Fishing and sailing: where to sail for the best catches?

Fishing, when combined with sailing, transforms into an unforgettable adventure. Imagine the thrill of reeling in your dinner directly from the ocean's depths, adding an authentic touch to your seafaring journey. This isn't just about the catch; it's also a chance to connect with the marine environment. Some locations even offer opportunities to contribute to conservation efforts. Curious to learn more? Dive into the details with us.

As an experienced fisherman, the appeal of bringing your own gear on a yacht is undeniable. However, if space is tight or you're new to fishing, renting a rod and other essentials at the marina is a viable alternative. While fishing equipment rentals are rare on charter boats, marina rental shops often provide a wider selection and expert assistance in selecting the right rod.

It's definitely worth taking advice from more experienced fishermen and perhaps taking the time to do a little research. At home, you may find a rental company that will lend you a rod at a better price than businesses in tourist areas. On the other hand, they may have a limited range of equipment specifically for sea fishing. Don't forget about other equipment too, such as gloves, an ice pick or a proper knife. After all, you don't want to be caught short.

Fly fishing is a great entry point for beginners looking to delve into the world of fishing. It doesn't demand a lot of equipment and can be unexpectedly enjoyable. However, mastering the skillful, jerky movements needed to mimic a wounded bait is a challenge that requires practice and experience. Sailing trips offer a perfect opportunity to start learning these techniques.

For the more adventurous, there's the option of spearfishing while snorkelling and diving. This is suited for individuals who are already confident in their abilities. Spearfishing requires not just skill, but also a heightened awareness of your surroundings. A crucial safety consideration is that dead fish on your belt can attract sharks. Additionally, in many places, it's illegal to spearfish while using a breathing apparatus. Among spearfishers, there's a prevailing belief that the only proper way to spearfish requires freediving.

At this point, you're going to have to do a bit of self-study. Each country, and even region, has its own fishing regulations and you'll need the correct licence. The license will determine where you can and cannot fish, how many and what types of fish you can catch, and what equipment you can use. Licences are also time limited. For example, there are three types of licence in Croatia — a tourist licence for recreational fishing, a sports licence issued by the Croatian Sea Sport Fishing Association, and then a special licence for tuna, swordfish and sailfish. Countries restrict fishing for certain species to protect them, while they can encourage fishing for other invasive species that have migrated into the area and are destroying native ecosystems. By hunting them, you are doing the country a favour.

You can fly fish practically anywhere where there are at least a few tens of centimetres of water, but you will only catch smaller fish. Many fishermen then take them out to the open sea and use them as bait for larger catches. But they can break the line and swim away with the bait. For spin fishing, waters close to the shoreline, especially coral reefs and other underwater structures where fish like to hide, are recommended. This is also the reason why spearfishing enthusiasts love such areas. But if you want to try spearfishing first, find a spot with lush kelp beds — you can use them as shelter.

The Adriatic is home to around 400 species of fish, including the much-loved tuna and mackerel. Dalmatia is absolutely ideal for spearfishing — the bed here is usually covered with large rocks, between which the fish can hide, which paradoxically actually makes it easier to fish. There are positive responses to spots under the reefs in the south of Hvar and Vis. Fishermen also praise the open sea around the islands of Sušac, Porec, Svetac, Mali Lošinj, Palagruža and Jabuka. For big catches, they go to the vicinity of Kornati, but only to those waters that are not part of the national park.

Fishing in Greece is practically a must. Fishing, especially inshore fishing, has a strong tradition here and is very popular. After all, the rugged coastline creates the perfect conditions for it. Fortunately, you don't have to stick to the coast, though, as the popular islands of Rhodes, Paxos, Zakynthos, Naxos and Corfu are also among the most renowned fishing spots. Crete alone offers more than 1,000 km of coastline with coves, reefs and proven fishing spots. However, there are also reports that, due to the heightened interest from both tourists and locals, patience may be key when aiming for a big catch. In that case, you'll probably reel in a parma or sea bream. Venturing further out to sea, the chances of catching larger fish like tuna or amberjack increase.

The number one fishing spot in Italy is undoubtedly Sicily, thanks to its prime location in the heart of the Mediterranean and its relatively long distance from the mainland. This geographical advantage results in an abundance of water and fish, which local fishermen enjoy without much competition. This is one of the reasons it is dotted with fishing villages and fishing thrives here. If you fish here, you'll probably land a tuna on your plate. Sicily is also on the radar of spearfishermen, but it's not exactly for beginners.

You can also try your luck in Sardinia. The Tyrrhenian Sea, deeper than the Adriatic, offers the potential for impressive catches with the right rod and experience. It's easy to find a quiet spot on the island where you won't be disturbed. As well as fish, you can catch cuttlefish and squid.

Catching a fish from the ocean can be a lot easier than you might think. You can try ocean fishing, and indeed sailing, for the first time in relative safety in the Canary Islands or the Azores. In both archipelagos, the high season is roughly from May to October, but even outside of that, these atypical islands will welcome you with fine, spring-like weather. If you're content with fishing off the coast, head to the Azores as early as April. Larger fish include tuna and marlin, while smaller catches include bream, moray eels and amberjack.

Fishing, like diving and snorkelling, is a very different experience in the tropics. The water here is so clear and turquoise that you can see dozens of metres away. The coral reefs here are more colourful and inhabited by exotic fish. Not all of them are edible, though, and you'll often come across pearlfish and their relatives. That's why when fishing, especially when diving and spearfishing, be careful where you move and reach; venomous fish like to disguise themselves as reef or seabed fish.

Fishing in the Bahamas

Head to the Bahamas for big catches, as the waters here are renowned for large fish such as marlin, tuna, mahi mahi and sailfish. Fishing tournaments are held annually in the waters between the Abaco Islands in the northern part of the archipelago, and records are broken for the largest catch each year. If you're a beginner, leave the big fish to the pros and focus on smaller catches.

Fish and underwater life of St. Lucia

Saint Lucia has the deepest waters of any island in the Caribbean, so you can fish just a few miles offshore for fish that you would otherwise have to go far out to sea to catch. There are several well-known fishing competitions here, such as the International Billfish Tournament and the Antigua and Barbuda Marlin Class.

Virgin Islands

The (U.S.) Virgin Islands are easy to forget, yet they are one of the most amazing locations for fishing. The islands of St. John, St. Croix and St. Thomas are the most popular fishing destinations, and the waters of Virgin Islands National Park are open to locals and tourists alike. In addition to marlin, tuna, mahi mahi and sailfish, you can catch barracuda and mackerel. And feel free to treat yourself to some of that lobster.

The nice thing about the U.S. Virgin Islands is that as a recreational fisherman, you don't need a permit if you're fishing just for your own consumption. The same is not true of the British Virgin Islands, which we talked about in our guide — Sailing the British Virgin Islands: a guide to paradise. A permit will set you back $45, but is definitely worth the experience.