BCNPescaFishing forecast · Barcelona & the Catalan coast

Fish here

Fish you can catch in Barcelona — with bait and rigs that work

The species you will realistically meet from the shore and from a boat around Barcelona, when they show up, and what to put on the hook.

From the shore

What you can realistically reach from a beach, a breakwater or the rocks. This is most people’s fishing here.

Gilthead seabream

Orada · Dorada · Sparus aurata

Bait
titàcranc pelutgambanavallamusclo
How to rig it
Running ledger, 1–2 m fluorocarbon
Depth 1–30 m 16–26 °C Keep only over 20 cm

Crushes shellfish — use a strong hook and check knots. Best over mixed sand and rock, often very close in.

Read more Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Photo: (c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

European seabass

Llobarro · Lubina · Dicentrarchus labrax

Bait
titàpeixet viuSlim minnow lure 90–130 mmvinilopopper
How to rig it
Spinning, 15–30 g, along the breakwater wash
Depth 0–20 m 11–22 °C Keep only over 25 cm

Hunts the white water on a building sea. Rough, coloured conditions after a blow are prime.

Read more European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Photo: Miguel Mendez from Malahide, Ireland (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

White seabream

Sarg · Sargo · Diplodus sargus

Bait
cranc pelutpagellidagambagarota
How to rig it
Light rockfishing paternoster
Depth 1–25 m 13–25 °C Keep only over 15 cm

Lives hard against structure — fish tight to breakwater blocks and expect to lose rigs.

Read more White seabream (Diplodus sargus)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Two-banded seabream

Variada · Mojarra · Diplodus vulgaris

Bait
titàgambamusclo
How to rig it
Light float rig
Depth 1–20 m 13–25 °C Keep only over 15 cm
Read more Two-banded seabream (Diplodus vulgaris)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Annular seabream

Esparrall · Raspallón · Diplodus annularis

Bait
titàpasta de paPrawn pieces
How to rig it
Fine float rig, size 12–16 hooks
Depth 1–15 m 14–26 °C Keep only over 12 cm

Small and abundant — good sport on light tackle, and reliable when nothing else feeds.

Read more Annular seabream (Diplodus annularis)

Photo: Roberto Pillon (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Sharpsnout seabream

Morruda · Sargo picudo · Diplodus puntazzo

Bait
garotacranc pelutgamba
How to rig it
Light rockfishing rig
Depth 2–30 m 13–22 °C Keep only over 18 cm

A cold-season speciality — best from the breakwaters once the water drops below about 18 °C.

Read more Sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo)

Photo: Julien Renoult (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Saddled seabream

Oblada · Oblada · Oblada melanura

Bait
gambatitàpa
How to rig it
Float fished at 1–3 m, after dark
Depth 1–20 m 17–27 °C Keep only over 15 cm

Comes on strongly at dusk around lit harbour walls.

Read more Saddled seabream (Oblada melanura)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Salema porgy

Salpa · Salema · Sarpa salpa

Bait
enciam de marpasta de paalga verda
How to rig it
Float rig with algae, mid-water over rocks
Depth 0–15 m 16–27 °C Keep only over 15 cm

Largely herbivorous — algae out-fishes worm. The most-recorded fish on this coast.

Read more Salema porgy (Sarpa salpa)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Black seabream

Càntera · Chopa · Spondyliosoma cantharus

Bait
titàtira de calamarmusclo
How to rig it
Two-hook flapper
Depth 5–40 m 14–23 °C Keep only over 18 cm
Read more Black seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Bogue

Boga · Boga · Boops boops

Bait
titàengodoSabiki feathers
How to rig it
Sabiki string under a float
Depth 3–60 m 13–26 °C Keep only over 11 cm

Shoals up readily over groundbait, and makes excellent live or cut bait for bass and bluefish.

Read more Bogue (Boops boops)

Photo: Roberto Pillon (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Thicklip grey mullet

Llissa llobarrera · Mújol · Chelon labrosus

Bait
molla de papasta de patità
How to rig it
Light waggler float, 4–6 lb line
Depth 0–10 m 12–26 °C Keep only over 20 cm

Abundant in harbours and river mouths. Very shy — fine line and small hooks matter more than bait.

