Key Largo 25
L'Ametlla de Mar, Tarragona (ES)
You'll find turquoise-blue waters, secret coves and soft golden sands and... great fishing in L'Ametlla de Mar. This unspoiled fishing town is the hidden ...
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You'll find turquoise-blue waters, secret coves and soft golden sands and... great fishing in L'Ametlla de Mar. This unspoiled fishing town is the hidden jewel on the Costa Dorada in Catalonia, Northern Spain. It has a stunning coastline with amazing bays and coves. L’Ametlla de Mar is famous for everything involved with tuna fishing, if offers year round light tackle fishing and much much more.
L’Ametlla de Mar is very close to the Ebro Delta. Apart from being considered one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean Coast, this is a fantastic fishing area. The River Ebro flows into the Mediterranean Sea bringing loads of natural food for sardines, anchovies, mullet etc. The bait fish are the favorite food for Seabass, Bluefish, Leerfish, Amberjack, Bonito, Tuna, Little Tunny or Dentex.
The Amberjack species are a game fish that are found both in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Jigging and live bait fishing are the best techniques to target these magnificent fighters. Greater Amberjack can weigh up to 170 lb (80 kg).
Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda) is a rapid fish species known for being great hunters. They have striping on their backs with silver-coloured undersides and they grow up to 30 inches long. They have a hydrodynamic body shape, even more so than larger tuna.
The Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is known by anglers as being a fast, aggressive and strong fish of the ocean. They are fun to target and give a real challenge to anyone who comes across them while fishing. They inhabit temperate and subtropical waters around the world. Bluefish have extremely powerful jaws with razor sharp teeth. They can grow over a meter and weigh over 10kg.
The dentex (Dentex dentex) is a common saltwater fish in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and sometimes they appear in the Canary Islands, Morocco and Senegal. They have very strong teeth to feed on fish, squid and mollusca. Dentex are a great species for sportfishing and are targetted mainly trolling or jigging. The larger fish are 1m long and can weigh up to 15 kg (35 lb).
Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are also commonly referred to as dorado, dolphin or dolphinfish. They are recognizable by their bluntly shaped heads, long dorsal fin and their bright colouring, dark blue and green on their dorsal side and yellow on their sides and underside.
The leerfish (Lichia amia) is known by anglers as being a fast, aggressive and strong fish of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal waters from Western Africa to south Africa. Leerfish are generally found in small and loose groups rather than large schools of fish. They can grow up to 1,70m (5.5ft) and weigh up to 25kg (55lb).
The sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is for many sport fishermen a trophy fish because of the nice fight they offer but also because they're an excellent eating fish. Sea bass, also known as European bass, are found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from northern Norway to Senegal, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. They can grow up to 1 metre and weigh up to 12kg.
The Little tunny or False Albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus) is easily identified by the dark spots under its pectoral fins. They like warm temperate and tropical waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The larger Little Tunny weigh up to 35lb and can reach 1,2m.
Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) or simply mackerel have a great back with irregular black bands. They're very common and like the temperate waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the northern Atlantic Ocean. Mackerel are typically between 25-35cm.
Black bass (Micropterus) is a common name for several species like the largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass for example. Famous for its great fighting skills, they are a very sought after game fish. Black bass are found in fresh water in the Canada, United States, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and France. Black bass are mostly caught spinfishing. They can grow up to 60 cm / 25 in.
Carp (Cyprinus carpio) originally come from Asia, but since ages they are native to Europe. In the Middle Ages, monks introduced carp into ponds and lakes for food. Carp thrive in virtually any environment and can grow up to 80lb! Carp fishing is extremely popular in the U.K. and in Western Europe.
Catfish are a diverse group of fish which have one thing in common: their barbels. They exist in all kinds of colours and sizes, ranging from the Mekong giant catfish in Asia, the wels catfish in Eurasia to the piraiba in South America. Catfish are the largest freshwater fish and they can grow up to 5m and weigh over 300kg!!
