One of our returning guests in an intense fight with a 400+-pound Bluefin. Despite the very lightweight gear with an Italian custom rod combined with a Shimano Talica 25, the fight went smoothly and the angler enjoyed it.

As the highlights of the 2023 Bluefin Tuna season in Sicily slowly fade away, we reflect on a year of thrilling fishing actions, triumphant catches, and unforgettable memories. Join us on a journey through the highlights of the past season, as we set the stage for an even more exhilarating 2024 season in the azure waters off the coast of Sicily.

Winning Battles Against the Mighty Bluefin Tuna

The 2023 season again brought anglers face to face with the Mediterranean king of the open sea — the Bluefin Tuna. Renowned for their remarkable power and agility, these giants of the deep created moments of pure adrenaline as they danced through the south-eastern Sicily Mediterranean waters, providing anglers with heart-pounding battles and unmatched excitement.

Sicily’s reputation as a prime destination for Bluefin Tuna fishing w

as further solidified in 2023 with several personal record-breakings for our guests and days with numerous strikes! Anglers from around the world flocked to the region at the feet of Italy, drawn by the excitement and challenge of reeling in these massive fish, and very often they managed to etch that day in their mind as the best of a lifetime!

The port location, one of the best for fishing in Italy and fishing in Sicily in general is located South of the city of Siracusa and Noto, right by the south-easternmost corner of the island in Sicily and Italy. This place is perfect not only for Octopus but also for Giant Squid fishing or Calamari fishing, due to its geographical position, between the African and the Euro-Asian platforms.

We operate these adventures all year round, tending to jump in the water from April to November, using wetsuits from 3 to 8mm and free diving gear in the spring and fall months. Various support diving boats are available to host big groups if necessary.

Two different Bluefin caught on a single day! Two friends and two tunas … that’s double the excitement and double the fun! (the second tuna was released). After a 400-pound fish like that, you would just chill, rest, enjoy your success with a cold beer, and watch your friend in action on his turn (possibly with a smaller one!).

Every year is different. While 2022 was the year of very big fish with a slightly lower rate of catch, calculated close to 1 to 3 fish per day (or an average number of 4 Bluefin Tuna caught over number 3 fishing days), 2023 was different. The last season saw average smaller-sized fish but a higher catching rate, bringing it close to 2 fish per day regularly. We are still talking about 40 kg to 100 kg fish which can seriously challenge any experienced angler, without previous experience with Bluefin Tuna. It is worth mentioning some fish weighing well over 190kg (+400 pounds), and a couple of beasts estimated at around 400 kg.

Going the Extra Mile for Our Guest Anglers

Whatever the size of the Tuna biting on your hook, don’t worry, your guides will be there to pass all the necessary experience before and during the fight and give you the chance to compete at the same level with these powers of nature in total safety.

We like to go the extra mile for our guests especially if the reason is to chase a bluefin Tuna spooling like a train! Apart from jokes, it is worth it to leave our guests happier and with a lifetime memory! Fortunately, our waters allow that and we think that a happy guest always makes a great day.

The 2023 showed the dynamic shifts in the Bluefin Tuna’s behavior throughout the seasons. From the early days of spring when they first arrive in Sicilian waters to the fall months when they exhibit their fullest strength, each phase of the season provides a unique set of challenges and rewards for seasoned anglers. August and September 2023 were particularly interesting!

Here are some reviews and captivating photos from anglers who experienced the 2023 season:

Looking forward to another rewarding fishing season in 2024

As we eagerly anticipate the dawn of the 2024 Bluefin Tuna sport fishing season, we provide a glimpse into what anglers can expect. From updated regulations and sustainable fishing initiatives to new experiences and challenges. As always we mostly operate private trips as a preference to focus on a single guest, a family, or a group of friends instead of filling the boat every day. This allows us to tailor the trip to the guest’s preferences and expectations, but also to do the best we can, during the fighting action and in the relaxed moments! We love what we do and we always try to transmit our adrenalin to our guests whether they are seasoned or novice anglers!

