Fishing in the Canaries, from the shore to Lanzarote!

The volcanic island of Lanzarote is a paradise in the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands, located off the coast of Morocco, for anyone looking for a change of scenery. The recent eruptions of 1730 forming the Timanfaya National Park and the landscapes of the ancient volcanic activities of the Pozo Valley contrast and offer landscapes with black, ochre colors in places and light, desert hues in others. Its mild climate and (very) low rainfall all year round (well, that's in theory, as we weren't so lucky!) make it a superb destination for out-of-the-ordinary vacations and a wide variety of hikes! But what about the fishing? Here's a brief summary of what I've learned and seen ...

[caption id="attachment_1559" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Facing El Golfo, the west coast skirting Timanfaya Park at our backs, if there's an area to fish, I really think this is it![/caption]

---

The regulations?

For the time being, I think it's essential to take a look at the regulations, as we can find anything and everything on the internet! As everywhere in Spain, Saltwater fishing is regulated and requires a Permit for shore, boat or snorkeling fishing. And beware, it's not necessarily the same one!

To make things even simpler, to get one, you need to be on site and go to the Cabildo de Arrecife, to the PESCA department, with 3 copies of the document you've filled in beforehand (download here https://sede.gobcan.es/sede/tramites/1186#) as well as 3 copies of your ID card. At this point, they'll give you a document to pay for your Permit (around €15 if it's for the category 3 license) at an official bank. There, you'll have to queue up to pay the fee. And that's it! You're in! You get your fishing permit, valid for 3 years on all the Canarian coasts, but also Spanish from the shore or in a boat, but without trolling (you need a category 2 permit for that and a category 1 permit for underwater hunting).

.

So, I don't know about you, but me, when I first saw this, I thought: is this really necessary?! Wasting about 3 hours of my vacation in offices to buy a permit that I'll only need for a few hours, and with all the risks that entails (this kind of trip is often accompanied, and it's hard to negotiate this kind of administrative procedure with the person accompanying you while keeping your good mood...^^)... And so, like many of us, I say to myself: I'm a tourist, they'll be quite tolerant with me! From all the feedback I've been able to read, it seems that yes, there is a certain tolerance towards tourists who fish from the shore. But this is not an absolute generality and, if you're unlucky, you'll be rewarded with confiscation of equipment as well as a fine of up to 500€ ... And the risks increase enormously if you want to fish from a kayak, an option that seems to me really essential for catching real fish there (and which I wasn't able to try out because of the bad weather...)!

So I looked around quite a bit for a fallback solution, and came across an online service that lets you get your Canary Islands fishing Permit from home: https://www.gran-canaria-beaches.com/gran-canaria-fishing-license.html. Naturally, I chose this option. You follow the link and get in touch with Sunil, who is very nice and sends you the paperwork you need to fill in so that he can obtain authorization to create your fishing Permit. In terms of confidentiality and speed of service, he's a real pro! You'll feel confident, and in just a few days you'll receive your "Licencia de Pesca Maritima Recreativa" by e-mail, which you'll need to print out and laminate for safekeeping for the next three years. Of course, there is a surcharge for this service. Your fishing card will cost you €40. But frankly, that's not much to put your mind at rest and avoid a confrontation with your wife! And then, when asked: "Honey, where are we going on holiday next year?", you'll answer: "A Spanish island?" (the Canaries, Spain, the Balearics, etc. etc., you're sure to find a destination to your liking among the fifty or so possible islands!)

. [caption id="attachment_1551" align="aligncenter" width="648"] This is what your Permit looks like! It's also required to have your ID card with you when fishing, at least a copy[/caption].

---

What fish? How to catch them?

Like many of the islands on the NW African coast, you'll find a wide variety of sparids like the cool little feathered red bream / Porgy (I invite you to go read my article on Madeira ). A few species of old and colorful groupers, Sea bass and barracudas can also snaffle your lures. But a few much larger pelagic fish can make your fishing trip to the Canaries even more memorable: tassergals, various species of tuna and, above all, dolphinfish! And even from the shore! Yes, I assure you, it's possible to catch dolphinfish from the shore on the island of Lanzarote, as various photos on the Internet and Instagram attest! Oh yes, I forgot one too ... especially as it's the one you'll probably see the most if you leave a few lures lying around on the bottom ... the lizardfish!

[caption id="attachment_1552" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Ah lizardfish! You'll catch loads of them! Impossible to miss! With Fiiish's famous new PWT, which made a lot of fish move during the few fishing moments of the trip... ;-)[/caption]

---

Now that I've taken a quick tour of the different species of fish to be found here, and partly presented on the documents received at the same time as your Permit, a description of fishing techniques is in order. Personally, I only fish with lures, but before going into more detail, I'd like to point out that some locals fish with bait in a really serious way! Rod over 100lb, big spinning reel and the right line. The bait is deposited by kayak in the pits very close to the coast in the south of the island. I didn't see them pull out any fish, but that's something to think about! They really seemed to have mastered the subject!

But back to lure fishing. Generally speaking, on the island, we find two spot configurations: deep (>15m quickly) (SO-O-NO) or very deep (S-SE-SO), or very shallow (<3m) (E-NE). Lures should be sized accordingly, but remember to cast far [unless you want to spend your time hooking lizardfish... NDA]! Casting jigs and Fiiish's new Power Tail Saltwater allowed me to get the most bites. But let's be honest, with the wind and weather conditions, I didn't have much success... A small stall Red bream / Porgy close to the edge on the Casting jig and a few big hits with no follow-through on the Power Tail (PWT). However, every time it came close to the edge at the end of the cast, it ended up in the mouth of a lizardfish, and in these conditions, that's always nice :) I also fished a lot with soft lures, with the same results as in Madeira: lots of bites, but it was difficult to hook them properly ... these sparids have a small mouth ... I really had to reduce the size but, given the weather conditions, it was impossible ... A special mention for black minnows (BM), which, as usual, make a lot of fish move. On the 120, I took the biggest rush of the trip, but it ended in a clean cut (tassergal? barracuda? I'll never know ...) ... Unfortunately ... To sum up, if I had to go back there to fish from the shore with lures, I'd equip myself in the same way: PWT, casting-jigs, various LS (don't forget commas and BMs) but above all, I'd take a few inchikus, madaï and other assemblies where it's possible to add a piece of meat.

