Download the mobile app!

Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.

Check out our new Android or iOS app for Fishing Status.

The long awaited return of our mobie app is back on Apple App Store and Google Play

Fishing with Tyler McLaughlin from "Wicked Tuna" or "Wicked Tyler"))

 | By Big Marlin Charters Punta Cana on 12/13/2019 12:00:00 AM | Views (1485)

My report about an amazing fishing trip with Tyler McLaughlin from "Wicked Tuna” National Geographic project.

Greeting to all my dear friends fishermen! As always I am writing to you from sunny Dominican Republic, Punta Cana.fishing in Punta Cana cap Tyler wicked tuna project

Today is the 19th of December. It’s an early morning. Today’s fishing unfortunately got cancelled because of big waves, so it is a good time to write a report about our fishing with the Captain of motor yacht PinWheel – Tyler McLaughlin from the project “Wicked Tuna”, which is a popular TV show for already 5 years on National Geographic channel. I think you might have heard of it. Or this is the first time you do. But this project exists and it is pretty exciting. The show is about 6 motor yachts which are specially equipped for Tuna fishing. They go out into the deep sea and hunt Bluefin Tuna. The team which caught most – wins. Afterwards Tuna is sold by weight so accordingly that team makes additional money as well.

Our getting to know Tyler started with his girlfriend Savannah writing to our Facebook page Big Marlin Charters Punta Cana! that she wanted to make a surprise present for her boyfriend. She told us that he is a fishing in Punta Cana from Hard Rock resort legendary Captain Tyler McLaughlin from Pinwheel fishing boat. She said that she liked our website www.bigmarlinpuntacana.com and picked the boat Fortuna. Savannah suggested fishing date as well. We exchanged a few messages and the fishing trip was confirmed. It is a very easy process. I have been familiar with the show for a while, when you are a professional you are interested in everything what is going on in your area of business or hobby as well (our case). Fishing in North Atlantic is very different from fishing as close to Equator as we are. National Geographic show is about Tuna hunting when we aim mainly for Marlin, but there are tons of common traits.fishng wahoo in Punta Cana wicked tuna project in the Dominican RepublicTyler is in the project for already 3 years, catching tuna in the North Atlantic. At the same time he is working on the TV, and he is very lively, fun and young! It was our honor to have a chance to meet such an interesting person onboard of our charter. After I confirmed Savanna’s reservation I called my right hand guy Alex, who is the first mate on our boat Fortuna. Alex also had a very good idea about Wicked Tuna project and had been following it, All show followers love Captain Tyler for being lots of fun!

