Average Temp 21C January to December     Water River Ebro, River Guadiana     Type of Fishing River Fishing     Main Species Catfish, Barbel     Prices from: £555.00 per person

The Area
The Guadiana river system containing the Ruidera lakes and reservoir of Peñarroya (South-Central Spain, 250 km South from Madrid, in the province of Ciudad Real) are home to the largest concentration of Giant Barbel in the world, regularly reaching in excess of 10kgs and with the current record standing at 14.7kgs, a 15kg fish cannot be far away. This rich productive river system also offers the chance to target 30lb plus Carp, Black Bass, Pike and Trophy Rudd. Historically the reservoirs hold more Barbel, but they do not reach to such large sizes normally averaging 7-9kgs However in the older lake systems the mature fish can reach up to 15kgs.

Techniques and Methods
Bait fishing with boilies and other baits, like crayfish and dead fish have been the most prodictive to date, but these areas are still unexplored and offer great chances for experimentation. Two rods are allowed per angler. Lure fishing can be productive for the Black Bass and Pike.

Season
The season is open all year, but the peak periods are Spring and Autumn (April-May and October-November). They are however relatively unaffected by the winter drop in temperature and continue feeding throughout. Local Spanish barbels experts fish regularly in the Winter months with good results taking up 6 fish of over seven kg. in just a trip).

The only season that we do not recommend is Summer, daytime temperatures are very high (40-45 degrees in the day) and fishing is normally restricted to dusk, dawn. May offers the chance to fish common barbel during their spawning stage in rivers Tajo and Guadiela, 120 and 150 km from Madrid (one hour by car approx.), catches can be excellent with 15 - 20 fish between 2-4 kg not uncommon and the possibility of catching fish up to 6 kg. We can offer this as an add on day during the Giant Barbel fishing trips. Trips will normally run from Monday to Friday as this offers best access to all of the areas. Although longer trips are available.

Organisation and Logistics
The Guide will collect you from the airport and will provide transport throughout the period of your stay. You will normally fish up to 3 different areas during your trip. During the trips we can offer qa range of accomodation, but normally we would attempt to organise a 2 star Hotel on a half board basis (breakfast and dinner), located conveniently in the fishing area.

There is an option to stay unguided on one of the lakes, and to organise your own transport, this can be a cheapper option, but Guiding is highly recommended for the best results.

A Tackle set up can be rented at approx £40 per week.

Fishing Licenses need to be applied for in Spain 30 days prior to departure, and cost approx 15 euros per person. The guide will arrange all this.

Flights are EasyJet to Madrid (from Liverpool, Gatwick or Luton) average cost when booked at least 4 months in advance is £45 return. Luggage allowance is 20kgs Hold luggage and 5kgs hand luggage.

Bait
Red crayfish boilies made by the guide, Deadbaits (rudd or similar), natural live American Signal crayfish and Sweetcorn are all effective at certain times of year . It is also possible to use other kinds of boilies in the area, with good results, like Scopex and fish (flour) boilies, but most of Spanish giant barbel experts prefer specifically boilies made from Red crayfish (or similar, for example sea shrimps).