Read more Thicklip grey mullet (Chelon labrosus)

Photo: Roberto Pillon (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Flathead grey mullet

Llissa calua · Pardete · Mugil cephalus

Bait
molla de patità
How to rig it
Light float rig in brackish water
Depth 0–10 m 13–27 °C Keep only over 20 cm

Concentrates where the Besòs and Llobregat meet the sea.

Read more Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Striped seabream

Mabre · Herrera · Lithognathus mormyrus

Bait
titàgambanavalla
How to rig it
Light surfcasting on clean sand
Depth 1–20 m 17–27 °C Keep only over 20 cm

A clean-sand specialist — the beach fish to target when the breakwaters are crowded.

Read more Striped seabream (Lithognathus mormyrus)

Photo: Marrabbio2 (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Bluefish

Tallahams · Anjova · Pomatomus saltatrix

Bait
boga vivasardinaFast-sinking pencilMetal jig 20–40 g
How to rig it
Wire or heavy fluorocarbon trace — they bite through mono
Depth 0–30 m 18–27 °C Keep only over 30 cm

Razor teeth: use a bite trace and long-nose pliers. Hunts in fast, violent surface smashes.

Read more Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Photo: Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Pompano

Palometa · Palometa · Trachinotus ovatus

Bait
Small metal jiggambaSmall soft plastic
How to rig it
Light spinning, 10–20 g, in the surf line
Depth 0–15 m 19–27 °C

Fast, hard-fighting summer visitor in the breaking waves.

Read more Pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

Photo: Etrusko25 (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Garfish

Agulla · Aguja · Belone belone

Bait
sardinaSmall shiny spoongamba
How to rig it
Float rig just under the surface
Depth 0–10 m 16–25 °C

Beaky and hard to hook — a small treble or a loop of thread beats a big single hook.

Read more Garfish (Belone belone)

Photo: (c) Sarah Faulwetter, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

European conger

Congre · Congrio · Conger conger

Bait
calamar sencerveratsípia
How to rig it
Heavy running ledger, 60–100 lb trace
Depth 5–100 m 12–24 °C Keep only over 58 cm

Strictly a night fish from the harbour walls. Strong tackle and heavy gloves — they bite hard.

Read more European conger (Conger conger)

Photo: West Brom 4ever (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Mediterranean moray

Morena · Morena · Muraena helena

Bait
popsardinacalamar
How to rig it
Heavy ledger into rock crevices
Depth 2–50 m 16–26 °C

Handle with extreme care — a deep, infection-prone bite. Most anglers cut the trace and release.

Read more Mediterranean moray (Muraena helena)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Black scorpionfish

Escórpora · Rascasa · Scorpaena porcus

Bait
gambacalamartità
How to rig it
Small ledger hard on the bottom among rocks
Depth 2–50 m 13–25 °C

Venomous dorsal spines — never grab it by the back. Superb in a suquet.

Read more Black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus)

Photo: Dmitriy Konstantinov (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Painted comber

Vaca serrana · Serrano · Serranus scriba

Bait
gambaSmall soft plastictità
How to rig it
Light rockfishing jighead, 3–7 g
Depth 2–30 m 14–26 °C

Aggressive and abundant over rock — the classic light-rockfishing target.

Read more Painted comber (Serranus scriba)

Photo: Hectonichus (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Brown meagre

Corball · Corvallo · Sciaena umbra

Bait
gambacalamar
How to rig it
Ledger tight to structure after dark
Depth 5–40 m 16–26 °C

Protected — put it back — PROTECTED in Catalan waters — recreational capture is restricted or prohibited. Release immediately and check current rules.

Read more Brown meagre (Sciaena umbra)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Common cuttlefish

Sípia · Sepia · Sepia officinalis

Bait
totaneragamba viva
How to rig it
Eging: cast and sink-and-draw an egi over sand and weed
Depth 1–30 m 13–20 °C Keep only over 10 cm

Spring and late autumn are prime. Expect ink — keep it away from your clothes.

Read more Common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

European squid

Calamar · Calamar · Loligo vulgaris

Bait
totaneraLuminous squid jig
How to rig it
Vertical jigging under harbour lights
Depth 5–80 m 13–20 °C Keep only over 10 cm

Autumn nights under the port lights are the classic session.

