Let's go fishing!

Cartagena de Indias is the cradle of fishermen. The Mouthpiece and the Island of Tierra Bomba, particular examples, where most of its inhabitants are dedicated to fishing in the sea or in the swamps. Qualities such as patience and serenity (you can spend a day with no success in fishing) combined with wisdom and love to prepare your bait, are necessary to practice this sport. Plus having the intuition for the precise moment for the right catch. Fans claim that it becomes a passion like horses, bulls, and roosters. It is carried in the blood and passed from generation to generation.

Places to fish

Canseco in Punta Canoa, La Tenaza sector and the insular zone of Cartagena.

How many miles can you fish?

30-40 miles from the shore, two or three hours from Cartagena.

Best seasons to fish

The second half of the year, fishing becomes special at night, since there is a change in the marine cycle and fish proliferate in those hours. The lunar phases influence the cycle, in the days of full moon and new moon the fish are more active and look for more food. Other influences are water temperature, tides, atmospheric pressures, directions, intensities and immediate variations of the wind according to the cardinal points; as well as the mating seasons of the fish. According to artisanal fishermen, the first rains in May bring with them one of the best fishing seasons. And sport fishermen say that after May to November is the ideal season.

Bad months to fish

February and April

Species around the city

Red snapper, tarpon, barracuda, jack mackerel mojarra peña, pompano, and catfish are near the reefs. The wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi, and marlin are at sea - reducing the time for preparation and consumption.

Scenario of fishing events

The city is also the scene of several tournaments, among which is: El Calderito, special for children under thirteen; the Cartagena de Indias International Fishing Tournament, which takes place in the Caribbean Sea and where the historical work of Raymundo de la Espriella took place, who achieved the record in 2002 of grabbing a Marlin of 539 pounds.

Modalities of fishing in Cartagena

Coast fishing

It is a specialty that fascinates dozens of men and women who have taken over the famous curve in front of the Baluarte de Santo Domingo. It is a meeting place for amateurs and experts who seek to share experiences and knowledge while enjoying their favorite pastime. They do not merely seek to catch the largest fish but maintain a high sense of environmental responsibility so as not to damage the natural balance of the marine fauna.

Artisanal Fishing

The natives practice artisanal fishing. They depart daily at dawn, under the impetuous sun or at night hours to their tasks in the canoes. With nylon and a hook, a cabin full of bait, to deceive its prey, letting itself be carried away by the sea breeze, they enter the immensity in the area known as La Tenaza, included between the bastions of Santa Catalina and San Lucas, craft fishermen's wharf. According to the National Association of Artisanal Fishermen of Colombia, the average fisherman does not go more than ten miles away from the coast.

May

A modality in which neither buoy nor lead is used. Its practice is to remove the bait once sunk, trying to always keep the thread as tense as possible to perceive the fish's shot. Its use is mainly for fishing small surface fish and for shore areas where the visibility of the water allows to see the bottom of the river, lake or swamp.

Jigging

Leaded lures are used, which are dropped freely to the bottom from the boat in swamps or in places where there is enough depth. The fisherman makes movements in the form of pull while collecting the line to simulate a fish rising to the surface. This is extremely attractive for large predators to the point that you can take very important pieces. The technique is to try different rhythms of pulls whether long, short, spaced or followed and combinations of these.

Carp fishing

Large carp and large species are captured, all specimens are safely returned to the water before photographed. This is probably the first norm in the movement of carp fishing, fishing without death. The hook is completely free holding the bait to the hook thanks to a hair. Thus, when the hook is exposed, it favors being hooked in the mouth of the fish more easily.

Float or pulse fishing

Use of buoys or weather vanes, where these mark the pique. Converted into one of the most used modalities for its low cost and the most used in competitions. It is said that the great professional of freshwater fishing, fishing with a buoy. Depending on the species and its size, the vane offers different behaviors. It can sink, tilt, turn or even climb.

Trolling

Customarily done between three people. An artificial deception is dragged from a moving boat. The cane will depend on its power of the species that we are looking for. The lures used are called "alligators," pieces of plastic or wood in the shape of fish, highly useful for their shape and bright colors. The best results are obtained crossing the coast of lakes or swamps until reaching the deep zone.