Fishing in Barcelona

Popular for its diversity and abundance of both salt and freshwater fish, Spain is an angler’s paradise. Offering fishing journeys for the beginner to the most experienced anglers. If you are enthusiastic about a variety of fishing methods, Spain also provides opportunities from relaxing fly fishing excursions to thrilling deep sea adventures.

What fish can you catch in Barcelona?

Each season has it's specific fish species in Barcelona. Some are here all year round such as the dentex, grouper, horse mackerel or the red scorpion fish. Others visit these waters when it gets warmer: bluefin tuna, leerfish, albacore... Below you'll find the most popular fish species in Barcelona.

Bluefin Tuna

This tuna is one of the most coveted species in Barcelona’s fishing waters. It is distinguished from rest of the species of tuna by its dark metallic colour on its back and the clean white underbelly tone.

Bluefin tuna can reach high speeds and provide a real challenge to catch, making it one of the most sought after species in the world of sport fishing.

Dolphinfish

The dorado or llampuga, as it is popularly known, is one of the most beautiful fish that can be fished in Barcelona. It has a very agile nature and they provide a truly passionate style of sport fishing. It has shiny, blue, yellow or green tones, and occasionally comes out of water, but when they notice the hook they will quickly submerge again.

Bluefish

This is one of the most popular fish species caught in the region. Like amberjack are distinguished by their spinal column, which has no gap and has an attractive blue-gray on the back, which gradually turns white as it reaches round to the belly. It is considered an insatiable fish and can often be seen swimming through large banks of bait fish.

Little tunny

The little tunny - not to be confused with the Atlantic bonito - is a small member of the tuna family. Don’t be fooled by their modest size: they are the most skilled in terms of struggle and strength. They can grow between 60 and 100cm of length (the largest known specimen measured 120cm and weighed close to 17kg). To capture the little tunny the most common methods are trolling and spin fishing. The little tunny can also be caught by trolling artificial lures with squid, halco, rapala or yozuri.

Is fishing good in Barcelona?

Yes, fishing is great in Barcelona. During spring, summer and fall there's good inshore fishing near the Llobregat Delta with seabass, bluefish, barracuda and leerfish. March and April are peak season for spinfishing for bluefin tuna, whereas summer is the best time to catch them chumming. All year rond you can do bottom fishing and live bait fishing for Dentex.

If you're interested in fishing in Barcelona, you might also be interested in fishing in Mallorca, fishing in Gran Canaria, fishing in Marbella and fishing in Tenerife.

Fishing in Barcelona is famous for the diversity of fish species and fishing opportunities in the area. With an abundance of locations and fish species, begin by deciding what kind of fish you are looking to catch so you can narrow it down to make the best decision for you. The best part about fishing in Barcelona is the option to do it all! The circumference of all of these fishing spots is close in proximity to Barcelona.

Spring

Sea fishing charters in Barcelona during spring, summer and autumn are hugely popular, especially for those looking to do a spot of coast sea trolling. The "Tallahams" and leerfish are fished near the coast (about 7-8 metres deep) with natural baits (needles, espets, etc.). Fishing in Barcelona in late April and May is famous because of the bluefin tuna. During the last few years there has been an increase in bluefin tuna weighing between 20kg and 50kg. These predators are coming ever closer to the coast of Barcelona, which is excellent news for enthusiasts of spin fishing or casting for bluefin tuna in Barcelona.

The areas off Blanes, Castelldefels, Sitges & Vilanova are great for this kind of sport fishing as the drop off is relatively close: around 5 nautical miles. When the bluefin tuna hunts on the surface, spectacular frenzies can be spotted and you can fish by casting large spinning lures. Once close enough to the tuna one can start casting poppers, stick baits or jigs toward the frenzies and try to hook one of these magnificent fighters. Beware! you need heavy tackle for your fishing trip, we're talking about 100lb leaders, 70-80lb braided main line, good reel & rod, strong hooks and... a strong back :-) The help of a good fishing guide is always nice.

Summer

June, July and August are the best months for angling in Barcelona, the waters off the coast of Blanes or Castelledefels are specifically are much-loved by anglers pursuing giant bluefin tuna (specimens of more than 400 kg can be caught). Drifting, the locals chum loads of natural bait to attract the tuna and as this is extreme fishing, they use 80 lb to 130 lb equipment - for hook bait, they use sardine, anchovy or mackerel.

Fall

Sea fishing in Barcelona during the months of September and October are excellent for light trolling. The Atlantic Bonito and dolphinfish are fished offshore - generally 40-80 meters deep - using feathers, rapala, yozuri, halco, and other small lures. Locals also fish with light material chumming, primed with sardine, anchovy and/or mackerel, leaving a trail in the sea to attract the fish. Entire sardine, anchovy or sardine pieces are also used as bait.

Winter

During the winter months fishing continues to be ever popular. The shipwrecks and rocks are the hot spots for bottom fishing and fishermen do not easily reveal where to find them. With this technique red sea bream, red snapper, green wrasse, white sea bream, fork-beard, conger eel among others. Sardines, squid, octopus bait are used.

Fishing charters in Barcelona are ideal for your sea fishing experience: you can fish during all seasons and find a vast range of different fish species, making it the ideal place to practice different techniques of fishing, including sea trolling, spinning and jigging.

And as huge bonus you will have all the best of Barcelona to explore. Revered as one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world, the Catalan capital of cool is a melting pot of glorious gastronomy, unparalleled architecture, the fashion forward. In short, fishing holidays in Barcelona are unmissable. 

The airport of Barcelona is an international airport located 12 km (7.5 mi) southwest of the centre of Barcelona. The main ports of Barcelona (Port Vell, Port Olimpic & Port Forum) have car access, access by metro, bus & taxi. Ports of Arenys de Mar, El Masnou, Blanes, Port Ginesta, Aiguadolç (Sitges) and Vilanova have good car access via highway & train.

Fishing Permits are mandatory for all anglers. There is an exception for anglers that charter a boat, they will be covered by the captain’s permit. No matter what kind of fishing you are doing, you must possess a fishing license. Most all fishing in Barcelona is year-round, however, there are regulations on the quantity and the Controlled Fishing Zones (CZF) are clearly identified. Surrounding lakes and rivers have powerboat restrictions in many locations, but there are a few lakes that will allow it.

You need a fishing license to fish in fresh water and salt water which can be obtained on the website from the Generalitat de Catalunya:

>> Buy a fishing licence

Remember that the fishing charters in Barcelona normally have the fishing license included in the price, so you don't need to buy one if you're chartering a boat.

Depending on the charter fishing boat and on the duration of your fishing tour, you’ll pay more or less for the tour. The price for a private 4 hour Barcelona fishing trip with a smaller boat is 450€. A half day trip with a 40ft charter costs around 780€, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you 1300€ to 1500€.

What does the price include?

The price usually includes the captain, fishing tackle, fuel, bait & lures, taxes and fishing licenses. On every listing we indicate whether drinks and food are included.

Once you’ve made a booking, the captain will contact you to arrange the meeting point and the departure time. Also, we recommend you contact the captain a couple of days before the tour to confirm the weather forecast.