Welcome to the island that’s often referred to as a “continent in miniature,” owing to the sheer variety of its locales. From sprawling sandy beaches to breathtaking hiking destinations, you’ll begin to wonder how so much biodiversity can be packed onto a single island. Fishing in Gran Canaria is a more focused affair, meaning that the local anglers know exactly what they want and how they can get it.
Known For
When it comes to fishing for big game, Gran Canaria is one of the best places in the world to do it. Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria has more than 50 deep sea world records under its belt, drawing in anglers from all over to test their lines against the local big fish. The downside of this big game fishing craze is that it keeps other kinds of fishing under the radar. For example, the mountain lakes dotted all over the south side of the island have some fantastic fishing in store.
Deep Sea Fishing
If you’re the least bit interested in billfishing, you’ll want to check out what offshore fishing in Gran Canaria is like. The continental shelf lies just a few miles off the coast, which means you can reach the fishing grounds within mere minutes of casting off. The main attraction in these waters is the Blue Marlin, but there’s also plenty of White Marlin, Mahi Mahi, and Sharks to go around. Summer is the ideal time to be fishing for these species, but also to enjoy the golden beaches.
Those more interested in fishing for Tuna will also have plenty to do in Gran Canaria. With species like Bluefin, Skipjack, Yellowfin, Albacore, and Bigeye Tuna present at varying times of the year, there’s always something to be found in the deep blue.
Reef Fishing
The abundance of coral reefs around the Canary Islands makes for extremely productive reef fishing time and time again. The most popular catches for reef fishing anglers are Amberjack and Red Snapper, available in large numbers from winter until mid-spring.
Lake Fishing
Often sidelined in favor of the better-known saltwater fishing, the Gran Canaria lakes remain a hidden gem of the local fishing scene. A real shame too, because Carp fishing here is simply outstanding. There’s no lack of skilled guides who exclusively take people fishing for Carp in places like Lake Chira.
Gran Canaria Fishing Tips
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Most deep sea fishing charters will have special equipment for reef fishing that includes things like metal jigs for Amberjack.
- The bulk of local charter companies can be found on the southern part of the island, namely in places like Puerto de Mogan and Puerto Rico.
Need to Know
People in the Canary Islands speak Spanish, but professional charter operators will have a bilingual crew because the islands are popular with European anglers.
Regulations
Fishing from marinas or harbors is strictly forbidden in the Canary Islands, but feel free to fish from jetties and piers. Anglers going on their own will need to buy a fishing permit, whereas charter captains will have that covered for their guests.
Budget
The usual asking price for a fishing trip in Gran Canaria is around US$100 per hour. This can vary depending on the type of trip as bottom fishing trips are less expensive than offshore trolling ones.
Getting There
The main way to reach Gran Canaria is by plane from Europe or Northern Africa to Gran Canaria International Airport. There’s a bus line that runs directly from the airport to the city center. Rental cars are another option to make navigating the island easy. Both will do the job when it comes to getting you near the water, and that’s where the real fun begins!