The XXIV Trofeo Bahía de Alicante bottom-fishing tournament is back. The Real Club de Regatas de Alicante hosts this edition of the longest-running boat fishing competition in the province — a spring tradition that brings together anglers from the three nautical clubs along the bay.
Whether you are a keen angler or simply fancy a different kind of weekend on the water, this is the event that kicks off the fishing season on the Costa Blanca.
What is the Trofeo Bahía de Alicante
The Trofeo Bahía is an annual anchored boat fishing competition held on a rotating basis between the Real Club de Regatas de Alicante (RCRA), Club Náutico Alicante Costa Blanca (CNACB) and Club Náutico de Campello. After 24 editions it has established itself as the benchmark sport-fishing event in the region.
The format is bottom fishing from anchor — boats moor in a zone assigned by draw and anglers fish from a fixed position for a set time. No trolling, no drifting. Patience, technique and knowledge of the seabed are what count.
How the bottom-fishing tournament works
The Trofeo Bahía follows a well-established format refined over more than two decades:
Registration and skippers' briefing
On the Friday before the competition, registration opens at the organising club's headquarters (this year, the RCRA on Muelle de Poniente, 3 — Alicante). This is followed by the skippers' briefing — mandatory for all participants — where fishing zones are drawn, rules reviewed and questions addressed. For registration and the official announcement, check directly with the RCRA.
Competition day
Saturday starts early:
- 06:00 — Breakfast for participants at the club
- 07:30 — Boats gather at the meeting point
- 08:00 — Competition begins
- 12:00 — Fishing ends
- 13:30 — Official weigh-in
- 15:00 — Closing lunch and trophy ceremony
Four hours of intense fishing where every gram matters. Catches are weighed at the club and prizes awarded for both the biggest single fish and the highest total weight per boat.
A tournament with a social cause
One of the most notable aspects of the Trofeo Bahía is its charitable dimension. In previous editions, all the fish caught during the competition was donated to the San Gabriel social dining hall in Alicante. It is not just about competing — it is about giving back. A detail that defines the spirit of the three organising clubs and the local fishing community.
Common species in the Bay of Alicante in spring
April and May are transition months on the bay's seabed. Waters begin to warm and biological activity surges — exactly what a bottom angler needs.
Gilt-head bream are the star catch of the Alicante spring. They move into mixed sand-and-rock bottoms looking for food, and respond well to natural bait such as peeled shrimp or ragworm. White seabream — both common and sharp-snouted varieties — patrol shallow rocky areas, especially at dawn. Dentex appear in deeper fishing grounds, around 20–40 metres, where Posidonia meadows meet the rock.
For the more patient, cuttlefish are a frequent catch over sandy bottoms during April. And with some luck, a red snapper or sea bass rounds off the day. Every edition of the Trofeo Bahía has shown that these waters produce fish — the key is reading the bottom and choosing the right bait.
Bottom fishing on the Costa Blanca: why Alicante is a privileged destination
The Bay of Alicante offers outstanding conditions for boat fishing. Seabeds that alternate sand, rock and Posidonia meadows — the perfect habitat for the species we have just described. The Alicante coast enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year and a Mediterranean with generally moderate swell, making it possible to fish with regularity throughout virtually the entire season.
The coastline features fishing grounds close to port that can be reached in under 30 minutes.
If you want to learn more about the best seasons and species for boat fishing in Alicante, we have a complete guide covering techniques, zones and everything you need to plan your outing.
How to enjoy sport fishing in Alicante without competing
You do not need to be a federation member or enter a tournament to enjoy sport fishing from a boat in Alicante. In fact, more and more groups are combining fishing with a full day at sea — rods in the morning, a swim in a secluded cove, paddle surf and an open bar included.
Alicante nautical calendar: a spring packed with events
The Trofeo Bahía is not the only event putting Alicante on the nautical map this spring. The city also hosts sailing regattas such as the Trofeo 2 ISLAS A2 and youth competitions that reinforce the Costa Blanca's seafaring heritage. And from 24 to 26 April, the RCRA hosts the XI Spanish Championship of Anchored Boat Fishing (Youth), organised by the Valencian Community Fishing Federation — a clear sign that Alicante is a benchmark for sport fishing in the Mediterranean.
If you are interested in boat trips around Alicante, any of these competition weekends is the perfect excuse to get out on the water and soak up the atmosphere from the sea.
A must-see event for fishing fans in Alicante
The Trofeo Bahía remains the best barometer for measuring the state of sport fishing on the Costa Blanca. Once again, the three nautical clubs of the bay join forces to celebrate a discipline that connects several generations of anglers with a living tradition and the sea surrounding Alicante. If you happen to be in town over the weekend of the competition, it is well worth stopping by the weigh-in — it is the best moment to see the catches up close and soak in the marina atmosphere.
