The best places for kayak fishing in Europe

Do you want inside information about the best fishing spots in Europe?

Well, in Galaxy Kayaks we are lucky to have a fantastic team of colleagues, professionals and friends that spread throughout the European fishing community, so we have asked some of our most experienced fishermen and friends to collect these lands for Get information about your favorite places, not only for kayaking, but also to relax and enjoy the local culture.

THE NETHERLANDS

The polders of the Netherlands offer a truly healthy and perfectly scenic place for any fishing trip in freshwater kayak. Nestled in the glorious Dutch countryside, the polders are reclaimed lowland marshes, adorned with marvelous frameworks of freshwater canals adorned with iconic windmills, farmlands and tulip tundra of traditional colors and lovingly associated with Holland.

The polders, The Netherlands

There are around 3,000 polders in the Netherlands, some dating from the 11th century, allude to miles and miles of historic canals, dikes and waterways to explore, and it is among these quiet and wonderful canals that the monster Perch, the Zander and the trophy Pike meet.

Fortunately, fishing boats are allowed along the waterways of the Dutch polders making a fishing kayak the perfect boat to navigate and travel these peaceful rural channels in search of big fish. And we mean a really big fish! Due to the excellent water quality in the Netherlands, super Pike specimens of more than 1.2 meters in length have been captured in this part of Europe. However, keep in mind that baitboat has been strictly prohibited in the Netherlands since 1996 and that there are considerable fines for ignoring this strict regulation. In addition, in the Netherlands, it is important to know that they always practice 'caputura and loose'.

One of the oldest and most famous Dutch polders is the Beemster, which was formed in 1609 - 1612 and is located about 29 km north of Amsterdam. The Beemster is a large area of ​​land reclaimed with a lot of water courses to fish and if you want to enjoy some free time while you are there, then we have found a fantastic hotel for you to visit.

The Fort Resort Beemster Hotel is a beautifully restored historic fortress that originally formed part of the defense line of Amsterdam. It is a World Heritage site and is the first hotel without C02 emissions in the Netherlands. The spirit of the hotel is completely focused on the ecological facilities and has a wellness center, complete with Hammam, bar and restaurant that serves organic food, and has bicycles available for rent. The wifi connection is free and there is plenty of on-site parking for a car and a kayak.

So why not digest a bit of history while enjoying hearty organic delights, discuss your next kayak fishing adventure among the polders and the possibility of staggering with that perfect Pike trophy?

Check the availability and prices of The Fort Resort Beemster Hotel with equipment on booking.com and other comparable sites.

SWEDEN

If you want a European kayak fishing expedition that is both spectacular and serene, put your compass north and head to the rivers and lakes of northern Sweden. Here, although the winters in this part so far from Europe are, it is true, long, cold and apparently unattractive, are followed by bright, invigorating and abundant spring and summer months that are bathed in the light of day and fortunately coincide with Fishing season.

Mountain lakes of northern Sweden

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and pine forests, these cold, deep, isolated lakes and rivers stretch for miles and miles and because of the remotely unique locations of northern Sweden and the virtually untouched natural environment, the level of fishing is excellent. From the beginning of spring to fall, landing an elusive arctic song in the midnight sun of summer or the northern lights of autumn is not uncommon. The salmon, the perch, the first class breeding, the brown trout of 70 cm long, the Pike one meter long and the cockroach of record size are also abundant in these alpine waters.
If you are wondering where you can leave your kayak at night, while you relax and look at the Northern Lights and reflect on the challenge of tomorrow's Arctic fishing, take a look at one of the options we have found for you.

Wilderness Life Lodge is located in Auktsjaur, in northern central Sweden, and is surrounded by more than 4,000 lakes, 4 rivers and a multitude of streams. The hostel is accessible by air, automobile or rail. The accommodation, which offers bed and breakfast, is available in the main lodge, but there are also two private riverside lodges available that are perfect for those who want to fully enjoy the wildlife. They are simple, well designed, cozy and small houses that can accommodate up to 4 people. Each one is equipped with kitchen facilities, a wood-burning stove, a sauna, a campfire and is located on the shores of its own private lake.

These and many other beautiful surrounding lakes are perfect for small fishing boats without motor and a fishing kayak is the perfect boat to help you enter the polar night / midnight night cycle, just south of the arctic circle and crossing a crystal-clear lake, in the fresh and fresh alpine air in search of an Arctic Char or a prestigious Pike. You can also try your luck in other activities at Wilderness Lodge, such as ice fishing, survival camp, snowmobiles and dog sledding.

