April Fishing Report and May Predictions with Great Snapper and Tuna Catches

Fishing enthusiasts heading into May have plenty to look forward to along the Croatian coast. The end of April brought predictable but rewarding bottom fishing, with steady catches of snapper and john dory. Meanwhile, the presence of tuna on all reefs has sparked excitement and led to an early start of the big game fishing season. This report highlights recent catches and what anglers can expect in the coming weeks.

Dentex, Pink Snapper, and John Dory

Bottom Fishing Highlights

Bottom fishing during late April has met expectations for this time of year. Anglers typically landed between one and two snapper per trip, alongside one to two john dory. These species remain reliable targets for those seeking a satisfying catch without venturing far offshore.

In addition to snapper and john dory, smaller bream species have been abundant. Their numbers provide excellent opportunities for anglers looking to fill their baskets with a variety of fish.

Tuna and Big Game Fishing

Tuna have been spotted on most reefs, signaling a strong presence in the region. This abundance resulted in the early opening of the big game fishing season. Several impressive tuna weighing about 50 to 60 kilograms were caught, (and released) !!

The tuna activity in April suggests May will be a promising month for big game fishing!

50kg Bluefin tuna moment before releasing

What Anglers Should Expect in May

Based on current trends, May looks set to deliver excellent fishing opportunities. Here’s what anglers can anticipate:

• Bottom Fishing: 2-4 John Dory/Snapper expected(1-3 kg size). 10-30 mackerel, and about 10 seabream (20dkg)

• Big Game Fishing: May in 2025 was 90% hook up rate on big game trips, and with the numbers of tuna on the reefs in April, things looks very promising for the upcoming big game season.