As we bid farewell to the 2023 Bluefin Tuna, we carry with us a tapestry of memories woven with the exhilaration of the chase, the beauty of the Sicilian seas, and the camaraderie of fellow anglers. The stage is set for the 2024 season – a canvas awaiting new stories, triumphs, and the promise of unparalleled adventures beneath the Mediterranean sun.

Are you ready to drop your bait into the excitement that awaits in Sicily? Join us for a season that promises to be nothing short of legendary.

Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, Sicily offers a paradise for anglers seeking a thrilling sport fishing experience. The easiest and shortest adventure unfolded recently with a guest, Max who embarked on a short but intense inshore trolling trip. This trip during the first half of December was meant to target mostly small species like the Frigate Tuna, False Albacore, and Mediterranean Barracuda. However, Mahi Mahi, small Swordfish, Bluerunner, little Amberjack, and other species also contributed to an action-packed couple of hours inshore light trolling game fishing on the crystal-clear waters of the southeast corner of Sicily.

The highlight of this journey was a captivating video created by our guest, Max, @TheSpeciesSeeker who captured the excitement and beauty of inshore trolling. The footage showcased the stunning Sicilian coastline, the azure waters, and, of course, a bit of the diverse marine life that thrives beneath the surface.

Max and his girlfriend, armed with light but top-notch fishing gear provided by Sicily Fishing, shared with the crew some interesting moments, from the strategic deployment of lures to the adrenaline-pumping moments when a catch is hooked, including some lost fish. The video perfectly captured the essence of this light game sport fishing in Sicily.

The video is part of a YouTube channel that documents action-packed fishing adventures aiming to catch and describe with custom “fish cards” as many species as possible, giving the spectators insight info as the common name, scientific name, location, technique, moment of the day, used bait and more.

In conclusion, Sicily Fishing is renowned for its expertly guided fishing expeditions, and inshore trolling is a perfect option for young teams and inexperienced anglers. The video documented the thrill of chasing Frigate Tuna, renowned for their speed and agility, as well as the powerful runs of False Albacore and the fierce strikes of the Mediterranean Barracuda.

To better understand the essence of light inshore trolling in Sicily, it is worth adding some pictures of the other catches which are regular of the entire season in which this technique is practiced, taken between September and December 2023.

The video produced by Max, together with the above gallery, serves as a testament to describe inshore light trolling with Sicily Fishing. From the picturesque landscapes to the heart-pounding moments of reeling in new species, every frame encapsulates the essence of a common and authentic old-school Sicilian fishing technique. As the video continues to inspire future anglers, Sicily Fishing remains committed to providing unforgettable experiences, blending the thrill of the chase with a deep respect for the marine environment.

Sicily Fishing and Barehanded Octopus Fishing, in particular, were recently featured on a BBC show.

This short video shows a barehanded octopus snorkeling trip, on a busy central summer day (it was the 15th of August, the so-called “ferragosto”!).

Using a little rental boat for the occasion, while our boat was used for the numerous directors and filming crew, the guests were taken to one of the best octopus fishing grounds, where, once ready they had to jump in the warm waters of south-eastern Sicily. This location may be considered perfect to enjoy one of the best snorkeling in Sicily. Interesting scenarios under but also above the sea surface, being located between old Tonnara buildings, old defensive towers, Caves, white sand beaches, rocky cliffs, etc. Other snorkeling hotspots are there in the same area but the time at disposal was limited so we went to the closest!

The port location, one of the best for fishing in Italy and fishing in Sicily in general is located South of the city of Siracusa and Noto, right by the south-easternmost corner of the island in Sicily and Italy. This place is perfect not only for Octopus but also for Giant Squid fishing or Calamari fishing, due to its geographical position, between the African and the Euro-Asian platforms.

We operate these adventures all year round, tending to jump in the water from April to November, using wetsuits from 3 to 8mm and free diving gear in the spring and fall months. Various support diving boats are available to host big groups if necessary.

