Gamefishing hot spots in the Philippines

Gamefishing in the Philippines is starting to gain a wider popularity among anglers and some travelers looking to find new travel adventures. With more than 7,000 island, there is no doubt that there are numerous hot spots for gamefishing. 

1.       Siargao Islands, Surigao

Siargao Island is not only famous for its famous Cloud 9 wave but it is also known as the "Gamefishing Mecca" in the Philippines --- thanks to Surigao del Norte Congressman Francisco Matugas and the Philippine Surfing Federation who started the annual international gamefishing tournament last April 2008. 

Gamefishing is a big thing in the bountiful seas of Siargao. With species such as marlin, tuna, grouper, dorado and billfish (i.e., sailfish, marlin, spearfish, and broadbill swordfish), avid anglers are not disappointed with their bounty.  In fact, international gamefishing competitions are held every April along the east of the shores of Pilar, north point of Burgos and south point of Daku Island.  

Travel Time:

• About 60 minutes by plane from Manila via Cebu City (via Cebu Pacific Airlines)
• About 30 minutes by plane from Cebu City

 Contact Person: 

• Donna Tiu / mobile no. +63 9178051570
• Don Pallugna / Mobile no. +63 915 995 52183 /                                    Email: pallugna_don@yahoo.com

 Best Season for fishing:   March to September

At the Municipality of Pilar in Siargao Island

2. Palaui Islands in  Sta. Ana, Cagayan 

The Philippine Gamefishing Foundation (PGFF), the first and oldest fishing club in the Philippines, owns and manages the Don Andres Soriano Sportfishing Camp located inside the Philippine Navy headquarters in Barangay San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan. The fishing camp serves as a take off point for anglers traveling to Susay Rock, which is about two to three hours away by motorized banca. Anglers intending to try out the fishing grounds of Camiguin Island can also use the fishing camp as their base, but travel time will take about four hours.

Travel Time:

• Approximately 12 hours drive from Manila
• Approximately 60 minutes by plane from Manila to Tuguegarao City plus 3 hours drive to Santa Ana

Contact Person:       Atty. Gordon Uy, Owner of Goodcatch Sportfishing      Email: gordonuy@pldtdsl.net    / Phone: +63 2 5166829      
Address: Unit B, Manila Bay Arcade, Quirino Avenue corner M.H. Del Pilar Street, Malate Manila, Philippines      
Website: www.goodcatch.com 

Best Season for fishing: 

• Year-round - for bottom fishing of snapper and grouper
• March-June – for blue marlin, sailfish and dorado

Fishing Area:  Babuyan Channel

OTHER FISHING AREAS 

Contact Person: GoodCatch Sportfishing / Email: gordonuy@pldtdsl.net                        

1. Calatagan, Batangas

Calatagan is among the nearest gamefishing spots  in Metro Manila. It only takes a few hours to get there to catch local fishes such as giant trevally and African pompano. 

Travel Time: About 3 hours drive from Manila 

2.    Subic, Zambales 

Hardcore gamefishers dock their yachts in Subic for a fantastic fishing experience. Anglers will be treated with giant trevally, sailfish, wahoo, king mackerel and barracuda. 

Best Season for Fishing: October to June. 

Travel Time: About 3 hours drive from Manila 

3.    Lake Lumot, Caliraya, Laguna and Pantabangan Lake, Nueva Ecija

These two lakes, Lumot and Pantabangan, are popular for largemouth bass fishing. Freshwater fishing in these areas is available year round. 

Travel Time:

• About 2.5 hours drive from Manila to Caliraya, Laguna
• About 4 hours drive from Manila to Pantabangan Lake, Nueva Ecija

 4. Mactan Island, Cebu

Just like any other fishing grounds in the Philippines, Mactan Island offers anglers with trevally (mamsa), Spanish mackerel (tanguigue), different varieties of tuna (including bonito, yellow fin, bigeye, and dogtooth), barracuda, dorado, and wahoo. 

 Travel Time:  About 30 minutes by plane from Manila to Cebu

 5. Camiguin Island 

Camiguin Island offers a wide variety of fishes from great trevally, barracuda and wahoo, among other. Sailfish can be spotted from March to June and tuna from July to October. Reef fishing, mainly at night, can produce varieties of grouper, coral trout, wrasse, parrotfish, and many other species. Fishing of squid at night can also be very productive.

Travel Time:

• About 75 minutes by plane from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City plus 3 hours by land and ferry boat to Camiguin Island
• About 30 minutes by plane from Cebu City to Camiguin Island

Best time of the Year: Year-round 

6. Davao 

Davao specializes in offshore fishing from pelagic tuna, billfish, wahoo, dorado, and king mackerels. 

Travel Time:

• About 80 minutes by plane from Manila to Davao
• About 30 minutes by plane from Cebu City to Davao

For more information, email the Philippine Department of Tourism-New York at pdotny@aol.com or zeny@philippinetourismny.org   

Winners of the first Siargao International Gamefishing Tournament in Siargao Island
with Congressman Francisco Matugas, Mayor Lucio Gonzales, Atty. Gordon Uy and Zeny Pallugna.