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

My report about an amazing fishing trip with Tyler McLaughlin from the 
"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. 
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 "Wicket 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 Savanna writing to 
our Facebook page "Big Marlin Charters" that she wanted to make a 
surprise present for her boyfriend. She told us that he is a legendary 
Captain Tyler McLaughlin from Pinwheel fishing boat. She said that she 
liked our website www.bigmarlinpuntacana.com and picked the boat 
Fortuna. Savanna 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.
Tyler 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 
Savanna 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 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. Savanna, 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 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 Savanna came down to us from the flybridge to see our 
fussing around with fishing, exactly at that time we hooked a Wahoo. 
Savanna 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 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 course 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.

Cap Yustas Fortuna

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Women, Fishing and Blue Marlin

Hi Everyone

I wanted to take a moment and tell you about our recent fishing charter in Punta Cana. The deep-sea fishing that we do with Big Marlin Charters is not hard at all. It is easy, fun and spectacularly beautiful.  It is very safe & female friendly. So, if you have any concerns as a woman that you could not handle what is needed to enjoy this super fun excursion, I want to assure that you can. I have a very experienced deck hands that will be right by your side to make sure that you get and have as much fun as it is possible. If we get lucky and we find lots of fish the trip can be really exciting and if you want a more relaxed time you can lie in the sun with a cold drink and some tasty sandwiches. 

I recently booked a charter with 2 clients, both women, Joanna and Cathy. It is unusual to have an offshore deep sea fishing charter with just women. But I want to assure you that it is perfectly normal. I wish we had more, it is so much fun, easy and safe to do. Let me tell you how it went.

We all got on board and I gave them my routine safety speech and short tour of the boat. We had only a little chop, maybe 3 feet+/-. It was a beautiful sunny calm day.

I know a spot that always has good Mahi Mahi fishing in Punta Cana. Those fishing spots are all marked on our boats navigation systems. I like 740 Garmin. So, I always know exactly where we are. These fish are also known as Dorado. They are truly beautiful and interesting, they are very athletic with long thin body. Mahi Mahi almost look like they are fluorescent,

unreal, out of this world. You can watch them coming up toward the yacht and they look like a blue-green light bulb. Really pretty, almost hypnotic to watch. Not to mention how tasty they are, cooked Dominican style in a local on the shore restaurant on the beach. One of the ladies was ready to go, she was excited and couldn’t wait to get some on the line. The other seemed to be more interested in getting some sun than getting some fish. It’s all good, It’s lazy Dominican Time. Do what you want. On our fishing boat Fortuna 42’ there’s place for both.

The fishing is always better when we have a little chop, waves of 4-5 ft. are just perfect. The bait always behaves more like a live fish, breaking the water, jumping and splashing. This attracts more fish. It is always beautiful to be on the ocean, but it is much more exciting when we can hook some fish. This day was a quiet day, the ocean was taking a rest.

It was quiet for a couple of hours, no Mahi Mahi, lots of sun, but no fish. Magic spells Fishy Fishy Fishy not work today) As we were chatting about something we suddenly heard the left side reel began bussing loudly. That meant we got a fish. I love that sound, it is always so exciting to hear. The best symphony from Peen Reel 80 ! I got to the reel quickly and let the fish run without about 2 yards of line, then I stopped it suddenly which really sets the hook. Then we know that we really have hooked the fish. Then I let the fish run again. If you have a short line a serious fish will break it easily. The fish took about half reel the line in less than 5 seconds. This is very fast. This was a big fish. I wanted to make sure we had the hook set deeply, so I stopped the line suddenly and pulled the rod at the same moment. Immediately I was pulled to the boat rail. This was a big strong fish. It is a great feeling when you hook a fish like that, the rod is bent, the line is taut, no slack, no give at all. The line looks like it will break if you touch it.

Joanna and Cathy were both really interested and excited, but they were not sure what to do and so we were there to assist them. I had to really work this fish, he was really strong. With a lot of effort and all my strength I finally got the rod back into the fishing chair and rod holder. My 1 st mate, Vladimir was a big help.  We knew with a fish this strong it had to be a Blue Marlin.

We realized that neither Joanne nor Cathy would be able to bring this fish into the boat by themselves. Vladimir and I would have to help. So, Joanne got in the chair and Vladimir and I helped her with the rod. Joanne worked the reel by herself. You have to pull the rod back and then release some of the tension to reel some of the line in. Slowly but surely you bring the fish in closer to the boat that way. Joanne did a great job and had a great time. We were all very excited and yelling.

After about 20 minutes the fish gets tired. It just cannot keep this type of effort up for long. We saw his fin break the surface first. I grabbed the gaff, which is a big hook on a pole. I hooked him with that and Vladimir and I pulled him abroad. Really a great catch, one of my best ever. Big strong Blue Marlin and a very exciting time for everyone. Really fun! Joanna and Cathy were so happy with the entire trip. They promised they would do fishing again in Punta Cana

Try this, it is safe, fun, exciting, beautiful, will be the highlight of your entire vacation.

Friendly.

Cap. Yustas Fortuna

Mahi Mahi, Family Fishing Charter Puna Cana 2017

Family Fishing Charter Discount 10%

Private Yacht for Family Fishing Charter – 10% OFF

One of my brightest childhood memories is when my dad took me fishing with his friends.

Early morning…when all the other kids are still seeing dreams, but you
are already awake – this makes you special and grown up. Fresh sea
breathe excites. Talks about fish and weather…adult talks. I’m standing
there silent, catching every word. I’m exploring a new world – the world
of fishing!

Come to us. During this trip we will be one big family in the Atlantic
Ocean. As one team. We will catch fish. We will return to the shore and
will have it cooked in the restaurant and have great lunch or dinner.

Our boat – best place for family-team building!

See you during fishing.

Cap. Yustas Fortuna

Private Fishing Charters Punta Cana

Blue Marlin fighting with Johnna. October 12 Punta Cana. Private fishini...

Atlantic Blue Marlin.

This fish loves tropical and moderate waters of the Atlantic Ocean. They
rarely form pods and prefer to live alone. Females are four times
bigger than males. Maximum body weight is 1,803 pound with length up to
16,4 feet. Blue marlin spends most of his life in open waters far from
the shore. They can swim really fast reaching up to 62 mph. These fish
go on long migrations, including repeated ones, between Caribbean
islands and Venezuela and also between Virgin Islands and West Africa.
Marlin meat is delicious, it’s served as a delicacy in best restaurants.
Most fishermen release Marlin fish after catching it and Dominican
Republic is not an exclusion. This fish is caught only by trolling.

Nathan fight with White Marlin in Punta Cana, May 2016

Catching Sailfish & White marlin in Punta Cana April 2016