More details from the BBC website, about the full episode to watch on the channel BBC One or online are here:

Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Sicily – “Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice’s Sicilian road trip begins in the port town of Sciacca as they explore the southern coast of the sun-kissed island, from its long-lost ancient cities to its breathtaking coastlines. Giovanni is introducing his good friend Anton to his beloved homeland of Sicily, and the boys need to hit the road.

Their first stop is one of Sicily’s greatest treasures, the Valley of the Temples – the remains of a huge Greek city, featuring some of the best examples of classical Greek architecture anywhere in the world. From there, they hit the beautiful white beaches of Porta Bianca before taking in some more history in Syracuse. Today, Syracuse is just a small provincial city, but over 2,700 years ago, it was one of the largest colonies in the ancient Greek world, and some of the original buildings remain inside the city’s Archaeological Park.

Next, it’s off to Marzamemi, a gorgeous seaside village that has been a fishing hub since the 10th century. Giovanni has arranged a day’s fishing but with a twist. Instead of fish, the boys are going to look for octopus. After a stop in Ortygia to participate in the Feast of the Assumption, the final stop on the first leg of Anton and Giovanni’s tour of Sicily is the island’s second city, Catania. This place is very significant to Giovanni, as he moved there at age 14 to further his dance career. The evening is taken up with a visit to Catania’s annual tango festival, where the boys put on a show-stopping performance to remember.

Check out BBC to see more details of Anton and Giovanni’s Sicilian road trip.

We had the chance to show our barehanded Octopus snorkeling, in 2019, on a Chinese-Italian production, destined for some international channels, like youku.com.

In detail, the episode of the series called “Kiss Kiss” was about a Chinese girl named “Molly” who’s traveling in Italy and Sicily in particular, looking for adventurous experiences, while tasting local specialties and wines.

The episode is entirely shot in Sicily. The first part is about the Volcano Etna and a guided hike along some black sand paths. It is possible to enjoy some very nice drone footage and some old videos from past famous eruptions, like the one in 2001.

After an introduction to the Sicilian attractions and best pieces of coastline, the rest of the episode is about our specialty, our best snorkeling in Sicily, the Barehanded octopus Snorkeling! We took Molly on a classic itinerary of the octopus snorkeling with the boat. It was not visible, but on that boat, apart from the guide and the actress, there were six other people, including the camera crew, the director, and a mate.

Molly had some diving experience but she had never been in guided snorkeling. After a quick introduction briefing on how to use snorkel and fins, the snorkeling starts with looking for some colored sea urchins and wildlife. Andrea, as a guide, starts to give the guest some tips and instructions about spotting the house of the Octopus. Short research and the first octopus show up! The nice creature is hiding between some stones and sand; maintaining a wide view to control what goes around its house.

The Octopus starts to move, hiding in the best possible way, between sand and stones, including spraying its ink to trick the guide. Molly didn’t realize the size of the Octopus until it unveiled itself completely, changing colors and shapes, making its body as big as possible. This is one of the more classic strategies that the Octopus employs when it feels like there are no other options. It passes quickly from a completely camouflaged condition to an uncovered aspect, getting the maximum size possible to send its last message.

Andrea, who was slowly approaching the octopus, waiting for the best instant to grab it, also had to take time to wait for the scent to disappear, before localizing the cephalopod again and taking it up on the surface.

Molly, unexpectedly reacted, running away and literally jumping into the boat! Everyone, including the footage director invited her to go back in the water, but the answer was just “no, no, nooo, nooo!”. She decided she didn’t want to go back into the water, a bit scared by the octopus’s “reaction” on the bottom of the sea!

Once she understood there was nothing to be scared of, she even decided to get in contact with the strange creature. Some fast shooting followed and the Octopus was released back to his underwater world.

