Ever thought of going to Colombia? This is a great opportunity to travel and experience the beautiful culture on offer for yourself. There’s so much more to do here, from coffee tours, dancing, and emerald tours to exploring the diverse nature.
You can also go fishing in Colombia! In fact, tourists recently gained the opportunity to book a charter fishing trip in Colombia and explore some previously untouched waters. There are plenty of opportunities for both experienced and beginner anglers, offshore and inshore. Just take care to book with a reputable captain before your trip.
Off the Beaten Track
If you have time to explore, then you’ll want to go fishing a few hours outside of the major cities. Head to Puerto Carreño to really get off the grid, or fish the untouched waters of Río Guayabero, Rio Inirida, or Río Elvita.
In places like this, you’ll be able to target giant Peacock Bass that can reach up to 20 pounds. This fishing is highly productive from January to March.
As well as Peacock Bass, you’ll also be able to target Payara (Vampire fish) and a range of Catfish, including Redtail, Gilden (Jau), and Firewood. Other species include Matrinxa (South American Trout), Tambaqui, Bicuda, and many more. Experienced anglers will love fly fishing for these species.
You can also head to the Jericó Ecological Park for Trout fishing. Trout caught here can be kept, allowing you to catch your own dinner.
Nearshore
There are plenty of fishing options closer to shore. Head to Medellin to target Roosterfish and even the elusive Tarpon. This is best from October to December.
A lot of trips run from Cartagena. This is great for nearshore fishing and offshore fishing. Here you’ll be able to target Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Jack Crevalle, and King Mackerel. These trips are perfect for beginner anglers and families. You’ll stay within 10 miles of shore and can do a four-hour fish and still catch plenty of fish. Children will also enjoy the trip as you’ll mostly be trolling slowly.
Closer to shore, you can target Permit, Tarpon, and Bonefish. These have been heavily overfished and are not found in the same numbers as previous years.
Offshore
Offshore fishing in the Carribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean can be really productive. Start your trip from Cartagena, and around the 10 mile mark you’ll be able to fish for Blue and White Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and more. Offshore waters off of Cartagena are most productive from March to May, but there is something to fish all year round. There’s a drop off here that goes from 200 feet to 2,000 very quickly, making this a hotspot for pelagic and big game fishing. A full day trip is recommended for experienced anglers to get bigger game further out.
Santa Marta is another top spot for offshore fishing, although you’ll need to head out up to 40 miles out to get to the top fishing spots. As well as Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna, you can also target Amberjack and Sharks.
How to Prepare
Be sure to check the government travel advice for vaccines and safety information when booking a trip to Colombia.
There’s something to fish year-round in these waters. Peak tourist months are January, June, July, and December, during the dry and hot months in Colombia.
When booking a fishing trip, ask your captain whether a fishing license in included in the price and confirm who will keep any fish you catch.. A lot of fishing here is catch and release, but your captain will let you know which fish species can be kept and eaten.
There’s no better time to go fishing in Colombia!