At this time of year the temperature drops to about 18 degrees, not very favorable for species such as marlin, shark or wahoo that need warmer waters, but otherwise it is very good for tuna fishing.

The sea was completely calm. Leaving port we felt a slight breeze from the northeast. The last of the thick haze we had been having and the moon accompanying us promised a good day. We began deploying the trolling rods and the Crew gave explanations to the fishermen on what to do and how to do it. Within a few minutes a reel sounds… and … wham!  Then another reel sounds. The Captain slows down. ”They will be tuna …” .- says one of the fishermen. The rod is arched and we were beginning to glimpse something silver under water … “a skip jack tuna!”. And the first of the season. A good size too, three to four kilos, the tuna family, very strong and very nervous. Fishing for these tuna requires great skill and ability with the rod they are great swimmers.

We reached the spot the captain has chosen and cast anchor. In the first few minutes the fish seemed to not be hungry. But then slowly we began catching, bream and red porgy. We changed site, and took this time to have lunch, when suddenly swimming very close to us a beautiful turtle! We pulled him on board to check if he were injured or had any bag hooked on, He was in perfect condition, and we took pictures and returned him to the sea. He submerged straight away. We reached the new site for bottom fishing. The probe marked fish; the seabed is about 50 meters deep. Again the rods reel. Within minutes the first catch, a scorpion fish (photo) more than 2 kilos, a species very difficult to fish at these depths, very poisonous but a treat for the palate. As in previous days a giant squid was caught also about 2 kilos. Enormous …
Another catch, a further 4 kilos lemon fish!  Anglers enjoyed a great time.

After such a fun day of fishing, we returned to port already planning another day of fishing in these waters as graceful Lanzarote. With a little luck, will soon be catching the larger tuna.
Regards

Paco Sanz

We started in October and the catches of good size wahoo, 15, 22, 25 and 29 kilos. Mid-month in Puerto del Carmen the XV Game Fishing Tournament ”La tiñosa” was held with the participation of the Katfish. At 9 am 41 boats, a spectacular view to see, depart from the harbor, when the flare was launched to begin the capture of the large fish such as tuna, dorado, wahoo and marlin. Soon we were trolling slowly when suddenly … Rrrrrrrrrrr!  Mr. Archie Houston English 64years old, grabbed a rod, according to the rules of the tournament without the help of any kind, began reeling in. A little, a little and suddenly it was over. The minutes passed and Mr. Houston was beginning to tire. Last effort! Other fishermen cheered as he labored, encouraging the fisherman. After half an hour, and helped out of with the gaff a magnificent wahooof 28 kilos. Applause and congratulations on board, very grateful and exhausted the lucky fisherman. The crew knew that according to the weights of the wahoo fished on previous days, we have an example that could be a good candidate for ”most wahoo prize of the tournament.” And after a fateful day and two catches,the Katfish  was proclaimed winner , a much deserved award. Congratulations!

Fishing is the thing here, another surprise we are eager to recount. The first day of November was a great time for us on the Katfish. Five fishermen set sail from port  with the hope of having a good day of fishing. But they did not know what fate was in store … Two 80lb rods for marlin on both ends and another half dozen in the center for tuna and wahoo were dropped astern. At noon, after lunch, one of the fishermen saw that the lure behind him shone portside . Look, look! It surfaced again and let out a glimpse of its imposing peak. It’s a marlin, a huge marlin!!!.- he shouted. No rush at first, but suddenly the starboard rod jerked, that scared more than one in the boat. Take the rod! He began to collect, little by little. This time the young Greg Fogerty was fortunate to grab the rod and celebrate his birthday in style. Give, give! Belt and harness helped to maneuver well in the seat like captain or as a sailor, the boy was getting the bug. The fish at the stern was jumping with jumps of  20 meters and were cheered by some of the fishermen who were astonished . After a hard, intense and memorable struggle it was bought closer to the stern, free of the lure and let loose again a great marlin estimated about 300 kilos, according to the pattern. It was amazing .

We will continue sailing in order that we can continue telling fishing stories for you to read, who knows, at some point that you could be living them.

