Sport Fishing

The Med’ is home to thousands of exciting species of fishy friends – big and small. As with all anglers it’s the big ones we’re interested in and situated as it is, right in the middle of the region, Malta is pretty much the best place for year-round shore and boat fishing with some of the most rewarding catches too.

The best season generally is in late summer (September), when the water temperatures are at their highest after months of being heated by the blazing sun. That’s when shoals of pelagic fish such as garfish, dorado, amberjack and little tuna come close to the shore and when the roads of sport fishing types start to twitch more then usual.

Sport fishing is very popular in Malta and requires different angling techniques - from rock fishing and beach ledgering to spinning and float fishing. Many choose to relax along the seaside in sheltered bays or on the many piers along the shoreline to enjoy a few hours of light tackle fishing.


But as any serious angler will tell you, the peak of sport fishing is that enjoyed from a boat because that will increase your chances of catching bigger species. Dangle your line off the back of a boat and not only might you drag out bottom-dwelling species such as painted comber, wrasse and bream but even predatory species as amberjack, barracuda, albacore tuna, skipjack, dentex and dorado. Depending on the season, certain species are caught using artificial lures and in some cases also using live bait fish or squid.


As is to be expected on an Island, it is relatively easy to equip yourself and have a bash at sport fishing. Dedicated anglers as well as beginners will find, on the internet and at first hand from fellow enthusiasts, very useful and interesting information on local fishing tactics, the best rigs to use, what bait works best and information about the species that swim around in Malta's crystal clear waters.


It is important to bear in mind the fact that sport fishing is also a way how to learn more and preserve the underwater environment and it is for this reason that the ‘catch and release’ philosophy has been gaining ground amongst Maltese anglers.

Numerous cruisers and other boats offer sports fishing trips from a variety of bays around the island. There are too may to list but there is a useful link at the bottom of this page to get you started.