Caspe next year anyone?

Hi Dave,

I'm thinking of a trip in the not too distant future but next time I go I want to do "proper" cat fishing.  I've done the pellet thing, next time it's livebaits.  However, to be successful on livebaits I think one has to get well away from Mequinenza and Caspe. Notwithstanding your experience of seeing a cat chasing bleak, I think that is exceptional. I know guys who have tried livebaits at Mequinenza and blanked. The fish are so much on the pellets they don't seem interested in hunting. Why should they if they can just mop up from the bottom with no effort. If you or anyone else fancies an unguided trip, let me know.

Regards,
Maurice

i dont know if your aware Maurice but live baiting is now banned on that area of the Ebro . There is something like a 2000 euro fine if you get caught.I think you can still livebait on the delta areas, which come under a different region. However that area has its own problems. I was talking to Dave Courderey while i was out in Spain (he lives down on the delta), the water is that clear due to all the zebra mussels down there that catching liveys is a nightmare. Dave was saying that sometimes it takes him 2 days of bait snatching for enough baits for a days fishing. The vast majority of my UK catting is on liveys and is easily my preferred method, but it is not an option, certainly not on a guided trip, around Caspe, Mequi, Chiprana. It is a real shame cuz i would really like to catch one on a drifted livey from a boat.

Hi Dave,

No I didn't know livebaiting is banned. How long has that been and why??? Crazy.  As said, I wouldn't fish that area anyway, you have to get well away from there, some place where the cats are still feeding naturally.

I think it came into force at the beginning of this year Maurice but not exactly sure. A good source of info on the lower river would be Dave Couderey (davey1309 on CCG site). According to Gary Sheridan the cats go all the way up the river well beyond Zaragoza, but i have no info at all on the higher stretches, or the areas subject to the livebait ban.

I will ask the boss and get back to you Dave - was going to give it a bash over there next year for the first time. Would it be too busy in April - I always had the same impression of the Ebro as you with scenic river banks and nobody else fishing as far as the eye could see .............. bet the reality was a shocker

Will ask marc if he can still livebait where he is at ebro adventure. Would love to get my hands on that big albino he has there. The pics are on the gallery page of the main site. Am with you maurice about the pellets. I really does put me off going there, would rather do somewhere else in europe, somewhere off the beaten track.

Ok Chris. Incidently the area for the final day was lovely. Just me, Gary and a river full of cats.

if you fancy some real explosive big cat action,get on the drift with us at riba roja d'ebre,clonking on the drift beats pellet fishing hands down!!!!the fishings electric....we use them new battery powered roach and eels....lol....Riba Roja Rocks!!!!

Hi Marc, you have just quoted me for the week for me + the family. The price is good, the mrs justs wants you to send through the photos of the finca (fussy mare! lol).

Chris, any joy off your other half yet?

GET IN ................................... We have a green light to GO TO THE EBRO !

Fingers crossed April is a good time of year for it

Get in my son!! have spoke to Brian and he's good to go too. Spoke to Gary the other day and he was saying that late March and early April (before the floods) can be a really good time. I suppose the cats are waking up from their winter slumber and are really hungry. hopefully we will have some good results. i know one thing - Gary will certainly put the effort in for us.

All sounds good to me, would I be ok leaving my car at yours for the 5 days we are away or should I look into flying from up t'north and meet you over there ?

You're fine to leave the car at mine mate. it may well prove easier as the flights into Zaragoza are a bit sporadic to say the least. Might be worth a look to see what flights are available from near you though.

I could be up for a bit of that dave in April -

Nice one Carl, this could be turning into a nice little group going out. Well thats 4 of us hopefully. Gary can cater for 10 so any more takers?

Will have a look see if Teesside or Newcastle go to Zaragoza ............. don't fancy my chances though. Even if they do the flights I bet they cost a fortune - may still drive down to yours so we can have a little drinky and chat en-route
 
In fact Dave, where do you live ?

I live in Coventry Chris so is enroute to Stansted from t'north, well sort of anyway. As we fly out on the Thursday, you are more than welcome to stay at mine on the Wednesday - we can 'discuss tactics' down the pub then  . If you are coming Lophius, the same applies of course mate.

No direct flights to Zaragoza from Newcastle and Teesside simply does'nt fly there. Stanstead and Gatwick are by far the cheapest to go from so I will be joining you Dave for Stanstead.

I still can't believe the wife has let me go - especially when I am off to France with the Moggymagic team for a week in June.............. she's after something I am guessing

Is it your body or your credit card do you think??