Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing is probably one of the easiest methods of fishing, the technique is really simple, consisting in a rig for fishing on the bottom with a weight attached to the line, and a hook at the end of the line.
Equipment required for Bottom Fishing
For bottom fishing, you will require either a simple rod and reel set up or it is even possible to complete this fishing technique with just a handline.
You will also require a sharp hook, some bait suitable for the area and most importantly a lead weight used to sink your line to the bottom of the water.
Species to target when Bottom Fishing
This technique really has no limitations on which species you can target, as long as they live or feed close to the bottom of the water.
Species such as flathead, carp, trout, flathead and many more are possible in either fresh or saltwater areas.
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Cod is a common name for a number of other fish species, like the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). Cod are caught in colder and fairly deep waters, close to rocky areas, wrecks and drop-offs. Cod can weigh over 50kg.
MORE INFO >Cod
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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).
MORE INFO >Common pandora
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The Flathead is of the fish family Platycephalidae. This fish is common in Australia, popular for sport fishing and very good eating.
MORE INFO >Flathead
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A Flounder is a flatfish and several species are distinguished. They camouflage themself by lying on the bottom of the ocean floor to ambush their prey and also as protection against predators.
Flounder are very good eating fish and can grow up to 60 centimeters (20 inch).
MORE INFO >Flounder
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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).
MORE INFO >Gilt-head Bream
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Gurnard - from the Triglidae family - are also known as sea robins due to their large pectoral fins which mimic bird’s wings in appearance. Sea robins can be caught by dropping a variety of baits and lures to the seafloor. There are three different types of gurnard - red, grey and tub - which vary in shape, size and colour but rarely exceed 40cm in length.
MORE INFO >Gurnard
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The meagre (Argyrosomus regius) - also known as croaker or corvina in Spanish - is a great silver colored sport fish found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Meagre use to feed on squid, crustaceans, sardines and mullet in inshore waters like estuaries and coastal lagoons. This species can become huge! Meagre can grow to 2m (80 in) in length and 50 kg (110 lb) in weight.
MORE INFO >Meagre
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The nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris), also known as the large-spotted dogfish, greater spotted dogfish or bull huss. This fish is found the atlantic waters of the British Islands, the Northsea, Biscay Bay, Portugal to Senegal. It can also be caught in the Mediterranean Sea. Growing up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft) long, nursehound have a spectacular colored skin.
MORE INFO >Nursehound
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The Red Scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa) live in sandy and rocky areas from 20 to 180 meters deep. They are found in the Mediterranean Sea and in the eastern Atlantic Ocean between the British Isles to Senegal, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde. The species can grow to a maximum length of 50 cm (20 in) and weigh up to 3 kg (6.6 lb). Red scorpion fish feed on small fish, as well as crustaceans and molluscs.
MORE INFO >Red Scorpionfish
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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.
MORE INFO >Red Snapper
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Redbanded seabream (Pagrus auriga) is a fish of the bream family Sparidae, just like gilt-head bream, red porgy and dentex. Redbanded seabream are found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the south western Mediterranean Sea. They mainly feed on shellfish and cephalopods. This wonderful fish species can grow up to 1 meter long and weigh more than 12kg.
MORE INFO >Redbanded seabream
Best Places to try Bottom Fishing
You can use this method in almost any body of water around the world as long as you know there are fish species that feed close to the bottom of the water.
Try this technique in dams, lakes, rivers or even the ocean. It is also possible to complete from a boat or while fishing on land.
Best Bottom Fishing Fishing Charters
Pura Pesca Rodman 1250
Algeciras, Strait of Gibraltar (Spain)
Boca Raton Fishing Charters
Calheta, Madeira (Portugal)
Sampei I
Quartu Sant'Elena, Cagliari, Sardinia (Italy)
Isabella
Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)