As fishing and sailing enthusiasts you probably know that fishing has become quite popular nowadays. Especially for us, sailors, that love the seas and spend most of our time sailing, swimming, and enjoying the marine environment. So, are you planning your voyage and want to choose activities to engage in while anchored? When sailing and choosing to go fishing, you also benefit from eating a fresh meal caught by your hands. Europe is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. These water bodies surrounding Europe have created a plethora of fishing destinations all across the continent. So, if you’re sailing in the European seas and want to be informed about the best deep-sea fishing destinations around, keep reading this article!

Deep-sea fishing is a kind of fishing where the person has to go a minimum of 12NM or 22km offshore and into the waters. In general, this kind of fishing takes place in areas where the water depth is at least 30 meters. Deep-sea fishing is also called offshore fishing. Therefore, this fishing technique can be considered as a sport or sometimes as offshore sportfishing. Keep in mind that several offshore game-fish, such as marlin and bigeye tuna, are quite large so you should be equipped with heavy tackle. Usually, tackle like sea rods and down tide rods with multiplier reels and lines of 30 to 50lbs are essential for deep-sea fishing.

Something really important to consider about deep-sea fishing is the endangerment of marine species. Many have turned to deep-sea fishing as open-water and coastal fisheries are overexploited. Additionally, many commercial fleets use destructive bottom trawling techniques. Of course, if you’re practicing deep-sea fishing as an occasional hobby then you’re not impacting that much on the marine environment. So, always remember to go deep-sea fishing in moderation in order to responsibly enjoy your fresh fishing batch!

Here Are Some Of The Best Deep Sea Fishing Destinations in Europe

Sicily, Italy

Sicily is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea so it forms an ideal fishing destination. It is also surrounded by all sides of the Mediterranean Sea and has many small islands around to enjoy the rich fishing ground. The Sicilian waters are home to a lot of fish species like Amberjack, Swordfish, Dentex, and Bluefin Tuna, among others. Furthermore, Sicily has a lot of remote coves and reefs where rare fish species find shelter there. Deep-sea fishing destinations in Sicily are Lampedusa, Taormina, Favignana, Noto, and Syracuse. Generally, the fishing season starts from April till late December in the Mediterranean. As for the climate, Sicily, like other Mediterranean cities, has a mild and moderate climate which makes it an all-weather fishing and tourist destination.

Sardinia, Italy

Just south of Corsica, Sardinia is a large and famous Italian island located in the Mediterranean Sea. The seabed in Sardinia is rocky with some sandy areas. The drop-off is nearby to the shore, especially on the northeast and east side of Sardinia. Also, the depths there fall quickly to 500m and more. Inshore, where the seabed is mostly rocky, you can find Grouper, Dentex, and Amberjack fish. In September and October, you can also find Bluefin Tuna, Albacore, and Spearfish. You might also find Mahi-Mahi around the drop-off area or even further offshore. Popular destinations for deep-sea fishing are Cagliari, Olbia, Cannigione, and La Calleta. Lastly, between April and August, tunas tend are likely to appear offshore. 

Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal in the Northern Atlantic Ocean; a Portuguese archipelago that is ideal for deep-sea fishing. The situation of Madeira in both the Atlantic and the African tectonic plate offers a year-round warm and sunny climate. You can depart from the port of Funchal with your boat and sail offshore to fish a fresh batch and then enjoy your meal with a glass of local Madeira wine. In addition, you can find many species in the saltwater ocean of the Atlantic. For instance, Bluefin Tuna, blue and white Marlin, Albacore, Spearfish, Bigeye Tuna, and Skipjack Tuna, are the most popular ones around the area. Keep in mind that sometimes in these waters Blue Marlin and Hammerhead sharks are likely to swim there.

