Fishing Dominica
    

Introduction

For the majority, fishing in Dominica is not looked upon as sport.  It is work... a means of financial sustenance for those that are "fisherfolk." 

Most generally, Dominica fishermen rely upon small boats ranging from hand crafted boats carved from a single tree trunk by the native Kalinago Indians to small row boats, to slightly larger boats powered by single, 40hp outboard motors or less. A few boats capable of supporting 100hp motors, are used.  Very few fisherman afford themselves the luxury and safety of 2 engines.

The smaller, man-powered boats are seen daily bobbing, most generally a quarter to half mile from shore.  Using hand lines, these fishermen seek anything that will take their bait from barracuda, garfish, wahoo, snapper and other. Other fishermen can be seen checking fish pots. Close to shore, others set and pull large nets to catch blue robins and other hand-sized fish that swim close to shore in large shoals.

What cannot be observed is those fisherman who have ventured 5 to 50+ miles off shore, in their single, 40 to 100hp singe engine boats. They are seeking big fish -- blue marlin and tuna.  Leaving before daybreak, these brave men take their passions "out there."  Out there... the term used when traveling so far, sometimes solo, in search of big fish. 

The objective locations for fishing at these distances is pre-determined by the fisherman's having placed a FAD (fish attraction device).  Marked only by a few floating buoys, these more determined fisherman rely up GPS satellite locaters to get them into the target area.  ►Learn More About Fads Taking up to two hours to travel 50 miles, the fisherman travel out of radio and cell phone range at the 15 mile mark.  After that, they are truly at sea -- out of communication with those on land.

Once in the vicinity of the FAD the fisherman gets quickly to work.  Unwinding a light hand-line attached to a plastic squid-looking lure hiding a hook, the fisherman trolls for small bait tuna, bonitos, weighing anywhere from 1-5 pounds. After 1 or 2 are successfully in the  boat, fishing for marlin and tuna begins.

Though rod and reel are used to catch some fish in the more distant Dominica waters, few rely upon such methods -- set, handlings are the method of choice.                                                     

First, a bait is secured alive to a very large hook that is attached to monofilament line, 100-300 pound test in strength.  The bait is then set at a depth of 50 to 200 meters with the line freed to drift in the water, supported and marked by a floating buoy. Most often 1-6 lines are set in this manner, situated to drift with the current near to and past the FAD.

When a yellow-fin tuna or marlin, takes the bait, the buoy attached the line stands straight up signaling a fish is on. Observing the buoy and its signal from a short distance, the fisherman maneuvers to the line where the chore of carefully pulling the catch in, hand-over-hand, begins.  Most often this does does not occur quickly. The pulling process can be very risky as all of the line brought into the boat, piles at the fisherman's feet.

Never wrapped around hands, the line is tightly grabbed as the pulling unfolds.  Incredibly strong and fast, both large tuna and marlin have the ability to carry on a respectable struggle.  Extreme caution must be taken when a fish decides to run, uncontrollably  zipping all the line from the boat, passed the fisherman's' feet, back into the sea... where the pulling begins all over again.... until the fish is finally brought on to the boat.

Of all, the fish caught on Dominica, from the very small to the very large,  100% are used for food, some given away to friends & neighbors, the rest sold locally to villagers, restaurants, stores and markets.  There is no waste; Dominican's are experts at preparing fish in incredibly tasty way and served at practically every meal.