Garrote
Cambrils, Tarragona (ES)
Fishing in Tarragona is probably one of the most charming fishing experiences on the Mediterranean coast.This area is located on the south from the Read more..
Fishing in Tarragona is probably one of the most charming fishing experiences on the Mediterranean coast.This area is located on the south from the Ebro Delta Natural Park, a paradise for any fisherman. The Ebro river is also notable for freshwater fishing and attracts thousands of fishermen from around the world, who come to fish siluro, sander and carp.
We can find dentex between 0 and 200 meters deep, depending on whether young or adult. Generally they can be found closer to the shore, although they are often found in deeper waters. Just like in Barcelona, many fishermen use the trolling technique with natural bait to catch this species. Furthermore you can fish almost all year round, although spring is usually very good time for fishing in Tarragona.
The amberjack dumerili, also known by other names such as pez limón, medregal coronado or lecha, belongs to the Carangidae fish species. You can catch this fish in waters of Tarragona with trolling techniques during most of the year.
You can fish for bluefin tuna in Tarragona with the trolling technique from April to August, although you will also have success with chumming in July and August. In the course of fishing in Tarragona, we can find in deeper waters. When the tuna hunts on the surface you can fish for it by casting large spinning lures. When the tuna is close enough, simply cast poppers, stick baits or vinyl to catch them. It's interesting to know that fishing in Tarragona is an area where red tuna breed. The tuna are usually seen in late March to late October, although groups of them remain in the area throughout the year.
Since farms of tuna were installed just off the coast of l'Ametlla de Mar, there are giant tunas only 2-3 miles from the coast. During the summer months enormous catches of tuna (up to 400kg) are frequently fished by chumming. While fishing in Tarragona it is possible to fish by trolling April to August.
This sea bream is caught at depths of 200 - 400m. Young fish are generally found closer to the coast, in shallow water as they swim grouped together in big schools of fish. They generally live in small shoals and as their age increases can be found in deep, sandy places. Fishing in Tarragona during the winter months is truly fascinating.
The Leerfish basically feeds of fish such as sardines or anchovies, sardinella, garfish, horse mackerel or mackerel, although cephalopods that hunt at the edge of rocks and the sand are also included in their diet. The Leerfish can be fished whilst fishing in Tarragona by trolling with small barracudas or garfishes between 7 and 20 meters deep.
If you're interested in fishing in Tarragona, you might also be interested in fishing in Barcelona, fishing in Mallorca, fishing in Gran Canaria and fishing in Tenerife.
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.
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 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 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.
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).
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 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 - Fishing in Tarragona during spring and summer is ideal. You can catch sardines, atlantic boqueron and mackerel, all of which attract red tuna and swordfish to the area. From April to May you can start trolling and spinning high to fish tuna, albacore and little tunny. It is also a good time to fish with small barracudas to capture pomfret or bluefish at around 7-15 meters deep.
Summer - Fishing in Tarragona in the summer time is a good time to fish tuna by chumming. This fishing can be done offshore in the area, for example, "The Rinyo", "La Pera" and closer to the coast: in front of l'Ametlla de Mar. Closer to the coast you can also troll with natural bait (squid, mackerel or jack mackerel) to capture amberJack and dentex. The summer is also very good time to fish tuna by spinning.
Fall - Fishing in Tarragona in autumn is an excellent time to practise coastal trolling with small lures and feathers to catch bonito, mackerel, little tunny and lampuga. It is also a good time to fish with small barracudas or garfishes to catch pomfret or bluefish at around 7m - 15m deep. Another popular form of fishing at this time of year is chumming.
Winter - Fishing in Tarragona in winter is ideal and is the perfect time for big game fishing instead of trolling, which is very difficult at this time of year. Serranos, forkbeards, red sea bream, white sea bream and black spot sea bream are often caught. You can also enjoy deep sea fishing and you catch big red sea bream, conger eel, Atlantic wreckfish and grouper.
All year - Bottom fishing can be done at any time of year.
A few kilometers from fishing in Tarragona you can find many other interesting fishing areas, such as the coast of Cambrils, Cabo de Salou and Tarragona, which are all excellent areas for fishing tuna. Fishing in Tarragona has its own history, which can be enjoyed through its gorgeous city streets. Click here for more about Fishing in the Ebro Delta.
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 in Tarragona normally have the fishing license included in the price, so you don't need to buy one if you're chartering a boat.