The shelf south of Puerto Colón drops past 2,000 metres within a few nautical miles of the marina. That single geographic fact is why a boat leaving here at nine in the morning can be over true blue-water by half past — and why the species list below reads like three separate fishing destinations stacked on top of each other.
Below is what we actually target, what each fish demands, and when it is realistic. Each species has a full page of its own.
Big Game
- [Blue marlin](/target-species/marlin-fishing-tenerife/) — the reason serious anglers book Tenerife. Fish of 200–400+ kg, peak July to October, fought on 80W and 130W tackle and released alive without exception.
- [Yellowfin and bigeye tuna](/target-species/tuna-fishing-tenerife/) — the year-round backbone. Yellowfin through the warm months, bigeye through the cool ones, so there is no month without a realistic tuna target.
- [Wahoo](/target-species/wahoo-fishing-tenerife/) — high-speed trolling, wire leaders, and a strike that arrives with no warning at all. Late spring through autumn.
- [Swordfish](/target-species/broadbill-swordfish-fishing-tenerife/) — deep-water night fishing, a specialist trip rather than a daytime add-on.
Everyday Sport
- [Dorado / mahi mahi](/target-species/dorado-fishing-tenerife/) — fast, acrobatic, absurdly colourful, and the fish that most often turns a slow day around. Realistic on a 4-hour trip.
- [Amberjack](/target-species/amberjack-fishing-tenerife/) — deep jigging over volcanic reef. Hooked fish dive straight back into structure, which is exactly why people come back for them.
- [Bonito and skipjack](/target-species/bonito-fishing/) — light tackle, abundant, willing. The right answer for families, beginners and anyone who wants a bent rod rather than a long wait.
Choosing by Ambition, Not by Wish List
The honest constraint is time on the water, not luck. A 4-hour shared or private trip covers the near shelf: tuna, dorado, bonito, amberjack. Marlin and consistent big-fish work need a full day, because the productive water sits an hour or more offshore toward La Gomera. If your dates are fixed and your target is fixed, tell us both when you enquire and we will say plainly whether they match.
For where each of these fish actually lives, see the fishing grounds guide. For the month-by-month picture, the Tenerife fishing season calendar. For identification, sizes and technique detail, the fish species guide covers the reef and bottom species too. To compare trip lengths and formats, start at fishing tours or go straight to big game fishing.
FAQ
What is the most reliable fish to catch off Tenerife?
Yellowfin tuna. It is present every month of the year and responds to trolling, live bait and jigging, which gives the crew several ways to find fish on any given day. Dorado and bonito are close behind through the warmer months.
Can I choose which species we target?
Yes, within reason. Tell us the target when you book and we will match it to a boat, a trip length and a realistic season. What we will not do is promise a marlin on a 4-hour trip in February — the fish are not there, and the trip is not long enough.
Which species can I keep?
Tuna, wahoo, dorado, amberjack and bonito are all excellent eating and yours to take. All billfish — blue and white marlin — are tagged and released alive without exception. See our catch and release ethics.
Do I need experience to catch big game fish?
No. The crew rigs, sets the spread and coaches you through the fight. What experience changes is stamina, not access — a large tuna or marlin is physical work, and that is worth knowing before you book a full day.