Italy and Sicily in particular, are located in a specific geographical position. The region of Sicily, considered between the best fishing in Italy is an island located exactly in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy peninsula and Africa’s northern coasts. The geological structure of the island has a big drop-off on the east coast, also home of the biggest Volcano of Europe The Mount Etna. The sea is the Ionian, that separates Sicily from Greece. The Ionian sea, as well as some points of the Sicilian Channel and Tyrrenian sea, are known also for its depts, very close bathymetric that jumps into 1000m under the sea level, just in a couple of miles, reaching 2500m as soon as you navigate a bit more. This give the chance to fish for unique animals.

A particular Ionian sea fishing technique is fishing for squid and often giant squids.
Giant squids of the Mediterranean Sea, (scientific name “Todarodes Sagittatus”) can reach 15kg of weight, being more common between 2 to 4kg. It is a very aggressive and powerful cephalopod and compared with animals of the same species, can give unexpected fights. Depending on the equipment or the fishing depth the technique varies and to hear a spooling reel is not difficult if using the light gear.

This species likes deep waters but at night is possible to fish them even on the surface in some conditions and season of the year. During the day, big specimens are caught in deeper waters, usually with electric reels.

Is a good action at the end of the fishing day or for a dedicated night fishing session. Big squid on manual reels will seriously test the ability of the most experienced fishermen. On the right spot, is usual to have multiple catches, resulting in a fun experience for everyone aboard.

Squid can be prepared as a good meal, with many local recipes. The best preparation for us remains the Squid fried rings recipe, similar to the Calamari fried rings, a very delicious dish for everyone.

Siracusa has always been one of the most famous cities in Sicily. This is because, this coastal territory was home of the biggest Greek city of all times probably, and theatre of important epic wars and historical events.
Today Siracusa, thanks to its everlasting beauty, is still a must in the classic tourist’s programs. However, the large presence of visitors and consequent high number of excursion sellers may cause confusion when looking for specific, high quality and expert-guided fishing activities.

When looking for Fishing in Ortigia for example, just walking on the deck, you will hardly find someone able to take you fishing for the proper Mediterranean gamefish. In this area lives fish as the Bluefin Tuna, Common Dentex, Pink Dentex, Amberjack, Grouper, Swordfish etc.

Fishing in Syracuse is a different story in reality. This area, located on the southern east coast of Sicily, quickly jumping into the Ionian Sea, is a productive one. Here the chances to target the fish you are looking for may be exellent. However, the season, the predators biting at the specific moment and the right guide will do the difference when fishing Siracusa.

When going for a fishing trip in Siracusa is possible to practice several techniques:

• Bluefin Tuna fishing in Siracusa is one of the best opportunity to catch the giant bluefin passing on the old route of the “tonnaras” of Sicily.
• Fishing for Amberjack is a special experience in late summer; using light equipment is possible to have epic fighting.
• Live bait fishing for Common dentex with its preparation is something to try. This usually includes two kind of fishing – as you have to catch some calamari (squid fishing) or cuttlefish to troll alive for the common dentex (Mediterranean snapper).
• Deep bottom fishing with electric reels for big eye snapper and giant groupers is another deep sea fishing in Syracuse. It is also possible to catch fish like sharks, big conger eels, scabbard silverfish, European hake and mackerel.
• Shore fishing in Siracusa or shore fishing in Syracuse is another good adventure if you do not want to go on a boat. Unique and adventurous itineraries available, for 8 hours or 24h fishing. Good selections of fish target including Mediterranean Barracuda, Bluefish, seabass, bluerunner, needlefish, saddled seabream, small amberjacks. Usually works very good with some barehanded octopus fishing. Fly fishing in Siracusa is possible if you have the right equipment with you, as most of the times you’ll find rocky shores and some wind.

Starting from 2019, our team design and plan new and adventurous trips to some other Italian regions, and their best fishing spots.  Thanks to our always growing network and expertise about fishing in the Mediterranean Sea, each fishing itinerary comes with a hand-picked local specialist and a certified guide from SicilyFishing team in order to provide unforgettable experiences as we love to do in Sicily.
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Thanks to Fishing Italy it will be possible to book the most particular experiences available for fishing in Italy. Fishing in Sardinia, Fishing in Calabria, Fishing in Puglia, Fishing in Tuscany or fishing in Campania are just some of the options available.

The fishing techniques, will range as for Sicily, from Bluefin Tuna fishing, to live bait trolling, Big game, Jigging and all the most productive techniques available for the Mediterranean Sea.

Apart fishing, is known that Italy has many differences and every place has its particularities on the famous sights, on the crazy food and wines, on natural attractions, the history or just the people. This is something that our certified National guides would highlight in the best way during your trip in Italy.

