Particular self-catering holidays work for fishing trips especially if you will spend multiple days on the water or if you will visit different fishing spots. These allow you the flexability to create your own schedule without preocupations from hotel dining sultations. If you are serious about fishing, that flexability makes a huge difference.

Why Self-Catering Suits Fishing

Self-catering fishing holidays are popular due to the early starts required. if you are heading to the water on a boat at 6am or are getting to a river befor the bogged down crowds, the last thing you want to be doing is waiting on someone to open the kitchen or be checking out of initial accommodations that their receptiuon desk is open. With self catering accommodations, you can simply get up rcquiresed, grab a quick breakfast from your own kitchen, and hit the road.

There is also the practical side of excess fishing gear and storing it at your hotel. Rods, tackle boxes, waders and other equipment can be large and hotels are not often set up to hold that fishing gear. A cottage or self catering apartment usually give you more space to spread out and openly use the fishing gear at your own ease without the hussle of hotel rules.

When it comes to cooking your own catch, it is always good to have your own kitchen. On a fishing holiday, it will always be a highlight getting your catch for the day and preparing it for dinner. It always makes the trip feel personalized and of course, something you can’t do if you are in a hotel.

Where to Find Self-Equipped Rentals for Fishing Holidays
Fishing is a popular holiday and so are self-catering rentals, from simple cabins to fully self-sufficient houses. In the UK, Scotland, Wales and the Lake District are well set up for fishing holidays. and have good proximity to several fishing properties. For sea fishing, Port town fishing cottages, apartments and self catering rentals in the harbour and other Devon, Cornwall and Scottish Highlands.

Fishing is also popular in other countries, and has self catering rentals for fishing in the most popular places like Norway, Iceland, and Ireland. Spain and Portugal also do well for fishing Self catering rentals are located near fishing spots to help you enjoy the weather and Sea fishing.

While booking accommodation, it is helpful to understand how close it is to the fishing area. Some places market themselves as fishing-friendly locations, but they aren’t very close to where water is. This is frustrating if you plan to fish early in the mornings.

Things to Keep in mind When Booking

More places are starting to advertise fishing friendly accommodation. Therefore, let’s consider storing fishing rods and tackle as well as storage for other equipment that may require some space. Ideal storage includes garages, sheds, and places to hang dry clothes and waders. Also, if you plan to eat what you fish, it is helpful to check if the accommodation has cooking facilities that include a large oven and stovetop as well.

Furthermore, if parking is available, it reduces the stress of carrying fishing and travel equipment to and from the car. Accommodations with off-road parking are a better option as they can provide sufficient unloading space, which is a nice change compared to unloading equipment from a narrow street.

Lastly, some self-catered accommodations are operated by fishermen and can provide fishing information and local recommendations for guides, tackle shops, and fishing sites. This can save you a lot of time by spending less time figuring out where to fish, and it is a good idea to consider local knowledge when booking fishing accommodation.

When it comes to planning your angling holiday, there’s little that beats the flexibility of being able to self-cater and have the freedom to fish on your own terms. What is it that makes having that self-catering accommodation trump the convenience of having a hotel? The flexibility.

Portugal’s coast is over 1,700 kilometers long, a good portion of which is available for shore fishing. If you have an apartment or villa along the coast, you can fishing from the rocks, beach, or harbour walls without booking a boat trip. No prior experience is necessary, and you can easily obtain the required gear.

What You’ll Need

For shore fishing in Portugal, you’ll want a decent rod and reel, some fishing line, weights, hooks, and bait. If you have not brought tackle with you, most coast towns have fishing shops where you can buy or rent equipment. The staff are often friendly and can make suggestions that work best for the area’s fishing conditions. A basic rod and reel setup costs around €30-€50, and expect to pay a bit more for bait and tackle.What to use for bait varies from target species, but prawns, squid, and lugworms are available at tackle shops and are good all rounders. For bass and other predatory species, some use lures, but for beginners bait tends to work best.

Where to Fish

In the Algarve, there are many good fishing locations, especially for shore fishing. Albufeira, Sagres, and Lagos have rocky areas and fishing harbor walls with locals, which are great fishing spots. Fish are more often caught at rocky shorelines than at the sandy beaches, as the rocky shorelines have more food, cover, and fish. Look for spots with deeper water near the shore, as that is more likely to be areas that fish hang around.

Piers and harbors are good starting points because of the ease of access to different water depths for fishing and for fishing at different times. The only downside is the crowd, especially during weekends, so getting there early will often give you a greater chance of getting a good fishing spot.

Fishing is very famous in the Peniche, Nazare, and Ericeira areas, and for good reason too. The fishing here is very good, and it is some of the most popular fishing in the country. The Atlantic swells are larger in this area, and so the conditions can be a little rougher, but they do have a greater variety of larger fish.

What to catch

Fishing from the shore, some of the more common fish you will find are, bream, bass, mullet, and mackerel. Out of the bunch, bream are common, are not too tricky to catch, and will bite on small bits of squid or prawns. Getting a bass can be a bit more tricky, however it is worth the effort, especially if you are fishing out of mouth of the rivers or rocky areas as they can be a little more abundant. Getting a mullet can also be a bit tricky as they are very cautious and do not bite too often, however if you are able to land one they are worth the effort as they are decent fish to eat.

During the summer months, mackerel become very abundant and are also very easy to catch. They are a very entertaining catch too, especially if you are fishing with a light setup. They are also a very good fish to eat if you plan to bring some back to your apartment.Timing and Conditions

Tide changes impact shore fishing. The best time to fish is generally around high tide, as water is more likely to push fish closer to the shore. Early morning and late evening are more productive than midday, as fish are more active and it’s cooler outside.

Calm weather is best for beginners, but fishing conditions are often better with a little swell, as it can stir the seabed and bring food closer to shore. When it comes to rough weather, they are probably better off staying on land.

Fishing from the shore of Portugal can be a relaxing way to spend a few hours, and, while boat trips catch more fish, it doesn’t break the bank once the gear is set up.