Sailing around Greece

[The Lad Laith]

Hi,

I'm going to Greece (Peloponnese) to work aboard a yacht in February for 8 months. I've looked for sites on fishing there but haven't had much luck. Anyone any ideas or info on trolling etc type of tackle to take and fish? Are there any Tuna left!?

Cheers
Adam

[PanamaJack]

Hi Adam
There're reasonable populations of tuna - mainly Bluefin and Albacore - in that eastern end of the Med, and particularly in the Adriatic. Whilst my observations relate to Croatia & Italy I'm sure they would catch the same species around those west-side Greece islands.

As well as the tuna they also encounter Blue Sharks - to over 200lbs - and Threshers. Plus once in a while a really BIG Great White is encountered in commercial catches. I think it was in 2003 that I heard of a 7 metre long specimen being encountered off Croatia.

And smallish Broadbill Swordfish are regularly caught plus, occasionally, Spearfish and I've even seen one picture of a White Marlin.

Now, in part owing to the clarity of the water, most fishing is done either at anchor, if it's practical, or drifting. And, for the Bluefin, 'chunking' with sardine baits on flurocarbon leaders would be the norm.

However, and probably more practical for you, the Albacore would be targeted trolling with small Rapalas. They do also occasionally catch small Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - great eating!

For the light tackle trolling a UK rod rated at 30lb test should be OK balanced with 20lb line. You'd need heavier tackle for the other species, but let me know if you feel it's a practical option and I'll send you further details through.

Just to whet your appetite there some fish pictures on these following links - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_WhatsNewNfc200408.asp and http://mitglied.lycos.de/grimmel23/. (I've fished with Olaf in both the Cape Verde and Ascension islands.)

Every success!
Dave

[The Lad Laith]

Cheers for that Dave excellent! I've heard about the Great Whites so won't be going spear fishing!. I wouldn't mind some more info on heavier tackle if thats ok? Any info on good websites to order the tackle from?

Cheers

Adam

[DaveL]

Hi adam,

I fish for tuna in Rhodes each year. Usually bluefin. I use a Shimano 50lb class rod with a Penn 9/0 reel.

Take a few bright coloured 120 cm Rapala floating lures, the ones with the rattling beads inside work well and obtain a couple of 2 - 3oz trolling leads.

Rig the rapala on a clear 40lb mono leader approx 30 foot long, pay out approx 75 plus yards of line off the reel out so the boat noise doesn't scare the fish, set the reel drag so it will take line under pressure. Set the clicker on the reel and wait for a take.

The tuna usually arrive in late June, the bigger fish arrive in September (Rhodes) that is. Haven't fished where you are going but would imagine the set up would work there too.


regards



Dave

[The Lad Laith]

Thanks Dave, surely you mean 120mm not cm!? Do you know where I can buy this gear on the web?
Cheers
Adam

[PanamaJack]

Adam
You can buy a comprehensive range of Rapalas on-line through the Harris Angling web site, lure section - http://www.harrisangling.co.uk. Have a look at the Yo-zuki Hydro Magnums as well, they're through-wired.
The other Dave

[DaveL]

Hi Adam,

Sorry mate meant to say mm. You can get Rapala's from Veals or other decent tackle shops.

Abu Tormentor lures are good, so are the Shakespeare lures which I find to be cheaper, yet just as good.

In addition to Tuna, there is a type of kingfish that inhabits inshore rockmarks, usually in remote areas. The Greeks call them Myatiko. These will take the lures I mentioned. I've caught these to 4lb although i'm told they grow a lot larger.

A good tip is to watch the seagulls, where they dive in numbers usually gives an indication as to where the tuna sholes are surfacing.



Regards


Dave L

[The Lad Laith]

Hi, bit more advice needed on tackle. I've decided on a Shakespeare Ugly Stik 1483/050 now need a reel.
I want one that can stand up to trolling and Tuna/Wahoo but also wreck/general fishing in different countries.
At the moment its a cross between a Penn Senator 114H 6/0 (bigger capacity 50lb) but is it just for wrecking? or a Penn 340GTI (smaller capacity 30lb but all purpose) . Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Adam