Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 7:29am
Hi Andy,
I’m in 2 clubs (Rod and Reels and Abbey Angling), both have websites, but there is a third, Carp R Us. The majority of the members live around Cabo Roig, Villa Martin and Playa Flemenca, quesada, La Marina, etc (the large ex pat enclaves) though there are members who are in based the UK, Holland, etc who come over and fish the odd match.
R&R and AA have basically the same members in them and there is 2 different clubs as it’s allows them more access to federation waters, which matches have to be allocated by club, so 2 clubs allows them twice the amount of matches. There are also a number of Spanish clubs who fish these waters, the reason for the allocation.
The Spanish clubs don’t tend to fish El Bosquet as it isn’t suited to the Spanish rules. No ledgering, poles max length 13m, bait must be off the bottom, no pellets, to name just a few. Though Brit clubs don’t have to follow these rules.
I only joined at the beginning of 2020 when I moved out here, so it’s been an terrible year due to Covid.
As stated by others, the main fishery, and the only one still open, is El B it’s by Crevillente. It’s a classic man made, UK match commercial. There are currently 2 matches a week there as there is no where else allowing fishing locally due to Covid. Think it’s regularly match fished by CRU also, plus a few pleasure anglers. Most matches there attract around 20 anglers.
As far as I’m aware there are no other commercials anywhere around this part of Spain, if any in Spain at all, just a few natural venues, but they are few and far between.
I can’t go anymore as I live in Murcia region and we can’t cross the boarders. However, if Valencia also shut their internal boarders, which they are talking about, that will put paid to most of the anglers going also. Therefore, nowhere will be viable until next summer.
They did fish other venues, like on the River Segura in the centre of Murcia. Used to love fishing there! However, this and other venues are controlled by the Murcia Federation who have suspended all match fishing until further notice due to C19.
You need both Murcia and Valencia Licenses, as El B is Valencia and the river is Murcia. I think most of the other venues they fished are in Valencia, but never got to go to them due to C19.
These are obtainable from a tackle shop in Torrevieja. The lady who runs it will do all the paperwork and get you the licenses for a very small fee. Something like €30 all in for the year. If you’re a pensioner it’s a one off fee, but under pension age it’s renewed yearly. On top we have to have a Murcia Federation card, somewhere around €25. Someone from the club will again get you these for a small fee. Again renewable yearly.
I don’t remember having to give my NIE, but it was a year ago, so might have been needed. Plus the prices I’ve quoted might be a bit off. However, the Federation card gives you the insurance. Generally it’s all very easy as there is always someone who will help. I know that some of the clubs members even helped by building some of the pegs at El B.
I seem to be one of the few anglers based this far south, Los Alcazares, but we do get one or two who come up from Andalusia, they can only fish matches by Spanish rules, as there are no British clubs in that region.
Doesn’t seem to be much of a specimen following, but that might be due to the venues we fish. A few pleasure anglers, around 4 to 5 each time we fish at El B, but again that could be because if they fish when there’s a match on they have limited water availability.
The upshot is a number of the anglers are fed up with El B, as it’s a typical hole in the ground fishery and there currently is no alternative. There are a lot of the older anglers who love the place (nearly all the clubs members are retired) as there’s no walking and you can park behind your peg. However, another commercial alternative would be great, and I suspect, if the right type of venue would be very extensively used.
Maybe somewhere further North than Mazarrón would be better, as there doesn’t seem to be too many anglers living that far south, and also given its location is quite difficult to get to. Tolls, mountains, etc.
The Spanish guy and his son who own El B don’t have much idea about what anglers need, and never ask advice or take any notice if offered, so, again, someone who understood the UK angling scene would offer, a much needed, viable alternative that I’m sure would be extensively used.
If you want any further information please don’t hesitate to contact me.