Kind regards

Paco Sanz

The month begins with the 19^th sea fishing tournament in Puerto Calero, on the 2nd and 3^rd of September in which the Katfish was enrolled. We were lucky with the highlight of catching and releasing a beautiful hammerhead shark that unfortunately fell outside of all the scores for the championship. The final winner was the Rabbit I that caught a blue marlin.

On the other hand the prestigious Californian biologist Bill Bryce has been, for the fourth year, the judge of the tournament in the Marina Rubicon marlin cup, held on the 16^th and 17^th of September in the waters of Lanzarote.  Boyce is one of the world references in the field of sport fishing and underwater photography are in great international recognition. According to Boyce the presence of billfish in Canarian waters have decreased in recent years due to scarcity of tuna, which serves as food for marlin and overfishing. This is compounded by the nature of migratory species of tuna and billfish. Lanis the boat finally won Game Fishing Tournament Rubicon Marlin Cup without killing, managed to capture, photograph and release a blue marlin and white marlin. The Katfish keeps trying with the same enthusiasm and optimism. We are very close …

Until next time fisherman

Paco Sanz

The first weeks were quite active; the new moon hovering over us was a good prelude to our toiling fisherman, especially in bottom fishing. We had days of catching up to half a dozen barracudas of about 3 kilos, as well as a day we caught a Wahoo of about 20 kilos. Days to remember!

One day were saw the ferociousness of the Wahoo, fishing with live bait of Atlantic bonito ,the German Mr Gabler  picked up the reel feeling a tug , finally from the water we saw the head of the bonito , a perfect bite mark from his side, we were all open mouthed, Creepy….

The full moon is lighting the sea at night, the fish take this opportunity to go out and eat at night with such lightness and brightness, and this is an implication that the days of the full moon are more difficult fishing days. Yet we were surprised one day, when 20 minutes after leaving port, the buzzer sounded, and another and again! Stop stop! Up to five fishermen all at the stern trolling,” they are skipjack tunas” shouts Louie “and big ones” helping them to lift the tuna aboard with the gaff. Two escaped, bit the other 3 magnificent skipjacks weighing in at four, five and six kilos, were not so lucky. A good set guys!

And finally we had a marlin bite, it was big, very big, the sailor just got the rod it was a swift bite, and it suddenly struck against the stern of the boat. Two fishermen helped lift the rod to Louie whilst another held the well equipped English man by the waist. After five minutes and several tugs, the Marlin was able to escape, till the next time!

In Lanzarote the summer continues, as well as the fishing trips. So sooner or later we will catch one of these sort after fish.

It is worth mentioning our private charter on the Folixa, Mr Foley has been able to enjoy a few days with his family. One of them managed to catch a wahoo of twenty kilos and two yellow fin tuna of fifteen and twenty kilos. The whole family left happy and looking forward to the next vacation to repeat an unforgettable experience.

Without further ado, sending you greetings, your friend Paco

The first days of July did not begin well unlike the previous month. The hammerhead sharks had been sighted around the Katfish, however due to lack of suitable bait and another that disappeared without attempting to fish, there was no way to see them up close.

Hammerhead sharks are a species that usually tend to congregate in large groups, however when they eat, they eat alone and on the surface and they take time to fish, it is exciting.

Well into the month, with grey skies and with seas somewhat troubled by the strong winds characteristic of this time, we played along the coast bottom fishing and trolling. As always the rods are to the anchor point.

Within minutes of leaving the alarms start to ring, stop! Stop! Shouts Louie. Three rods at the same time, and we landed 3 nervous skipjack. Good omens!

We arrived at the spot chosen by the captain, we threw anchor and began bottom fishing, and the probe showed fish in the background but they resisted the squid bait. The first black bream was swift. We decided to change spot and took this time to have lunch. We caught some red porgy, and sea bream, then suddenly when no one expected it SHARKS!! The captain shouted. The shadow and the large shark fin could be seen about 50 meters from the Katfish, prepare a skipjack!, the sailor quickly prepared a fillet of skipjack caught earlier, which we put on the hook and threw in, the captain began to maneuver the bait closer, to tease its smell and for it to see the succulent meaty snack, a treat to its aggressive palate.

