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Fishing in Ebro Delta
The Ebro Delta is generally defined as the estuary of the river of the same name, which covers an area of approximately 325 km² and—notably characterized by its vast rice paddies—is considered one of Spain’s most important wetlands. Approximately 80 km² of the delta has been designated a nature reserve since 1983 and is not only a species-rich breeding and resting ground for many bird species but, due to its abundance of fish, also the livelihood of numerous professional fishermen. No wonder, then, that this natural paradise is also very interesting for us anglers. Unlike most other fishing areas, here you have the opportunity to fish in the brackish waters of the estuary, in the open sea, and of course in the river itself—and everywhere you encounter very exciting fish species.
Fishing trips SPAIN
But that’s not all—the Ebro Delta also offers anglers the opportunity to fish all these areas themselves using rental boats. Pesca Ebro, our local partner, rents out boats of various sizes and engine types for self-guided trips and also provides professional guiding services.
The tours we’ve put together therefore always include at least one full day of guided fishing right at the start of the trip, so that anglers can familiarize themselves with both the fishing grounds and the techniques. After that, you can explore the opportunities the Ebro Delta has to offer on your own—and there are certainly plenty of them…. This brings us to a significant advantage: Because the boats are located right on the river, you have the option—depending on the weather—to either head out to sea or fish in the river itself. This means there are practically no days when fishing is impossible.
Fishing in Ebro Delta
So let’s start by looking at the species of fish that can be found here. The area is, of course, famous for its exceptionally good bluefin tuna fishing. It should be noted, however, that not only the proper equipment but also a good deal of experience is required to tackle these underwater powerhouses. For this reason, we generally recommend this type of fishing for inexperienced anglers only as a guided tour. In addition to the “bluefins,” which can easily reach weights of 250–300 kg during the peak season, there are numerous other fish species that can also be fished very effectively from a charter boat: For example, the little tunny, which provides extremely thrilling fights when using light to medium spinning tackle. Depending on the season, these fish weigh about 7–15 kg but display tremendous power during the fight, demanding a lot from the angler. The fishing is incredibly exciting and resembles a hunt, as you first have to spot the predatory schools (watch for seabirds!) and then cast spinnerbaits at them with precision.
Of course, we must also mention the palometa (English: leerfish), which we also call the big fork mackerel. These predators can grow up to 2 meters long and weigh up to 50 kg. Fishing for them requires quite a bit of patience. Artificial and natural baits are primarily used, which are slowly trolled. The bluefish is also among the local predators, but it doesn’t just roam offshore or in the estuary area; it also ventures quite a distance up the river. Here, too, trolling is the predominant method—for example, using wobblers. Most specimens are certainly in the 5–10-pound class. Exceptional fish can be even larger. Be careful when landing them: Bluefish have sharp teeth and have bitten off more than a few fingers. Therefore, a steel leader is strongly recommended here.
Sea bass is another species of fish that can be found both out at sea, in the delta, and in the river itself. Spinning lures are the top choice here—especially small soft plastics in the river. The smaller bass usually weigh around 1 pound, while trophy-sized fish can easily exceed 10 pounds.
Offshore, there are also a few good spots with shipwrecks where you can practice classic live-bait fishing. Here, you might occasionally hook a conger eel or a dentex. Amberjacks are also occasionally found.
All fish—except for bluefin tuna—can generally be caught and used. However, there is a lack of facilities on-site for large-scale fish processing (and transport), and accommodations typically only have a combination refrigerator with a freezer compartment. Therefore, the focus should be on using the catch on-site and, if necessary, taking only a small portion home.
Season
You can fish successfully in the Ebro Delta all year round. However, some fish species are only found seasonally.
January to March: In the sea, only bottom-dwelling fish near the wrecks. In the river (in January), sea bass.
April: Bluefin tuna (from around mid-April) + little tunny (sea) and sea bass/bluefish in the river
May: Bluefin tuna (until around May 20), little tunny, and palometa in the sea, as well as bluefish and sea bass in the sea and river
June: Little tunny, palometa, amberjack, and bonito in the sea, and bluefish and sea bass in the sea and river.
July: Bluefin tuna (from around the second week of July), Little Tunny + bottom fish in the ocean, as well as sea bass + bluefish in the ocean/river.
August through October: Wide variety of species – bluefin tuna, little tunny, bonito, sea bass, bluefish, and bottom fish in the ocean; catfish fishing with spinning lures in the river is also possible. In October, there are also good chances of catching palometa and amberjack again.
November–December: Palometa, bottom fish in the ocean, and bluefish/sea bass in the ocean/river
Fishing Vacation in Spain (Ebro Delta) — Getting There
Getting There: Fly to Barcelona and then take a rental car to Riumar (about a 2-hour drive).
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Two types of boats are available for self-drive rentals
- 6 meters / 115 hp / depth sounder / chart plotter
- 5 meters / 50 hp / depth sounder / chart plotter
A boat license (lake) is required.
We also have a 6.50-meter boat with a 150-hp engine specifically for guided tours.
Accommodations
You will be staying in the small resort town of Riumar in the LAS DUNES apartment building. The apartments are designed to accommodate 4 people (with 2 bedrooms) or 6 people (3 bedrooms) and feature a small kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave, and fridge-freezer. The living area features a dining table and a sofa/armchair with a TV. There is a balcony with outdoor furniture. The bathroom includes a shower and toilet. The bedrooms are furnished with either 2 single beds or 1 double bed. A discount supermarket is just a 2-minute walk away. You also have the option of booking breakfast or full board at the neighboring restaurant.
Packages IbroDelta
We can tailor a tour specifically to your preferences. Prices for flights, rental cars, and hotels vary by season.
From January through mid-May and from September through December, we can offer you a particularly attractive package:
- 8 nights’ accommodation at the Las Dunes apartment
- 1 day of full-time guided fishing to familiarize yourself with the fishing grounds and techniques
- One week of self-drive boat use (Boat license required)
Prices per person
3 anglers with a 5-meter boat /50 hp/fish finder/chart plotter: €999
3 anglers with a 6-meter boat /115 hp/fish finder/chart plotter: €1,299
2 anglers with a 5-meter boat /50 hp/fish finder/chart plotter: €1,499
2 anglers with a 6-meter boat /115 hp/fish finder/chart plotter: €1,949
Additional costs:
Travel (flight + rental car) – depending on the season. We would be happy to provide you with a quote.
Fishing equipment can also be rented upon request. For light, medium, and heavy spinning gear, the rental price per week/set (rod/reel/line) is €150 each. For big game gear (bluefin tuna): price upon request
There is a fishing shop in Deltebre (about a 15-minute drive from Riumar).
Electric motor: €100 per day / €500 per week
