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Nik Teal, England’s big-game fishing team captain and Strike Ambassador, hands over his best tips and marks for catching tuna, marlin, halibut, and swordfish in European waters.
When most anglers picture big-game fishing, they imagine tropical waters and exotic islands. But Europe – with its rugged Atlantic coasts, deep Mediterranean basins, and volcanic island chains – offers some of the world’s most thrilling and sustainable saltwater angling. Here are my top tips for hooking up with Europe’s greatest game fish.
ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA
Catching a bluefin is the ultimate test of power and endurance. Recently, fishermen in southwest England made national news after landing a 210kg heavyweight, but they can reach beyond 600kg. I’ve caught a few, and my advice is: don’t give in!
Marks: Falmouth, England; Donegal Bay, Ireland; Bay of Biscay and Ebro Delta, Spain and France; Adriatic Sea, Italy and Croatia.
Method: Spreader bars or lures in the UK (recreational fishing here is strictly catch-and-release with licensed charters), bait in the Mediterranean.
Season: July - October.
Essential kit: Azores Lures Mini Marlin Reaper.
HALIBUT
More and more anglers are targeting halibut these days, in search of a thrilling but challenging opportunity to catch these big flatties – Atlantic halibut can weigh over 300kg and reach 2.5 metres. It’s a species that’s really gaining popularity across Europe.
Marks: Torsvåg, Lofoten Islands, and Vesterålen, Norway; Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland; Outer Hebrides and Orkney Islands, Scotland.
Method: Bottom fishing and jigging.
Season: May - September.
Essential kit: Savage Gear 4D Herring (530g).
BLUE MARLIN
Put simply, the blue marlin is Europe’s saltwater superstar. With acrobatic battles and breathtaking power, specimens can break the 450kg barrier. Prepare for pure adrenaline.
Marks: Azores and Madeira, Portugal; Canary Islands, Spain.
Method: Trolling with lures, bait and switch.
Season: June - September.
Essential kit: Azores Lures Mini Marlin Reaper (sized down from the bluefin version).
SWORDFISH
The sleek, solitary, elusive, and explosive swordfish is a true test for skilled anglers. Steeped in tradition, it is one of the continent’s most prized catches.
Marks: Aegean and Ionian Seas, Greece; Strait of Messina and Sardinia, Italy; Madeira and Azores, Portugal.
Method: Deepwater bait fishing.
Season: May - October.
Essential kit: Why not pack a fly rod? In December 2024, angler Jeremy Block set a new world record when he became the first to document landing a swordfish over 100 pounds on IGFA-legal fly tackle. Sure, it’s incredibly rare, but it’s possible!
WHITE MARLIN
I’ve never landed one of these aggressive but hard-to-hook aerial specialists, but my close friend Peter Haigh from Leadertec has. I’ve turned to him for the below specialist advice.
Marks: Algarve Coast, Portugal. Look for dropoffs, canyons, and underwater rises that’ll host squid and baitfish. This can be as close as 8km from the coast, but usually around the 20km mark beyond the 300-metre depth contour.
Method: Trolling with lures, bait and switch.
Season: July - October.
Essential kit: Sized-down blue marlin lures (180–280mm); 6-7ft rod with 16-30lb tackle; hook sizes between 6/0 and 9/0. Tip: check your hook tip regularly for damage, especially after a fight – anything less than razor sharp is useless.
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