Weather in Jaen

Coto de la Toba – Rio Segura

This is a very prolific day ticket brown trout fishery. A really nice spot for some fly fishing. Tickets are available on the bank from the forestry agent. There is a limit of seven anglers per day. Tickets can be purchased from Ayuntamiento de Santiago-Pontones, Plaza Constitucion, s/n, Santiago-Pontones, Telephone: 953 43 80 02. Fishing is best during March and April.

Species and methods

• Brown Trout. Only artificials are allowed for bait. The season runs from the third Sunday in March to the 31 August. There is a five fish limit, with a 22cm (8.6 inches) size limit. The water is very clear and the trout are easily frightened. Try stalking with polarized glasses for best results. Fish a Tricoptero or a Danica (white or yellow) for these fish.

From Jaen, drive east and then north on the A316, A320 and A301 to Jodar.  This is approximately 48 kms. Now go east on the A322 and then the A319 to Cazorla. Drive through Cazorla, then onto the  A319 towards Hornos, and then the A317 south and west towards Santiago de la Espada. Before Espada, turn left (east) onto the JF-7039, cross over the JV-7043, then after a few kms turn onto the JF-7038 until you arrive at La Toba.

Embalse de Giribaile

Embalse de Giribaile has free fishing for carp, barbel, bass and nase. 

Species and methods

• Bass.  Plenty of fish to 1kg (2.2lb) can be taken on spinners and spoons. American style plastic worms are especially effective. Try them in red or yellow.
• Carp.  Carp are abundant on this water, with lots of fish in the 500 gram to 2kg (1.1 to 4.4lb) range. Fish the pole at 8 metres for best results. Maggot and corn work well. Try trout pellet paste on the bottom, over a bed of pellets, for the bigger fish.
• Nase.  Float fished bread flake, high in the water, with breadcrumb as ‘cloud bait’ is the number one method here. Try to locate fish by spotting activity on the surface in bays and inlets. Fish light ‘on the drop’ for best results.
• Barbel.  The barbel are hard to come by on this reservoir. If you choose to target them, luncheon meat or high flavoured pastes is the way to go. Fish these hard on the bottom.

From Linares,  head north east for 23 kms to  Arquillos on the A312. Now head south on the A301. The road hugs the water on the right hand side for quite awhile. The dam wall is on the other end of the water. This can be reached by driving east from Linares on the N322 to Estacion de Baeza. Now go north west  C-3210 to the dam.

Embalse de Quiebrajano – Rio Guadalbullon

Fishing on this river is free for rainbow trout, barbel and a number of other species. However, all trout must be returned to the water, unharmed. This water has a large red crab population. If your bait is being eaten, then switch to hard baits such as boilies.

Species and methods

• Rainbow Trout. Lots of fish to 1kg (2.2lb) can be taken on small artificials. Small spoon, mepps and minnow imitations work very well.
• Barbel. On the river fish rolling meat or corn for best results. Feeder fished caster or maggot over hemp will score if you do not fancy the roving approach.
• Cacho. Trotted single maggot on very light tackle will put you on the fish. Loose feed little and often. Pinkie is also an excellent bait.

Head south from Jaen on the JV-2222 for 23 kms to the village of Puente de la Sierra. Keep right at Puente de la Sierra and continue south for Otinar. This road will bring you to the dam wall of the embalse.

Embalse Rio Viboras

Embalse Rio Viboras has free fishing for barbel, carp and black bass. The water is clear with depths up to 10 metres. Situated near the village of Nogerones, this olive tree lined river is a delight to fish.

Species and methods

• Carp. Carp are the dominant species in this reservoir. Float or ledger fished corn, with a few grains scattered round the bait, is enough to catch. Fish the quieter inlets and bays behind weed beds. Evening time is the best.
• Barbel. A roving approach is the best way to catch the barbel on this water. Try baiting two or three swims an hour or so before fishing. Bait with hemp and corn. Try corn or paste on the hook, with as little lead on the line as possible. Freeline the bait if at all possible.
• Bass. Fish to 1.5 kg (3.3lb) can be caught here. Worm fished near features or a jigged plastic worm are the methods of choice. Try the area where the river enters the lake for some good fishing.

From Jaen, head south west on the A316 to Martos. Pass  Martos, and continue on the A316 until you reach the junction with the the JV-2214 sign posted Las Casillas and La Carasca. The river and small embalse are to the east of town.