After several attempt the shark bit and the reel started to run, the first fisherman could only take 10 minutes before his arms got tired, it took 10 fishermen feeling the 150 kilo sharks pull. Finally, and after an hour of intense fighting we pulled it close to the stern where we dropped out the hook and let him free again, Cameras photos and applause reigned on board!!

An unforgettable experience, one that will not be deleted from their cameras or minds of this amazing time.

With water temperatures rising being heated by the sun, we begin fishing for the highly converted species, for any fisherman worth his salt! The Wahoo, dorado, hammerhead sharks, and the most sort after The Marlin. The waters welcome the Katfish.

In early June we had the first marlin bite, however it was unsuccessful after 20 minutes of intense fighting. A few days later, another Marlin with the same outcome. We are closing  in. The Dorados, the Jurassic looking species most commonly gold and voracious, (see main photo) also their meat is delicious to the palate, in the first weeks of June we landed up to a dozen of them. There were days there were pairs of them jumping looking like gold dolphins looking for the lures, and flying fish jumping it was a sight to see.

A cautionary note, the sweltering heat (calima) that we suffered in mid-June, is a result of the Sahara winds from the east, which brings heat and airborne dust, making the fishing days a little harder.

One of these days, a little cloud over us, we sailed with thoughts of a good days bottom fishing, but fate bought us a surprise, since first thing in the morning the surface was full of activity with Shearwaters and gulls flocking to eat the small fish, we made a few passes anchored and the first land was a beautiful snapper of about 2 kilos. We continued the days fishing with sea bream, snapper groupers and even a moray. We had just dropped anchor when the skipper shouted “SHARKS” everybody gathered at the bow of the boat to starboard, fifty yards away there was a hammerhead shark fin poking out, a 200 kilos shark, it was amazing.

The captain and crew prepared a filet on the hook looking for the shark, hoping the stream of blood would entice it, however after various attempts, it appeared the shark wasn’t hungry enough, and disappeared beneath the water. With disappointment on fisherman’s faces we headed back to port, within a few minutes we had a bite, the captain slowed the boat and Mr. Morcinek put up a good fight a majestic Wahoo of nearly 20 kilos was landed! we were about to head off again when the buzzer sounded and another 15 kilo Wahoo was caught much to the satisfaction of tall the fisherman a good group who fast became friends. In short, making a fishing trip about more than just fishing.

Everyone on board was full of joy and pride, even more so when on the way back to port we caught 2 yellow fin tunas of about 5 kilos each. The next day the luck continued as we caught another Wahoo of 15 kilos that’s with having purchased new lures after the attack on the others the previous day!

As we ended the month of May, it was a beautiful day as the trolling fisherman were working and waiting, when suddenly six rods started buzzing as one after the fisherman picked up their per-assigned rods. Pull, pull!!! Shouted Mr. Smith smiling, we finally landed 3 magnificent yellow fin tunas of near on 4 kilos each.

Yellow fin tuna has a very energetic and nervous bite!

The Wahoo is easier to fish when trolling along the coast in calm waters, with our bottom fishing we carried on catching barracudas and sama (sea bream) up to 3 kilos. Today we done the same, although not starting so good with a change of captain and spot we landed 3 lemon fishes, one of more than 6 kilos.

May was a very good prelude to what the summer will bring!

The first days of May have been really good on the Katfish. Monday May the 2nd began well, the captain chose a good spot and the sonar showed activity below, we set out the rods and had a bite first thing… we were not expecting that, seabream and black seabream. Also a Moray eel (who’s heart can live for hours after you kill the eel) a barracuda weighing in around 4 kilos made it a fantastic set.

But the best was yet to come. On Wednesday we anchored the Katfish in the Bocaina ,and like Monday they began to bite, good sized black seabream, we caught up to 40!! Then on starboard we had the first Barracuda bite, it was a generous day… But what our big surprise was when suddenly we had a bite and it was big, and pulled hard, finally a great Bluefish appeared splashing in at 6 kilos, a species that is difficult to see and fish in these waters due to its sort after meat. We finished the day with the catch of another Barracuda.

