«This land does not look like any other place. Sardinia is something else: enchanting space all around and distances to be travelled, nothing is finite, nothing is defined. It is like freedom itself.»
(David Herbert Lawrence, from Sea and Sardinia, 1921).
The name Sardinia derives from its past inhabitants: the Shardana (Sherden). Well known in ancient times by both the Phoenicians and the Greeks, it was called Hyknusa or Ichnussa (Ιχνουσσα) by the latter, while the Latins called it Sardinia. It is the second largest of the Italian islands and of the entire Mediterranean Sea (23,821 km²); it is situated between the 41st and the 39th parallel, at a distance of around 187 nautical miles from the Italian coast, and of only 11 miles from Bonifacio, Corse.
species, where the remains of the mysterious nuragic civilisation are to be found.
Its position means it is a good point of transit on the migration route of forage fish and all the predators which follow them. The abundance of rocky and shallows coasts, which are good refugia for alevins of many species to take refuge in, contribute to maintaining a stable and abundant fish population. Furthermore, thanks to its particular orogenesis, the Sardinian coast has a low human population density in relation to the length of its coast (1 million of people) and the low fishing pressure from professional fishermen maintains fish stocks at an acceptable level.
The Sardinian sea bottom is famous for the richness of its species and the clarity of its waters, and thanks to this fortunate combination, the island has been considered an ideal locationfor tourism and sportfishing, in particular for spinning and vertical jigging.
Catchable species
The cold months: looking for Seabass and Barracuda
The specie which is most sought by anglers in Sardinia in all seasons, but above all during the cold months, is the Seabass (D. labrax). Best conditions for this kind of fishing in Sardinia are when the sea surface is perturbed or when it is calm just after a storm, as this predator has the habit of hunting in the seashore exploiting the poor visibility of a murky undertow or even an outfall.
The most used tackle for Seabass is a classic light spinning rod of around 2.10-2.40 metres in length which casts up to 30-40 grams, matched with a medium/high 3000-4000 size reel with a 20-40lbs dyneema or spectra 
braided line and 20-50lbs nylon or fluorocarbon terminal tackle, depending on the type of seabed and the sea conditions.
Minnow are the best choice as lures, from 8 to 17 cm, as they have the features of not sinking too much, such as lipless minnow, or other ones that don’t have big lips such as Ima Sasuke, Komomo, Duo Terrif, Nabarone, Rapala Max Rap, Duo Tide Minnow, Daiwa Shore line shiner.
Other artificial baits which gives best results for Seabass in rocky shore are topwater, such as small poppers or WTD (Walking the Dog) which should be used near to rocks or small outfalls.
We can say that Seabass fishing in Sardinia is very closer to what happens in the Mediterranean rocky shore of France and Corse. Seabass fishing from the beach is also possible, while fishing in estuary is quite less common, being the Island not so rich of rivers (and many times these places are too crowed by surfcasters and bottom fishing anglers).
On the deeper seabed, such as volcanic ones which have sudden drops, you can often catch another fascinating predator which has been populating the Sardinian coasts for around the last fifteen years: the Yellowmouth Barracuda (Sphyraena viridensis) which has become in the last years one of the most usual prey for anglers that use artificial baits. Their diffusion to areas under rocky coasts is now practically guaranteed almost all year round, except in particularly coldest periods of the year (usually February/March), when large schools move for refuge in small tourist harbours where they can still, however, be caught. The mating season is May, when cudas are largely present inshore but didn’t hunt/eat until they are attending their reproductive affairs. In Summer, when a lot of turist makes that most of fish swim away, during sunset and nightime is possible in many spots (mainly high rocky shore) to catch also large specimens with topwater lures and flat sea. For Barracuda, timing is essential for a shore spinner: they will come closer for casting at dawn and sunset and captures also usually concentrated in these periods, during the day is very unusual to see Cudas when the sea is calm.
Barracuda likes mainly minnows, that floats in the upper side of the water column (except for the coldest period, when they swims deeper): the size is not a matter for them, generally bigger is better, long jerk are very appreciated by big and small cudas, with a classical slow jerking with the tip of the rod down. Most wanted colours are sardine and glowing colours such as vis yellow, white, orange. When the winter makes the water temperature colder, barracuda became lazy and swim deeper: in these situation best choice should be lipless sinking (Rapala Glidin’ rap is probabily the most appreciated by their teeth) but also soft plastics shad and classical jigs with bucktail dressing are very effective, even cudas mouth will destroy soon your litle arsenal and get away some jigs. Wire leader is not a good choice because reduce dramatically strikes and didn’t give any feeling from you and the lure: best choice is a good monofilament leader (nylon or fluorocarbon) of 50/60 lbs.
