Sport Fishing: Complete Guide to Leerfish Fishing

🎣 Complete Guide to Leerfish Fishing 🌊⚡

Leerfish fishing is one of the most thrilling and engaging experiences in the world of sport fishing. This coastal predator, known for its explosive power, lightning-fast speed, and fierce nature, puts both the equipment and the angler’s skill to the test.

Catching a leerfish (scientific name: Lichia amia) means facing one of the most technical and challenging fish in the Mediterranean, often compared to tropical species for the intensity of the fight. Once hooked, the fish unleashes all its strength with sudden runs, spectacular jumps, and continuous attempts to break free.

In this comprehensive guide, you will discover:

🐟 Characteristics and habits of the leerfish
🧭 Where to find it and the times of year when it is most active
🪝 Effective techniques to catch it (spinning, topwater, trolling, and more)
🧰 Recommended gear: rods, reels, lines, and leaders
🐠 Best baits, both artificial and natural
📌 Useful tips and curiosities to increase your chances of success

Whether you’re an experienced angler seeking a new challenge or an enthusiast eager to try one of the most spectacular fish in our seas, the leerfish will give you moments of pure adrenaline and great satisfaction. Get ready to live an intense and rewarding adventure... because when the leerfish strikes, your heart races! 💥

🐟 Types of Leerfish: Know the Differences ⚖️🌊

The term “leerfish” is often used generically, but it actually refers to two distinct species with very different characteristics and behaviors. It’s important to know these differences to avoid confusion and to know exactly which fish you’re trying to catch.

🎯 1. Leerfish Amia (Lichia amia) – The Queen of Sport Fishing

This is the true star of sport fishing, the most sought-after and combative species.

Main characteristics:

✅ A large coastal predator, it can exceed 50 kg (110 lbs) and 150 cm (59 inches) in length, although specimens between 5 and 20 kg (11–44 lbs) are more common.
🔺 Elongated and muscular body, perfectly designed for speed and power.
✨ Silvery, reflective scales with bluish hues on the back and shiny flanks.
⚡ Short but sturdy dorsal fin, positioned far back from the head.
👀 Tapered head and wide mouth, suitable for preying on pelagic fish such as needlefish, mullets, and sand smelts.

Behavior:

Prefers sandy and coastal bottoms, especially near river mouths, piers, and submerged reefs.
Comes very close to shore during warm months, especially at dawn or dusk.
Moves in small groups or as a solitary individual, hunting prey with lightning-fast strikes.

🧠 This is the quintessential leerfish: a fish that offers breathtaking fights, explosive runs, and true adrenaline rushes.

⚠️ 2. Star Leerfish (Trachinotus ovatus) – Similar but Very Different

Often confused with the leccia amia, but it is a completely different species—smaller and less aggressive.

Main characteristics:

📏 Rarely reaches 2 kg (4.4 lbs) in weight and 50 cm (20 inches) in length.
🔵 Body is more laterally compressed, almost oval-shaped.
🌟 Silvery coloration with small, distinct black spots along the sides.
🧍♂️ Moves in large schools, often visible near the surface.

Behavior:

Mostly present during summer near reefs, sandy beaches, and ports.
Much less powerful and harder to target compared to leccia amia, but still offers fun for light spinning or float fishing enthusiasts.

🧠 A common mistake is to call the star leerfish “leccia” as well: in reality, there is a huge difference between the two in terms of size, behavior, and sporting value.

Both species are found in the Mediterranean Sea and along the European Atlantic coasts, but it’s the Leerfish (Lichia amia) that is the most sought-after by sport fishermen.

 

📍 Where to Fish for Leerfish in Italy 🇮🇹🐟

The lichia amia is a coastal predator that thrives in warm, clear waters rich in baitfish. While it is widespread along much of the Italian coastline, some areas offer particularly high chances of encountering this powerful hunter. Here’s an overview of the best Italian regions to target the queen of predators.

 

🏝️ 1. Sardinia – The Land of Giant Leerfish

The coasts of Sardinia provide the perfect habitat for the growth and hunting behavior of lichia amia.

