Mallorca Fishing Seasons: What Bites When

Mallorca Fishing Seasons: What Bites When

How to Use This Guide

This is your at-a-glance calendar for fishing Mallorca from a Palma base. We summarise what typically bites each month, when the water and wind play nice, and which side of the island to favour for a family half-day versus a sportier session. Use it to time your trip and to pick between Bay of Palma convenience and north-coast scenery.


🗓️ Month-by-Month Fishing Calendar

Indicative patterns for typical years. Skippers adjust to daily wind/clarity.

MonthSea Temp*ConditionsLikely TargetsBest Coast PickFamily vs Sport
Jan14–15°CCalm windows after frontsBream, wrasse, small snapper on reefLeeward bays (Palma)Family: short & sheltered • Sport: light rigs
Feb14–15°CClearer water on settled daysReef species; odd mackerel earlyPalma Bay / SW cornersFamily: 4h AM • Sport: finesse plastics
Mar15–16°CMilder mornings, variable windBream, wrasse, early pelagicsPalma Bay / North on calm daysFamily: easy bites • Sport: explore edges
Apr16–18°CLonger days, stableMackerel schools build; mixed reefPalma Bay / AlcúdiaFamily: prime starter month • Sport: lures +
May18–20°CPleasant seas, light AM breezeMackerel, bonito (early), reefPalma / PollençaFamily: great • Sport: cover water
Jun22–24°CWarm water, PM sea breezeSurface life up; reef steadyAM: anywhere; PM: leewardFamily: book early AM • Sport: topwater
Jul24–26°CHot middays, glassy dawnsBonito/small tunids on calm morningsNorth & SE coves on calmFamily: 4h AM only • Sport: dawn runs
Aug26–27°CWarmest seas, busy afternoonsSchooling pelagics, reef in shadeEarly: any coast; avoid swellFamily: AM bay trips • Sport: deep edges
Sep25–26°CSettled, photogenic daysBonito/tunids; lively reefNorth coast shinesFamily: flexible • Sport: longer range
Oct22–24°CGoldilocks monthMixed pelagics + snappersNorth/NE when calmFamily: great • Sport: 6h options
Nov18–20°CCooler, clearer breaksReef picks up after heatPalma Bay leewardFamily: easy • Sport: plastics/jigs
Dec15–17°CShort days, calm spellsReef staples; odd mackerelSheltered baysFamily: short trips • Sport: light line

*Sea temps are typical surface ranges, not exact. Aim for calm mornings and clear water for best bites.


🌬️ Wind, Swell & Water Clarity (Why Mornings Win)

Fishing boat in sunset in palma de mallorca

Mallorca’s classic sea-breeze pattern builds after late morning, ruffling the surface and, at times, clouding the nearshore. That’s why dawn to late-morning is a sweet spot—especially for kids. If a front passes, give it 24–48 hours for the water to clean up in exposed corners and favour leeward bays.

Quick playbook

  • AM calm: chase bait schools near jetty heads and reef lines; micro metals and float rigs shine.
  • PM breeze: tuck into leeward coves, fish deeper edges, or switch to a beach/siesta plan.
  • After storms: pick Palma’s sheltered corners or the north only when swell drops.

🎯 Match Tactics to the Month

Use this as your “grab-and-go” tweak list.

  • Cooler months (Nov–Mar): lighter leaders (6–10 lb fluoro), small baits (prawn/bread), finesse jigheads 5–10 g.
  • Warming months (Apr–Jun): add micro metals (10–20 g), early topwater over bait schools.
  • Peak summer (Jul–Aug): dawn-only windows; bring polarised glasses to sight edges; consider deeper, shaded reefs by mid-morning.
  • Autumn (Sep–Oct): be versatile—have bait and lures ready to pivot to what you see on the surface.

🧭 Palma vs North: When to Choose Which

Alcudia Fishing in Mallorca
  • Palma Bay: easiest for families and short trips year-round; many leeward options and quick returns for snacks and naps.
  • North Coast (Alcúdia/Pollença): clearer water and dramatic backdrops, great in late spring through autumn—choose calm days for headlands and coves.

Pair this guide with Family Fishing from Palma, Shore Fishing Around Palma, and North Mallorca Fishing: Alcúdia & Pollença to lock your plan.


🧳 Seasonal Packing Tweaks

  • Winter/early spring: light windbreaker, spare dry layer, hand towel.
  • Summer: reef-safe sunscreen, wide-brim hat with strap, extra water for kids.
  • Always: polarised sunglasses, small dry bag for phones/IDs, compact trash bag for line/offcuts.

🗓️ Easy Planning Templates (By Season)

family fishing in mallorca

Spring Starter (Apr–May)

Peak Summer (Jul–Aug)

Autumn Flex (Sep–Oct)


❓ FAQ

Do I need to time tides like in the Atlantic?

Not as strictly. Here, wind and clarity call the shots; dawn light matters more than tide swings.

Is winter worth it?

Yes—shorter, calmer sessions around reefs can be very steady on clear days.

Which months are best for kids?

April–June and September–October offer calm mornings, pleasant temps and reliable bites.

Can I plan only shore fishing with this?

Absolutely. Use the calendar to pick calmer days and match rigs to clarity; see Shore Fishing Around Palma for exact spots.

What about pelagics?

Late summer into autumn brings bonito/small tunids on calm mornings—be ready with micro metals and quick retrieves.


🔒 Related Guides

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