We can easily use the same fishing rod and reel that we use for Seabass from shore, even if, especially in the Spring, when the large females draw near for reproduction, a slightly more powerful tackle could be recommended, given that 5-6kg specimens and even monsters weighing up to 10-12kg can be caught.
Sometimes, when fishing from a rocky coast, if the conditions are good and fortune is on your side, it is possible to see one of the most fascinating predators of the Mediterranean, the lord of the high seabed and the submerged shallows: the Dentex (Dentex dentex), a beautiful Sparidae which patrols the rocky seabed in search of its preferred prey: Squid, Garfish, Mullets and Chromis.
Up to now, only the few fortunate anglers who have had the pleasure of catching a Dentex and they have used 12-16 cm sinking minnow or bucktail jigs, to be worked on the sea bottom. The defences of this predator are lively and it is always on the lookout for a rocky sea bottom to hide in. The Dentex, on the other hand, is one of the most frequent prey for those who have access to a boat in these months and can try their hand at vertical Jigging. This technique, which is ever more frequently practised, also enables Amberjacks, Sea Perch, and School Tunas to be caught, other than the capture of these beautiful Sparidae, producing intense emotion and breathtaking combat.
The warm months: Tunids, Leerfish, Bluefish and Dolphinfish
When days starting to get longer is the sign that pelagics following the shoals of Anchovies and Sardines are coming closer to the coast.
One of the most exciting fish to catch is Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) which have a range which is limited to a few costal areas, above all near to ports or river and fish trade outfalls.
The Bluefish is a ravenous predator which can even reach 8-9 kg in weight and is one of the most engaging fighters for the seaspinner due to its habit of violently leaping out of the water to free itself and due to its extraordinary teeth which really put the fishing line and moreover your leader to heavy test.
This predator is active all day but it is, above all, at sunset/night when it is easiest to hook with surface lures and classic minnow baits. The bait which have given the most important results, up to now, are classic skipping lures such as Robert Lure Rangers and Italian Utopia tackle Ketch; also pencil poppers are good and sometimes, lipless and WTD.
Roughly in the same environment of bluefish, we can also find the queen of the Mediterranean artificial bait anglers: the Leerfish (Lichia amia).
On the Sardinian coast, the Leerfish fishing season begins in April/May, when tthey comes closer to shore for breeding and where they can find large shoals of their favourite prey: mullets, so the best spots to catch them 
are river outfalls and ports where they are to be found in abundance. Large Leerfish in these settings appear to be real invaders, it is easy to see them in groups of 6-8 specimens, which during the warmest parts of the day push the Mullets to the surface and hem them in towards the shore.
Spinning for large Leerfish is for “diehard spinner”: an angler who wants to catch this fish hanging from his rod must be very patient as often the hours spent without seeing a fin are never-ending. He must be able to keep a cool head: when the Leerfish finally ventures towards the artificial bait he must not balk, as a slow recovery or a hasty strike can thwart days of fishing. He needs to be in good condition: casting heavy artificial bait which can weigh 60-80 grams for hours with appropriate rods is not for everyone!
Indeed, these situations should be faced with heavy spinning tackle, so 2.20-2.70 rods and fast or extrafast actions which are able to cast heavy bait such as large poppers, skipping lures and pencils weighing from 50-90 grams should be used. The rod must have a good power reserve in order to support the fleeing fish which can weigh 20 kg and over.
The reel must be adequate for the rod and the prey and must contain at least 250 metres of 50lb braided GSPE line (5000/8000 sizes are the best choice), it must have very good friction, which is both fluid and which unreels the line without jerking, in general it should have a 50-60lb nylon or fluorocarbon terminal, which should be tied with a Bristol knot to the braided double with a Bimini Twist at the end section.
In Autumn, Spinner most wanted fish is the Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), a beautiful fish with bright colours which moves in large shoals patrolling the coasts perennially on the look out for small fish to terrorise with violent feeds at the surface.
This predator can also be caught near to floating objects such as wrecks or Buoys due to its habit of staying in the shadows of these objects (FADs), the most profitable artificial baits are all the classic surface artificial bait such as surface lipless, poppers or skipping lures, metallic-sardine jigs or classic bucktail or synthetic hair jigs, which should be used when the shoals of Dolphinfish are much deeper.
The recommended rod for this strong and entertaining prey could be a 2.10 metre rod which casts up to 30-50 grams, matched with a classic 4000/5000 high ratio reel (fastest is better) and usually 30-40lb braided line.