For more information about Wilderness Lodge, see the following link.
http://www.wildernesslife.se/Home-Wilderness-Life.html

SPAIN

The south of Spain has more than 1000 miles of dazzling Mediterranean coast and bathed by the sun, backed by impressive mountain ranges and towns, villages and fields of great cultural diversity. Cruising this magnificent coast by car, kayaking on the roof, it is easy thanks to the good roads and a lot of cool and secluded destinations to stay or just hang out, while taking into account the local culture on the way. From the Costa Blanca to the Costa del Sol, the coasts and horizons extend as far as the eye can see and are ideal for kayaking.

Coast of the Costa del Sol

Launching your kayak to the deep blue and Mediterranean sea from the sunny coasts of Valencia or Alicante will serve you for a good sport, such as the large and silvery Bluefish (Anjovas) known for its voracious appetite and its vigorous fight on the high seas. They are particularly abundant in these parts of the Med. After you have traveled your way along the Costa Blanca and have had enough sporting fodder, Bluefish, head to Andalusia, where the seas of Malaga, Mijas and Estepona are excellent to explore and teeter in a quite perfect place, two more pounds, red mullet (Sama) and dark Grouper of glorious size.

There are many infamous ports and destinations along this stretch of the Spanish coast, most offering a variety of fishing excursions or excursions. Boat fishing, shore fishing, kayaking, sailing, paddle and kite surfing are all beach sports that are taken seriously along this coast, along with some heavy vacations. Therefore, finding a place to stay will not be a difficult feat, but finding a retreat off the beaten track and away from the hustle and bustle of your usual beach culture with sunbeds is perhaps a bit more difficult.

Airbnb offers those hidden gems that can be the realization of a trip; We have found this small number that seems serene for a getaway. A distance from the deep blue sea and the tempting catches of the Estepona coast

Estepona, approximately 90 km from Malaga, is a very nice Spanish traditional port city, of reasonable size, with a large number of beach bars, cafes, restaurants and shops offering a variety of local products and products. The old town is a fabric of ancient churches and boutiques, while the new part of the city gives way to the names of the streets and world cuisine.

Located 1.5 km from the port of Estepona, in the rural foothills of Sierra Bermeja, Las Adelfas is a small and well-kept property that can accommodate up to five people, has a private pool, lots of parking space and breathtaking views of the mountains and the local coast. It is perfectly located not only to access the beach, but also to local hiking and biking routes in the area.

If you prefer to get away from the bustle of the coast, do not risk getting close to the impressive white villages of Casares and Gaucín (within walking distance of the historic wonders of Ronda). Here we have located a rural treasure of a house available on AirBnb; This farm is located directly between the two towns with the river 'Río Genal' as its border. For a true experience immersed in the countryside, this cozy family home fully equipped with natural pool, large grounds, plenty of parking space, great WiFi, space to store and clean your kayak and equipment, bikes and sports available on site, orchard, Fresh local eggs for breakfast, with capacity for ten people. This is a quiet and beautiful environment for the complete rustic life of the 'countryside'. Make a wood fire in winter or enjoy submerging in the natural pool or the river in summer; This place has everything.

So, if you are feeling the cool mountain evening air of a flamenco-themed party in a local town or if you are enjoying the sunny arrangement of the sun offerings next to the Med beach; such as fresh sardines, grilled, salted, cooked on a spit over an open fire, the spirit of the Spanish Mediterranean seas will be with you from the moment you launch into the warm waters of the Mediterranean until the moment you bow your head down to spend the night and dream of those dark groupers.

Check the Airbnb link below for more information about the Las Adelfas estate.

Modern villa - beautiful views, private pool

ITALY

Italy holds the key to many ancient arts and culinary and cultural delights, and the province of Tuscany certainly has its share of them. From the Renaissance art and architecture of the regional capital, Florence, to the leaning tower of Pisa in 1372, the historic cities of Tuscany, the breathtaking scenery and delicious cuisine have inspired and enthralled the world for centuries.

An Italian delight, in what refers to the ancient art of fishing, is the Orbetello Lagoon hidden in the Tuscan coast. This lagoon is a vast lake of salt water of almost 27 km2 that surrounds the island of Orbetello, which rises on a thin strip of land in the middle of the lagoon. The East and West lagoons are separated from the Tyrrhenian Sea by two tombolos (narrow strips of land) connected to the continent on both sides. In this case, two glorious, long and sunny dunes filled with sand, known as the Tombolo della Feniglia and the Tombolo della Giannella.

