What to expect on a half-day fishing trip off Budva

You do not need to know anything about fishing to enjoy a morning of it. A half-day trip off Budva is as much about being out on the water at sunrise as it is about what ends up in the bucket. Still, it helps to know what you are signing up for.

The shape of the morning

Most half-day trips last around four hours and start early, often soon after dawn. Fish feed more actively in the cooler hours, the sea is usually calmer and you are back before the midday heat. Some owners also run late-afternoon trips that end at sunset.

You meet the skipper at the harbour, pay, get a short safety briefing and head out. The first fishing spot is usually not far: around the island of Sveti Nikola, which lies just off Budva, or along the rocky coast towards Sveti Stefan and Petrovac. Depending on how the fish are biting, the skipper may move two or three times.

How you will fish

The skipper chooses the method to suit the season, the weather and the group. The two you are most likely to meet are:

Bottom fishing

The boat anchors or drifts over a reef, and you lower a baited line to the bottom and wait for a bite. It is easy to learn, there is nearly always something happening, and it is the best choice for children and complete beginners.

Trolling

The boat moves slowly and pulls lures behind it. There is more waiting and less to do with your hands, but the fish are usually bigger and the moment a reel starts to run is hard to forget.

Rods, reels, tackle and bait are normally provided. The skipper will show you how to hold the rod, how to feel a bite and how to bring a fish in. Nobody expects you to know.

What you might catch

The Adriatic off Budva is home to many species. On the bottom you may meet sea bream of several kinds, comber and the spiny, reddish scorpionfish, which the skipper will unhook for you because its spines sting. Trolling may bring bonito, mackerel or, on a lucky day, dentex or amberjack.

Nothing is guaranteed, and honest skippers will say so. Some mornings the bucket fills quickly, on others the sea keeps its fish. Fish that are too small go back into the water.

Judge the trip by the morning, not by the bucket. The view of the old town from the sea at first light is yours whatever the fish decide.

What happens to the catch

Customs differ from boat to boat. Some skippers clean the fish for you to take away, some grill it on board or in a nearby cove, and some trips are catch-and-release. If cooking your own catch matters to you, check the listing or ask before booking.

Do you need a permit?

Recreational sea fishing in Montenegro requires a permit. On organised trips the skipper normally takes care of this for the guests, but it is worth confirming when you book, together with what else is included.

What to bring

• A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun reflects off the water even early in the day.
• A light jacket or long sleeves: it can be cool on the way out.
• Shoes with a grip that can get wet. Decks are slippery.
• Water and a snack, unless the listing says they are provided.
• Motion sickness tablets if you are unsure of your sea legs, taken before you leave.
• Cash in euros, if the trip is paid to the skipper on arrival.

If you are worried about seasickness

A fishing boat sits still or moves slowly, so it rocks more than a boat under way. Eat a light breakfast, avoid looking down at your phone and keep your eyes on the horizon or the shore. Mornings are usually the calmest time of day. If you start to feel unwell, tell the skipper early; moving to a more sheltered spot often helps.

Questions worth asking before you book

• Is the trip private or shared, and how many people will be fishing?
• Which method will we use, and is it suitable for children?
• Are equipment, bait and the permit included?
• What happens to the fish we catch?
• What if the weather is bad on the day?

With those answered, all that is left is to set an alarm. You can browse fishing trips or everything that leaves from Budva.