Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

GSM

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Just booked our trip for this January. We will be going Friday through Friday. Does anyone have any experience fishing there? Looking to charter a trip at least one day. I have never shore fished the ocean before, but could be a possibility as I see quite a few people on here have experience on that. Any other must do's while we are down there from people who have been?

Thanks,
 


JMF

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We also have a trip booked for January and I'm interested in this info as well.
 

martinslanding

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Do not book anything through a resort…hang out in town one day by the docks or ask around at local watering hole, not on a resort
 

Allen

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I've never been to the D.R. but I have been out on the big water a few times.

What I would say to that is YOLO. I've had very poor days on the ocean, some OK days, and a couple that were a damn tiring experience with reeling in fish. One thing they have all had in common is that your guides and their first mates will do all the work, that is they will bait the hooks, cast/let it out, and set the hook. All you have to do is reel. That last part is kinda disheartening where they grab the rod and make sure the fish is hooked before they hand it off to you. To me that is the best part of fishing!

Do some internet legwork on potential guide services and what is typically biting during your visit. If you get fixated on a given species you can really miss out on some fun. For example, this past June I went with my cousin to Fort Lauderdale for a chance at some large grouper. We didn't catch a single damn grouper, but I had two awesome battles with sandbar sharks in the 7 ft plus range (about as big as they get), a bunch of bonita which fought like hell on light tackle, a barracuda, and some king mackerel. It was a great day on the water despite no grouper or tuna.

Also, pay attention to what your guide service recommends for taking with you on the day of your trip. Some supply water, beer, etc and some don't. Shoes should be white soled so as to not scuff up the typical white fiberglass interior of offshore boats, sunscreen, and snacks.

Non-fishing people also often enjoy the day on the water as there may be turtles, dolphins, and ???? to see.
 

GSM

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We also have a trip booked for January and I'm interested in this info as well.

We are going to be there the 18th-25th. I done some internetting and it looks like you can shore fish from the beaches with medium spinning gear. Best to fish early morning or late evenings.
 


sweeney

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I've never been to the D.R. but I have been out on the big water a few times.

What I would say to that is YOLO. I've had very poor days on the ocean, some OK days, and a couple that were a damn tiring experience with reeling in fish. One thing they have all had in common is that your guides and their first mates will do all the work, that is they will bait the hooks, cast/let it out, and set the hook. All you have to do is reel. That last part is kinda disheartening where they grab the rod and make sure the fish is hooked before they hand it off to you. To me that is the best part of fishing!

Do some internet legwork on potential guide services and what is typically biting during your visit. If you get fixated on a given species you can really miss out on some fun. For example, this past June I went with my cousin to Fort Lauderdale for a chance at some large grouper. We didn't catch a single damn grouper, but I had two awesome battles with sandbar sharks in the 7 ft plus range (about as big as they get), a bunch of bonita which fought like hell on light tackle, a barracuda, and some king mackerel. It was a great day on the water despite no grouper or tuna.

Also, pay attention to what your guide service recommends for taking with you on the day of your trip. Some supply water, beer, etc and some don't. Shoes should be white soled so as to not scuff up the typical white fiberglass interior of offshore boats, sunscreen, and snacks.

Non-fishing people also often enjoy the day on the water as there may be turtles, dolphins, and ???? to see.

Are bonita fish big

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p76aag1h_c
 

JMF

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We are going to be there the 18th-25th. I done some internetting and it looks like you can shore fish from the beaches with medium spinning gear. Best to fish early morning or late evenings.

We'll be there the 19th-26th. What resort? We are gonna be at the RIU Republica.
 

Retired-Guy

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I was there a few years ago and tried to shore fish wading in swim trunks and throwing Rapalas out. There was a lot of floating vegetation in the water and that was all that I caught. Also got drenched with a couple of big waves that I wasn't prepared for. Made sure to rinse the salt out of the Shimano when I got back to our abode.
 

DirtyMike

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Whomever you choose, go for a full day and try to fill the boat with friends. We went for a half day and it just wasn’t enough. Well, for me and the Russian guy on the boat. 8 guests on the boat and 6 were in the cabin throwing up. Just me and a non-English speaking Russian dude with a cooler full of El Presidente. Managed one barracuda and a hell of a buzz.
 