At the end of the special and intense day of shooting, Andrea took Molly for a dinner right on the water, at the edge of an old Tonnara, an old Tuna fishing establishment, now converted into a local village full of typical restaurants, Sicilian style bars, and shops. The episode ends up after a dinner of local seafood specialties of the Mediterranean Sea combined with tasting a selection of local wines sponsored by the co-producer “Ethica wines“.

Full Episode, including Etna’s footage.

First fishing session in Sicily of 2020, was a a successful one. Not only for the fish caught, but for a whole mix of ingredients which make a session unforgettable. The original plan was to go fishing in Catania the week before, but decided to wait a week more to have better conditions.

Chronicles Of The Day
Great weather on the end of June, no wind, no currents, clear sky. Everything looks perfect and we already have good news from the past days, so positive expectation, but with fishing you never know what is going to happen!

Once the rigging is done, less the 30 min waiting and fist bite! Is instantly clear which is not a Tuna, or at least not the one we are looking for. Short time to take the fish close to the boat. Green colors and blue spots, is a beautiful Dorado. Jumps and short runs make is complicated to land the fish until he got free. Not bad as the show was served anyway and the fish was under the boat for a good time!

​Another 30min and the fish is on again! This time is no doubt, the reel is screaming like hell! Bluefin Tuna!
An intense battle with a particularly combative fish, made our guests, Kyle and Kody, switch 3 times, over 3 hours! Great satisfaction for the fish aboard!

The day looks at his end, everyone is satisfied aboard and, let’s say the truth, tired from the epic battle! But while setting the equipment, the team spot another Mahi Mahi, swimming around the boat. The bait is quickly dropped into the water, and is just a question of seconds, since the Dolphin fish, is on!
Those spectacular jumps, delighted everybody aboard, before heading back to the port!

This is a perfect trip to fish off the eastern coast of Sicily. Whether one would like to go Fishing in Catania or Siracuse.

Sicily is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and this combined with its particular geography, makes shore fishing very good here.

The wide variety of fishing spots, open to a large quantity of target fish, fishing grounds, water depth and environments.

The footage, “Crazy shore fishing in Sicily video” shows some bluefish fishing, Barracuda fishing, and some lost big fish during an adrenaline-packed afternoon session, part of a shore fishing trip.

We consider a multi-day fishing trip to Sicily, the best way to enjoy saltwater shore fishing in Europe. Much better than a single session and a full-day shore fishing.
This is simply because fishing one of the selected spots, for more than a session give the chances to meet crazy conditions and feeding frenzy on the water, like in the following video, shoot exactly during a Sicily fishing trip. We usually manage to fish for 2 to 3 session a day during a shore fishing multi-day trip in Sicily.

Fishing Europe at this latitude, means having a wide range of possible places to fish, choosing between so many typologies of spots and with the possibility to jump from one to the other.
Talking a bit about the kind of trips and the level of preparation you would need, is possible to say that there are several options.
From the lifetime adventure involving kayaks, remote spots and uncomfortable rocky cliff, to the easier and accessible, light tackle casting fishing shore fishing, maybe with some boat fishing during the multiday trip to fish a bit from the boat. Obviously, if you are looking for something in between, don’t worry, there are plenty of options. We will suggest you the best solution in relation to the season and your preferences.

An ideal 3-day shore fishing trip includes full-time guiding, transportation on-site, pick up on the destination airport, Shimano equipment, local charming accommodation, local dinner with the caught fish and some excursions on the not fishing moments etc. Fishing sessions are usually 2 to 3 per day, being the main ones at sunrise and sunset. The fish research takes place along different spots. Usually, the best fishing spots are also beautiful sites with breathtaking panoramas.

Other shore fishing trips take place in the remotest parts of Sicily. Some require special organizations and support, resulting in something unique and unrepeatable nowhere else in the world.

These trips are not about fishing only, but the whole journey is a surprising adventure full of experiential activities in Sicily. Sights are literally everywhere in Sicily, so, if you are wondering about if the trip will be just about fishing, the answer is no! Nature, History, archaeological sites and food will be always an option after fishing.

