osnabuluru

I'm very interested in an excursion of 1/2 day fishing while in Greece. (This will be with my soon-to-be 13 yr old nephew). I am having a difficult time finding anything for this amount of time. I do not want to do this by myself; instead, I want to hire a crew because he has been only a few times and I've never been.

I haven't yet decided which islands to visit, and while Athens is one of the cities we'll be in, we can work into the rest of the trip backwards.

I would really appreciate anyone's help with names of companies, websites or any helpful tips you can provide.

Thank you so much!
Felicia

neckervd

How can you expect anybody to answer as long as you don't tell us WHERE you want to fish.

brotherleelove2004

Yes, I agree. You need to decide where you will be going first before asking questions.

I recommend Santorini. You can fish with Captain Stathis: http://www.santonet.gr/sailing/anemos-boat

osnabuluru

Neckervd: The same way I expect anyone to answer. I rely on people's experience. If I had the answers, I would not be here.

Surely there are better fishing opportunities in the various islands and cities in Greece than there are in others. I assume, for example, that Mykonos would be better than Athens.

Thank you, brotherleelove2004, for your suggestion.

If anyone else has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate them.

Felicia

Heimdall

Hi osnabuluru,

No one is being snarky — I've never heard of a specific place in Greece where people go for sport fishing, so that's why they asked.

Commercial fishing in the Aegean and Ionian seas has drastically reduced the fish stocks, and that may be one reason why rod & line fishing for sport is so rare. In harbours you will see men fishing with spools of monofilament line for tiddlers, but I know that's not what you mean.

Plan your trip, tell us what islands or coastal areas you hope to visit, and someone may be able to help you find what you are looking for.

neckervd

The length of the Greek Sea coasts (Islands included) is about 15000 km, with a fishing village at least every 50 km

nukesafe

In my youth I crewed on commercial fish boats for a couple of years in northern California, so when we did our cruise in the Med on a sailboat I trailed some sort of fishing gear almost all the time to show the kids what a great fisherman their dad was.

Went from the south of France, down the Spanish coast, island hopped as far East as Lebanon and back to France. I hooked only two fish in three years and landed only one. I would watch the fish boats go out at dawn each day and come back in the evening. I'd walk over to view their meager catch --- really pitiful.

Really little joy for sports fishermen in the Med, IME.

osnabuluru

Well, I appreciate the replies. I'll explain how little I know about fishing (as I said, never been personally) but is there a difference in sport fishing? We don't intend on shipping any back home (we will just throw back after photos!)

Also, as I mentioned, I can plan the trip around the best place to go fishing. It seems that the consensus is that it's pretty much doable anywhere in Greece with a coastline; however, when I emailed a couple of companies who chartered yachts for snorkeling and scuba, they both informed me that it's almost impossible to do this. So I'm getting conflicting information and perceptions.

Since it was suggested that I give the itinerary first, let me say what I am considering is Athens, Santorini and Rhodes. However, I'm flexible on Rhodes and if there is another port within a day's ferry ride from Athens OR Santorini with good fishing opportunities (chartered), then I'm able to make the change, as nothing is in stone.

Thanks again for any help.
Felicia

nukesafe

Felicia, I fail to see what you don't understand about the Mediterranean sea not having many fish. Also, there may be a problem in fishing legally if you are not an EU resident; your profile gives us no clue as to where you live. I looked up a website on fishing in Greece and it specifically says: "Note: Licences are not available to non-EU citizens." http://greece.angloinfo.com/lifestyl...isure/fishing/

In your other thread you mention that snorkeling is one of the things your nephew would like to do, and that is certainly an option in Greece in the warmer months. When would you be going?

travelerjan

osnabuluru, please listen. When people say that fishing is really not a sport in the Mediterranean, it is because there is SO LITTLE to fish for. This sea has been seriously overfished, and the fish population could not recover. So all that is available mainly are small types -- whitebait, sardines, etc. There is an historic reason. When WW II ended, the shortage of food was severe. The populations all around the northern Med were starving... the Greeks worst of all, (over a quartermillion Greeks in Athens died of starvation), because the Nazis had systematically stripped the country of all available food -- crops AND livestock. On the other hand, the armies had left many munitions around. The Spanish, French, Italians, Turks... all these hungry people turned to the sea, and threw explosives in the water, to get seafood protein quickly. The effect was devastating. It was made illegal of course.... but the demand for food continued for many years ... and the Med's fish stock could not recover. Now Europe of course is in a different situation -- but you cannot wish the seas to fill with fish, any more than the US can wish the prairies to fill with buffalo, or the passenger pigeons to come back.

You may not understand this because you are too young and (fortunately) have never encountered this kind of privation. Do some research, instead of doubting what knowledgeable people like nukesafe say. Count yourself lucky to have always lived in a country (or a hemisphere) where abundance in the sea is your good fortune... so far.

Heimdall

Hi Felicia,

Sport fishing is what an individual does with a rod & reel for fun, while commercial fishing is what a crew does from a boat with nets. Here is an example of a small commercial fishing vessel and its crew mending the nets: https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57627739415280

No one is going to stop your nephew from dangling a line in the water from shore, and if he is very lucky he may even catch a fish (more likely he will give up from boredom). Snorkelling is a lot more fun, especially from beaches with rocky shorelines. Make sure your nephew brings a snorkel & mask, and fins if there is room in your luggage.