📌 Top spots:

• Gulf of Cagliari
• Santa Gilla Lagoon
• Oristano and the Sinis Peninsula
• Costa Smeralda (especially Arzachena, Porto Cervo)

🌊 Why it’s ideal:

• Shallow sandy bottoms mixed with rocky shoals
• High presence of baitfish (mullet, garfish, silversides)
• Steady currents that attract predators
• Excellent conditions for shore spinning or kayak fishing

🎣 Tip: Cast lures at dawn near river mouths or sheltered beaches for spectacular strikes.

 

 

🌅 2. Puglia – Surface Action Paradise

Puglia is one of the Italian regions with the highest density of leerfish, especially during the summer months.

📌 Top spots:

• Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo
• Otranto and Baia dei Turchi
• Gargano (Vieste, Peschici)
• Torre Guaceto and the marine reserve

🌊 Why it’s ideal:

• Long sandy beaches with gradually sloping bottoms
• Piers and small ports full of mullet and garfish
• Often crystal-clear waters, offering great visibility for predators

🎣 Tip: Use poppers and stickbaits at sunset in calm water areas where baitfish schools are visible.

 

 

🌋 3. Sicily – Summer Action at Its Best

Leerfish are abundant along the Sicilian coastline, especially from June to October, when they come closer to shore in search of prey.

📌 Top spots:

• Trapani and Marsala
• Stagnone di Mozia (excellent for wading/spinning)
• Catania coast (Acitrezza, Playa di Catania)
• Syracuse, Avola, and Punta del Pero area

🌊 Why it’s ideal:

• Warm waters year-round
• Plenty of natural baitfish
• Currents and upwellings that draw predators

🎣 Tip: In Sicily, dusk or nighttime fishing can be highly productive, especially near ports or river mouths.

 

 

🌄 4. Tuscany and Liguria – The Leerfish of Central-Northern Italy

Although less common than in the South, leerfish are also present in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea, particularly around river mouths and shoals.

📌 Top spots:

• Argentario (Feniglia, Albinia, Talamone)
• Cecina river mouth and Ombrone river
• Gulf of La Spezia
• Cinque Terre (especially during quieter hours)

🌊 Why it’s ideal:

• Good presence of mullet and small pelagics
• Mixed sandy and rocky areas
• Favorable conditions for spinning and coastal trolling

🎣 Tip: In summer, look for feeding leerfish offshore at dawn, or fish near river mouths after rain.

 

 

🧭 Bonus Tips:
📅 Best season: May to October, with peak activity in the warmest months.
🕐 Best times: Dawn and dusk, when leerfish come closer to shore.
🌪️ Ideal conditions: Calm or slightly choppy seas, moderate visibility, and the presence of baitfish schools.

🎯 Leerfish Fishing Techniques

 

🔁 1. Spinning – Action, Adrenaline, and Explosive Strikes!

Spinning is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling and effective techniques for targeting the Lichia amia. Thanks to its aggressive nature and pelagic predator behavior, the leerfish responds decisively to lures retrieved with energy and realism.

🎣 Why choose spinning for leerfish?

✅ Dynamic and visual technique: You often fish by sight, with spectacular topwater strikes.
✅ Highly versatile: Effective from the shore (rocky areas, beaches, river mouths), as well as from boats or kayaks.
✅ Suitable for various conditions: Leerfish can be targeted even in murky, calm, or slightly choppy waters.

 

🧠 How to Spin Effectively

• Long, accurate casts: Leerfish are often found farther from shore or near baitfish schools.
• Vary your retrieve: Mix up speeds, pauses, and jerks to imitate an injured fish.
• Constant observation: Look out for signs of feeding—splashes, fleeing mullet, diving seagulls.

🧪 Recommended Lures

💥 Poppers: Perfect for visual fishing and slightly rough seas—splash and make noise to attract from afar.
🐕 Walking the Dog (WTD): Best in calm water or with wary fish—creates a zigzagging, teasing action.
🪝 Long Jerkbaits: Great for long casts and erratic retrieves—mimic struggling prey.
🔫 Stickbaits: Versatile and deadly at the surface or just below—ideal in low to moderate light.
🐟 Soft swimbaits and rigged soft plastics: Excellent for sluggish fish or in murky water.