Embalse del Jandula

Located in the Andujar mountain range, Embalse del Jandula is a fishery of outstanding beauty and tranquillity. Free fishing is available for very large bass, carp and barbel. A  true big fish water! Evening is definitely the best time for the larger carp and barbel.  Fish right up until the light goes – this is when you are most likely to connect with a big specimen. But don’t forget – night fishing is illegal in Andalucia, so don’t stay too long! This water is very popular, so try fishing during the week if you prefer solitude.

Species and methods

• Carp. Carp go to well over 10kg (22lb) here, with numerous 15kg (33lb) fish being caught. These fish are best targeted using boilies, helping to avoid the smaller fish. Pre-baiting an area for a few days, although not essential, is definitely worth the effort. Good flavours are tutti fruit, crab and mussel and fishmeal.
• Bass. This water has the potential to produce a new Spanish bass record. Search out any likely feature with spinner baits and plastic lures for some cracking sport. A slow retrieve is quite effective here.
• Barbel. Like the carp, very big barbel are present in the reservoir. Tackle these in the same manner as the carp, but try putting down a bed of hemp or other seed particle in your chosen swim.

Go to Andujar, which is on the E05 between La Carolina and Cordoba. Now drive north east on the A-1208 to Vinas. Go through Vinas, on the A-1208, then turn right onto the JM-5003 towards Los Escoriales. At Los Escoriales turn left onto the JF-5004 to La Lancha. This road will bring you to the dam wall.

Pantano de la Bolera

Species and methods

• Rainbow Trout. The best method is spinning with spoons or fly fishing. Try green or yellow fritz type flies for these fish. Try a relatively fast retrieve. Large orange lures also work well. If spinning, metal or plastic devon minnows are very effective.  

Presa de Zocueca

Presa de Zocueca has free fishing for bass, pike and very large carp. There is a maximum depth of 10 metres. The water is very clear, so stealth is a must. Try to keep as far back from the water as possible. This river tends to fish better when a breeze is blowing.

Species and methods

• Carp. These fish grow very large. They can be tempted using high flavoured baits such as boilies or pastes. Fish these on the ledger over a bed of similar baits. Another way is to fish ‘the method’. Try corn or pellet as bait, using a fishmeal groundbait around the method feeder.
• Pike. Most anglers tackle the pike using large spoons. While this is very effective, sea deadbaits tend to produce the larger fish. Fish these near drop offs or by the dam for some good fish. A popped up bait is very effective, or a bait fished under a sliding pike float.
• Bass. Fish jigs and spinner baits on a light outfit for some good sport. Fish heavy due to the pike population on this water.

The town of Zocueca lies alongside the E05 midway between Linares and Andujar. Turn off onto the JA-5151. This short road will bring you directly to the dam wall.

Rio Guadalimar

This river has free fishing for barbel, nase, carp and cachuelo. The fishery is clear and shallow.

Species and methods

• Barbel. Barbel dominate the carp on this fishery. Up to 14  fish can be taken in a session. These go to 2.5 kilos (5.5lb). The best baits  are luncheon meat and corn, fished on a light ledger rig. Feeder fished maggots and caster will also produce.
• Cachuelo. Up to 30 fish in a session is easily possible. Fish pinkie or maggot on a size 20 hook under a very light rig for best results. The whip or short pole is very effective.
• Carp. The carp number a lot less than the barbel. These will usually be taken when barbel fishing.
• Nase. Maggot fished stick float or waggler style is the best method here. Loose feed about 6 maggots every cast to get the fish going. Fish light for best results.

From Jaen, drive east and then north on the A316. Turn left onto the A-1100 towards Torrequebradilla, and then right onto the JF-3021 towards Vados de Torralba. At Vados, keep left on the JH-3053. You will quickly cross the Rio Guadalquivir. Follow this road through Campillo del Rio. After a few kilometres the river will appear on your left. Fish at this point, or continue on the JH-3053 until you reach the crossroads with the JV-3042, at Torreblascopedro. Turn left here and the road will cross the river after a short distance, near Estacion de Madrigueras. A small track runs along the south bank of the river along this stretch, providing easy access to the water.

Other Waters in Jaen

• Embalse del Rumblar.
  Free fishing for carp and nase. The fishery is not far from Bailen.
  
  
• Embalse del Guadalen.
  Free fishing for carp, pike and bass. The fishery is located close to Linares.
  
  
• Arroyo del Ojanco.
  Free fishing for carp, nase and barbel.
  
  
• Embalse del Tranco .
  Free fishing for rainbow trout, crucian carp and bass. This lake is in very scenic surroundings, near the town of Cazorla.
  
  
• Río Madera.
  Day ticket fishery for brown trout. Tickets can be purchased from Ayuntamiento de Santiago-Pontones, Plaza Constitucion, s/n, Santiago-Pontones; Telephone: 953 43 80 02