Read more European squid (Loligo vulgaris)

Photo: Hans Hillewaert (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Common octopus

Pop · Pulpo · Octopus vulgaris

Bait
poteracrancWhite rag on a jig
How to rig it
Bounced along rocky bottom on a heavy jig
Depth 1–40 m 13–21 °C

Check the current minimum weight before keeping one — commonly 1 kg.

Read more Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)

Photo: albert kok (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Chub mackerel

Verat · Estornino · Scomber colias

Bait
Sabiki feathersSmall metal jig
How to rig it
Sabiki string, jigged from boat or breakwater
Depth 5–80 m 16–25 °C Keep only over 18 cm

Excellent bait for bigger species, and good eating fresh off the ice.

Read more Chub mackerel (Scomber colias)

Photo: Etrusko25 (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Atlantic horse mackerel

Sorell · Jurel · Trachurus trachurus

Bait
Sabiki feathersSmall soft plastic
How to rig it
Sabiki under harbour lights at night
Depth 10–100 m 13–24 °C Keep only over 15 cm
Read more Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus)

Photo: Kare Kare (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Common pandora

Pagell · Breca · Pagellus erythrinus

Bait
titàgambaSquid strip
How to rig it
Light boat paternoster over sand and maerl
Depth 10–100 m 15–25 °C Keep only over 15 cm
Read more Common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus)

Photo: riblje oko.hr (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

From a boat

Offshore and deeper-water species. Several of these are seasonal visitors rather than residents.

Mahi-mahi

Llampuga · Lampuga · Coryphaena hippurus

Bait
Small trolled minnowboga vivaSurface popper
How to rig it
Troll or cast around floating objects and FADs
Depth 0–50 m 21–28 °C Keep only over 30 cm

The great Catalan autumn fishery — look for anything floating offshore.

Read more Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)

Photo: gendereuphorbia (CC0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Greater amberjack

Serviola · Serviola · Seriola dumerili

Bait
verat viuVertical speed jig 150–250 gboga viva
How to rig it
Vertical jigging over wrecks and pinnacles
Depth 20–120 m 18–27 °C

Powerful — heavy drag and a short, strong leader. They will bury you in structure.

Read more Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Atlantic bonito

Bonítol · Bonito · Sarda sarda

Bait
Small trolled featherMetal casting jig 30–60 gSardine strip
How to rig it
Fast trolling, 6–8 knots
Depth 0–60 m 19–27 °C Keep only over 25 cm
Read more Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda)

Photo: Sherman Foote Denton (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Little tunny

Bacoreta · Bacoreta · Euthynnus alletteratus

Bait
Small metal jigTrolled feather
How to rig it
Cast light metal into surface-feeding shoals
Depth 0–50 m 20–28 °C

Albacore

Bacora · Atún blanco · Thunnus alalunga

Bait
Trolled skirted lureLive bait on a downrigger
How to rig it
Offshore trolling spread
Depth 20–200 m 18–24 °C

A genuine offshore trip — check quota and reporting rules before you go.

Read more Albacore (Thunnus alalunga)

Photo: Hugues Evano (IFREMER, Délégation océan Indien (DOI), Département Ressources Biologiques et Environnement (RBE), F-97420 Le Port, France) (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Atlantic bluefin tuna

Tonyina roja · Atún rojo · Thunnus thynnus

Bait
Live baitLarge trolled lure
How to rig it
Heavy trolling or live-baiting
Depth 0–200 m 17–26 °C

Protected — put it back — STRICTLY REGULATED under ICCAT quota. Recreational capture requires a specific authorisation and is catch-and-release in most cases. Do not target without checking current rules.

Read more Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

Photo: Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

European hake

Lluç · Merluza · Merluccius merluccius

Bait
sardinaboga vivaDeep vertical jig
How to rig it
Deep ledger over soft bottom
Depth 50–300 m 11–18 °C Keep only over 20 cm
Read more European hake (Merluccius merluccius)

Photo: Fernando Losada Rodríguez (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Common dentex

Déntol · Dentón · Dentex dentex

Bait
boga vivaTrolled minnowVertical jig
How to rig it
Trolling live bait over rocky pinnacles at first light
Depth 10–80 m 17–26 °C Keep only over 30 cm

The prize of Mediterranean boat fishing — wary, and worth the early start.

