

SANTA CRUZ II
Puerto Tomás Maestre, La Manga del Mar Menor (ES)
Fishing in Murcia offers a wide range of world-class fishing opportunities. The Mar Menor is an inland sea that is great for fishing all year round, even during bad weather. Marine reserves in Murcia are a great breeding place for fish, which also has a positive effect on the rest of the region.
Deep sea fishing in Murcia is revered the world over, with fishermen of all skills and styles and abilities coming from far and wide to capitalize on the abundance of large tunas that can be found here.
The waters of the Mediterranean are very clear, almost transparent, so fishing in Murcia permits clear observation of its bottom, which is full of algae and multiple fish species. The coasts of Murcia offer a wide variety of watersports activities, from the stellar scuba diving conditions to exhilarating kite surfing and windsurfing.
TOP SPECIES
Red tuna: The most common way to catch red tuna is by trolling, which is a common form of fishing in Murcia. It is used with artificial fish designed for speeds of between 7 and 10 knots, the most common being halco, rapala and bonita. The best time of year to get an exemplary specimen of red tuna in Murcia is in the summer months. Giant red tuna can be found in the Mediterranean Sea during the hottest months, from March to September.
Amberjack: This is one of the main target species for fishermen fishing in Murcia. You can catch it by trolling with natural bait, which is the best technique for fishing in Murcia. Amberjack season runs practically all year round.
Dolphinfish: The method most used for fishing dolphinfish in Murcia is sea trolling with light equipment. But when you know the precise sites where you can find examples of this species by chumming or spinning, you will be able to achieve excellent results. The best time to catch dolphinfish on the Costa Calida is during the months of September and October.
Grouper: Once the grouper is hooked it typically seeks refuge in the caves and crevices of the rocky ocean bottom, where it hides. Once it has entered into a safe area it is practically impossible to get it out. Therefore it is essential to remain alert while fishing in Murcia for grouper. An oversight could mean a lot of frustration for the fisherman. Deep sea fishing with natural or artificial bait is the most effective technique for fishing grouper. This species can be fished all year.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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).
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).
The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), often referred to as barracuda, is a long predator that can be found in tropical and subtropical waters where they like to patroll mangroves, reefs and drop-offs. Record barracuda can grow to 1,5m and weigh over 45kg (100lb+).
Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) belong to the tuna family just like Bluefin Tuna, Albacore or Yellowfin Tuna. They can grow up to 200kg (450lb) and over 2 meters long. These pelagic fish are found in temperate and tropical waters (off shore) and are targetted mainly trolling.
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 pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) is a saltwater fish distributed from Portugal to Angola, Canary Islands and the warmer areas of the Mediterranean Sea such as southern Spain and the Gibraltar Strait area, Morocco, southern Italy, Tunisia and Algeria. The larger fish are 1,2 m long and can weigh up to 18 kg (40 lb).
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 White Marlin (Kajikia albida) is a very nice predator which can be caught off shore in warmer waters. This powerful fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. They can be caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
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.
The northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is a popular fish often caught reef fishing in the Atlantic waters of Florida, Gulf of Mexico and also the Caribbean. This sought-after game fish can reach 1 m and weight up to 50lb.
Just by looking at a roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis), you can immediately tell how they got their name. Their trademark dorsal fin resembles a giant mohawk or the comb of a rooster. Beyond the dorsal fins, the rest of the roosterfish body is unique as well. The biggest roosters weigh more than 60lb.
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 common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) is a type of snapper, common in the Meditarranea Sea, but is also present in the eastern Atlantic coastal areas from Cape Verde to Scandinavia. The biggest pandora can grow up to 50cm (20 inch).
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: When dishing in Murcia from April to May, you can enjoy trolling and high jigging, whilst trying to catch fast and strong fish, such as red tuna, albacore and little tunny. It is also a good time to fish with garfishes or small barracudas to catch pomfret or bluefish between the depths of 7m - 15m.
Summer: Fishing in Murcia during summer is the perfect time to catch red tuna by chumming. This style of fishing can be done offshore and closer to the coast, in front of Cartagena for example. There you can troll with natural bait (squid, mackerel or jack) and catch multiple fish species, including dentex or amberjack.
Fall: Fishing in Murcia in autumn is an excellent time for coastal trolling with small lures and feathers to catch bonito, mackerel and little tunny. It is also a good period for fishing with garfishes or small barracudas, as well as pomfret fish or bluefish between 7 and 15 meters deep. Furthermore, it’s quite easy to find dolphin fish (or dorado as it is often called) in the local waters.
Winter: Fishing in Murcia at around 100 meters deep is perfect for big game fishing. The famous “Piedras Malas” conceal large specimens of forkbeards, conger eels, snappers, black spot seabream, as well as the beautiful Atlantic wreckfish. The best bait for fishing here is live hermit crab.
For big game fishing, local fishermen use electric reels on a platform. The weather can stop fishing quite often, but when it’s good, great fishing is assured. You can find a great variety of species such as black spot seabream, forkbeard, conger eel, Atlantic wreckfish and grouper, among others.
All year round: Fishing in Murcia can be enjoyed successfully at any time of year, although the winter months are widely considered to be the region’s best.
Apart from fishing in Murcia you can also go cycling, kite surfing, mountain biking, wine tasting experience, snorkelling & diving, sailing, hiking and much much more.
Enjoy the local food in the hundreds of bars & restaurants from La Manga del Mar Menor, Murcia, Lorca, Cartagena and Aguilas. Visit Aguilas and its beautiful castle of San Juan de las Águilas. Many cultures, including the Argaric, Phoenician, Roman and Moslem people, have left their traces here. Don't miss the cape of Cabo de Palos and its famous light house.
Founded around 227 BC, Cartagana is a must see city in the region with it's fantastic Roman theatre, Palacio Consistoria, etc.
You need a fishing license to fish in fresh water and salt water. 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.