.

Another point of advice: rent a kayak! Weather permitting, it seems to me to be one of the best options for really enjoying yourself at low cost on this island. With the possibility of catching, I think, some very, very big fish. Particularly from Playa Blanca or Castillo del Agua ...!

[caption id="attachment_1553" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The lure box, a good reel fitted with a minimum PE1.5 braid and a very good travel rod for its versatility: the Rainshadow SB781-3CG![/caption]

The gear

The question of lures has already been largely addressed, let's talk about rods! Given the information I had on the way out, I took two travel combos available on Rodhouse.

A first L-ML allowing me to cover 90% of the fishing I did there with the little Rainshadow SB781-3CG, this little blank, which is starting to follow me to different countries now, is for me a very good compromise of what we can expect from a travel rod: a small footprint thanks to its 3 sections (so it fits in the suitcase!), a good casting capacity up to 25-30g combos, and great versatility of use. Hard lures, soft lures, surface lures, you name it! It may not excel in any one area, but it's good everywhere. What more could you ask for? Its tip action is perfect for animating lures, and the fiberglass added to the carbon makes it possible to envisage powerful fights without fear (some users have pulled out 120cm tarpons with it?)! For me, along with its big sister the SB783-3CG, these are great low-investment products to follow you on your vacations!

The second combo was to allow me to consider battles with much bigger fish in case of a Kayak outing (which unfortunately didn't happen). My choice was the MHX TR844.5-3, available by special order. Also in 3 strands, it made the trip slipped into my suitcase. With a power of 20lb and a casting range of up to 60-70g, it was to complete the top section of the little 781. This rod is pleasing in its progressiveness and casting ability. Like the 781, its versatility makes it a good companion for trips if a little more power is required. But this trip didn't allow me to test it to the full extent of its capabilities ... Another alternative is the SWT70M-3 M from Rainshadow.

For reels, I recommend you opt for a model with a good brake, you never know. In any case, it's imperative to start with a good braid and not too thin, because volcanic rock doesn't leave you a chance! A PE1.5 is really a minimum for shore fishing ... Like a good 20lb fluoro carbon leader ... knowing that it won't prevent certain carnivores from cutting ...

The spots?

Aside from the weather, where I don't consider myself lucky, the real difficulty in fishing the Canaries from the shore is finding the right spots, which are all too rare for my liking ... Over the many kilometers I've covered, I have to admit that some places caught my eye and really made me want to persevere or come back in better weather conditions. In the spirit of sharing, I'd like to point them out to you? If, in return, you could make us dream with a few photos from there, that would be great!

[caption id="attachment_1554" align="aligncenter" width="820"] A small map with the location of the 3 good spots I was able to find the few days I was there. Not easy on this island! After the wind, it's the main difficulty for shore fishing!

---

Generally speaking, the best area I was able to find and which gave me the most fishing thrills was the coastal path from El Golfo (SW-W) towards Timanfaya Park. Volcanic cliffs, deep water, a westerly exposure, surf - all the right conditions for good fishing. And the few casts made paid off!

[caption id="attachment_1555" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The west coast, behind Timanfaya Park. A superb walk where the pebbles abound with olivine, the ochre volcanic landscapes are sublime, and the fishing spots are numerous! Expect to walk 1 hour to reach this ideally placed point[/caption].

---

The second spot that really stood out for me was Punta Del Aguila, just below Castillo de las Coloradas. A big drop-off just a few meters from the shore, a small bay sheltered from the wind, and lots of lizardfish for a bit of fun! This is where the locals used to do their heavy bait fishing? And I'll also remember the monstrous chase that exploded within casting range with 30-50cm needlefish shooting out of the water with big splashes behind. It's a pity I didn't discover this spot until I was about to leave ... really!!

[caption id="attachment_1556" align="aligncenter" width="800"] From the little castle, just below. The point is not very long, but the bottom quickly becomes important. I'd be curious to fish this spot again at dusk![/caption]

---

The third spot I wasn't able to fish, as I didn't have the equipment. But conditions seemed ideal and a few locals caught some nice sparids there. It's the Los Bonancibles point near los Jameos del Agua on the NE coast. Same configuration: a drop-off with cliffs, surf, another spot worth fishing, and probably all the way to Punta Escamas.

. [caption id="attachment_1557" align="aligncenter" width="800"] La Cueba de los Verdes and los Jameos del Agua are really must-see tourist spots ... so while we're at it, we might as well go for a few casts on the coast just opposite, no?[/caption]

---

I want to go back!!!

For its splendid landscapes, its honey ron, its roasted kid goats, and its little taste of too little, despite the difficulty of the fishing, I'll gladly return to fish on this island in order to persevere on the spots spotted, but also to go out kayaking! And why not continue the hunt for dolphinfish ... But the next destination will be Sicily or perhaps another island in the Canaries ... to be seen! In any case, this island is a beautiful destination to visit with friends, as a couple, or as a family.

[caption id="attachment_1558" align="aligncenter" width="800"] I close this article with the lunar landscape of Timanfaya Park, which is truly impressive![/caption]