Friday was again another day for catching black seabream, another 30, this with a group of future fisherman all striving to be the best and had great joy in learning the arts of fishing. We also had the pleasure of dolphins and whales swimming close by, a very exciting day for the fisherman.

On Monday the 9^th another 20 black seabream and the occasional comber fish, Mr. Pehmöller a fanatical repeat client, took charge of landing a 6 kilo barracuda after 10 minutes of intense fighting. We had live fish bait but instead of the black seabream we were expecting, we had a seabream on hook.

Tuesday was big game fishing, It is still early for marlin and hammer head sharks, more suited to the months of June to October, but the sea had a surprise in store for us, about 5 miles from the coast our buzzer sounded , it´s a tuna!!- shouted one of the fisherman, but as he picked up the 50lb rod it was bent over, its big it’s very big! A WAHOO with help from a gaff we get it on board a magnificent 20 kilos, fished by a very exhausted Mr McBryan.

Hopefully these next few weeks we will be informing you of great fishing and one day you will come here to fish yourselves in Lanzarote.

The day dawned with grey skies and clouds, indicating that we could have a few drops of rain as we bottom fishing along the coast of Lanzarote. With typical northwest winds we set sail in search of a desirable catch by eager anglers, with eight trolling rods with bait and plastic squids jumping the water.
Ten minutes after leaving port we had the first surprise of the day, two reels start screaming and two of the fisherman fighting their nerves as they landed the first  skipjacks of the day weighing in around a kilo and a half.
We continue towards our chosen spot, when suddenly the pattern on the sea changes a hovering over the water, these are called flocks, a group of birds that flock to eat the banks of small fish such as mackerel and sardines. The captain turned the boat towards it knowing that there would also be bigger fish underneath feeding of the succulent banks. We didn’t have to wait long for the first bites, again the trolling rods working, catching another four skipjacks, and within no time at all we landed another ten, the fisherman were ecstatic!
Whales were eating in the distance and so it was there we went, this was a day of intense activity, another bite, and another.. all the rods were active with all sorts of bait, following the successes we decided to save the bottom fishing for later, a hint of sun shone through glistening mackerel on the surface, the banks were huge, it was very probable that there were plenty of fish there. Four more skipjacks to add to the catch; this continued throughout the day, it was amazing we caught over forty skipjacks!!!
A hard day to forget as the fisherman came into port with big smiles on their faces and eager to repeat such an exciting days fishing!

Another day and the Katfish sets sail from port full of fisherman of various nationalities, Dutch, Norwegian, English, German and a friendly Russian, everyone on board with one aim, to have a great day’s bottom and trolling in the beautiful seas on the coast of Lanzarote.
The sea is perfectly calm, as we sail from port, with a slight breeze from the northeast. There is a calima on the air, as the sailors explain to the fisherman all the necessities and the rods are put out to begin the trolling.
A few minutes out and one of the rods is screaming and then wham!, another starts. The captain picks up the rods “skipjacks“ says one of the fisherman. The rods are arched as we glimpse something silver on the water there are cries of “its Red Tuna!” as we land the first of the season and a good size..
We reach the point the captain has decided to drop anchor, in the beginning the fish are not biting, but little by little they begin catching, Sea bream and small red porgy and the first two skipjack.
We changed our spot and took this time to have lunch, when a beautiful Whale swims close by then dives under!!
We arrived at our new fishing point, we measure the depth of about 40 meters, again the rods are out, and  the Dutch family are the first to catch, seabream and black seambreams, they were competing and soon two more skipjacks were caught , one of them a magnificent catch.
On the return to port we had the good fortune to see dolphins swimming; they were not as playful as they have been at other times; however we had another surprise, 2 catches of 2 skipjack, the youngest of the family landed one!
After a fun filled day of fishing we headed back to port wondering what the next days fishing would bring