The zander (Sander lucioperca) is a sought after game fish in Europe and western Asia. It's a common fresh water fish distributed from Spain to Finland and from Britain to Kazakhstan. They can be caught with spinfishing, dead bait and live bait fishing. Zander can grow bigger than 1 meter and weigh up to 15kg.
Gilt-head Bream (Sparus aurata) is a common species in the Mediterranean Sea and also in the Atlantic Ocean from Britain to Cape Verde. Popular in the Mediterranean cuisine, the fish is easily recognized by the gold bar marking between its eyes. The largest gilt-head bream are 1 metre long and can weigh up to 7kg (15lb).
The horse mackerle (Trachurus trachurus) is a common species found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off Europe from Norway to South Africa and into the south-eastern Indian Ocean to Mozambique. They are normally between 20 and 30 cm, although the larger fish can grow up to 70 cm and weigh around 2-3kg.
The the European barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena) is also known as the Mediterranean barracuda. This predator is common in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. They can grow up to 1,65m and weigh over 3,5kg.
Frigate tuna or frigate mackerel (Auxis thazard) is a smaller tuna species and can be caught in the tropical oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. They are normally caught trolling small lures and feathers. Frigate tuna can grow up to 65 cm (26 in) and weigh up to 2 kg (5lb).
Grouper is common name for all the bass-looking-fish from the Epinephelinae Family. This family also includes sea bass by the way. Grouper are colorful predators who like to live in rocky areas, reefs, wrecks where they can hide.
The Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is a pelagic fish that can grow up to 500kg (1000lb). The biggest Bluefin Tuna ever caught was 780kg (1496lb). These great fighters can be caught trolling, jigging, casting or drifting; mainly off-shore.
In April, May and during the summer months bluefin tuna can be caught on heavy spinning gear. Captains fish on smaller, faster boats that make chasing and keeping up with fleeing tuna possible. Large frenzies appear off l’Ametlla de Mar in waters of 70 – 90m of depth. Anglers target their tuna, using a variety of jigs, large poppers, stick-bait and other tuna lures.
The summer months are the best to target the Giant Bluefin Tuna, only 2-3 miles off shore! Normally, the fishing charters head to the fishing grounds with 50-70kg of sardines or mackerel for chumming. The hook bait can be a larger mackerel, horse mackerel (dead or alive) rigged on a single hook.
All year round there is good fishing in l’Ametlla de Mar. The waters off l’Ametlla de Mar are home to all sorts of predators. Bluefish are around all year round although they’re more prolific from April to November. May and June are the best months to target Leerfish trolling natural bait or casting poppers, stickbait and other top water lures.
Seabass chase baitfish near the bays, the rocks and the coves. A little deeper the Dentex will be patrolling close to the rocky bottom. The best way to fish for Dentex is using jigs or using a life squid on a nylon rig.
Bonitos can be caught mainly between April and November. August and September are the best months to target them chumming. The locals drift in waters of around 50m deep and chum sardines to attract them. Bonitos are amazing fighters and weigh between 2 and 5 kg. This time of the year the dorado (mahi-mahi) visit these waters.
Apart from fishing in L'Ametlla de Mar, you can go snorkeling in its numerous coves and bays, charter a sailing boat, enjoy the seafood in the restaurants.
The country side is great for cycling or hiking. Book a wine tour in El Priorat or Terra Alta.
The famous theme park PortAventura is only 20 minutes from L'Ametlla. Visit Ferrari Land, PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park and don't miss the main rides of Furius Baco, Stampida, Dragon Khan, Grand Canyon Rapids, Shambhala or the Tutuki Splash.
And don't miss the Natural Park of the Ebro Delta which is considered one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean Coast. It's one of the best spots for birdwatching in Spain. Observe wonderful bird species like the Great Reed Warblers, Red crested Pochard, Black-necked Grebe and of course the Greater Flamingo.
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:
remember that the fishing charters normally have the fishing license included in the price, so you don't need to buy one if you're chartering a boat.