The east coast of the Dominican Republic enjoys the game-fish trifecta of deep-blue waters, tons of fishy offshore topography and a steady flow of white and blue marlin passing through on their annual migrations. It only stands to reason that eventually a world-class resort and marina would take advantage of these idyllic shores. Marina Cap Cana did just that, and the project raised the bar to a whole new level for Caribbean marinas.

The marina features state-of-the-art dock accommodations surrounded by several excellent restaurants, boutiques and an amazing array of vacation properties encircling the entire marina. Transient boaters and slipowners currently occupy 89 berths, and the marina managers, Brandy Marine International, of Sarasota, Florida, plan to bring that total to 125 slips in the near future. When completed, the final marina plans call for more than 1,000 slips, making Cap Cana the largest inland marina in the entire Caribbean Sea. While Marina Cap Cana is one of the most modern resorts in the Caribbean, the area surrounding the resort actually holds some of the richest historical ties in the region. In the early1500s, Christopher Columbus landed just a few hours away from the area where Cap Cana currently sits, and he immediately went to work, establishing the first church and settlement in the Western Hemisphere. After cruising the entire Caribbean, Columbus chose to settle in this area. He didn’t fish, nor did he golf, but he knew quality, luxury habitat when he saw it.

Alta Bella Hotels, a Spanish-based hotel chain, is developing a fishinglodge, which will boast approximately 450 units fortraveling anglers. You can also opt to rent or purchase a private condo if you decide to stick around and fish the entire season, and it’s worth sticking around. Eduardo Read, the International Game Fish Association’s local representative, says he prefers to fish his home waters, no matter what time of year.“Fishing the Cap Cana area provides the best overallyear-round fishing in the entire Caribbean,” he says.The white marlin show up in March, and their numbers peak in May, though the action runs through June. “You can raise whites just a mile fromshore,” Read says. The bluemarlin bite picks up steamin June and is best during the midsummer months.The blue marlin stickaround in solid numbers through the end of August, but there have been plenty of seasons when blue marlin showed up well into October. Anglers find the largest blues in July andAugust, and fish topping 500 pounds are not uncommon. Read says the biggest blue ever weighed in theDominican Republic tipped the scales at 850 pounds. Miguel Nadal, a long time member of the Club Nautico in Santo Domingo, keeps his boat in Cap Cana from May through August every year to take advantage of the blue marlin bite. “Most blues run 250 to 500 pounds but average around 350,” he says. “That’s a big average when compared to other Caribbean locations.” The local experts also mentioned the budding sailfish and swordfish fisheries. Commonly, these fish are found earlier in the year than the marlin, but their presence gives anglers a great opportunity at catching a grand slam from April through July. On those days when a crew catches a blue, a white and a sail, they can take advantage of the rare opportunity to catch a super slam by targeting a swordfish along one of the deep drops.You won’t ever have a hard time finding a fish to tug on off Cap Cana. Andrew New, the Cap Cana Marina general manager, rattled off a handful of other species found in these productive waters to keep anglers busy. “First off, big dorado and hefty wahoo are found year-round here,”he says. “Yellow fin and blackfin tuna are consistent prowlers near the offs hore drop-offs, and if you’re into catching some variety of grand proportions, take the time to deep-drop some baits and jigs on the near by Punta Cana Bank where big grouper, snapper and amberjack lurk.” This bank is found just a few miles offshore and extends for alength of about six miles.The depths range from 200to 700 feet, and jiggingwith baits or Butterfly jigsresults in some butt-kickingbattles with grouper in the40- to 60-pound range, snapper up to 10 pounds or more, and amberjack from 20 to 30 pounds. Marina Cap Cana truly offers something for everyone. Families can take their pick from an amazing array of activities to enjoy together or just kick back and relax on the beach. The clean waters and surrounding coral reefs foundin shore offer up a virtual playground for those who enjoy playing on the water. The Dominican Republic is fast becoming the next go-to hot spot in the Caribbean. Cap Cana’s upscale developments, family-friendly vacation amenities and location on the fishy east end of the island make this resort an irresistible destination for the offshore angler.

By Bill Boyce

marlinmag.com