This late September was a successful one. Last fishing sessions went very good. Fish are there in good numbers and this promises a great Autumn-Winter season for fishing in Sicily.
One of the techniques we particularly like in these waters, productive when practised in the right period and with correct bait, is live bait trolling, already described in this past article. This technique could also be considered a Deep sea fishing in Sicily, as is usually take place at -40m or deeper.
Target fish are usually Dentex, Amberjack and many species of grouper. Bluefin tuna or other species can always bite fishing with live bait.

Fishing in October
October and November are great months to find the right live bait, which is also a fun activity to do early in the morning if you don’t mind about waking up early during your holiday in Sicily. It is anyway possible to skip this part and jump on the boat when the live baits are already in the live tank, a couple of hours sleeping later! 😀

On the last fishing sessions, James first, Mandy and Sebastian after went fishing in Syracuse area with us this week. Apart from the good fishing visible on the pictures, we had really great moments aboard. Good weather and some interesting activities, after fishing, filled those perfect days.

​Extra activities on a fishing trip
In many places of Sicily, including fishing in Siracusa, some activities are possible after the deep sea fishing session or during a 3-day fishing trip.
One of them is jumping in the water to catch an octopus with barehand. Barehanded Octopus fishing. This is a family knowledge, a bunch of skills about spotting and catching octopus in their shelters, passed from my father, that I try to teach to my guests. Barehanded octopus fishing takes place from 1m to 4m of waters, in the daylight. Snorkelling gear and wetsuits are always available. It is always possible to catch and release them.

Another thing we add to our trips, when possible and in specific places, is preparing abord a special lunch, maybe with the caught fish. This is to fill up a complete experience that will drive you directly into the Mediterranean fishing and marine lifestyle.
In definitive, thanks to our experienced team, made of different skills, we can proudly say that for this specific season, and target fish, we can deliver, the best fishing in Sicily as an experience to remember.

Taormina is one of the most visited and touristy towns on the east coast of Sicily main island. In general, we do not encourage staying in Taormina to live an adventurous, authentic original and sea style trip to Sicily (check the best way to plan a fishing trip in Sicily).
However, if you already have booked accommodation and cannot move too far away from the Taormina area, it may be an interesting departure port for some specific techniques described here.

The fishing Ground
The bathymetric off Taormina coast are particular ones. The seabed jumps from 0 to -500 meters within 1 mile from the shore. Navigating 7miles distance, the bottom drops down to -1300 meters under the sea level. Going in the direction of Greece, this depth increasing of the sea bottom continues up to -4000m (4km) because of the position in between the African and the Euro-Asian rift.

The techniques
A fishing session in this area of Sicily, usually targets the beautiful Mediterranean Spearfish, the Albacore Tuna, the Dolphinfish (also called Dorado or Mahi Mahi) and less frequently Bluefin Tuna and Swordfish.
The specific fishing here consists of trolling some artificial baits on the surface, in different ways, similarly to the Big game for Marlin and the offshore trolling practised in the Oceans. This may be also called deep Sea fishing in Taormina.

The main species
The MEDITERRANEAN SPEARFISH is for sure the most beautiful and particular fish to fish and photograph. Its spectacular electric colors remind about the Sailfish and the Marlin. This is present mostly into the Mediterranean Sea and some areas of the eastern Atlantic. Can grow up to 50kg and over 200cm of length, with average size around 20kg.The ALBACORE TUNA, also called longfin Tuna, is a fast predator that loves to feed on cephalopods. It lives all around the world with a high migratory attitude. Its big eyes allow to deep dive when is necessary. Average size around is around 15 kilograms, but they can reach over 50kg weight.

Fishing for cephalopods
Another possible technique for fishing in Taormina area is fishing for the giant squid. This may be practised at night if the target is many but smaller squids (usually between 1 to 3kg) or during the day, targeting real monsters of the depth, squid of up to 15kg.

