Fishing
Nicaragua is fast becoming one of the premier “frontier fishing” spots in the world. Long advertised as a surfer’s paradise, international fishermen are now exploring the abundant fisheries of Nicaragua. Your best bet to catch fish while you are in Gigante is to book a charter trip with one of the three charter operators who operate from Gigante Bay. See the listing of Charter Operators below.
Fishing in Nicaragua can vary greatly depending on the season. There are only two seasons: the Dry season from November thru May and the Rainy season from June thru October. Offshore winds blow constantly during the Dry season and the near shore water is generally clear but can be choppy if the winds are strong. The wind is generally offshore and less strong during the Rainy season but the river runoff from the rain can make near shore waters cloudy with silt. September and October are especially rainy due to the counter clockwise motion of tropical systems in the Pacific and Caribbean pulling moisture over the Southwest Nicaraguan coast. Land travel can be very difficult during these two months because the roads are very muddy and stream crossings are impassable.
Inshore fishing in the Pacific is good from November through August with a variety of species available. Roosterfish, Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Bonito and Snapper. Dorado and the occasional Sailfish are also caught in nearshore waters. Rooster Fish are very large and a 30+ pound Rooster is common in the waters around Gigante.
The peak offshore season for Marlin and Sailfish is during the early part of the rainy season from June to August. Yellowfin, wahoo and dorado are also regularly caught in offshore waters. The best fishing for billfish and other offshore species is around humps and the drop off located 20-30 miles offshore. Catch & Release -Billfishing is a “new game” for many of the local captains and they will want to bring in every billfish caught. We encourage every sport fisherman that comes to Gigante to practice “Catch & Release” methods for all fish that you don’t want to eat. This practice wil help preserve the resource for future generations. You can offer the captain a small bonus ($20) to release any billfish caugh to begin teaching the locals that every fish brought to the boat does not have to be brought to the beach.
If you bring your own fishing equipment, you can also fish from the rocks at Gigante Point or directly from the beach when the fish are running. No chance of missing a beach run of fish because the locals go crazy and run up and down the beach throwing hand lines at the clearly visable school near the beach. Fishing from the rocks requires a short walk out to Gigante Point and a rod and reel. You can also hire one of the local fishermen to take you out if you have your own equipment.
Gigante Charter Fishing Operations
Peche Sportive – Offers full service fishing tours by the week provided by Vincent Maubourguet with transportation and full meal service. Vincent operates two well equipped pangas with side sounding sonar, GPS and other fish finding electronics. Peche Sportive targets the French Sport Fishing community and the operation has been featured in several French Sport Fishing magazines. Accommodations for Peche Sportive clients during their stay are provided in Casa Amarilla. Vincent offers weekly rates for fishermen and their non-fishing companions. Vincent is an avid fisherman who captains his boats and he has tremendous passion for catching fish. For further information on booking a trip see:
http://www.nicaragua-peche-sportive.com
Pastora Tours – Offers day fishing trips, snorkeling trips, dive trips, trips to surf spots and coastline tours
in three well equipped pangas. Minimum fishing trip is 3 hours with all equipment and beverages
provided. Pastora uses local fishermen as captains for their boats. For further information see:
Fidel & Sons Charter Fishing – Don Fidel operates three well equipped pangas and offers fishing trips, surf trips and coastline tours. Fishing rates are $40/hr with a four person limit. Surf trips are $100 with a 6 person limit. Don Fidel operates out of his well stocked pulperia in the middle of town. Fidel is an avid fisherman who uses local fishermen to captain his boats. For further information on booking a trip see:
Other Things to Do
Fishing Gallery
