There
is a wealth of both sea and freshwater fishing all year round in this region,
from Pego in the South, to Sueca in the North and to Beniarres in the West.
The
frustration for us ex-pat anglers in this area in particular is the lack of
information available regarding venues and fishing techniques. However, the
following should hopefully point you in the right direction and any further
information you can contribute will aid us all in our search for that fishing
‘Valhalla’.
Tackle
shops: in Gandia town, two on Gandia Grau, two in Oliva and two on Oliva Playa.
FRESHWATER FISHING
Nearly
all rivers and lakes in the area are free, however you’ll need an annual
Valencia/Alicante freshwater licence (approx 8 euros plus admin per annum, or
23 euros for 3 years). This is purchased from any Caja Rural Bank. If you’re a
pensioner then a licence is free but you still have to apply.
NB.
If you’re caught without a licence, all your equipment, including your car, can
be confiscated by the police!
Common
Species:
Carp
are the dominant species almost everywhere. Generally found in low double
figures.
Goldfish
replace the roach we’re used to in Northern Europe (and are of a similar size)
as are a chub-like species found in some rivers.
Barbel
can be found in some hotspots on the River Bullent, which forms the Northern
boundary to Oliva/Pego marshes.
Black
Bass are another target species, especially in the canals of Pego and on the
River Jucar. Spin for these with surface ’popper’ lures or vinyl eels fished in
midwinter.
Baits:
Sweetcorn
is the most popular bait but it’s still worth experimenting with bread,
boilies, halibut pellets, cheese etc. on those hard days.
Methods:
As
in the UK all techniques pay dividends depending on the conditions. Methods
vary from course fishing to fly fishing to ………..
In
the Jucar due to the 5m depth of the Jucar, ledgering is the chosen approach.
The locals however often favour the Bolognese rod. Liberal ground baiting will
attract the most fish in these big waters.
Top
Tip: If you have access to the web,
www.michelin.com maps will enable you to find all those little off-road tracks
not on your road atlas that take you to the water’s edge.
Important: Night fishing on lakes and rivers is
prohibited in Spain but OK in the sea.
Where
to Fish:
Marjal de Oliva/Pego - An area of rice fields
criss-crossed by irrigation canals. Full of small/medium sized carp and black
bass as well as prolific bird life. Access is by dirt roads, some of which have
chains across them for part of the year. Don’t be discouraged, this only means
you’re going to do a bit of walking to your chosen spot. Remember, you are free
to roam in the Spanish countryside.
Beniarres
Reservoir – A spectacularly scenic big lake some sixty minutes inland from
Gandia/Oliva (take the CV60 then through Castello de Rugat and over the
mountain pass to Beniarres, then left to the lake 2 miles away). The banks are
most easily accessible via tracks at the eastern end of the reservoir, on either
side of the road dam. Target fish are carp, barbel and small ’sunfish’.
River
Jucar – Northwards from here, it is a thirty meters wide, slow running river,
and is probably the best all-year-round venue in the area. It is full of carp and
black bass in some parts. Between Sueca and Fortaleny much of the south bank is
a permanently pegged day ticket water (no fishing on Mondays) and used for many
Spanish matches, as is the free section at Cullera. Fishing is also free on a
picnic site upstream from the Sueca-Riola bridge (take the dirt track at the
side of the bridge on the north bank).
Rivers
Serpis & Vernissa - There are various fishy spots amongst the orange groves
in the Potries/Palma de Gandia/Rotova areas above the dams. Carp, goldfish and
‘chub’ are often in abundance and rarely fished for.
SEA FISHING
Shallow
sandy beaches from Cullera to Denia make this area a surf-caster’s paradise.
Except in daylight hours during July and August when you’re more likely to
catch a swimmer. Good street lights along the proms make for comfortable night
fishing. Bass, dorada and assorted other species are caught virtually all year
round.
For
those who prefer deeper water fishing, this is available from Gandia harbour’s
southern breakwater, Denia Harbour and Oliva harbour’s northern breakwater,
although access is difficult here - travel light and take care traversing the
rocks around the marina perimeter fence or you‘ll fall in!
Baits: Worms are available from most tackle shops
in the area. Use a baiting needle to thred them onto size 10 or 12 hooks. Half
a sardine will attract the bigger predators.
Tackle: Much lighter than UK shore gear – we are
fishing a big lake called the Med. Rods are longer at 4-5meters, with fixed
spool reels loaded with a maximum of 15lbs BS (plus 40/50 lb shock-leaders please), casting weights between 70 - 130gms
max. Float fishing from the harbour walls using long Bolognese rods with quaint
wooden centre-pin reels is popular with the locals. Casting and retrieving a
lure beneath a partially filled bubble float is also worth trying.
Finally,
the jury’s still out on the question of sea angling licences for the shore -
the locals say it’s only necessary for boat fishing but other areas of Spain
enforce shore fishing licences. Does anybody know the answer and how you apply?
report written by Roger