​The spectacular Barehanded octopus fishing is possible in specific spots, around Taormina and Messina area. Check the barehanded octopus fishing video.

In general, when it is not possible to reach other areas of eastern Sicily or to join our adventurous multi-day trips, Taormina could offer something interesting in terms of fishing. Checking the right season for the target species it may be a good place to go fishing in Sicily and spend a good day on the water.

Sicily is a place where is necessary to immerse yourself. Being a big island, full of wonders that absolutely worth a visit, is necessary to concentrate the trip to a certain area instead of just fast touching many places without the opportunity to live local experiences. The “immersive” way we experience a destination living like islanders, works perfectly when it comes to planning a fishing trip.

This is the reason why we highly suggest a tailored multiple-day trip to fish and adventure Sicily. Those journeys, completely customizable, usually include:
– full-time boat at disposal for boat fishing sessions, night fishing or just cruising the place with the family;
– some of the best and most particular local lodge or accommodation, often with historical connections or unique characteristics. Barbecue and complete kitchen always available to cook the caught fish;
– support from local hosts always at disposal to prepare a last minute lunch or a dinner with typical food of the season;
– full-time certified guide, that will ensure the best experience possible to the group;
– local vehicle to move and explore on the island, sometimes made of dirt roads;
– the destinations, even if may result a bit away from the beaten tracks, are carefully selected just to be sure of being on the really most productive fishing hotspots of Sicily.
– all the activities and touring that is possible to do during a multiple-day fishing trip, apart from fishing, will also give the group an unexpected discovery experience full of relaxed and adventurous moments for everyone.
This is our strength.

Food is usually one of the key elements of a fishing trip in Sicily. The typical and local cuisine offers an uncountable number of dishes, specific of every island, city and sometimes villages. Ranging from vegetable to the meat, from the pasta to the seafood and fish, in just a few kilometres of distance, the differences could be impressive.

The caught Fish. Obviously, even if we always support catch and release, if the guests have the pleasure of eating one of their own catch, this is part of the game. This opens a window on the many local recipes we follow to prepare fish, octopus, calamari (squid) etc. This is also a great sharing moment that we love to highlight using the best wines of the area, or if possible the support of a local “old school” cook. The accommodation we use are always furnished with big Barbecue, kitchen and stone hoven sometimes.

No-Fishing activities. When travelling with the family, sometimes is not easy to have more than a single day to go fishing. Multiple day trips always include lots of other things possible both after fishing or for the part of the family which prefer to not fish.  On the selected fishing destinations is where the best beaches of Sicily are located, many volcanic phenomena to enjoy and discover, many archaeological sites, hiking patch, wineries, horse riding, and just so much to explore around. It is eventually possible to have a detailed customized itinerary for the “no-fishing” activities, or a guide taking care of the group.
Even for the anglers, the trip includes a lot of good moments and things to do after fishing, or when inclement weather.

Barehanded octopus fishing. One of our specialities. To do with snorkelling equipment. Extremely fun and challenging research to one of the smartest animal of the sea, with specific tips and under the guidance of an expert “Octopus hunter”. Usually, skills and technique are handed down from father to son in Sicily, requiring a lot of practice and time into the water. Here is a past article with a video on how to catch an octopus.

Fishing Techniques. While on a single day trip you usually go for a single fishing technique to practice, a multiple-day trip allow you to try different fishing techniques thanks to the time at disposal. It became easy to try Bluefin Tuna fishing techniques, live bait trolling, jigging, deep bottom fishing, giant squid fishing, surface “big game trolling” and even daytime swordfish with the days at disposal when on a multi-day trip in Sicily.

When a multiple-day trip is not possible, a 24h experience is something that can give you 2 fishing session, some night fishing and maybe some local experiences.
If instead you already have plans, your availability is for one-day fishing only, but you still want to try our organization, you can ask us for a long full-day trip tailored with some extra activities during or at the end of the fishing session. Octopus fishing, for example, is something always possible as add-ons during spring, summer and fall.