Even is possible to catch Dolphins’ when they comes closer to the coasts, boast fishing is quite recommended for a better results, maybe looking for fads and fries inshore.
Fishing from boat is possible to catch also other pelagics such as Sarda sarda or Mackerel Tuna (Euthynnus alletteratus) or Frigate Tuna (Auxis thazard) as well as Dolphinfish; these are all fish which despite the small size which they usually reach are able to develop exceptional strength and to put our tackle to the test. Bluefin tuna is present in all these places, spinning for this fish requires specific tackle and good experience and is stricktly regulated by severe legislation (minimum size: 30Kg, 135 cm minimum length) and for the fishing period, allowed only by 15 of June to 15 of October.
Where to fish
Sardinia is situated in the centre of the Western Mediterranean, at just 12 km from Corsica, 120 km from Tuscany and 185 km from the coast of North Africa. The climate is generally mild, influenced by air masses from the Atlantic, Africa and the Arctic. The weather is generally good: there are around 300 days of sun during the year and rain on the other days, with the highest concentration of rain in the Winter and Autumn seasons and a few sudden heavy downpours in the Spring. The island is very windy, with the Maestral wind– which comes from the North West – dominating, it is cold and biting in the Winter, while in the Summer it makes the heat milder and the air drier and more breathable. Less frequently, there is the Scirocco wind, which the Southern coast is exposed to, and the Levanter and North-easterly winds which blow along the West coast. For this and other reasons, Sardinia is an ideal place for sports fishing, both for the fishing techniques from dry land (Fly-fishing and Spinning) and from boats such as Vertical Jigging and Trolling. In any case, it is a good idea to remember that even if it is a splendid island, Sardinia is not a Caribbean flat or an ocean spot, so Sardinian fishing spares no sacrifices and it is not always possible to be fortunate enough to catch what you would like to catch. This is also because the island is fortunately exposed to winds which can have a positive or negative influence on the fishing outcome. Without doubt, the best way to be able to take advantage of the island’s potential is to plan a fishing holiday with an expert guide, who can adequately advise you on the best period in reference to your needs.
Guides: Alghero and the Riviera del Corallo (West Coast)
Alghero is a small Catalan outpost in Sardinia, a city with a fine historical centre which overlooks a well maintained port and a coastline which is famous the world over for its spectacular reefs and its numerous white beaches which attract thousands of tourists every year. A holiday in Alghero is the best way for an angler to combine his passion with pleasing the family, as they can enjoy the beauty of the uncontaminated sea and in the evening can find at least a little nightlife to complete the holiday.
As an expert guide for our fishing in Alghero, we found Daniele Foddai who mainly dedicates himself to live bait Trolling and vertical Jigging, but also for inshore spinning and flyfishing. He has been one of the first sport-fishing guide in Alghero, available for individual and group tours. He can be contacted via email : murkellino@yahoo.it or by Cel.:+39 328 4766494.
Comune di Alghero
http://www.alghero-turismo.it
Stintino and the Asinara Gulf (North coast)
Stintino is a small fisherman town in the northern part of Sardinia, in front of the beautiful National Park of the Asinara Island
For its location, it’s a natural paradise for anglers in search of the queen of the coast, the seabass, but its also one of the best place whre to fish for Yellowmouth Barracuda. In summer the fishing becomes problematic for large tourist flow concentrated in a relatively small area. This does not exclude completely the fishing, though, except during rare summer disturbance is confined to the times of sunrise and sunset and at night. Inshore fishing is very good for dolphinfish (there are few fads a couple of miles out of the harbour) and small tunids. The authors of this article are based in the small town and could provide various information for anglers that would fish from shore, but there’s also the possibility to go out with some local guides (send an email to the author to kahuna@videospin.it)
Comune di Stintino
http://www.comune.stintino.ss.it 
Getting there
Sardinia is easily accessible by plane that flying several times per day from Rome or Milan on Alghero (West/North Coast) Olbia (East coast) and Cagliari (South). The Island has a typical Mediterranean weather, car hire is strongly suggested for moving free (also because train and bus service is not so efficient, especially if you have to reach a fishing spot). No special visa is required. Food, history and nature makes this trip very interesting also for non-fisherman, and from May to October is amazing for its beautiful beaches that remember other far tropical locations.
In all main city are available hotels of all quotation, even the best for anglers is B&B accommodation: a quick Google research will gives you several opportunities in Alghero, while in Stintino few are open during the low season, you can try the nice B&B Il Porto Vecchio (www.bbstintino.com).
