Catching Tuna with a seasoned guide in Croatia... holidays don’t get much better than this. The world’s biggest Tuna species – the Atlantic Bluefin – calls these waters home, and Croatian Tuna fishing charters know what it takes to catch them.
Anyone can try catching this enormous Adriatic trophy fish, as long as they go with an experienced guide. Tuna weighing over 100 kg (220 lb) make their way to Croatian shorelines aboard charter boats every year. And while Tuna weighing under 25 kg (55 lb) must be released, there are plenty of larger specimens out there.
Where and when to catch Tuna in Croatia
You’re in with a chance of landing a Tuna from almost any Croatian port. Poreč, Vodice, Tisno, Rovinj, and Zadar are some of our favorite hotspots.
Tuna fishing season runs from April to December. From January to March you must release all Tunas you catch. It’s also unlikely that you’ll find Tuna in January, as well as at the very beginning of the summer. The largest fish are traditionally caught in August, while they’re usually at their most numerous in the autumn.
Start your trip before dawn for the best results, as Tuna bite best around sunrise.
How to catch Tuna in Croatia
Tuna are agile predators that have evolved to swim in bursts of astonishing speed. This can make them a “reel” challenge to land! An experienced captain and quality heavy tackle rods and reels are a must. As well as knowing how to attract and hook these fish, a local captain will help you find the best spots to find them in the first place.
As soon as you find one of these sardine-eating predators, look out. Tuna hunt in schools, so double headers are common.
Most Croatian Tuna fishing charters take place aboard walkaround sportfishing boats with powerful engines and spacious decks. These will power you out into the open sea, usually about 10-20 miles from shore. Once you reach the fishing grounds, your captain will stop the motor and drift. On board, you’ll usually find medium to heavy tackle, a gaff or harpoon, and sardines for bait. Croatian captains will usually create a chum slick with finely chopped sardines to attract the fish towards the boat.
If you want to experience the Adriatic from a completely new perspective, Croatian Tuna fishing charters are a perfect place to start. Nothing beats coming back to the country’s stunning shorelines after a day on the ocean, catching one of the world’s most prestigious saltwater predators. Now, that’s a holiday highlight you’ll never forget!