Please ask us here if you are interested on a fishing trip in Italy.

Here is just a quick video to taste new activities getting ready for 2019.  Much more info will be ready soon, about this particular reserch, that will connect you directly with the underwater world and one some of its most incredible creatures…

The activity will be available as an “add-on” to most of 2019 fishing trips in Sicily. Similar to a snorkeling trip, or a freediving session, it require a swimming suit, a snorkeling mask, maybe some glooves for the less brave and a good guide that give you the right istructions!

One of the most particular techniques to practice for fishing in the mediterranean sea. Trolling a live bait for Dentex require an high knowledge of the places where fishing take place and the elements to consider are many. The seabed shape and bathimetrics, you are going to troll on; the live bait to use and how to get (fish) it alive on the specific season; necessary equipment and obviously the target predators are just some of them.

Sicily is one of the best spot about where to go fishing in the Mediterranean sea, and live bait trolling is great for both the costs around the main island and the little islands around.

So, getting a good quantity of live baits, is the best way to start a day fishing in Sicily.  Calamari or Squid, for example, are between the best live baits to rig for almost all the predators in Sicily. Obviously catching them sometime can be very challenging and fun as fishing itself. A big squid, can give a enjoyable fight on a light geat!

When wondering about where to go deep sea fishing in Sicily, even if sometimes is not necessary to go very “deep” for this technique, consider to go live bait trolling and the result could be a real surprise!

The most common predators are: Common Dentex, Pink Dentex, Amberjack and many kind of Grouper. However, it is not rare that a bluefin tuna (and other species of Tuna like false albacore) or a swordfish strikes on a live bait rig. The result would be a great (and probably long) fight.

With some specific differences is also possible to go Swordfish fishing in Sicily (billfish) and Bluefin tuna fishing, using a live bait.

Depending on the destination to go, Live bait trolling for Dentex is possible all year round in Sicily.

​Fishing is unpredictable, never the same, not always the same rule on the same place. This is the reason why we are always trying new techniques, new depth and new places, looking for new great adventures to live with friends and guests!

Great fishing, big emotions and a lot of possibilities are guaranteed with some new packages just designed for 2018. Common Dentex, Gibbosus dentex (pink dentex), Red porgy are present as part of the Mediterranean Snapper family; Dusky grouper, Mottled grouper, Dogtooth grouper, and some other species for the Groupers family; Swordfish, Bluefin Tuna and Amberjack are present in good quantity with the chance to go Shark fishing.

During the trip, is possible to add an overnight fishing experience to fish 24h on amazing spots and remote banks, thanks to the calm water of the Mediterranean Sea, especially in Spring/Summer; The boats are comfortable and full equipped to live aboard with comfortable kitchen and toilet and multiple beds.

Shore fishing is adrenalin experience, possible every day of the trip, fishing with light takle and immersed into particular landscapes where is always possible to hook Mediterranean Barracuda, Bluefish and all the shore predators, included some bigs always around in these waters.

New typical lodges, extra-fishing activities with locals and certified guiding as always are an essential part of the trip to fully immerse yourself into this amazing land of Sicily!

Considered all the possible activities and the pace of the places, a minimum stay of 3 days is always recommended in order to fully enjoy a real sicilian fishing experience.
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Here some pictures of one of the last trips between March and April 2018.

For a trip to be considered unforgettable, some ingredients need to be present. Here we had all of them: amazing places, crazy people, good food, fun, adrenaline and very active fish.

After almost 30 years living and fishing in Sicily, I could say that there are still a lot o places to explore and these are some of the best place to fish in Sicily, unpredictable. No frills fishing, you probably have to get wet a bit, but that never betray. Forget the touristy destinations if you want to experience a real big fishing adventure.

We spent 6 days, jumping between islands, and fishing both from shore and from boats. Red Porgy, Dusky Grouper and Amberjack were the protagonists of our fightings. Jigging, live bait trolling and spinning the practiced techniques.

This trip require minimum 3 days but it could include fishing in up to 3 islands. Adventure is an important part of the trip as some hot spots are not exactly “comfortable” to access :-D!! I organised everything to be ready to fish just after settled at the typical lodge.

On the first shore fishing session we manage to land an amazing porgy working in team. This is a great trophy considered that “Pagrus pagrus”, this is the scientific name, is not easy to hook on that size off the rocks. Then, the day after was after dusky Groupers and find them in good quantity together with some red porgy, but fishing from boat.
One day was dedicated to shore jigging and Amberjacks liked or lures. Fish between 4 to 5 kg are a pleasure to fight with light equipment! Most of the fish were released but we honored some for dinner with a typical recipe.

At the end of the fishing trip, the volcano Stromboli and Etna were in activity too, so we went up for hike at sunset to enjoy this unique nature show!