Read more Common dentex (Dentex dentex)

Photo: michael_bommerer (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Dusky grouper

Anfós · Mero · Epinephelus marginatus

Bait
Live baitpop
How to rig it
Heavy bottom fishing hard against rock
Depth 10–80 m 17–26 °C

Protected — put it back — IUCN Vulnerable and protected under Catalan rules. Recreational capture is restricted — release carefully and check current regulations.

Read more Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)

Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Swordfish

Emperador · Pez espada · Xiphias gladius

Bait
calamarLuminous deep-drift rig
How to rig it
Night drifting with lightsticks
Depth 50–600 m 18–26 °C

A specialist offshore night fishery with strict size and quota rules.

Read more Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

Photo: Naturalis Biodiversity Center (CC0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Inland water

Reservoirs and rivers within reach of the city. Remember one Catalan licence covers both these and the sea.

Wels catfish

Silur · Siluro · Silurus glanis

Bait
Halibut pelletcalamarLarge soft swimbaitLive or dead coarse fish
How to rig it
Heavy running ledger from the bank
Depth 2–30 m 16–28 °C

Invasive in Catalonia — the Ebre around Mequinensa is the classic venue. Live release of invasive species is restricted; check the rules.

Read more Wels catfish (Silurus glanis)

Photo: Dieter Florian (To contact the author, ask the uploader or take a look at tauchshop-florian.de .) (CC BY-SA 3.0 de) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Largemouth bass

Perca americana · Black bass · Micropterus salmoides

Bait
Soft plastic worm, Texas rigCrankbaitSurface frogJig and trailer
How to rig it
Casting to submerged timber and weed edges
Depth 0–8 m 15–26 °C

Introduced. Best in the reservoirs — Sau, Susqueda, Riba-roja.

Read more Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Common carp

Carpa · Carpa · Cyprinus carpio

Bait
Boilieblat de moropaxufa
How to rig it
Hair rig over a bed of particle bait
Depth 0–10 m 14–28 °C
Read more Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Photo: George Chernilevsky (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Zander

Lucioperca · Lucioperca · Sander lucioperca

Bait
Soft plastic shad on a jigheadDeadbait
How to rig it
Vertical jigging in the Ebre
Depth 2–20 m 10–22 °C

Introduced. Low light is essential — they feed hard at dusk and after dark.

Read more Zander (Sander lucioperca)

Photo: eLNuko (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Northern pike

Lluç de riu · Lucio · Esox lucius

Bait
Large spinnerbaitJerkbaitDeadbait
How to rig it
Wire trace, always — pike will bite through mono
Depth 0–10 m 8–20 °C

Introduced. Use a wire trace and unhooking mat; handle carefully.

Read more Northern pike (Esox lucius)

Photo: Jik jik (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Ebro barbel

Barb cua-roig · Barbo de Graells · Barbus graellsii

Bait
blat de morocucCheese paste
How to rig it
Light ledger in running water
Depth 0–5 m 14–26 °C

Native to the Ebre basin.

Read more Ebro barbel (Barbus graellsii)

Photo: David Perez (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Catalan chub

Bagra catalana · Cachuelo catalán · Squalius laietanus

Bait
pacucSmall spinner
How to rig it
Light float or freeline in the current
Depth 0–3 m 12–25 °C

Native and endemic to Catalan rivers — please release.

Read more Catalan chub (Squalius laietanus)

Photo: (c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Brown trout

Truita comuna · Trucha común · Salmo trutta

Bait
Dry flyNymphSmall spinner
How to rig it
Fly or ultralight spinning in Pyrenean rivers
Depth 0–3 m 6–18 °C

Season and permit rules are strict and river-specific — check before fishing.

Read more Brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Bleak

Alburn · Alburno · Alburnus alburnus

Bait
cuc de moscaBread punch
How to rig it
Fine float rig just under the surface
Depth 0–2 m 14–26 °C

Introduced and abundant — useful practice and good livebait where permitted.

Read more Bleak (Alburnus alburnus)

Photo: Piet Spaans (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

Black bullhead

Peix gat · Pez gato · Ameiurus melas

Bait
cucLiverCheese paste
How to rig it
Simple ledger on the bottom
Depth 0–5 m 16–28 °C

Invasive — do not return it to the water alive; check current obligations.

Read more Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas)

Photo: George Chernilevsky (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Source

What is in season, month by month

Which species are a realistic target in each month of the year. Built from the same seasonality the forecast uses, so it never disagrees with the ranking on the front page.