Laguna de Orbetello, Tuscany, Italy

The historic center of Orbetello dates back centuries with objects exhibited since 150 BC, along with the Roman ruins of the 13th century and the fortresses of the 15th and 16th century, castles and churches, making it a completely charming, ancient and cultural coastal oasis for fishing.

Sea bass, sea bream, red mullet, snapper and eel are the most commonly captured species in this huge mirror of water, and a fishing kayak is the perfect art to explore the lagoon and all its hidden treasures. This is one of the most uncontaminated natural areas of Tuscany, so not only the fish are healthy and abundant, but many spectacular birds such as pink flamingos, white herons and sea eagles migrate to the lagoon's prized wildlife reserve , which is full of juniper and domestic pines and other typical and fragrant Mediterranean flora and fauna.

There are many places to stay on the Island of Orbetello, and in the surrounding coastal areas, which have excellent access to the lagoon, including all the standards of hotels and apartments, but if you are looking for a relaxed environment and a natural location, then look no further beyond the Orbetello Camping Village, located in the Orbetello Wildlife Park, just in front of the beach west of the lagoon.

Orbetello Camping Village offers a variety of different accommodation options, along with swimming pools, playgrounds, restaurants, bars, nightlife, free parking and free wifi. The amenities are modern and elegant with a 4-star Trip Advisor rating.

So, enjoy a bottle of delicious local red Chianti with a steaming broth of smoked eel spaghetti, caught fresh from the pond and steeped in a thousand-year-old tradition.

Take a look at the Tripadvisor link below to get more details about Orbetello Camping Village.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g194839-d1879173-Reviews-Orbetello_Camping_Village-Orbetello_Province_of_Grosseto_Tuscany.htm

DENMARK

It is 975 AD, the fog is low and the aroma of effort, victory and prosperity fills the air. The reign of the six Viking castles of Denmark thrives and remains strong in central Denmark, on the island of Fynen, Sweyn Forkbeard, one of the powerful Nordsmen of the six-ringed castle, occupies Odense, the capital of Fynen. Its large circular fortification of 120 meters in diameter sits proudly on Nonnebakken (The Nun Hill) and has total control of the Odense River.

Nonnebakken, the settlement of Nun Hill. 975 AD

The Odense River flows directly from Nonnebakke to the Odense Fjord, which feeds on the North Sea. The Odense River has protected and provided many generations of Odense inhabitants, including the Benedictine nuns who lived in Nonnebakken for many years before Sweyn Forkbeard and his warriors presented their claim, and from whom the hill takes its name.

As with all flourishing communities, fish played an important role in the diet of the Vikings and this abundant river 60 kilometers long helped to feed and sustain the settlement of C10th of Sweyn and its powerful, abundant and fearsome residents during many years. The Vikings used small boats, beautifully elaborated and double-tipped to fish, and rare examples of canoes of that time have been discovered. However, he has often wondered if they have ever tried to use kayaks to fish.

The Scandinavians of the time certainly ventured as far north as Greenland as early as the 10th century and would definitely have seen the Inuits hunting and fishing skillfully from their nimble, efficient and practical kayaks. So maybe it's possible to imagine those intrepid Vikings enthusiastically launching their own kind of freshly made kayaks in the Odense River, loaded with spikes, iron hooks and simple, but barbarously effective harpoons, to fish their lives, looking for tasty trout and Pike perfect, which guarantees that his community prospered and that his legacy survived, more than a thousand years ago.

Hop, skip and paddle until 2017 and although you can still visit Nonnebakken (unfortunately the archaeological remains of that monumental historical site C10 have been very damaged and are only visible from the air), where the Odense River remains practically unchanged. Now is your chance, the adventurer of today's kayak fishing, follow the vigil of the Vikings and navigate along this magnificent river to discover the different and abundant "rhythms" on the way.

However, unlike the ungovernable days of the Vikings, the fishing season is applied between March 8 and November 15. A license is required and one day, the local fishing permit can be purchased through Go Fishing at https://www.go-fishing.dk/2010/09/28/river-odense/?ph=9f761adfc3ce412d4bbec933. You must also have a valid national fishing permit, which can be obtained at www.fisketegn.dk

The Odense River is exceptionally good for fishing for sea trout, and since these strong, sporty fishes can swim upstream for more than 50 kilometers, there are plenty of rivers so they can swim upstream! Head towards the best times towards the end of the season and the Marine Trout will be mature, a good size and an excellent challenge. Closer to the city of Odense, the river is wide, deep and slow moving, and is the perfect place for Pike, Perch and other good sized fish.