📅 Best Time for Leerfish Spinning

• Spring (April–June): Leerfish start moving closer to beaches and river mouths after winter.
• Autumn (September–October): Actively feeding to build up energy before colder months.
• Summer (July–August): Most active at dawn and dusk, especially in areas with lots of mullet.

🧭 Bonus Tip:

🔍 Read the environment: The presence of bait schools (mullet, garfish, silversides) is always a promising sign. In those cases, cast beyond or beside the school and retrieve to mimic a fleeing fish.

 

🐟 2. Live Bait Fishing – Extreme Realism for Record-Breaking Leerfish!

Fishing with live bait is one of the most effective techniques for targeting large leerfish. Thanks to the natural and instinctive movement of live prey, this strategy irresistibly triggers the leerfish’s predatory instinct—especially during periods when it’s cautious or less active.

🎯 Why Use Live Bait?

🎯 Very high success rate: Live bait grabs the attention of even the most sluggish leerfish.
💪 Ideal for big fish: This is the go-to method for anglers chasing trophy-sized catches.
🌊 Works in varied conditions: Effective even in murky water, choppy seas, or strong currents.

🐠 Recommended Live Bait

• 🐟 Mullet: Very resilient on the hook and a favorite for attracting large leerfish.
• 🐉 Garfish: Nervous and slender, it’s a top surface bait that leerfish love to hunt.
• 🎯 Horse Mackerel: Energetic baitfish, perfect for boat or deep pier fishing.
• 👁️ Saddled Bream (Boops boops): Abundant in Mediterranean waters, excellent for fishing near river mouths or rocky structures.

🪝 Recommended Technique: Float or Balloon at Mid-Water

Using a sliding float or a balloon allows you to keep the bait between the surface and the upper water column—where leerfish typically hunt.

• 🎈 Balloon: Perfect when there’s light wind or current; gives the bait a wide range of movement.
• 🪀 Sliding Float (5–20 g): Adjustable depth, great for uneven bottoms or coastal drop-offs.

🧰 Recommended Rig Setup

• 🎣 Fluorocarbon leader (0.50–0.60 mm): Strong enough to withstand teeth and powerful runs.
• 🪛 Single Eagle Beak or Circle Hook (size 2/0–4/0): Ensures solid hookups and reduces harm to the fish.
• 🔗 Strong swivel: Prevents line twist caused by the lively bait.

🕓 Best Time to Use It

• 📆 Summer to early autumn (July–October): Prime coastal hunting season for leerfish.
• 🌅 Dawn and dusk: These are peak activity times, when leerfish move close to shore, piers, and river mouths in search of prey.

🧠 Pro Tip:

🎯 Place your bait near baitfish schools or submerged structures (reefs, river mouths, wrecks): leerfish often wait in ambush around these areas for the perfect moment to strike.

 

🌊 3. Surfcasting – Challenge the Power of the Leerfish from Shore!

Surfcasting, although less commonly used for leerfish compared to other techniques, can be very effective—especially when fishing in rough sea conditions and over sandy or mixed bottoms. This beach-based fishing method takes advantage of currents to draw coastal predators close to the shore.

🎯 Why Use Surfcasting for Leerfish?

🌊 Excellent in tough conditions: Rough seas and murky water trigger the leerfish’s aggression.
🏖️ Shore-accessible: No boat needed—just solid technique and proper gear.
🎣 Surprising catches: Even large leerfish come close to shore in search of food.

🦑 Recommended Natural Baits

To attract hungry leerfish, use large, tough, and aromatic baits:

• 🦑 Whole or cuttlefish chunks: Tough and cast-resistant, great for nighttime predators.
• 🐙 Squid (fresh or thawed): Strong scent in the water; can be hooked whole or in strips.
• 🐟 Mullet or garfish strips: Oily and highly visible meat that stimulates attacks.

💡 Pro Tip: Wrap the bait with elastic thread to keep it secure during casting and in rough waters.

