and into the water, displaying tail walking and splashing water everywhere. Battling out such an aggressive fish gives a feeling of accomplishment and contentment.

With vivid colors of blue, green, yellow and golden these fish are a fete to the eyes. However, once these fish die they turn to a muted grey color. The Dolphinfish are found swimming by floating debris and wrecks.

When and Where to land a Dorado in Gran Canaria:

If you are aiming at landing a Dorado from Gran Canaria, then the most fruitful season to be here is during May to June.

How to land a Dorado from Gran Canaria:

Since the Dorado are fast swimming fish and also because of their tendency to lurk beneath buoys they can be fished out using various fishing techniques. Trolling, casting and live baiting are some of the most common techniques. Artificial lures and fish like the mullet, squid and strip baits are used to bait the Dorado.

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The Atlantic Bonito is yet another favorite fish in the waters around the Gran Canaria. These fish are mackerel-like and are often confused with the Skipjack Tuna. Another name by which the Atlantic Bonito is popular is Sarda Sarda. They are quite distinct from similar looking species with dark and distinct oblique stripes on their back. The Atlantic Bonitos are fast swimmers and are great fun to hook and land. When pursuing prey these Bonitos are known to jump and leap from the water. These fish can range from 5 to 6 kg on a higher scale and can grow to lengths of 76 cm.

When and Where to catch an Atlantic Bonito:

Off the southern coast of the Gran Canaria, the Atlantic Bonito are found in abundance during the months of March to July.

How to catch an Atlantic Bonito from Gran Canaria:

Several fishing techniques ranging from trolling to surface casting, from jigging to live baiting can be used to land a Bonito. Squid, cut fish, strip baits and artificial lures can be used to lure an Atlantic Bonito to your line.