I grew up in Wisconsin where fresh water fishing is very good, and did a lot of it when I was your nephew's age. It's great fun when the fish are biting, but boring when they are not. If you want to go on a boat trip, do it for the scenery — some trips will even take you to remote beaches.

Heimdall

Felicia, if you really have your heart set on taking your nephew fishing, I am certain you can find someone willing to take you out on a boat. Just check around the harbours or in travel agents wherever you decide to go — I don't think it makes much difference between one island and another.

osnabuluru

This is the worst response to a sincere question I have ever seen. I originally came on here to ask where would be the best place to take my nephew for fishing for his 13th birthday. I said I did not know anything about fishing and that is why I came to this forum.

I was told that it was impossible for anyone to help unless I have the place(s) already picked out. I was shocked at this response, as I have seen many, many posts on Fodors and other websites where people do not know where to go, only that they have a hobby or desire to do something specific. There are even TV shows that address where to go for the best foods, best places to snorkel, best art, etc.

How was this question any different?

But ok, I went ahead and did that. I narrowed it down to 3 ports. Then I was told that it had already been explained that fishing was not possible in the Mediterranean. Yet it had not. What I HAD been told was that it wasn't GOOD.

I then followed up with a post that said, in my searches, that I had seen some possibilities to do some fishing. I even said that I do not know what "sport fishing" is. Is this deep sea fishing? Is it with a spear? Is it with a rod and reel and worms? (This has since been explained by Heimdall.)

THEN I got a post that said it was NOT possible....oh it is. A fishing license may not be available for non-EU citizens, but I am looking to charter a boat and my friends, that would be from an EU citizen, not myself.

I have traveled to over 60 countries and most of the states in the US. This isn't my first rodeo. It is not necessary to explain the politics of my country with others. Nowhere did I see anyone claiming that I would be taking food out of the mouths of the wonderful Greek people (I have been to Greece before and know firsthand how warm and kind they are.) Heck, IF my nephew or I were to catch a fish, we would gladly give it to the crew. We are certainly not looking to flaunt our wealth or steal from anyone.

I have been so shocked at most (not all) of the responses to the question that I asked that I had to seriously sit back and wonder did I approach this wrong. I researched other questions on this same website and see exactly the same types of questions.

I will say I appreciate the KIND responses from Brotherleeove2004 who had a port recommendation (Heavens! Just what I asked for originally!)and even gave me a website.

Neckervd, you are the one who asked me to come up with a few ports, which I did, then you responded with the size of the coastline. If your point is that Greece is so large, then why can't YOU come up with the name of at least one port?

Nukesafe, your comments have been helpful.

Heimdall, you have been great.

So the decision, for all those who eagerly wait, is that we will either NOT go to Greece and we will go where there is some fishing, snorkeling, different foods, mythology, history and art.....OR we WILL go to Greece and experience all of the aforementioned without the fishing. It's not like fishing is the main reason for the trip, just something a 13 yr old boy said he'd like to do.

Felicia

gigi69

http://greece.angloinfo.com/lifestyl...isure/fishing/

I read this. It clearly states that NO license is needed to fish along the shore.Rod fishing is allowed.
IMO most 13 year old boys would love shore fishing.

osnabuluru

Gigi69:
Thanks for that link. I think it sounds like fun, and I bet we would have a few people nearby to help and join in as well.
Felicia

gigi69

Felicia
My husband and I fish along the coast a lot. Not in Greece,but it is alot of fun and a great way to meet people from all over.
Even if you only catch one fish you guys will have a great adventure.

Heimdall

Gigi69's link was the same one provided by nukesafe earlier in the thread.

Felicia, I'm happy you found my posts "great". I always try to put a positive tone in my posts, partly because that is my nature, and partly because that is the best way to get one's point across.

IMO you should plan your trip around places you want to see for the scenery, history, etc, then look for fishing opportunities when you get there. If your nephew catches a fish, no one will think he is "taking food out of the mouths of the wonderful Greek people". Most quality fish (sea bream, red mullet, etc) landed during summer months are eaten by tourists anyway, served in restaurants at eye-watering prices.

Have a good trip, and I hope your nephew enjoys his fishing experience!

gigi69

Heimdall
I reposted that link because I wanted the OP to read the positive portion.
Nukesafe made it seem as though you have to an EU citizen to fish in Greece period. That is not what the link says.

osnabuluru

Gigi69, you're right. I have since spoken (sorry, emailed) to four different companies in 2 places (Athens and Santorini) who do take people out fishing. I was rather surprised at the cost, but apparently this is just one of those things I said I didn't know much about - the cost of doing this for 1/2 day is really high! But this is all in the planning phase now, and we just want to have a good time and this is my gift to him for his "Big 13".
Thanks again.

nukesafe

I do hope you are able to please your nephew with the thrill of landing a fish or two. My points were not meant to be discouraging about that noble goal, merely to point out that fishing in the Eastern part of the Med is not very good at all. You would probably have much better luck at the Western end of that big maritime desert in Spain or Portugal near the Straits of Gibraltar, and/or the Atlantic Ocean.

Unless you are set on Europe, and you did say in your other post you promised the kid you would take him anywhere in the world, there are many places that catching a fish is as easy as throwing a hook in the water. Cabo San Lucas, comes to mind.