📍 Ideal Fishing Conditions

• 🌬️ Rough or choppy seas: Turbulence enhances predatory behavior and helps conceal your rig.
• 🏝️ Sandy or mixed bottoms with channels and holes: Leerfish patrol these areas looking for prey.
• 🌙 Evening, night, or dawn: These are prime times when leerfish come closer to shore to hunt.

🧰 Recommended Rig and Gear

• 🪝 Short or long arm rig: With fluorocarbon leaders 60–100 cm long, about 0.50 mm thick.
• 🎣 Sinkers of 100–150 g: To withstand wave action and keep bait in place.
• 🏋️♂️ Strong surfcasting rods (4.20–4.50 m): With heavy action for long, accurate casts.
• 🔗 Robust hooks (size 3/0–5/0): Sharp and durable to handle powerful fish strikes.

⚠️ Important Note:

Surfcasting for leerfish requires good beach-reading skills: look for currents, channels, and color changes in the water these are often "natural highways" that leerfish follow while hunting.

🪱 Best Baits for Leerfish – Attract a True Fighting Predator! ⚡🐟

Choosing the right bait is essential when targeting the leerfish—a fast, powerful, and selective predator. Your choice depends heavily on the fishing technique, environmental conditions, and the fish’s behavior at the time.

🎮 🎣 Artificial Lures – The Art of Imitation

Perfect for spinning, these lures trigger the leerfish’s predatory instinct through movement, color, and vibrations:

• 🎯 Stickbaits: Great for fishing on or just below the surface, ideal in calm seas and when fish are visibly hunting.
• 💥 Poppers: Create splash and noise on the surface—perfect for provoking explosive visual strikes.
• 🧊 Long jerks and sinking minnows: Best for deeper or rougher water. Use varied, jerky retrieves to imitate injured prey.
• 🔁 Soft shads and silicone lures: Effective in murky water or when leerfish are less active. Rig them on jig heads for midwater or bottom fishing.

📌 Tip: Use natural colors (white, silver, blue) in clear water and bright shades (yellow, red, chartreuse) in low-visibility conditions.

 

🐟 Live Baits – The Choice of Champions

If you're after a trophy fish, live bait is often your winning card. The natural movement and scent attract even the most passive leerfish.

• 🐟 Mullet: Very durable when hooked, ideal for targeting large predators.
• 🐉 Garfish: Slim and skittish, its frantic movement in the water is irresistible to leerfish.
• 🐠 Horse mackerel and saddled seabream: Commonly used for trolling or float fishing—emit strong vibrations and scent.

🔗 Double hook or tandem setup: Increases hook-up rate without compromising the bait’s natural swimming.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your live bait in optimal condition until the moment of hooking. A lively bait makes all the difference.

 

🦑 Natural Baits – Scent of Prey!

Ideal for surfcasting or bottom fishing, natural baits work well even when leerfish are less active:

• 🦑 Cuttlefish (whole or strips): Cast-resistant, great for nighttime or rough-sea sessions.
• 🐙 Squid: Among the most effective baits for leerfish—especially fresh or freshly thawed.
• 🐟 Mullet or garfish fillets: Excellent for targeting leerfish over sandy bottoms; they release strong scent trails that attract bites.

📌 Tip: Always secure soft baits (like squid and cuttlefish) with elastic thread to improve their hold and presentation.

🧰 Recommended Gear – Get Ready to Battle the Leerfish! 💪🐟

Taking on the leerfish (Lichia amia), one of the Mediterranean’s most powerful predators, requires strong, well-balanced gear. Choosing the wrong setup can cost you the fight—especially with specimens over 10–15 kg.

🎯 1. Rod – Power and Sensitivity for the Fight

🔹 For Spinning:

• 📏 Ideal length: 2.70 – 3.00 m
• ⚙️ Casting weight: 50 – 150 g
• ✅ Features: You need a reactive and powerful rod capable of casting heavy lures (popper, stickbait) long distances and handling the aggressive strikes of leerfish.
• 🌊 Perfect for fishing from beaches, rocks, or piers, with great handling for fast-paced fights.

