Tour guide Mirco Moll was traveling with a group in Spain in the Ebro Delta at the beginning of May and was able to celebrate one or two “tuna parties”. But let’s let Mirco tell it himself.
When your casting finger itches, you shouldn’t suppress it, and so on May 11, I went to the Ebro Delta with Lukas and Klaus to check out the bluefins. After a short journey, Riumar welcomed us with perfect flip-flop weather and the rigging of the rods was celebrated with a rum and coke. The evening meeting with Peter, the local guide, was informative and the next day was planned over dinner in the restaurant.
The first day of fishing
We set off from the port of Riumar at 11 o’clock and travel down the Ebro towards the sea. Thanks to our powerful engine, it takes us just 15 minutes to reach the “Bluefin territory”.
We look eagerly for hunting birds and don’t have to wait long. Unfortunately, they are not tuna but just a baitball that is being attacked by the birds.
We continue to work our way out to sea and Peter suggests that we first look for the little tunas (barbecue).
No sooner said than done, and this species is much more active.
We hunt the hunters and actually manage to get all of the tunas off our lines.
On our way back in the evening, we of course look for the “blue ones” again, unfortunately without success.
In the evening, we hear from everyone that the tunas just didn’t want to be caught. So Peter had the right idea.
The second day starts like the first, searching, searching, searching.
Again, it is the “Barcos” that are active and, above all, “reliable”. Great hunts on the surface, spectacular bites and sporty fights are the logical consequence and sweeten our day. Late in the afternoon, we check on the tuna again and once more, Peter has the right idea. Here and there, the tuna come to the surface. Not as spectacular as their little relatives, but we try our luck. After a missed bite by Lukas, we are all wide awake again and highly motivated. And as always, it happens just before we call it a day…
First one, then two tuna are seen hunting about 300 meters from the boat. Peter immediately puts his foot on the table and we rush towards the fish at full throttle. As we approach the action, the chase gets bigger and bigger until we suddenly find ourselves in the middle of hunting tunas. Klaus is the lucky one. His reel is screaming, the rod is bent and I see a mixture of joy, respect and surprise in his eyes.
Due to a sports injury, Klaus was no match for the fish and so we all had to (were allowed to) try our luck. I have caught quite a few tunas (YFT) and knew immediately that the fish was either very large or badly hooked. After 30 minutes, the solution to the mystery was revealed. A 35-40 kg bluefin came to the surface. The bait was stuck on the gill cover with the treble hook.
The fish was landed cleanly, photographed quickly and released immediately.
What an experience…
Unfortunately, the third day fell victim to the approaching storm, so we “played” a little in the river and regrouped for the fourth and final day.
Unfortunately, this day also started with a storm, but Peter and the weather forecast were right. At noon, the wind died down and around 1:00 p.m., we were finally able to get out on the water.
The Barcos were in top form after the storm and we experienced some amazing hunts. Unlike before, the water boiled for minutes at a time and at the end of the day, no one could really say how many fish had been landed. It was epic! Triples, hectic rod dancing included, and new hunts every few minutes. This day will stay in my head forever. Even though we came for the bluefins, we will come back for the Barcorettas.
Thank you, Mirco, for the great short report. The Ebro Delta is always worth a visit and if you would also like to go hunting for bluefins and little tunnies, please feel free to contact us.
The Ebro Delta is quick and easy to reach and we offer individual trips or hosted group tours.
SEA you soon!