How to Fish in Adriatic Sea? Best Short Tips!

Fishing has been my passion since I was a little kid. In my home country, Slovenia, you can find wild rivers and numerous lakes that offer spectacular fishing opportunities.

Whenever the opportunity arises, I like to engage in some saltwater fishing too, and the best, and the closest location to do so is the Adriatic Sea. Both Slovenian and Croatian part of it are excellent tourist destinations too, so you can combine the best of both worlds.

To find more articles about local fishing opportunities, and fishing in general, visit my fishing blog, where I like to share my experiences and tips, especially for beginners.

So, how to fish in Adriatic Sea? If you ever visit this wonderful part of Europe, and decide to spend time at the Adriatic Sea, here are few tips that should help you plan the trip and increase your fishing success!

How to Fish in Adriatic See: Best Short Tips!

I could write a book about how to fish in the Adriatic Sea, but here I am going to share just basic tips. When you arrive at the destination, you will figure out the small details by yourself, and that is one of the best parts of fishing!

#1: Get to know the local fish species

The Adriatic Sea is known for healthy and large fish population, and there are dozens of fish species you can catch. However, those species are quite different, and they live in different habitats, have various activity periods, and prefer certain baits.

Among locals, European Dentex, European Sea Bass, and Sea Bream are considered to be the best. It is not easy to catch them, but it is very exciting and rewarding. Besides, all of those taste great.

Sea Bass can be caught in various places, but some of the best ones are in Istria. The best thing about it is that there is no closed season for them, and you can catch them year-round.

Dentex can easily be caught from the shore during summer months, when it comes close to the shallows, and can be found in depths between 5-40m/16-130ft.

#2: Consider night fishing

When the days are hot, you should relax at the beach and wait for the night. If you are in a mood for a real challenge, try to catch the Conger.

These clever predators can grow really large, and when they bite, it is an adventure to get them out, before they hide in a tight hole within a rock. For this, you will need strong equipment and a lot of patience.

Wintertime on the Adriatic Sea offers night fishing opportunities worth exploring. At this time of the year, Squid become very active. And to get them, you will need a squid lure, and of course, a boat. When you find the right location (and you can follow the locals to do so, because they will never tell you), it is quite easy to catch them. Even kids can do that, so you can’t take the whole family out for an adventure.

#3: Choose the best location

The Adriatic Sea may be surrounded by small countries, but the shoreline is very long! There are thousands of bays, peninsulas, and other landscape features that make it so good for fishing. Hundreds of islands from north to south offer some spectacular fishing sites, as well as the historical locations and charming cities.

Depending on your priorities, choose locations with less tourists, away from larger cities, to enjoy some solitude and fishing in pristine nature. Piers in small towns and villages can be a good start.

Those who have a valid licence can rent a boat and cruise around. There are even charters that offer big game fishing trips.

One of the best areas for shore fishing is Istria, which is a peninsula in the northern part, and of course, the surrounding islands, like the Krk island. For those interested in offshore fishing, I would recommend island Murter, and the surrounding area. You can find more info about specific locations at my website.

#4: Get the right equipment

The beauty of fishing in the Adriatic Sea, is that you can catch smaller fish with just a basic equipment and a bit of luck.

But those who are targeting specific species will have to use proper equipment. I assume that this is mostly done by experienced anglers, who know what to use, so I will mention just a basic setup, which is sufficient for shore fishing and catching species like Gray Mullet, Black Scorpionfish (be careful not to impale yourself on their spines), Common Pandora, and similar fish.

Get a 3-3.5m/9-11ft long rod, with a medium size, about 3000, spinning reel. Use mussels or pieces of small fish as baits, and find a secluded location on the shore, far away from the crowds. The bottom should have features like rock formations or weeds, in addition to the sand. You should avoid places that are covered with sand only.

Also avoid calm and sunny days, and fish when there is a bit of wind, or even better, during a cloudy day.

And for those who plan to keep the fish, take a portable fridge with you to keep your catch fresh!

#5: Choose your baits wisely

Locals may be friendly towards tourists, but they will never tell you their secrets about fishing. So, when it comes to the best baits, you will have to figure it out on your own.

However, I recommend using Bobbit Worms. They are huge, and you can either buy them, or catch them yourself. Many fish species will gladly bite. You can use it for shore fishing to catch one of the species mentioned in the previous chapter.

Another good bait is Mediterranean mussels, and Sea Breams love them. Just make sure you carefully attach them onto the hook, because they have a tendency to slip.

Besides those, you can use whole or pieces of small baitfish like European Pilchard and European sprat, or even Squid or Cuttlefish. European dentex can be caught on these.

Prawns are used for catching species like European Sea Bass.

#6: Make safety your priority

The Adriatic Sea is generally considered safe, and you do not have to be afraid of the creatures living in it, except for Weever fish, which is venomous.

But you should keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially during night or when on a boat. Severe thunderstorms can occur, especially in the northern part.

Another danger can be Bura wind, which is extremely strong and can be very dangerous if you are in the open sea.

Those who are interested in night fishing for Conger should navigate the rocks carefully and wear proper clothes.

If you are unsure about the conditions, ask the locals, they all know it very well, and will gladly help you.

Conclusion

The Adriatic Sea is one of the most popular tourist locations in Europe, and more and more people come every year to explore it. Many of them are recreational anglers who want to try and learn how to fish in Adriatic Sea.

Choose the best location in accordance with the fish you are trying to catch. The same goes for your fishing equipment.

Don’t forget the fishing licence, which is required for all anglers, no matter where they come from. Follow the local rules, regulations and enjoy the experience!

Sina

Founder and owner

Slo-fishing.si