So we were very excited about going fishing with him. Our crew was about to meet one of the most interesting customers ever – a legendary Captain of Pinwheel fishing boat, who started catching tuna at 7 y.o.!!! (as I found out during our charter together). On December 12th morning, 2017 we picked up Tyler and his girlfriend Savannah from the Bibijagua beach (Punta Cana) at 7:30 am with our small motor boat and swiftly took them to Fortuna fishing yacht. After we greeted each other I gave a small instruction speech about the boat, snacks, drinks and cold beer punta cana fishing with Tyler McLaughlin from Pinwheel fishing boat onboard. Right after that we started out for our deep sea fishing trip. The weather was perfect, the waves were maximum 3 feet high. While crossing the reef we were small chatting about how Tyler got into the National Geographic TV project, what kind of boat he is navigating, which engines it has, what kind of tackle and so on. Usual fisherman’s conversation. Tyler’s girlfriend was feeling comfortable relaxing on the fly-bridge, she didn’t participate in our conversation. We arrived to our trolling spot in about 40 minutes with help of Garmin navigator, and slowed down approximately across from the Macao beach. We opened our outriggers and started fishing. In about 5 minutes we hooked first Mahi, regular size. Savannah, who was near us at that time pulled that fish aboard. In another 15 minutes she pulled her second fish Barracuda, which was a very good size! 12 pounds! Fishing continued. Tyler found cold beer in the fridge and didn’t want to pull any fish. But I do understand him. After he was catching Tuna 1200 pounds!!! and fishing every day sometimes you just want to have a beer and relax. But sun got hotter and fishing excitement got stronger so soon we had fist mate Alex fishing boat Fortuna in Punta Cana two Mahi hooked. I pulled one and Tyler the other. Our first mate Alex was doing a great job, he was everywhere at the same time, right in time to give a hand. We have two cameras, one in the back with deck view and another with front view of the fisherman. And it is also Alex who works with our videos as well. I do pictures. We are very coordinated fast and precise. Everything is on time. Bait is always in the water, and we keep checking them. The deck is always cleaned from fish blood. Tyler’s girlfriend stayed either in the shade under bimini or on the flybridge observing the action. As time went by Savannah came down to us from the flybridge to see our fussing around with fishing, exactly at that time we hooked a Wahoo. Savannah got in the fighting chair and began to work with the reel. We were cheering her up and in about 15 minutes the fish was already aboard. Quite a Wahoo it was! About 26 pounds. We all were very happy and in a great mood! Tyler was helping us so much by working with reels and cleaning cons from the seaweed. It actually felt like he was not a guest but a second mate! As a result of such productive team work after 4 hours we had 7 fish wahoo barracuda mahi mahi on the fishing boat Fortunafish aboard and we were ready to turn back to the shore. On the way home Tyler had his 7th bottle of beer and told us a bit about how sponsorship works for him just great. All the reels, equipment, outfits for fishing and all other fishing gear he is given by his sponsors. And overall he said that he loves what he does. And why wouldn’t he! When you perform your favorite activity and your sponsors take care of your tackle. You don’t need to look for reels or parts for them on Ebay. If the reel is broken Tyler just changes it to a new one in 5 minutes and he’s again off catching tuna! In about 30 minutes we came into Marina. We became friends during our fishing trip and decided to participate in the White Marlin tournament in May. Tyler said he will pay all the fees and fuel. Of fishing wicked tuna Tyler in Punta Canacourse me and Alex are all for that! Everybody was very happy with the day we spent! Tyler, his girlfriend and us. Fishing in Punta Cana was a success! We made some pictures for our good memories, gave each other tight hugs and took our guests ashore on the small motor boat. In the evening we met in a small restaurant on the beach, but that is another story. Always with you in my thoughts. Capt. Yustas Fortuna

Read More

Catch Information

Species:
Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin Tuna

Great Barracuda
Great Barracuda

Mahi-mahi
Mahi-mahi

Wahoo
Wahoo

White Marlin
White Marlin

Length:42 inches (1066.8000 mm)
Weight:9.00 lbs (4 kg)

This Fishing Report was submitted on 12/13/2019 12:00:00 AM by Big Marlin Charters Punta Cana and last updated on 12/13/2019 5:22:46 PM.


Location

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic


View Full Fishing Map

GPS Files

Download GPS files of fishing spots for this area.

Including GPX (Universal GPS Format), KML (Google Earth), and XLS (Excel) files.

GPS Coordinates

Degree, Decimal Minutes:
Login to view coordinates.
Decimal Degrees:
Login to view coordinates.
Degree, Minutes, Seconds:
Login to view coordinates.

Let us custom design a SD Card of fishing spots for your GPS unit!

Custom SD Card of FIshing Spots

Featured

Big Marlin Charters Punta Cana
Big Marlin Charters Punta Cana
Punta Cana fishing charters Dominican Republic. Offshore deep sea fishing in Punta Cana. Bavaro. Exclusively beautiful modern fishing boats, is read

Upgrade to Pro

 

Gives You Access To:

Catch More Fish Download GPS Files Create Custom Maps Fishing Predictions Featured Listings

 Download GPS files of fishing spots.
 Create Custom Maps of fishing spots.
 Fishing predictions w/ future date & location.
 Featured Listings for your fishing business.

$7 month or $49 year