Autumn on the Adriatic marks the arrival of bluefish into coastal waters. Bonito fishing in the Adriatic (Sarda sarda – Atlantic bonito) becomes one of the most exciting disciplines – this fast, powerful predator spends summer in open sea but moves closer to shore in September and October chasing sardines and mackerel.
In this guide, you’ll find tips on how, where, and with what gear to catch bonito in autumn – including techniques from shore and boat, best baits, and proven lures.
Where to Find Bonito in Autumn
Bonito are schooling fish that follow small baitfish into bays and coves. You’ll recognize their presence when the sea “boils” with activity – baitfish jumping on the surface while gulls circle above.
The best time for bonito fishing in the Adriatic is early morning and late afternoon, when shoals are active and close to shore.
Bonito Fishing from Shore
One of the most popular methods is fishing without weights. A long rod (2.7–3.6 m), monofilament 0.30–0.35 mm, and a meter of fluorocarbon 0.35–0.40 mm are recommended.
The best bait is a whole sardine – fresh or lightly salted and frozen for firmness. Mount it naturally: insert the hook along the backbone and fix the tail with a loop. This way the bait casts far and sinks slowly, irresistible to bonito.
Success depends on chumming – regularly tossing small sardine pieces to keep the school nearby.
⚠️ Challenges: Unlike fishing from a boat, shore anglers are static. Chum must be thrown accurately, often with a slingshot, but current and wind can move it out of range. That’s why deep spots are usually preferred.
Bonito Fishing from Boat
Fishing from a boat offers flexibility. Anchor at 20–30 m depth and chum constantly. The top bait is sardine, with mackerel as a second choice.
Use monofilament 0.35 mm, a 2 m fluorocarbon leader, and 1/0–2/0 hooks. A baitrunner reel is highly recommended – bonito detect resistance quickly and may spit out the bait.
🕊️ Watch for gulls – they reveal baitfish schools driven up by bonito. Approach fast, as such feeding frenzies are short-lived. When in the middle of action, switch to lure fishing (spinning/jigging) for quick results.
Spinning & Shore Jigging
Bonito are extremely fast, so lures that work at high speed are most effective.
- Spinning: Use a rod of at least 2.7 m, 60–80 g action. Retrieve lures with sudden, erratic motion (stop–go–accelerate).
- Jigging: Heavy metal jigs worked aggressively often trigger bites. If bonito follow without striking, vary rhythm and add short pauses to mimic an injured fish.
👉 For more details, check our full guide to fishing lures in the Adriatic.
Trolling
Trolling is a traditional and efficient method for bonito fishing in the Adriatic. Common lures include wobblers, cedar plugs, or feathered lures trolled just below the surface. Vary speed and direction until you locate a school. Once found, cut the engine and cast lures nearby for strikes.
Other Useful Techniques
- Twitching while trolling – short rod jerks create erratic lure motion.
- Braid with long fluorocarbon leader – for sensitivity and natural presentation.
- Floats (ballerinas) – keep bait at target depth, avoiding snags.
- Speed variation – alternating acceleration and pauses often provokes strikes.
Baits and Tackle Checklist
🎣 Rods: longer rods from shore; 2.4–2.7 m rods from boat
🎣 Line: monofilament 0.30–0.40 mm + fluorocarbon 0.35–0.40 mm
🎣 Hooks: 1/0–4/0
🎣 Baits: fresh or salted sardine, small mackerel
🎣 Lures: metal jigs, wobblers, cedar plugs, soft plastics in baitfish colors
Tips for Successful Autumn Bonito Fishing in the Adriatic
- Best times: dawn or dusk
- Chumming is almost essential – bring enough sardines
- Avoid too many rods – schools cause chaos when hooked
- Follow moon phases and weather – calm seas and full moon often mean slower fishing
- Always carry a valid recreational fishing license
Commercial Fishing – Palandare Nets
Besides sport fishing, bonito are also caught with fixed gillnets. This method is part of commercial fishing in Montenegro and requires a special license. We’ll soon publish a dedicated article and video on how this works.
Conclusion
Bonito fishing in the Adriatic during September and October is one of the most thrilling seasonal experiences. Whether from shore, trolling, or jigging, success depends on being in the right place at the right time, with proper chum and well-chosen gear.
Bonito deliver a fight to remember – earning their special place in every angler’s seasonal calendar.
👉 Related topics: Forward-facing sonar in modern fishing | Fishing gear maintenance – 5 things you can do at home
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