Sport fishing in the Dominican Republic too good to miss for Riviera

Cap Cana located on the eastern side of the Dominican Republic, the second largest island of the Caribbean, Cap Cana is an idyllic location with unspoiled white sand beaches and home to one of the world’s most renowned sport fishing destinations – a challenge too good to miss for Captain Patrick Sciacca.

As a senior editor of Power and Motoryacht magazine, Patrick visited Cap Cana in May this year while writing a story on the marina, big-game fishing and real estate opportunities for boaters.

“As a captain and boat tester, I’ve had the opportunity to run many Rivieras over the years,” he said.

“Back in 2001 Riviera provided Power and Motor Yacht Magazine with a Riviera 40 as a summer project boat. I fished her in several stateside tournaments and put several hundred nautical miles under her hull. I was impressed with her ride, build and accommodations.”

So when Patrick and his crew headed off the coast of Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic on board the 47 foot Riviera, La Bury, he knew he would enjoy the four days onboard – Patrick fished for two out of the four days with the crew consisting of the captain, one mate and Patrick as angler.

“From my past experience with Riviera, I had confidence that though our crew were faced with steady five to seven footers, we could effectively fish the grounds.

“And on day one, we proved that by raising and hooking up a sizeable marlin, several 10-15 pound dolphin, and a yellowfin tuna.”

“We were targeting blue and white marlin on our offshore excursions, the weather was in the mid-80s (about 30 degrees) and balmy, but the steady and strong breeze made the area of Mona Passage, which is a vast expanse of fish-filled water that separates the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

“We were fishing a bit sporty on day one because the weather was quite rough but our second day on the water saw the seas lie down so we trolled the 47 over miles of ocean and after several more dolphin catches, we raised a nice blue marlin on the left flat-line teaser, which we also came tight on.

“Eventually, the blue earned his freedom but he gave us a good fight and show in the process – you can’t catch them all, especially when marlin fishing.

“I have every hope of getting back down to chase marlin in Cap Cana soon, and hopefully back on that Riviera, too.”