Marbella sits on the Alborán Sea, the westernmost corner of the Mediterranean, just east of the Strait of Gibraltar. Atlantic water flows in through the Strait, and over the year the fishing off the Costa del Sol swings between bottom fishing over rocky ground in the cooler months and trolling for fast-moving pelagic fish when the water warms up.
This guide follows the same seasonal pattern as our Marbella fishing calendar, with a little more detail on each species and on which trip suits each time of year. Treat it as a planning guide, not a promise: what actually bites depends on water temperature, bait, weather, migration and the rules in force on the day.
The year at a glance
| Month | Season | Typical targets |
|---|---|---|
| January | Bottom marks | Dentex, bream |
| February | Bottom marks | Dentex, bream |
| March | Transition | Bottom species, early pelagics |
| April | Spring movement | Bonito, bottom species |
| May | Pelagics build | Bonito, dorado |
| June | Offshore season | Pelagics, trolling |
| July | Warm-water season | Dorado, bonito |
| August | Warm-water season | Dorado, bonito |
| September | Prime mixed water | Pelagics, reef species |
| October | Transition | Bonito, bottom species |
| November | Bottom focus | Dentex, bream |
| December | Bottom focus | Dentex, bream |
Winter (December to February): bottom marks
When the water is at its coolest, the fishing moves towards the seabed. The main targets are dentex and bream over rocky ground and reef. Dentex (Dentex dentex, dentón in Spanish) is a powerful, predatory member of the sea bream family that lives around rocky bottoms, and it is one of the classic Mediterranean bottom-fishing species.
Winter can bring beautiful calm, clear days, but the weather is more changeable than in summer, so the skipper's call on conditions matters more. A two-hour Quick Strike (€495) or four-hour Marbella Half Day (€795) gives you time to work coastal marks without committing to a long day at sea. Bring a warm, windproof layer: it always feels cooler on the water.
March and April: the transition
Bottom fishing remains the mainstay in early spring, but as the water starts to warm, the first pelagic fish begin to move through. By April, bonito can join the bottom species on the list. Bonito (Sarda sarda) is a fast, schooling member of the tuna and mackerel family, usually caught by trolling lures behind the boat.
May to August: pelagics and trolling
From May the pelagic season builds, and June marks the start of the offshore season. In July and August, warm water brings dorado alongside bonito. Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus), also known as mahi-mahi and in Spain often called lampuga, is a fast, brightly coloured warm-water fish that often gathers around floating objects such as weed lines and drifting debris.
Pelagic fishing usually means covering water, so this is when longer trips make the most sense. Offshore Six (6 hours, €1,095) and All Day Strike (8 hours, €1,395) give the skipper time to search, troll, jig and move between areas as conditions change. Summer also means strong sun and heat: early departures are the most comfortable, and sun protection is essential.
September: prime mixed water
September is one of the most flexible months. The water is still warm from summer while the season starts to turn, so both pelagic and reef fishing are possible. It suits groups who want a mixed day, switching between trolling and bottom marks depending on what is active.
October and November: back towards the bottom
October is another transition month, with bonito still possible alongside bottom species. By November, the focus returns to the seabed and to dentex and bream, the same pattern that carries through the winter.
Can you catch bluefin tuna off Marbella?
Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, atún rojo) migrate between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar, which is part of what makes this coast interesting for big-game anglers. Bluefin is also one of the most strictly regulated fish in the sea: recreational fishing for it is subject to specific authorisations, seasons, quotas and catch rules under international and Spanish law.
We only target regulated species when it is lawful, licensed and within the current catch rules, and we never promise a tuna. If larger pelagics are your goal, our seasonal big game trips run for six hours (€1,295) or eight hours (€1,595), with the plan led by current conditions.
Choosing a trip for the season
- Cooler months and bottom fishing: Quick Strike (2 h, €495) or Marbella Half Day (4 h, €795).
- Warm-water pelagics: Offshore Six (6 h, €1,095) or All Day Strike (8 h, €1,395).
- Seasonal big game: Big Game Six (6 h, €1,295) or Big Game Full Day (8 h, €1,595).
Every price is for the whole private boat, not per person, and the booked duration includes travel to and from Puerto Banús. See the full fishing trip price guide for deposits and what is included, compare all our private fishing charters in Marbella, or read more about deep sea fishing from Marbella. If it is your first time, our guide to your first Puerto Banús fishing charter explains what to expect on the day and what to bring.
Can you keep the fish you catch?
That depends on the species and the rules in force on the day. Minimum sizes, quotas, closed seasons and protected-species rules always come first, and the skipper will explain what can be kept before anything goes in the cool box.