Game fishing in the Adriatic Sea, possible all year round

Image is from the blog: http://www.marlin-web.com/croatia.html Visit this site for more images and an interesting account of big game fishing in Jezera.

For the fishing enthusiast, Croatia’s Adriatic Sea offers some world class fishing normally associated with places such as the US, Central and South America, New Zealand and Australia. Dalmatia has a rich history entrenched with the sea and fishing; a way of life that has embodied the culture and ‘soul’ of its people throughout the centuries and bred countless generations of expert fisherman. You will find very experienced big game fishing operators on the island of Murter and the popular coastal town of Vodice in the Sibenik-Knin county who frequent the local islands including the enchanting Kornati.

In fact Jezera, an historic fishing village and one of the original four settlements on the island of Murter, celebrates summer long with its Sea Days festival in the months of July and August, culminating in the annual, international big game fishing event in the last week of September. This is a seven day competition which attracts teams from nearly 60 countries around the world battling it out for the biggest catch. Throughout the festival visitors can enjoy superb, locally caught and prepared seafood and entertainment.

In Croatia it is possible to venture out on fishing expeditions all year round. The following information outlines the type of fish found in Adriatic waters and the times of the year:

Large fish from  100 – 300kg  (averaging 70 – 150kg)	Mid sized fish with the possibility of 40 – 60kg   (averaging 5 – 20kg)	Smaller varieties  up to 15kg (averaging c. 5 – 10kg)
Blue Fin tuna, AUG – JAN	Albacore tuna, SEP – NOV	Little tunny, MAR – MAY & SEP – NOV
Swordfish, OCT – DEC	Amberjack, DEC – MAR	Atlantic Bonisto,  OCT – APR (all year), c. 2kg
Shark (Blue and Thresher), MAY – JUN	Dorado and Dolphin fish, AUG – DEC

Note that this is a general guide with the season depending on: sea temperatures, the concentration of feeder fish and the sea salinity levels (which are dependant on rainfall and the inflow of fresh water).

Croatian laws ensure responsible sport/recreational fishing and environmental practises are enforced by the appropriate authorities in order to protect the marine and natural resources for future generations. This means that although an allocated number of fish can be kept, there is size and weight requirements for each fish species that dictate the release of the catch. Your big game fishing tour operator will happily assist.

Prior to venturing out it is compulsory to obtain a fishing licence or permit, available at Croatian local admin offices and travel agents. This is relatively easy to organise and all that’s required is photo identification and payment of the appropriate fees, although you’ll find that this is something typically arranged by the tour operator. Age limits do not apply in Croatia.

Licences are issued according to daily, weekly or monthly use for recreational angling, spear-gun fishing, long line and tuna fishing. You may also want to consider the traditional hand trawl-line fishing which relies on teamwork, or a spot of night fishing during a new moon when the sea is calm.

The entire Adriatic Sea is open for fishing, whilst certain restrictions apply to marine and national parks – Kornati and Krka - and for some smaller locations. There may also be restrictions on fishing tackle and equipment, which is also usually handled by the game fishing operator.

Recreational freshwater fishing

If recreational fishing is more your thing, then there are a couple of spots to try your luck for trout in the Zrmanja or Krka Rivers, or you can try for decent sized catfish, carp and pike in Croatia’s largest natural spring-fed lake, Vranjsko. Part of Vranjsko Lake has been deemed an ornithological reserve, as it is plays a crucial role in the existence of over 230 bird species and unbelievably is host to over 140 species of migratory birds each autumn with sometimes up to 400,000 birds stopping over.

Note: remember it is important that you obtain the appropriate fishing licence and know about any restricted areas affecting certain sections of the rivers and sea.

Enquire with us at info.HolidaysCroatia@gmail.com if big game or recreational fishing is something that you’re interested in!


Web: http://holidaycroatia.blogspot.com/2010/10/game-fishing-in-adriatic-sea-possible.html

Large fish from 

100 – 300kg 

(averaging 70 – 150kg)

Mid sized fish with the possibility of 40 – 60kg  

(averaging 5 – 20kg)

Smaller varieties 

up to 15kg

(averaging c. 5 – 10kg)

Blue Fin tuna, AUG – JAN

Albacore tuna, SEP – NOV

Little tunny, MAR – MAY & SEP – NOV

Swordfish, OCT – DEC

Amberjack, DEC – MAR

Atlantic Bonisto, 
OCT – APR (all year),

c. 2kg

Shark (Blue and Thresher), MAY – JUN

Dorado and Dolphin fish, AUG – DEC

Things to do in September – ADRIATIC BOAT SHOW Mandalina Marina, Sibenik

The Adriatic Boat Show is an annual, international event held each September since 2007 at Sibenik’s Mandalina Marina. Featuring new and used vessels of all types, the fair is designed to showcase the uniqueness of Croatian traditional small boat building as well as highlight the importance of the mega-yacht category, whilst promoting the Sibenik region. Ecology and environmental concerns have an important place in the program in addition to marine innovations and trends, shipbuilding, yachting equipment and global manufacturers’ presence.

