PRODUCTIVE ISLAND ROCK FISHING WITH THE RIGGED AND READY S MAX - By Graham Wadelin
Rock Fishing
Rigged and Ready has already featured two of my blogs about rock fishing with a quality travel rod, the versatile S Max. Readers will know these blogs were about finding time for short but productive fishing sessions, during a family vacation. Sessions that don’t detract from the enjoyment of the holiday, particularly for those with no interest in fishing. To this end, I restrict the length of the sessions to three hours maximum between 3pm and 8pm, depending on time of the year. This is the period when the day’s activities have wound down and the evening events have yet to commence. An added advantage and a distraction for your absence is that this period usually coincides with happy hour!
Restricting fishing to specific periods means the state of the tides are disregarded and advanced preparation must be made for the session, if the bait is to be in the water for the maximum possible time. The tide, which is not high in the Canaries, Balearics and Madeira, appears to have little influence on catch rates, provided the tackle, bait and tactics previously recommended are employed. The pictures show fishing with a friend, at a favourite mark in Fuerteventura, and some of the excellent fish to be caught there.
Rock fishing is a sport for the young and agile that becomes more dangerous with advancing years or if physically handicapped. A few years ago, a fall resulted in arthritis of the left ankle and, more recently, arthritis in the right knee has become a problem. The initial injury meant reliance on a good friend to get myself and tackle safely to the water’s edge but that is not feasible with the worsening disability. Rather than calling time on rock fishing adventures, I decide to seek out opportunities to continue this style of fishing in the Canaries and Balearics but from safer platforms, preferably in close proximity to the car. The first requirement is a good depth of water beneath your feet, even at low tide, and the most obvious locations that also offer the other mentioned features are harbours or marinas. Unfortunately, fishing in such places (including beaches) is prohibited and tackle may be forfeited, particularly if you don’t hold a valid licence.
S Max Powerful Travel Rod for Surf, Rock and Predator Fishing
Licences
One question I do get asked frequently is whether a licence is required to rock fish in mainland Spain, Canaries, Balearics or Madeira and the answer is yes. While it is unlikely that you will be asked for a licence, unless fishing in prohibited places, you do run the risk of gear being confiscated should you not produce one. While Canary and Balearic licences are good value at €15 for three years and valid in all the islands, it is the complexity of getting one which is the problem. You cannot buy online but need to apply to a fishing office, in any of the islands, and you will need a passport together with the fee. A form will be filled out requiring you take it to the Bank of Santander, pay the licence fee and have the form stamped. The form must then be returned to the fishing office and three weeks will elapse before the licence is issued. The licence can only be picked up in person or by somebody on the Island you authorise to do so – the office will not post! In the mean time a receipt for payment (justificante) can be used, until an opportunity arises to collect the licence. For a fee, there is at least one organisation that claims to take care of this time consuming procedure and, although I’ve never used the service, you may wish to explore the option at contact@balearicfishinglicence.com.
For Madeira the procedure is on-line at www.bmar.pt and the fee is €4 a month or €8 for the year.
Safety
As we are discussing fishing during family holidays, the last thing wanted is a hospital casualty or worse. Rock fishing is an inherently dangerous pursuit, although appreciating the dangers and taking suitable precautions will minimise any risk. Here are my recommendations for ensuring you keep as safe as possible:
- Avoid fishing on the west coasts of the Canary Islands and Madeira. The sea here is at its roughest, it's easy to be swept in with little chance of extrication.
- Ignore night fishing. Apart from the obvious dangers, you will not be available to participate in the daily holiday activities.
- Try not to fish alone. Partner with other holiday fishermen, which should not be difficult when they see you catching.
- Let the family know where you’ll be fishing and when it’s planned to return.
- Carry a fully charged phone in a waterproof case.
- Wet volcanic rock is incredibly slippery, so avoid whenever you can.
- When on wet rock look for the white patches of barnacles that will provide a firm foot hold.
- At the water’s edge consider how to get out should you fall in. If there’s no obvious escape route, seek an alternative venue.
- There are poisonous fish that can be hooked, including scorpion and weaver fish. Carry a leather glove and large artery forceps to deal with such situations.
- Finally, if you can’t swim select a rock style fishing venue.
Rock Style Fishing Venues
For the less able or non-swimmers, I have found two rock style locations that nearly fit the criteria in my favourite resort of Playa Blanca, Lanzarote. Neither spot is ideal for water depth but fishing is still possible, with both producing personal bests for two banded sea bream, chopa and lizard fish as well as the good galana pictured.
Elsewhere in Lanzarote, Calla La Goleta runs out onto a pier at Costa Teguise and in Arrieta, adjacent the landmark Casa Juanita, another pier is available. Car parking and fishing is allowed on both, making them ideal venues. From left to right Arrieta Pier, Costa Teguise Pier and its end of pier.
I have only fished the Costa Teguise pier, and this was with mixed results. The first time the wind was blowing strongly towards the shore making fishing impossible, with spray covering the end of the pier. On the second occasion I caught eleven good sized palometa, a personal best for the species, in a single session that made the change of venue profitable. I blanked on the next occasion, again due to a strong onshore wind. The final session was both wind and angler free, allowing fishing from the very end of the pier. Here there is a concrete platform with enough space for a seat, groundbait bucket and sundry tackle. Another exciting short session produced nine large sargo, again a species personal best, plus a bonus palometa. Pictured is one of the sargo and the palometa taken at Costa Teguise pier.
It has not been possible to find a safe place to fish in Fuerteventura apart from the pier in Corralejo but I have discounted the venue because of shallow water and the large number of anglers and spectators present.
In Madeira many hotels have their own private piers or jetties, with direct deep sea access. For anglers who don’t have this option there are still safe places available for the public to fish. For instance, along the waterfront in old Funchal and the Coal Pier at Funchal Marine Biology Station. Further afield, around Camara de Lobos, the end of the harbour at Ribeira Brava and off the water outfall at Ponta do Sol. I have yet to investigate safe fishing opportunities in the Balearics.
Summary
Keeping safe while rock fishing cannot be overemphasised. Even when all bases appeared covered and twenty years of rocking fishing experience to draw on, it is still possible to fall, ruin a holiday and spend 3 weeks in hospital abroad.
Decreasing mobility has now prevented fishing in most of my favourite marks and, having to travel further afield, has reduced both the time and opportunities to fish. However the new venues have provided compensation by way of personal bests, which is surprising given my many years of rock fishing.
It is still possible to have both enjoyable and productive rock fishing sessions during a family holiday, even with reduced mobility. Key is choosing an easily packable rod to suit all occasions like the Rigged and Ready Smax, while matching it with previous recommendations for tackle, bait and tactics.
Tight lines!
graham.wadelin@ntlworld.com
S MAX SPECIFICATIONS
S Max Smuggler . Big Fish Powerful Predator Surf Travel Fishing Rod + 2 tips. Hi-carbon 11’ 10” & 10’ 7” (3.6 & 3.2m) rod options. 3.5 & 4 lb TC. 7 section rod compacts to x 23” (59cm). Case 26” 66cm. Max cast weights 3 & 6 oz (100 & 170g).
A very powerful rod for Carp fishing Pike Fishing Beach Fishing Sea Fishing Surf Fishing.
7 sections super compact hi-carbon, with extra tip in super strong unbreakable solid fibreglass. . British designed, rod packs down to fit luggage, car boots, back packs, airline cabin baggage, car, bike, caravan, motorbike or rucksacks. Suitable for 4000 to 6000 fishing reels.
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