I just take a telescopic carp rod in a strong rod tube and a few bits and bats in the suitcase on my normal holiday trips. But I wrote an article about last years trip to Salou that hasn't yet appeared in the Members articles section of the main site. I'll post it here for you:-
SALOU FISHINGFor many of us a trip to Spain is not a fishing holiday, but a week or so, of sun, sea, and sand, with our families.
I went to do just that myself, the other week. Finding the usual mix of lively atmosphere, and beach based attractions I expected from a Spanish resort. Now for most of us, the trouble is we are not used to being in such close proximity to our wives and children 24 / 7. So we stick a few days of this, then little by little, start sloping off, trying our hand at sea fishing. Usually with somewhat odd tackle to begin with, unless we actually bring a set of travel tackle with us.
However for those lucky enough to have picked the attractive resort of Salou, on the Costa Dorada,
there exists a possible compromise, in the form of a day out with Salou Sportfishing.
Not, as most would expect, a day sea fishing, but instead a day out on the river Ebro, either fishing for Carp from the bank, or boat fishing for some of the Catfish that inhabit its length.
I came across this cracking service as “Her Indoors” and I were sampling the delights of Christy McGrath’s “Guinness Tavern” in Salou’s new town. After a few days of fairly ordinary hotel food, (which, in some big hotels, can be mass catering at its worst), I just fancied a crack at some solid home cooked nosh. It had nothing to do with the coolness of the Guinness. Honest !
Anyway we had been munching away on some lovely snap, chatting to Halde, Leslie and Nicola about local fishing, in general, when Christy himself came in, and soon had his mobile out trying to fix up a day out for us. “For, didn’t he know just the man to help us !”
Now the sad thing about the river Ebro, is, a visitor does need help. Because, (despite being able to drive near to great lengths of it), 90% is completely inaccessible to a casual visitor. Not without the use of a boat, anyway, and during the Summer months what you can get to, seems choked solid with weed.
The casual angler, not knowing the river then, can expect to be on a bit of a hiding to nothing. Even if he just happens to have the tackle, bait, licences, by the way it is true, about how hard it is to get the right licence, and the fact you will need to produce it sooner or later, (not like over here), plus also transport, lying around handy.
This is where Mike, and Salou Sport fishing, comes in.
For, not only does he offer the local knowledge of the river, but everything needed for a days fishing as well!
The deal is, for just 75 euro’s a day, per head, he will collect a minimum of two anglers, from your hotel in Salou, around 8.30 am. Drive you up onto a good spot on the river. Then supply the rods, reels, alarms etc., plus bait, and licences, for you to have a crack at Carp, Catfish*, Black Bass, or Zander. Finally he will bring you back to your hotel for around 6.30pm in time for evening meal.
All you need to bring is a packed lunch, plenty of water, suitable clothing and sun screen !
I say the latter as part of the afternoon I went up there, it felt like my brains had melted, and were trying to slowly leak out of my ears.
Since this was only in early June. I wonder what it feels like in the height of the warmer months?
Ok, the area we fished that day, was a bit lacking in cover / shade. The usual area he takes folk to for Carp fishing trips, was shut to angling that day, (for a boating event). Judging by the photos of happy anglers clutching their new personal best fish, it offers much more shade also.
During the Autumn, and early Winter, the weed growth fortunately dies back a huge amount, and its then that Mike offers what to many, may be the best deal of all.
For the same rate, ie 75 euros a day, he offers to collect visitors from the local Airport (Reus), transport them to his farm, supply self catering accommodation in a caravan, and the use of a 4 x 4 type vehicle while you are there, as well as all the other kit. With the prices offered by the budget airlines to Reus, this is a cracking way to try for some belting fish, out of the usual Summer months.
Mikes service makes you think a bit, if you just happen (?) to be considering a Summer holiday with the family in Spain eh?
Contact Salou Sport Fishing at:-
salousportfishing@hotmail.com
or phone Mike when you get to Salou, on either 666612398, or 625863778, or 664096276.
Good luck.
BOF