Mandalina Marina is an apt location as it happens to be Croatia’s first dedicated mega-yacht marina. The Sibenik region is definitely considered the most beautiful section of the Adriatic coast and has featured in National Geographic magazine’s world's most attractive sailing destinations.

So if you’re planning a trip to Croatia in September when the summer holidaymakers have dispersed don’t forget to include the Sibenik region on your list of places to visit. Throughout the Adriatic Boat Show weekend in mid September another event of significance also takes place; the international Sibenik Medieval Fair (check out this excellent short video clip). With National Parks Krka and Kornati in the vicinity and the sea temperature still averaging at 19 degrees Celsius, your stay could easily turn into a week. And for fishing enthusiasts, September happens to be the right time for albacore tuna.

Email: info.HolidaysCroatia@gmail.com
Web: http://holidaycroatia.blogspot.com/2010/10/adriatic-boat-show-mandalina-marina.html

See what attracts visitors to Sibenik-Knin

In the first eight months of 2010 the number of tourists to Croatia was up 3% from the 2009, despite wariness of the global recession.

The top five tourists come from: 1. Germany 2. Slovenia 3. Italy 4. Austria and 5. the Czech Republic.

In the county of Sibenik-Knin, Dalmatia, the number of overnight stays just for the month of September was up 13% on the previous year, with an increasing number of visitors from Poland and Spain.

Also, in a 2010 survey conducted among Croatian citizens the Sibenik-Knin county was voted best county in Croatia for holidaying (out of seven), coming in first place with almost 30% of votes.

Some quick stats about Sibenik-Knin:

- Located in northern central Dalmatia

- Founded by Croats in 9th Century

- 2 National Parks: Krka and Kornati

- 11 Medieval Fortifications, 4 are located in Sibenik

- 230 Cultural Monuments

- 600 Archeological Sites

- Over 280 islands, islets, cliffs and reefs; island of Zlarin home of red coral, island of Krapanj home of sea sponge

- Geographic characateristic of limestone and hinterland providing rivers, canyons and caves 

- UNESCO World Heritage site, St Jakov Cathedral

- UNESCO World Heritage cultural site candidate, the vineyards of Primosten

- Traditional economy known for shipbuilding, fishing, viticulture, agriculture and olive groves; more recently tourism

The images below provide a sample of what brings visitors to the county of Sibenik-Knin.


Email: info.HolidaysCroatia@gmail.com
Web: http://holidaycroatia.blogspot.com/2010/10/see-what-attracts-visitors-to-sibenik.html

View over Sibenik from Subicevac fortress

Old town, Sibenik

Old town, Sibenik

Krka falls, in Krka National Park, Skradin

View towards the historically important archeological site, Bribirska Glavica, Skradin

Detail at 'Nympheum', the Roman public water tanks, c. 1st - 2nd Century, Bribirska Glavica

Sunset over Vodice

The UNESCO listed 15th-16th Century St Jakov Cathedral in Sibenik

A beach near Primosten

Sailing the Kornati Islands National Park

The Knin fortress

Grape harvesting & wine making season, Croatia Oct 2010

During the first couple of weekends in October, whilst the wineries in Croatia prepare for harvesting and production of the new season's wine, almost every household across Croatia is busy either picking their own or buying local grapes to make wine for their personal consumption over the next year. 


This domestic wine is very popular as table wine with tourists. Not only is it great value for money, grapes are typically picked by hand and the wine is made using natural and traditional wine making methods without additives or preservatives.

Croatia is producing some great quality commercial wines which are still being discovered by the rest of the world, yet the unbeatable combination of sun, sea and rocky soil (a mixture of limestone and red soil) provides the ideal conditions for viticulture in centuries' old tradition preceding Roman times!

If wine is one of your passions consider planning a trip to Croatia during early October. The weather is still mild and the sea is still warm enough for swimming (20 degrees Celsius in some places). It is also the perfect time for visiting the national parks and various historic cultural and archeological sights, as the days are not too hot and you won’t be competing against the hoards of summer tourists.

Holidays Croatia can arrange for you to visit some of the finest, award-winning wineries in the county of Sibenik-Knin (in the central part of northern Dalmatia) and surrounding areas. This region is known for having many unique, native grape varieties. Some of the best known as well as up and coming vineyards in this part of Croatia are found in Skradin and Primosten.

We can also organise visits to private, hobbyist winemakers whom we know personally because they are good friends or relatives, where you can partake in the domestic grape picking and wine making process. And of course sample the wines and take some away with you!

email: info.HolidaysCroatia@gmail.com

web: http://holidaycroatia.blogspot.com/2010/10/grape-harvesting-and-wine-making-season.html

Local private vineyard

Typical scene while driving through the Dalmatian hinterland

Usually where you find grapes, you'll also find figs and olives!

Picking grapes by hand, local hobby winemaker, Sibenik-Knin county