🔹 For Live Bait Fishing:

• 📏 Length: 3.50 – 4.00 m
• ⚙️ Casting weight: 100 – 300 g
• ✅ Features: Use a strong boat or surfcasting rod designed to cast and present live bait like mullet or garfish at mid-depth.
• 🪝 A strong backbone is essential to handle the leerfish’s powerful first run.

 

⚙️ 2. Reel – The Engine Behind the Fight

🔸 For Spinning:

• 🔄 Size: 5000 – 8000
• 🧵 Recommended braid: PE 3 – PE 5 (40 – 60 lb)
• ⚙️ Look for a reel with smooth drag, a solid body, and fast retrieve (gear ratio >5.5:1), capable of handling long battles and sudden runs.

🔸 For Live Bait:

• 🔄 Size: 8000 – 10000 (ideally with a power handle knob)
• 🧵 Recommended line: 0.50 – 0.60 mm nylon, or braid + fluorocarbon shock leader (0.70 mm)
• ✅ Features: A reel with progressive drag, high line capacity, and proven strength under pressure—ideal for handling big leerfish hunting freely.

 

🧩 Recommended Accessories

• 🧤 Anti-slip gloves: For safely handling leerfish without injuring yourself or the fish.
• 🔧 Strong swivels and snaps: Avoid accidental openings—choose models rated for over 50 kg.
• 🧵 Shock leader: 0.70 to 0.90 mm fluorocarbon—essential to resist abrasion from rocks and leerfish teeth.
• 🎒 Rock fishing backpack or fighting belt: Helps during long sessions and reduces fatigue during battles.

 

🔥 Pro Tip: After each outing, rinse your gear thoroughly with fresh water and check the drag system, guides, and line. Leerfish fishing is demanding—even the smallest issue can cost you a dream catch.

 

💡 Useful Tips and Fun Facts About Leerfish Fishing 🎣🔥

The leerfish (Lichia amia) is one of the most spectacular predators in the Mediterranean—powerful, fast, and unpredictable. Mastering its capture means combining skill, gear, patience, and environmental awareness. Here are the key points to approach it successfully:

📅 Best Season – When Leerfish Are Most Active

🔸 The ideal fishing season runs from May to October, with peak activity between July and September, when high temperatures and an abundance of baitfish push leerfish to hunt closer to the shore.
🔸 Summer months offer the best conditions, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when the light is softer and the water temperature is optimal.

🌊 Ideal Conditions – Read the Sea to Find Them

✅ Oxygenated waters: Leerfish prefer well-oxygenated seas, often found after light swells or in areas with constant currents.
💨 Strong wind (like Mistral or Libeccio): Helps generate surface foam and current, ideal for attracting baitfish—followed closely by leerfish!
🌫️ Slightly murky water: Makes leerfish feel safer and more aggressive, reducing their wariness toward bait.

 

📍 Preferred Habitats – Where to Look for Leerfish

Leerfish are relentless hunters, moving quickly in search of prey. Here’s where to focus your efforts:

• 🌊 River mouths: rich in oxygen and baitfish like mullet.
• 🪨 Natural and artificial reefs: excellent ambush points.
• ⚓ Ports and canals: especially productive early in the morning when boat traffic is minimal.
• 🏝️ Sandy bottoms mixed with seagrass (Posidonia): ideal for stealthy hunting.

 

🍽️ Feeding & Behavior – Know Your Opponent

🕐 Preferred times: Leerfish hunt mostly at dawn and dusk, when schools of baitfish rise to the surface or move closer to shore.
🐟 Common prey: Mullet, garfish, sardines, and horse mackerel are their favorite targets. They chase fast and strike with precision.
👀 Fun fact: Leerfish often swim very close to shore—even in shallow water—surprising inattentive anglers!

 

🧠 Prepare for the Battle with Intelligence and Respect

Leerfish fishing isn’t just about brute strength—it’s about reading the environment, choosing the right equipment, and respecting the sea. It’s a discipline that brings thrilling battles and unforgettable adrenaline, but also quiet moments of observation.

🎒 Always prepare carefully, study the sea and weather conditions, and bring plenty of patience: the leerfish strikes when you least expect it… but when it does, it delivers a rush you’ll never forget!