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Fishing Martigues France
Marseille is a city that is located to the south of the Republic of France. This is the second largest city in France after Paris. This city is often flocked by tourists from around the world to witness style and history in one place. Martigues is a commune that is located to the northwest of the southern city of Marseille.
Martigues is positioned in such a way that this commune becomes a passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Martigues, commonly known as Etang de Berre.
The Blue Coast beaches, the museum, the games, and the festival world folklore all make Martigues a tourist town. Once a fishing town, now Martigues is celebrated as “The Venice of Provence” because of its many canals, bridges, and docks. This small commune of France is noted not just for the charm of its canals and bridges but also for its perfect geographical positioning, between the Mediterranean Sea and Etang de Berre which makes it a good spot for sport fishing.
Picturesque fishing villages and small restaurants near the seaside make Martigues a great place to spend a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying.
Weather
Mediterranean climate is prevalent here in Martigues with humid winters and dry summers with temperatures reaching close to 30 degrees Celsius. The months from December to February are the coldest among the rest. July and August are the months that receive the most rainfall and hence are not the best months to go fishing.
How to go fishing in Martigues
Quai Sainte-Anne is one of the locations from where the boats leave Martigues for the fishing trips. The stretch of the coast known as the French Riviera is also known for various spots from where boats leave to the Mediterranean Sea for deep-sea fishing.
According to Captain David of the Marlin boat who has been fishing all his life in and around Martigues, fishing boats are usually taken 10 to 40 km from the shore in search of the target species of fish. It normally takes anywhere between 60 10 120 minutes to reach the closest to the farthest destination. From surface fishing to fishing in a depth of 150 m is quite common in Martigues.
A mighty Bluefin Tuna weighing a colossal 150 kg was one of the largest fish caught in the Marlin Boat by Captain David in Martigues.
Stronk fishing for the Blue tuna and night drifting for Swordfish are the two most popular fishing techniques that Martigues is known for. Stronk fishing is a fishing technique that originated in Martigues and fishermen all around the world come here to experience it.
Top 5 fish
Swordfish fishing in Martigues
The Swordfish is a highly prized big game fish by fishermen worldwide for its strength, stamina, and fierce fights and hence are considered the gladiators of the sea. These broad-billed swordfish are fast swimmers and are capable of leaping out of the water. Their elusive nature and their attitude to stay and fight till the end are some of the characteristics that make them one of the favorites among sport fishing anglers.
These Swords, as they are popularly called, prefer to stay in waters ranging in temperatures between 18 to 22 degree Celsius. However, they are the only billfish that are spotted even in waters with 5 degree Celsius and 27 degree. These fish do not swim in schools and hence are more challenging to spot. They often feed at night by rising to the water’s surface and hence this is the best time to catch them.
Fishing Season of Swordfish in Martigues
The fishing season for the Swordfish starts in April in Martigues and extends till the month of September. However, according to Captain David of the Marlin boat states that April to June is the best time to land a Swordfish from Martigues.
How to catch a Swordfish
Night drifting is the common technique that is adopted to land a Swordfish, though daytime fishing is also done it can be quite challenging to spot a Swordfish in the daylight as they prefer to stay in the deep waters during the day.
Bluefin Tuna fishing in Martigues
The Bluefin Tuna are the largest of all the tunas. They are highly predatory fish and can live up to 40 years. Their torpedo bodies aid them in moving with bullet speed in the water. These are the most iconic fish species found in the Mediterranean sea and are considered as the raging bulls of the sea.
The Bluefin Tuna feeds on mackerel, anchovies and squid. Landing a Bluefin can be very challenging as these fish have a very high stamina and can put up fights for hours together. If you get a Bluefin hooked then you are sure to end up with aching muscles.
Fishing Season of Bluefin in Martigues
Bluefin Tuna is one of the most celebrated fish species of the Martigues waters and the fishing season of these monsters of the sea begins in April and lasts till September. Among these months the peak season in reached between July and September.
How to catch a Bluefin
Stronk Fishing is a very popular technique that has been introduced and popularised in Martigues to land a Bluefin.
Spearfish fishing in Martigues
The Shortbill Spearfish belongs to the Billfish family. It has the shortest bill and this is the most distinguishing feature of this Spearfish from the other billfish. These fish prefer to feed from the surface and are fond of squid and other medium-sized fish.
Like all other billfish these Shortbill Spearfish though smaller in size are tough to land. They fight hard and make the catch very challenging and exciting. These Shortbill Spearfish can reach lengths of 2.5 meters and normally do not exceed 55 kg. The heaviest ever recorded was 52 kg.
Fishing Season of Spearfish in Martigues
The best time to land a Spearfish from Martigues will be during the months from April to June.
How to catch a Spearfish
Trolling is definitely the best method to adopt if you are planning to land a Spearfish in the Martigues.
White Marlin fishing in Martigues
A Marlin be it Blue, Black, Striped or White is always a great sight to look at and an even greater feat to land. In Martigues, you will get to catch a glimpse of the elusive White Marlin that anglers that can hours to hook and land. These smaller brothers of the Marlin family have a lighter hue than the others and are characterized by rather rounded fins as compared to the pointed fins of the other Marlin species.
Though they are smaller in size than the great Blue Marlin do not mistake them to be easy to catch. They are known to put up fierce fights like their bigger counterparts and give sporting anglers a run for their money. The White Marlin can reach lengths of 1.1 m and can weigh up to 81 kg. The White Marlin is usually found in deeper water however, they come near the surface occasionally to waters that are not deeper than 14 m.
Fishing Season of White Marlin in Martigues
Late March to early July is the best season for White Marlin in Martigues.
How to fish for a White Marlin
Trolling is the best method to lure and land a White Marlin. Mullet, squid, and ballyhoo can be used as live bait as well. Strip and dead whole baits also work fine in White Marlin fishing.
Yellowtail fishing in Martigues
Another one of the most sought-after fish in Martigues is the Yellowtail Amberjack. Commonly called the Yellowtail, this fish is a fast swimmer and it is known for its quick and violent strikes. Not only that, but Yellowtail also make long and strong runs once hooked. A common trait seen in these Yellowtail Amberjacks is that they will make a few more strong and fast runs into the water before they can be reeled onto the boat. This fighting nature makes them one of the prized sport fishes in Martigues. The largest Yellowtail ever caught and recorded weighed 51 kg.
Fishing Season of Yellowtail in Martigues
Yellowtail season in Martigues extends to a long term extending from April to September with a peak in the sightings being recorded during July and September.
How to catch a Yellowtail
Casting with live baits and trolling are the two most commonly used techniques to catch a Yellowtail.