On this coast the time of year decides the technique, and the technique decides what the day on board is like. This is what is caught in each season and the rules to bear in mind.
On the Costa del Sol the recreational fishing year divides into two techniques. In summer you fish by trolling, towing lures behind the moving boat, and the catch is Atlantic bonito, bullet tuna and mackerel. In winter you bottom fish, with the bait near the seabed, looking for red porgy, common dentex and blackspot seabream. Spring is the changeover between the two.
The season decides the technique, and the technique decides the day: trolling is done under way, bottom fishing with the boat still or drifting over the chosen spot. In both cases the trip starts at first light, between 7 and 8, and lasts 4 to 5 hours for a half day or 8 for a full day. Every angler needs their own licence from the Junta de Andalucía.
Atlantic bonito, bullet tuna and mackerel, fish that move in shoals near the surface. They are caught by trolling, with the boat moving slowly and the lures towed from the stern. The fleet’s fishing boats have rod holders to keep the rods fixed while under way and an echo sounder to read the bottom and see where the activity is.
One rule has a direct bearing on trolling. Under Decree 205/2023, which regulates recreational fishing in Andalusia’s inland waters, each licence allows up to six hooks from a boat, spread over a maximum of two rods or hand lines, and each artificial lure counts as one hook. Electric reels are banned, except for a recognised disability.
You switch to bottom fishing, with the bait near the seabed, and the target species are red porgy, common dentex and blackspot seabream. It is a slower kind of fishing: you anchor or let the boat drift over the chosen spot and wait for a bite. Here the echo sounder is used to read the shape of the bottom and decide where to stop.
From October to May is the low season, and bookings can be made from one day to the next. In exchange, the weather has more say: with an easterly a swell comes in, which you notice on a boat that is not moving, and above 20 knots only the large boats go out. Check the sea forecast the day before; if it does not allow a safe trip, the date is changed at no cost.
It is the changeover between the two techniques, and so the time of year when most is decided on the spot. The skipper chooses between trolling and bottom fishing depending on the state of the sea that day. The practical approach is not to set your heart on a single species and to ask when booking what is planned that week, because the bait and tackle depend on it.
In spring and winter, at 7 in the morning it is cool out on the water even if the day will turn mild: bring a warm layer you can take off and shoes that do not slip or mark the deck. The website’s home page shows the wind, waves and water temperature off Fuengirola every half hour.
In Andalusia’s inland waters, Decree 205/2023 sets a maximum of 5 kilos live weight, or 4 kilos gutted, per licence per day, not counting the weight of one of the fish. If everything caught is fish, one piece over that limit is allowed. When there are more than five licences on board, the boat may not exceed 25 kilos a day.
The catch is for your own table: the decree bans selling or trading it, directly or indirectly, and also passing catches from one boat to another or between licence holders. Each fish is marked as soon as it is landed on board, with a cut to the lower lobe of the tail fin, and is brought ashore whole or only gutted, never headless.
Minimum sizes are those of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241, which sets the technical measures for fishing in the European Union, and the Andalusian decree refers to it. A fish below the minimum size goes back into the water. Closed seasons for recreational fishing match those for commercial fishing, so they depend on the species and on the rules in force at the time.
Some species may never be taken in Andalusia’s inland waters: the decree expressly bans octopus, sea urchins, snakelocks anemones, sea cucumbers and bivalve molluscs, as well as those in its Annex I. If one is hooked by accident, it is released unharmed. If you are unsure about a fish, the safe choice is to put it back.
The recreational sea fishing licence, which is personal: it is issued by the Junta de Andalucía, obtained online, and every angler must carry it, on paper or on their phone. Alquiler Náutico does not issue it, so it is best to get it before booking. To fish under your own licence, the decree requires anglers to be over 14.
Everything else is on board. The fishing boats have rod holders, a live well to keep bait alive, an echo sounder and a cool box, and anyone who does not bring their own tackle uses the boat’s. In Puerto Banús there are three: one of 10.9 m for 8 people and two of 12.5 m and 13.7 m for 10. All go out with a skipper, who steers, anchors and is responsible for safety.
The half day, 4 to 5 hours, suits first-timers, anyone with children or anyone who wants to be back ashore for lunch. The full day, about 8 hours, leaves room to change area and technique, which makes sense in spring. Either way you leave at first light, between 7 and 8.
In July and August you need to book several days ahead; from October to May, from one day to the next. When you call +34 669 06 27 56, say how many anglers are coming, whether they all have a licence and whether you are bringing tackle. On half and full days, the fuel is topped up on return and you pay for what was used; life jackets and insurance are included.
If it is not here, call us: two minutes on the phone and it is sorted.
Yes. Every angler needs their own recreational sea fishing licence, issued by the Junta de Andalucía and obtained online. Alquiler Náutico does not issue it.
No. Recreational fishing is for your own consumption, and Decree 205/2023 bans selling or trading the catch, directly or indirectly.
There is no need. The boats carry tackle on board, as well as rod holders, a live well, an echo sounder and a cool box. Anyone who prefers their own tackle can bring it.
At first light, between 7 and 8 in the morning, for both half-day and full-day trips. On a half day you are back ashore around midday.
Leave us your number and we will call you. In July and August it is worth booking ahead.
Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola, local 367. You can drop in and see the boats before you book.
At no charge. Going out to see what happens is never worth it.
Life jackets for everyone on board, included in the price.
