|
|
Fishing tours and holidays in Spain
General Information
Back
|
|
Fishing in Spain
If you have ever been on holiday to Spain it is a good bet that you have never ventured away from the resort in which you were staying. But Spain offers far more than Sun, Sand and Sangria. - it offers some of the best fishing in Europe.
Away from the Benidorms, Torremollinoses and Magallufs, there lies a very unique countryside just waiting to be explored - and for the fisherman, Spain is a dream come true.
Spain is a well-endowed country, offering the most southerly fishing for
Atlantic salmon in Europe; brown and rainbow trout, coarse fish including
large carp, enourmous Catfish (covered in more detail below) and barbel,
both in rivers, and shore fishing for sea bass, mackerel, mullet, conger and
other species. Black bass, pike and Danube salmon are among comparatively
recent introductions. Twenty-six rivers draining the Cantabrian range and
the Galician Coast are entered by salmon. Arrangements for licenses and
permits for visitors are not uniform and the angler contemplating salmon
fishing in Spain is advised to contact the Spanish Tourist Office. Much the
same is to be said of the trout fishing, applying equally to seasons and
permitted methods. In some areas, trout grow impressively large. Spain has
not yet become as notable for high-grade coarse fishing as it may at some
future date, but few who have connected with large carp, wells or barbel in
a deep, fast-flowing Spanish river do not cherish ambitions to renew the
experience. The tourist office publishes an interesting full-color map on
fishing in the country.
|
Catfish and Carp Fishing in Spain on the River Ebro
Spain offers the beautiful fishing location of the river Ebro with fantastic
Catfish and Carp fishing.
The Ebro delta (lower region) is where to find the wels catfish. The Catfish
is Europe’s largest freshwater fish, growing to sizes in excess of 200 lb.
They have been there for a while, after being first introduced back in
1972-74 and have since grown to enourmous sizes. The fish that are down on
the delta are there to stay. The Ebro offers catfish fishing at its very
best, for the experienced or for those who have never even caught a catfish
this trip is designed for you. Catfishing to Spain can be extremely
productive and on most trips an amazing one out of five catfish are over the
magical TON-100lb. In most cases nobody who goes on on a weeks Catfish
fishing holiday to Spain has failed to catch, in fact you would be unlucky
to return home without a ton plus fish. This is where you can experience and
feel the power of these mighty predatory fish. Catfish can grow to massive
weights, and not only do anglers land 100lb fish, but also in excess of
200lb!. The the lower ebro Catfish record was broken three times in just
eight months, catches of 1500lbs by one angler!?!?!.
A big advantage of the lower Ebro is that it is so close to the popular Mediterranean coast,
an ideal destination for a combined family and fishing holiday. Salou is a lively beach resort,
and along the coast is the seaside fishing town of San Carlos de la Rapita.
The river Ebro is world famous for its Catfish fishing, but one little
known fact is in the upper reaches the Common Carp fishing is truly second
to none. Over the years anglers have been fishing this area concentrating on
the catfish with live baits. During this time while fishing hundreds of carp
have been spotted rolling, crashing and feeding in the margins. Transfixed
on the cat fishing it was always something anglers had planned to do at a
later date. It was only when people started to fish for the Catfish with
pellets. (Which is still new to the upper reaches of the Ebro) that they
started to catch Common Carp after Common Carp. These fish average over 22lb
and in all probability is the first time they have ever been caught and by
introducing small quantities of pellets you can catch these fish at an
alarming occurrence.
Near the Bavarian town of Mequinenza, on the upper reaches of the Ebro the river been dammed, creating a vast man-made lake,
the Embalse de Riba-Roja, which is stuffed with big carp and monster catfish.
Coarse Fishing in Spain is truly designed for the more adventurous angler.
The bank fishing for carp and cats in this area is still very much virginal
and well worth the trip. Its also a great place to experiment with baiting
and fishing techniques. Remember this trip is also for Catfish and with 1
out of every 5 fish being over the magical 100lb what else could you
possibly want?
The most popular Spanish Coarse fish are as follows:
Salmon
Though in decline since the 1980s they are beginning to come back due to a lot of work in cleaning the rivers, policing and the installation of ladders.
Found in the rivers of the north coast which flow into the Atlantic.
Sea Trout
Even though they are generally in the same area as Salmon they are, however, doing much better. In September 2000 they were stacked up in the River Sella.
Found in much the same range as Salmon.
Trout
Wild or stocked brown trout are found all over Spain. The fishing varies from high glacial depression lakes to lime stone rivers and chalk streams. In the 1970s Spain held arguably the most important stocks of wild brownies in Europe. Found all over Spain
Carp
The most important areas for Carp are the courses of the Duero, Ebro, Tajo and Guardiana. Big bags can be made almost anywhere. Found in almost all rivers and dams (large and small).
Cat Fish
Bigger cat fish up to 300lbs can be found in the Delta. Divers inspect the dam walls and use cages to save them being attacked. The big cat fish are found in the River Ebro and its dams
Barbel
Some of the best fishing in Spain. The largest barbel (Barbus Comiza) of the rivers Tajo , Guadiana and Guadaquivir is the most ferocious - often fished with rapalas. Found throughout Spain except the North-West
Tench
Bred for the table in Extremedura, where they are highly prized. Found all over Spain except the far north.
Black Bass
First introduced in 1955. Excellent fishing in the dams on the Rivers Tajo, Guardiana and Ebro, also the southern dams of Chanza, Guardalcacin, Ferdandino and Zufre. Found all over Spain except the Northern coastal region and Mountain areas.
Pike
Have recently become very prolific and not very welcome in the trout filled Orbigo, Elsa and Tormes rivers. All large rivers hold good pike. Again, found almost everywhere in Spain
Zander
Zander's up to 30lbs are not uncommo. Mainly found in the Ebro Valley and the Boadella Dam in Girona
Sea Fishing in Spain
There is some great sea fishing all around the Spanish coasts, with familiar Atlantic species, plus a lot you have not seen before, in the Mediterranean.
Sea fishing is very popular in Spain, although it's popularity is beginning to decline in the Mediterranean as the Spanish waters are largely fished out.
Boat rental and deep sea fishing trips can be arranged.
In the Costa Brava region there is plenty of good sea fishing from the rocks, however catches are better when fished from a boat.
To find out more about sea fishing in Spain your best bet is to contact the local tourist office of the area you are
travelling to, to see whats on offer.
Its worth taking note that Sea fishing is prohibited from one hour after sunset until one hour before dawn.
For information on advertising on this page please contact us at webmaster@artfulangler.co.uk
|
|
 |
