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:
Mark enjoying his lifetime trophy with his family!
Константин wife smiling with her catch after a very intense battle!
Here is a fishing mom and her 2 young boys from the United States who came early in The Season, in April, and enjoyed a different session on a breathtaking hotspot and rainy day, Trolling live bait for Bluefin Tuna. This is an alternative to our main spots in southeastern Sicily.
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.
