Two Granders in La Gomera (Canary Islands)

[Duke Blue Blood]

Saw this report from another board I read.

Probably the most impressive catch I have heard of since the mid 90's in Madeira. INCREDIBLE!!

HERE IS THE POST

I am away at the moment and will be back fishing on Tuesday but a friend of mine who is fishing in La Gomera on his private boat caught 2 fish over a 1000lb today, the second one was taken to the scales and weighed 1187lb.
A commercial boat also called me to say he had a big fish swimming around his boat that he wanted out of the way, but I was away!! Spearfish and big tuna were also seen, Back fishing Tuesday, so stay tuned…..

JP.

WWW.TEAMBOCINEGRO.COM

[Roddy Hays]

I had an e-mail from Charles Perry this morning to report the same news, apparently the fish was caught by Mathias aboard the Walhalla, and as he's both seen and weighed a few, I guess we can take the information as granted.

Charles said he's caught half a dozen or so, but nothing that large yet. I assume he is running the big Spencer for Xavier. Wonder if the Chunda is in the offing ?

I'd also assume from my past experience that this means the blue water is pushing nicely northwards and Madeira will not have a dismal season

[Duke Blue Blood]

Roddy,

Peter Bristow confirmed the two fish. May be real.

DBB

[flndrpndr23]

Interesting report. I just recently got a geography lesson in regards to the Canary Islands and La Gomera Island in particular.
Just helped a client buy a boat that he is having transported to La Gomera. Said it would be used exclusively for bait and switch Blue Marlin fishing.
Sounds like a robust fishery. This report surely confirms that !
Doug

[Roddy Hays]

What do you call a "robust" fishery, Doug ?

[flndrpndr23]

What do you call a "robust" fishery, Doug ?

Roddy,
From the little information that I have heard about this location it seems their is good potential for large Blue Marlin.
I have no personal experience there.
When I hear about 2 granders in one day I would say that thefishery is at least good.
What is your opinion ?
Doug

[Roddy Hays]

I ran a private boat there from 2000 to 2005, and know it pretty well, though not as well as locals such as Mathias, Manolo Ramirez and Jason Pipe. Visiting boats such as the Chunda with Barkey Garnsey and Dyfken with Peter B have added to the mix, and there is no doubt that the island is a beautiful place with a small but well-run marina.

The fishing, however, can be difficult at times. The island is circular in shape, and most of the fishing takes place from the east to the south west of the island, and mostly within 3 miles of the coastline due to the structure of the bottom and the vagaries of the persistent tradewinds from the north and north-east. When it is good, the fishing is great, but when it is bad, it is a very lonely place to be, especially if you are stuck there for the duration and everyone else buggers off back to work.

Apart from blues and spearfish, there are very occasional YF and BF tuna in billfish season, some skippies and an odd albacore. Inshore there can be a wahoo now and again.

The general size of the fish would average about 450 to 500 lbs I guess, lower than Madeira, and I know of four grander class fish caught there now. Like much of the Canaries, the fishing is subject to both yearly cycles and seasonal fluctuations, with fish passing though in waves from island to island. It is by no means proven that the fish in the Canaries passage north to Madeira, but a good season in the islands is often reflected further north. This is not always the case though, as witnessed by the stupendous catches from Graciosa in the late 1980's and early 1990's, when Madeira remained relatively quiet despite the phenomenal fishing that the French Look and John Gill's Sky Blue experienced further south off Graciosa and its NE bank - never since to be repeated.

However, as a good bet, you can be sure of a bite in May/June in La Gomera, and again in September - weather allowing.

One problem to watch out for is the tuna fleets, which hug the 100 fathom line and sit on live-baits all day. They do not take kindly to visitors, and it is against the law to come within a certain distance of them. Not only do they work the tunas with consummate skill, but the supply of live-baits can also lead to lockjaw amongst the billfish as they sit deep in the shadow of the boats.

La Gomera is a stunning island, relatively unmolested by tourism and its eastern capital of San Sebastien is a joy, all palms and small buildings sitting on black and white flagstones. Its where the Canarians go to get away from it all. Food and lodgings are basic but comfortable, and the mohitos in the square are memorable. Just be prepared for some really long, boring days in amongst all the excitement.

I'll try and post some photos.

[Roddy Hays]

This is a shot of the marina from the cliffs above the town :


A nice La Gomeran blue marlin caught aboard Jason's Bocinegro :


A nice big-eye for the boss's wife, caught on 20lb :


And last but not least, a very decent big-eye about to be released, photo by Manolo Naranjo in 2003 :

[ribbon reef 10]

One of the better days in fishing history, I'd say...would love to see pictures if anyone has them.

Nicely done!



twitter.com/billfishreport

[canyongear]

Roddy, we miss ya...what ya been up to?.. where?..believe it or not your posts are some of the best and well thought out with real life from experience information in my humble opine..don't be a stranger..hope all is well..cheers!