Dispatch from the Dominican Republic

Diligently scanning the water for any color deviation, Eight Eights Captain Mark Pagano rarely ever leaves the tower.

Story & Images By Steve Dougherty

Upon receiving the invitation to ride along with the Eight Eights team on their 72’ Viking to document the final week of their 2020 Atlantic tagging expedition in the Dominican Republic, InTheBite publisher Dale Wills and I immediately formulated an itinerary and trip timeline.

Eager to exit the country after Covid-19 wiped out a summer season of fishing, it was my first international assignment with the magazine and first time back to the D.R. in nearly a decade. With no mandatory PCR tests or quarantines, the logistics were rather straightforward and we soon had feet on the ground in Punta Cana. Over the next few days we saw some old friends, made new friends, and sincerely thank everyone for the generous hospitality.

We could go into detail about the amazing FAD fishing, local cuisine and vibrant personalities of the Eight Eights team, but we’re holding out for our upcoming January/February issue where we’ll recap their amazing year with an in-depth story on a record-setting journey and quick rise to success. Then, in our March/April issue, we set out to provide the ultimate resource to visiting the Dominican Republic in hopes you embrace travel amid the Covid-19 era and continue to make enriching angling discoveries. In the meantime, enjoy this assemblage of images from a surplus of photos we compiled on our most recent adventure.

It’s easy to see why beach connoisseurs enjoying all-inclusive resorts, ace golfers looking for the ultimate oceanside vistas, cigar aficionados and adventurous anglers choose the Dominican Republic—it’s the ultimate playground for the tropically impaired traveler.

: Targeted with 30-pound outfits, juvenile blue marlin are intelligent and accurate feeders that at time show finicky tendencies.

: With four dink ballyhoo in the spread, first mate Kyle tends the dredge teaser outfitted with Fire Tailz, Fish Razr flaps and natural mullet.

: The view from Captain Mark Pagano’s office, staring down at the massive 20-foot beam.

: There are those who visit the D.R. and never leave and those who leave wanting more. One visit and you’ll know why.

: Rubber fish flaps perfectly mimic the dominant local forage.

: In an otherwise featureless expanse, artisanal FADs constructed with styrofoam blocks and palm fronds are highly effective in attracting bait and predators.

: The 62-foot Spencer Marlin Darlin with Capt. John Dudas at the helm.

: Celebrating over 300 tags in the Atlantic for the year, the Eight Eights crew is set to take on the Pacific in their latest tagging adventure.

: Fresh local cuisine highlighted lunch at Peperoni within the Casa De Campo yacht basin.

: Dealing with travel issues stemming from Covid-19 closures in Australia, Capt. Tim Richardson has been quarantined in the D.R. for months.

: The D.R. opened its borders in July, but in September it eliminated the requirement of a negative Covid-19 test upon entry.

: The Eight Eights clears the jetty and breakwater at Cap Cana Marina after another great day fishing the local FADs.

: A hooked blue marlin takes to the air before being released with a fresh tag.

: The Shimano Tyrnos is widely relied upon.

: Michelle Keeney of Release Marine wires a blue marlin for angler Jill Yates while Scott spectates proudly. The husband and wife duo have contributed significant effort toward The Billfish Foundation Tag & Release Program.

: Call to register today.

: Diligently scanning the water for any color deviation, Eight Eights Captain Mark Pagano rarely ever leaves the tower.

: You only have to run about 20 miles to the FADs, where crews typically raise anywhere from four to ten blues a day.

: Just 10 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport, Marina Cap Cana is set within a 30,000-acre enclave and is surrounded by luxury villas.

: Though Casa De Campo has elegant hotel rooms with rich furnishings, the privacy and tranquility of an oceanfront villa is hard to beat.

: In 2016, Lady Shell weighed a 609 lb. swordfish, highlighting yet another world-class fishery.

: The fifth green is a decidedly difficult par 3 with no room for error.

: Fresh local cuisine highlighted lunch at Peperoni within the Casa De Campo yacht basin.

: In a well-choregraphed sequence, the team readies the tag and release of a blue marlin in the Mona Passage.

: Dink ballyhoo are the baits of choice, though stitched mackerel are quickly pitched when big fish pile on the teasers.

: Casa De Campo’s state-of-the-art marina was inspired by the quaint seaside villages of the Mediterranean.

: Eight Eights is a superbly equipped 70-foot Viking that’s soon to be outfitted with a Furuno Omni Sonar.

: Teeth of the Dog has long been considered one of the world’s top golf courses.

: As is evident from the marina records displayed in the exquisite colonial-style yacht club, Casa de Campo is home to what is arguably the best blue marlin fishery in the world.