There’s no better place for deep sea fishing in the Atlantic than Cape Verde (also called Cabo Verde). This island nation lies 450 km off the coast of Senegal, surrounded by deep water and a resident population of big game fish. Simply put, these 10 islands were made for world class angling! A typical Cape Verde fishing experience will have you hooking into some of the world’s most sought-after prizes–not least among them the legendary Blue Marlin.
Known For
Cape Verde is the place for Blue Marlin fishing. This formidable foe swims in local waters all year, but the best time to catch one is between late March and July. Blues in Cape Verde range widely in size–you never know if you’re bound to hook into one that weighs 100 kg or one that weighs over 500 kg!
When the peak season for Blue Marlin comes to a close, anglers keep themselves busy catching White Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Wahoo, Spearfish, Trevally and much more. These big game fish provide non-stop action through December, before strong winds pick up at the start of the year and make it difficult for charter boats to head offshore.
In addition to pelagic trophy fish, you can hook into an ever-present supply of bottom dwellers like Amberjack, Grouper, and Snapper. To top it all off, Cape Verde also offers some of the best Shark fishing in the world, and you don’t even have to leave shore to make the most of it!
Top Cape Verde Fishing Spots
With 10 different islands to choose from, you might be wondering where to start! There’s no shortage of hot fishing grounds around Cape Verde, but here are a few highlights to get you going:
Mindelo
The island of São Vicente has access to some of Cape Verde’s best Blue Marlin fishing. Combine that with the nation’s largest fleet of charter boats in Mindelo, and you’ve got a recipe for unparalleled deep sea fishing!
Santa Maria
Located on the southern coast of the island of Sal, this town has her own fleet of charter boats ready to take you out to the deep water. For those who have yet to find their sea legs, Santa Maria also offers excellent shore fishing. Look for spots where the beach transforms into rockier terrain and cast a line for an assortment of Rockfish, eels, and more.
Praia
The nation’s capital on the island of Santiago doesn’t have bad fishing, either. In fact, this can be one of the best places to hook into Blue Marlin, and locals often complain when they manage to catch “only” a couple of Blues per day!
Need to Know
Getting There
Cape Verde has international airports on the islands of Santiago, Boa Vista, and Sal, with air service from various cities in western Africa, Brazil, Europe, and the United States. Visitors must obtain a visa before entering the country.
You can rely on regular ferries and domestic flights to go between the islands.
Regulations
Many Cape Verde fishing charters include licenses for customers, but it’s always wise to confirm this with the captain ahead of time. You can usually expect tackle and bait to be included, as well.
While it’s legal to catch and keep many fish species in Cape Verde, some anglers are working hard to protect fish like Marlin and Sharks by tagging and releasing them. Make your intentions known to the crew before booking your trip to avoid a misunderstanding.
Budget
Many charter operators in Cape Verde offer 8-10 hour deep sea fishing trips. These range from USD $1,000-$2,000, depending on the quality of the boat and whether you plan to target Blue Marlin. Non-Marlin fishing trips in the off-season are usually on the lower end of this price range.
In some areas, you’ll find 4-hour trips for $400-$600. These quick trips include bottom fishing for Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, and more.
Cape Verde Fishing Techniques
Trolling will help you catch a wide variety of fish in Cape Verde, from Blue and White Marlin to Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and Barracuda. The classic method of “bait and switch” is also popular around the islands. Jigging and bottom fishing produces Amberjack, Grouper, Snapper, and more.
Spearfishing has gained a lot of popularity in Cape Verde. Anglers use this technique to catch Wahoo, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Amberjack, Grouper, and even Marlin on occasion. It’s common to go spearfishing near drop offs and around offshore banks. For beginners, targeting Amberjack relatively close to shore is a good way to get acquainted with this method before diving into deep water.
Yet another fishing method you’ll see anglers use in Cape Verde is surf casting–and it’s not just reserved for small fish! You can catch a variety of Sharks this way, including Tigers, Lemons, Bulls, and more.
With a wide variety of game fish to hook into and almost as many ways to catch them, your time in Cape Verde is sure to be an adventure!