Allen

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Not really, 5-10 lbs would be my guess.

bonita1.jpg













Not my guide. Damnit!

- - - Updated - - -

Ha hah ha...that was a funny clip!

Doesn't change how much we enjoyed catching bonita though. Next to the shark they are the best fighting fish I've caught out of the ocean when matched up with basically HD walleye tackle.
 


GSM

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We'll be there the 19th-26th. What resort? We are gonna be at the RIU Republica.

We are staying at the Barceló Bavara. Looks like we are at the other end of the beach.
 

3Roosters

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Wife and I stayed a Ocean Blue and Sand 2 years ago. All inclusive. So so resort. Loved Punta Cana in general however. We did do a day trip on a dune buggy which was fun. We didn't go fishing so I am no help there. We basically walked the great beach and drank at swim up bar and sat on lawn chairs, read, ate, drank and drank some more. I would recommend tipping your maid, put a couple dollars on the pillows in the morning as they appreciate American money..probably is more than they earn in a half day. If you happen to see them when they are cleaning your room or whatever..give them a couple extra bucks and ask if they have extra mini bottles of booze for the room. We did that and we got like 15-20 minis every time they cleaned! hahaha Do the same thing with your bartender at the swim up bar or any bar. You will amazed the better service you get..plus better booze. Would definitely go back to Punta Cana, perhaps trying a different resort next time though. Also, steer clear of the hounding of the time share folks!
 

rodcontrol

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marlin.jpghttps://www.islandmarinepuntacana.com/

This is the charter we used when we were down there. We only fished a half day and caught a small tuna and a nice white marlin. Above is the photo of the marlin we landed. I would say pay the money for a full day. The mates did not speak English so that was interesting. The captain spoke English but we didn't see him till the end of the trip. The seas were rough and I believe that is pretty typical. I enjoyed the experience. If we hadn't caught the marlin I guess it would of been pretty disappointing with the weather the way it was.

I had very good correspondence with their CSR and everything went as planned. Pickup was on time and the boat was ready waiting. Traffic down there is a little wild so be prepared to get the shit scared out of you if you are used to small town traffic.
Half day with a discount was $700
Email
islandmarinepuntacana@gmail.com
 
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GSM

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This is the charter we used when we were down there. We only fished a half day and caught a small tuna and a nice white marlin. Above is the photo of the marlin we landed. I would say pay the money for a full day. The mates did not speak English so that was interesting. The captain spoke English but we didn't see him till the end of the trip. The seas were rough and I believe that is pretty typical. I enjoyed the experience. If we hadn't caught the marlin I guess it would of been pretty disappointing with the weather the way it was.

I had very good correspondence with their CSR and everything went as planned. Pickup was on time and the boat was ready waiting. Traffic down there is a little wild so be prepared to get the shit scared out of you if you are used to small town traffic.
Half day with a discount was $700
Email
islandmarinepuntacana@gmail.com

I am guessing the $700 was for a private charter?
 


rodcontrol

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$700 for the boat, couldn't fit very many people near the rods but the cabin was roomy. This was on their "Lady Lola" 42' Bertram
 

ktm450

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Booked our first trip to punta cana also. Headed there over thanksgiving for the honeymoon. Staying at the Secret Royal Beach.

The wife does not like fishing so I don't think that will happen for me, but is there any other good excursions or things to do while there? Have done the swim with the dolphin a couple times in cancun already so not really interested in that.

Thanks in advance for the info.
 

martinslanding

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Travel Tip #87: go to the bank and get $2 bills .... and use these when you want excellent service...the few times we've been to the Caribbean they go nuts over these ... some of the staff was paying up to $5 to for the $2 bills
 

CatDaddy

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Travel Tip #87: go to the bank and get $2 bills .... and use these when you want excellent service...the few times we've been to the Caribbean they go nuts over these ... some of the staff was paying up to $5 to for the $2 bills

150% return on investment? Just found my new retirement strategy.....

A coworker just returned from Secrets Resort for his daughter's wedding. He came to me before he left and said "Hey, Google "Secrets Punta Cana, adult only"".....I laughed and thought he wanted me to flag the company's porn filter haha. Nope, beautiful place!
 


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