If you are looking to fish like a Viking, you must experience a home that is truly rural and historic and that has found a fascinating little place in Air BnB that certainly fits perfectly.

Fjordhytten is a magnificently restored 1930 carriage train that is located near the river, about 20 kilometers from the current Odense. It has 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, running water, heating and air conditioning, wifi, boots dryer and plenty of free parking. It has a sink and a cutting board for fish, pets are welcome and even has a vintage turntable.

So bring your vinyl and spin a record while you spin a reel and catch the Sea Trout as salt, and lie back and relax with the powerful sense of skill and success that allows you a good day of fishing, just like the ancient warriors from 975 he made all those moons back.

Check it in Fjordhytten. Rebuild train wagon from 1937.

FRANCE

Do you fancy a little castle drenched by Claret during your European kayak trip? Well, look no further than the wonderful and rich province of Gironde, in the southwest of France, where the beautiful and leafy Bordeaux resides.

Gironde, and in particular the Bordeaux area, has more than 120,000 hectares of vineyards that produce, on average, around 7 million boxes of wine per year, which is equivalent to approximately 1.5% of the total wine production of all the world, and all this is just a sip upstream of the magnificent Gironde estuary.

The mouth of the Gironde empties into the Bay of Biscay and is the largest estuary in south-western Europe. It is forged by the meeting of the powerful Dordogne and Garonne rivers and has a length of 80 km between 3 and 11 km wide.

Estuary of the Gironde, flowing in Bordeaux

Originally formed as one of the 83 departments created in 1790 during the French Revolution, the Gironde region is the largest in the French department and hosts the longest beach in Europe; Côte d'Argent, which attracts hundreds of surfers every year. It also has the highest sand dune in Europe, the Great Dune of Pyla, which is located in Arcachon Bay, near Bordeaux.

Taking into account the large number of beaches in the region, it is worth mentioning that Gironde is also the birthplace of the great naval officer, explorer and conservationist Jacques-Yeves Cousteau who, born in 1901, was at the forefront of innovation in modern underwater diving during the 1940s. He passionately studied the sea and all forms of underwater life, leaving behind a great legacy of pioneering research, discovery, invention and conservation, and his wise words of the mid-ring C19th are truer than never today.

 "The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope." Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat.
Jacques Cousteau

The tastes of eel, sea bream, cuttlefish, sole, speckled bar, red mullet, sea lamprey, monkfish, squid, kite, shark, shad and sturgeon flower in these waters. However, this is also the only known breeding place of the big growling fish; Meagro Infamously known as "the snarling fish of the Gironde estuary" due to the unique noise that males produce during reproduction, which can be so loud that it can be heard from the boat. The Meager can reach an enormous length of 2 m and 60 kg of weight and is an excellent fish to eat. Demand is increasing, but fortunately, local fishermen are doing a lot to preserve and protect the conservation of this fascinating fish and, as such, increasingly powerful come back to the estuary every year.

If you choose a place to stay in Gironde that has good access to the estuary, head to Bordeaux, where many of the castles offer overnight accommodation and wine tasting experiences. For example, Le Relais de France Mayne is a magnificent newly restored sandstone house, located on seven acres of idyllic vineyards. It is a little expensive, but its elegant, individually themed rooms, its natural pool and its rural location make it an impressive Bed and Breakfast.

https://www.thehotelguru.com/hotel/le-relais-de-franc-mayne-bordeaux

So, enjoy one or two drinks while exploring acres of lush vineyards, world-class restaurants and beautiful heritage sites while soaking up the atmosphere of Bordeaux at the end of an exciting day of fishing along one of the oldest estuaries. extraordinary and indeed Europe.

We want to thank our teams Galaxy Kayaks Italy, Galaxy Kayaks Spain, Galaxy Kayaks Scandinavia, Galaxy Kayaks France and all our friends of Galaxy Kayaks for their fantastic advice on some of the best places to visit and fish in Europe. If you would like more information about these expert fishing equipment, visit the following Galaxy Kayaks websites:

• it.galaxykayaks.eu
• es.galaxykayaks.eu
• de.galaxykayaks.eu
• fr.galaxykayaks.eu
• uk.galaxykayaks.eu