
Boston Whaler
Valletta, Malta (MTA)
Malta isn't only renowned for its turquoise-blue waters, stunning sand beaches and extravagant nightlife; it's also a great fishing destination with outstanding inshore and offshore conditions. For offshore fishing is a great place for tuna, albacore and Mahi Mahi. Whilst Dentex, snapper and Amberjack are the top species when inshore fishing.
The fishing in Malta is very similar to other places in the Mediterranean Sea like Barcelona, Mallorca or Marbella.
The warmer months of spring, summer and fall can produce bluefin tuna, albacore and spearfish offshore. These species are mainly targetted trolling allthough bluefin tuna can also be caught chumming while drifting. Other smaller species like bonito, frigate tuna, dorado (mahi-mahi or Lampuki like the call them in Maltese), skipjack are interesting side catches.
Closer in-shore, vertical jigging with inchiku for example (don't forget to put a piece of squid on the hooks!) you can hook red scorpion fish, black spot sea bream, John Dory, Snapper, Dentex and Pink Dentex. To catch larger dentex, amberjack and grouper use live bait such as squid or cuttle fish and troll them close to the bottom.
For those traveling with children, the best option is bottom fishing or reef fishing in Malta. Using worms, pieces of squid or sardine you'll catch Seabream, Jack, Red Scorpion Fish, Snapper, Rainbow Wrasse, etc.
From the shore, seabass can be targetted with a light rod and rubber lures or top water lures.
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).
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.
The Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) has large eyes and long pectoral fins. This is why this species is also known as longfin tuna. The largest Albacore can reach up to 140 cm (4.6ft) and weigh up to 40 kg (90lb).
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 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).
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 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.
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.
Spring: Off-shore trolling for Albacore, live bait trolling with downrigger for Dentex, Grouper and Amberjack.
Summer: Bluefin Tuna fishing (trolling or drifting), Inshore trolling, reef fishing, live bait fishing, jigging, spinning.
Fall: Inshore trolling for smaller pelagic species like Bonito, Mackerel, Horse Mackerel, Frigate Tuna, Barracuda (the European brother)
Winter: bottom fishing for smaller reef fish like Red Scorpion Fish, Jack, Striped Sea Bream, Gilthead Sea Bream, or live bait fishing for Dentex and Amberjack. Jigging and spinning is also an option for these colder months.
Apart from fishing in Malta you can also go cycling, kite surfing, mountain biking, wine tasting experience, snorkelling & diving, sailing, hiking and much much more.
Visit the walled city of Valletta and the St John’s Co-Cathedral. Don't mis places like the isle of Gozo, Comino and its iconic lagoon, the medieval town of Mdina or Sliema. Explore the Ggantija Temples or the Tarxien Temples.
Enjoy the local food in the hundreds of bars & restaurants of the island.
You need a fishing license to fish in Malta. 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.