The Dominican Republic is a fisherman’s paradise! You can drop a line offshore on the gorgeous coastline or venture out onto the open sea through a charter tour.
There is plenty of fish in the sea. But every good fisherman knows that each of the Punta Cana fishing seasons brings in a unique school of fish.
Before you hook up the details for your fishing excursion in the Dominican Republic, know when you can catch which fish. Use this Punta Cana fishing calendar to navigate your options and learn more about your expected catch.
Weather Considerations
Before deciding who to bait, you may want to consider the weather patterns you can expect when fishing in the Dominican Republic.
Though the thermometer does not typically drop too low, the temperature changes may make a difference for your vacation plans. Also, certain months bring other extreme weather with them.
Temperature
Punta Cana sees sunshine all year long. Its lows rarely hit 70 degrees!
June through October, you can expect the hottest days. The temperature during this month averages around 82 degrees, but can reach highs of 90 during peak hours.
The cooler weather comes December through February. Remember, “cooler” is a relative term. You can expect an average temperature of 77 degrees, with average highs of 84 and lows of 70 during these months.
The rest of the year sees average temperatures between 79 and 81 degrees. Bring your warm weather clothing and sunscreen regardless of when you go.
Rain
You can enjoy the majority of the year in Punta Cana without an umbrella. Though September brings the highest amount of rainfall, you can expect the most days during the months of October through January. They each average about 7 rainy days that hopefully o not fall on the week you visit.
Hurricanes
Unfortunately, beautiful islands on the Atlantic ocean face a hurricane risk. Especially for a fishing trip, you want to factor this into your travel considerations. Some fishermen like to brave the storms while others hide away until the end.
Atlantic hurricanes form from the beginning of June until the end of November. September and October bring peak hurricane season to Punta Cana.
Spring and Summer Swimmers
Some Dominican Republic fish prefer the warmer waters of the Atlantic. You can anticipate hooking yellowfin tuna and marlin species if you opt for a spring or summer vacation.
Yellow Fin Tuna
You can go after Yellow Fin Tuna guilt-free as the NOAA says they are not overfished or subject to overfishing. These fish sport a long, bright yellow dorsal fin and yellow belly stripe. They tend to stay closes to the surface.
They can grow up to 400 lbs in about 7 years, making them a rather large catch. They provide a delicious and nutritious lean meat for the hungry fisherman. Peak fishing in Punta Cana for this fish comes March through June.
White Marlin
Measuring but still making a formidable catch, smaller than the tuna, the Atlantic white Marlin peaks during the same time. These billfish like the deeper waters of the ocean.
Though fun for sport fishing in the Dominican Republic, these fish do not make a good meal. Around the world, people crave the tasty meat, but billfish retain high levels of mercury and other toxins from the ocean. This makes eating this meat possibly unsafe.
Blue Marlin
You can fish for a shot of catching the prized blue marlin from June to October. Though you may want to note that the current demand makes this an unsustainable sport fish.
This beautiful, trophy species grows bigger than the white marlin, averaging about the same size as yellowfin tuna. Due to their hunting patterns, you can only catch a blue marlin by trolling in the deep, open waters on your Dominican Republic fishing tour.
The Autumn and Winter Catch
If you decide to book your tropical vacation to escape the fall or winter at home, keep reading to see what kind of fish you can expect to hook.
Wahoo
This species of mackerel lives in the shallower regions of the Atlantic ocean. Regardless of your bait choice, this fish might bite. They do not seem to discriminate when it comes to a meal.
You can expect them to bite October through March. The Hawaiian’s dubbed them “Ono” meaning “good to eat”. High-quality meat and super speeds make them a great game fish.
Mahi-Mahi
Also known as dolphinfish, you can fish for mahi-mahi right from the shoreline. These fish dwell at the surface.
You know you caught a mahi-mahi by its cartoon-like appearance. Its large, rounded head does not seem to fit the rest of the body that narrows all the way to the tip of the tail.
If you hope to catch a trophy, this is not it, as they do not grow very large. However, they make for a fantastic meal.
Sailfish
Are you looking for a catch to brag about back home?
This cooler water fish swims through this area from November through March. Fishermen chase it for a wall mount, as the fish boasts a glorious sail for its dorsal fin and long, sword-like snout.
People also love the fight this fish puts up. As the fastest fish in the seat, it creates a tugging chase. This prize also jumps through the air, making the fisherman truly work for his or her catch.
You probably do not want to eat the sailfish if you catch one. This large fish carries high levels of harmful toxins and mercury in its flesh. Also, you will most likely find it too beautiful to consume.
Ready for the Fishing Excursion?: Book Your Punta Cana Fishing Excursion
Use this guide to help you schedule your Punta Cana vacation. Each of the Punta Cana fishing seasons brings a wonderfully unique catch!
Also, use this guide to help you prepare for the weather. Some fishermen may want to avoid hurricane season all together while others will take advantage of the lower travel prices and rich fishing waters.
Book your Dominican Rebuplic fishing tour today!