Donegal Bay, Ireland

Donegal Bay and Sligo located on the Wild Atlantic Way are ideal places for both anglers and for deep-fishing. You can find many varied species on the shores, rivers, and deep-sea waters of northwestern Ireland. The seabed in these areas is comprised of gravel, hard reefs, and sand. So, the areas are suitable for all kinds of fishing activities. Furthermore, there are many spots from which you can depart and then sail offshore in the sea, such as Trabane. Species that you can find there include Coalfish, Tope, Pouting, Whiting, Flounder, Dab, Skate, Dogfish, Pollack, Mackerel, Ling, Red, and Tub Gurnard, as well as several species of Wrasse. Lastly, you should always bring some tackle, such as lures and baits when deep-sea fishing in these waters.

The Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands are Spanish islands in the Atlantic Ocean and include Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, La Graciosa, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. Their location benefits from a tropical and desertic climate as well as rich biodiversity and marine environment. The seabed has a volcanic origin and is mostly rocky therefore ideal for different game-fish species like blue Tuna, Swordfish, Bigeye Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, Bluefin Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, among others. You can go deep-fishing all year round however the fishing season is considered to begin in April and ends in November.

Ebro Delta, Spain

Ebro Delta is situated in the southwest of Catalonia Province of Tarragona. The Ebro Delta is the region of the Ebro river and empties in the Mediterranean; an important wetland as it hosts many species of flora and fauna and is protected by the Ramsar Convention. So, remember to do deep-fishing in moderation! The combination of freshwater and saltwater in the region creates a multi-diverse marine ecosystem. In the Ebro Delta, you’ll find a wide variety of fish like Bluefish, Bluefin, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado, and Leerfish, among others. Summer is the ideal time to go for deep-fishing there. The best months for Tuna begin from June till September and for leerfish from June to October. Lastly, the season for Amberjacks starts from the end of April until November. However, in June and July Amberjacks have shown the lowest activity.

Rhodes, Greece

Rhodes is the largest island located in the Mediterranean Sea. The island has the typical warm and sunny Mediterranean climate, exceptional flora, fauna, and rich cultural heritage. So, if you choose Rhodes as your deep-sea fishing destination don’t miss visiting the island itself as it’s great for sightseeing and hiking in one of its many waymarked trails. The deepest location in Rhodes, suitable for deep-sea fishing, is located in the village of Lardos, 14 miles south of the Cape of Rhodes, and has a depth of approximately 4,043m. In these waters, you’ll find Garfish, Ornate Wrasse, Seabream, Swordfish, greater Amberjack, Poor cod, John Dory, and others.

The Azores, Portugal

The Azores are nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is blessed with a unique biotic community and a rich ecosystem. The climate is mostly oceanic and warm subtropical and there’s generally a lot of humidity. The Azores are one of the favorite destinations for deep-sea fishing enthusiasts. From May to October, you can see enormous blue and white Marlins swim as well as dolphins, Atlantic Bluefin tunas, and many more tuna species. You can choose to depart from one of the islands of the triangle like Faial, Pico, and São Jorge, as the deepest bottoms are located around this area. Also, many fish like the Bigeye tuna, the Albacore tuna, the Mahi-Mahi, the Wahoo, and the white Marlin pass by on their migration route through the Atlantic Ocean. Remember to be equipped with all necessary tackle like reels, rods, and lures.

Summary

Deep-sea fishing is a recreational activity for sailors and fishing enthusiasts. Keep in mind that this type of fishing requires more knowledge than coastal or lake fishing. This is because you need to be informed on weather patterns, navigation and take adequate safety precautions. Also, as you already know, a sturdy offshore sailboat is needed for this type of fishing. That’s why, most of the time, many beginners or even experienced, prefer to hire a professional and charter a boat to go for deep-sea fishing in a particular European destination. The above-mentioned deep-sea fishing destinations are considered the best in Europe, but there are some others too, particularly in the Meditteranean Sea and in the Atlantic Ocean. Last but not least, as a responsible sailor and ardent of the seas would do, try to check your batch so as not to catch endangered species and always go fishing in moderation!