May 33 species

Gilthead seabream· White seabream· Two-banded seabream· Annular seabream· Saddled seabream· Salema porgy· Black seabream· Bogue· Thicklip grey mullet· Flathead grey mullet· Striped seabream· Garfish· European conger· Mediterranean moray· Black scorpionfish· Painted comber· Brown meagre· Common cuttlefish· Greater amberjack· Chub mackerel· Atlantic horse mackerel· European hake· Common pandora· Common dentex· Wels catfish· Largemouth bass· Common carp· Zander· Ebro barbel· Catalan chub· Brown trout· Bleak· Black bullhead

June 38 species

Gilthead seabream· White seabream· Two-banded seabream· Annular seabream· Saddled seabream· Salema porgy· Black seabream· Bogue· Thicklip grey mullet· Flathead grey mullet· Striped seabream· Bluefish· Pompano· Garfish· European conger· Mediterranean moray· Black scorpionfish· Painted comber· Brown meagre· Greater amberjack· Atlantic bonito· Albacore· Atlantic bluefin tuna· Chub mackerel· Atlantic horse mackerel· European hake· Common pandora· Common dentex· Dusky grouper· Swordfish· Wels catfish· Largemouth bass· Common carp· Ebro barbel· Catalan chub· Brown trout· Bleak· Black bullhead

July 37 species

Gilthead seabream· White seabream· Two-banded seabream· Annular seabream· Saddled seabream· Salema porgy· Bogue· Thicklip grey mullet· Flathead grey mullet· Striped seabream· Bluefish· Pompano· Garfish· European conger· Mediterranean moray· Black scorpionfish· Painted comber· Brown meagre· Greater amberjack· Atlantic bonito· Little tunny· Albacore· Atlantic bluefin tuna· Chub mackerel· Atlantic horse mackerel· European hake· Common pandora· Common dentex· Dusky grouper· Swordfish· Wels catfish· Common carp· Ebro barbel· Catalan chub· Brown trout· Bleak· Black bullhead

August 38 species

Gilthead seabream· White seabream· Two-banded seabream· Annular seabream· Saddled seabream· Salema porgy· Bogue· Thicklip grey mullet· Flathead grey mullet· Striped seabream· Bluefish· Pompano· Garfish· European conger· Mediterranean moray· Black scorpionfish· Painted comber· Brown meagre· Mahi-mahi· Greater amberjack· Atlantic bonito· Little tunny· Albacore· Atlantic bluefin tuna· Chub mackerel· Atlantic horse mackerel· European hake· Common pandora· Common dentex· Dusky grouper· Swordfish· Wels catfish· Common carp· Ebro barbel· Catalan chub· Brown trout· Bleak· Black bullhead

September 45 species

Gilthead seabream· European seabass· White seabream· Two-banded seabream· Annular seabream· Sharpsnout seabream· Saddled seabream· Salema porgy· Black seabream· Bogue· Thicklip grey mullet· Flathead grey mullet· Striped seabream· Bluefish· Pompano· Garfish· European conger· Mediterranean moray· Black scorpionfish· Painted comber· Brown meagre· European squid· Mahi-mahi· Greater amberjack· Atlantic bonito· Little tunny· Albacore· Atlantic bluefin tuna· Chub mackerel· Atlantic horse mackerel· European hake· Common pandora· Common dentex· Dusky grouper· Swordfish· Wels catfish· Largemouth bass· Common carp· Zander· Northern pike· Ebro barbel· Catalan chub· Brown trout· Bleak· Black bullhead

October 41 species

Gilthead seabream· European seabass· White seabream· Two-banded seabream· Annular seabream· Sharpsnout seabream· Saddled seabream· Salema porgy· Black seabream· Bogue· Thicklip grey mullet· Flathead grey mullet· Striped seabream· Bluefish· Pompano· European conger· Mediterranean moray· Black scorpionfish· Painted comber· Brown meagre· Common cuttlefish· European squid· Common octopus· Mahi-mahi· Greater amberjack· Atlantic bonito· Little tunny· Atlantic bluefin tuna· Chub mackerel· Atlantic horse mackerel· European hake· Common pandora· Common dentex· Dusky grouper· Swordfish· Wels catfish· Largemouth bass· Common carp· Zander· Northern pike· Catalan chub