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