BIG GAME FISHING IN CROATIA
Big game fishing is a form of recreation and competitive fishing, where on the open sea,
bait is dragged to catch big fish (tuna fish, swordfish, shark, etc.).
The requirement for big game fishing is a boat equipped with motors.
Therefore, the big game fishing as a way of fishing occurs only with the introduction of engines on small boats. T
he first mentioned to have caught fish in such a way is Frank Holder, who caught 83 kg tuna fish in 1898.
Soon the big game fishing spread to the Atlantic, and its popularity growed by introducing different sticks,
roll, tie and chairs for anglers. In 1939, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) was founded,
with the duty to promote big game fishing, organize competitions in big game fishing, supervise,
examine and implement habitat protection of endangered species.
Big game fishing was the first and most developed in the area of California,
Florida, Bahamas, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. Adriatic Sea as a destination
for big game fishing was discovered only recently.
How the big game fishing takes place. After the arrival of the ship at the appropriate position,
begins driving at the appropriate speed while releasing bait into the sea and releasing of
one or more strings with bait. Long sticks are used to hold the string tight with reel which
is set to allow release when fish bites. Sticks are put on the stern or the side of the ship.
When fish bites, the challenge starts. Struggle with the fish, depending on size, takes a very long time.
Head of the ship has to navigate so that the fish does not come under the boat.
Especially critical moments are when the fish is brought near the boat and when the fish is retrieved to the boat.
For big game fishing today the most modern technologies are used, such as the sonar,
satellite measurement of sea temperature, etc. Big game fishing requires a boat with
sufficient capacity, seaworthiness, speed, stability and ability to transport a crew
to some greater distance, which carry a large quantity of equipment.
It is necessary to maintain stability even in the fight against fish, which in
extreme circumstances, may weight more than 500 kilograms, and safely deliver
the crew back in possibly adverse weather and sea conditions.
Crew of big game fishing boats normally use larger boats of 9 to 15 meters long.
The most popular starting location for big game fishing in the Adriatic are Jezera on
the island of Murter and Vodice near Šibenik, because they are close to the
richest fishing areas in the whole of the central Adriatic Sea (Zirje , Kornati, Blitvenica).
Here you will find offers for big game fishing with departures from Opatija
and fishing from island Cres to island Krk, the offers for big game fishing from Cavtat, from island Murter
for big game fishing around the island Blitvenica and the Kornati islands and other.
Jezera on the island of Murter are the place where the first Croatian International big game
fishing competition was organized, in 1999.
Fish that are hunted in the big game fishing in the Adriatic tuna
(bluefin tuna, Albacete tuna, little tunny), shark, swordfish, amberjack and Dorado.
April is especially rich with lucevi (little tunnies) which are in large flocks,
and are averagelly large from 10-15 kg. This period has high chances of a good and great catch.
In late May and early June hunting season on the bluesharks and thresher sharks begins.
In August, bluefin tuna comes with an average weight of 70-80 kg, and can even grow to 500 kg.
Then in huge flocks come Albacete tuna, tunas with an average weight of 10-15 kg, and
in recent times, with increasing temperature, dolphin fish(Dorado).
This is also the best time of season (from August to November) when the chance to catch is very high.
The mentioned favorable periods for big game fishing varie seasonally, depending on temperature,
concentration of small pelagic fish (which is the main source of food), salinity caused by
precipitation and flow of fresh water from rivers in the Adriatic.
Here you can find offers for big game fishing and the purchase of equipment for big game fishing.
Bol (1) Bratuš (1) Cavtat (1) Dubrovnik (1) Jezera (2) Murter (1) Opatija (1) Podstrana (1) Seget Donji (1) Slatine (1) Split (3) Trogir (2) Uskoplje (1) Vodice (3) Zagreb (1) Šibenik (1) Šipanska luka (1) Zagreb (1)