Global HOTSPOTS
Cosenza and Corigliano
CAL AB R O , IT AL Y
LOCATION Southern Italian Peninsula between the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean. 39°42'N 16°31'E
TOUR GUIDE Alfredo Gigliotti, local guide.
AERIAL VIEW
Cosenza is a small town on the west coast of the Italian Peninsula that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea. Corigliano is on the east coast by the Ionian Sea. Between the two cities, steep mountains drop into the crystal clear sea. The weather is generally warm and dry. The area features culture and artifacts that date back 1,100 years including influences by Greek, Roman, Ashkenazi and other ancient cultures. Religious traditions, such as Christmas and Easter, originated in the area and are still celebrated today in elaborate festivals.
TARGET SPECIES Bluefin tuna, amberjack, grouper, albacore and snapper. April and May are best for bluefin up to 100 pounds. Big false albacore over 30 pounds come close to the beach in June and July. Early fall is a good time to find big amberjack, grouper and snapper. The sea is usually calm. On a windy day, anglers can fish the lee side of the peninsula.
TACTICS Catch bluefin tuna on heavy spinning gear with sinking stickbaits or metal jigs.
50 …KAYAK ANGLER WINTER 2013
Launch before dawn and look for birds working over breaking fish within a mile of the beach. Troll live bait or work vertical jigs to score amberjack, snapper and grouper. If the tuna and amberjack aren’t biting, hit the mouth of the Crati River for leerfish, bluefish and sea bass.
TACKLE • 30-pound-class spinning combo spooled with 50-pound braided line and 80-pound fluorocarbon leader
• Lures: Shimano Waxwing 88, Ocea Staggering Swimmer and Pencil Poppers
• Jigs: Shimano Coltsniper • 20-pound-class outfit filled with 15-pound braid and a 40-pound fluoro leader
• Three- to five-ounce quick-release lead sinkers
• Light spinning rod • Sabiki rigs
KAYAKS Ocean Kayak 4.7, Hobie MirageDrive
TRAVEL NOTES Anglers can keep 11 pounds of fish per day or one fish over 11 pounds. Bluefin season is open from June 16 to October 14, but the best bluefin bite is off-season.
GET THERE Fly into Lamezia Terme (SUF). Rent a car ($200/week) or take a bus ($20).
STAY
Rent a tent or bungalow at Onda Azzurra (
www.onda-azzurra.it) on the Ionian Sea. Launch kayaks directly from the campground. Hotels and bed-and- breakfasts are available in Corigliano.
SIDE TRIP
Explore the medieval town of Corigliano, Calabro. Check out the 11th century ducal
castle, aqueducts and ancient Greek cities of Thurii and Sibari.
IDEAL ITINERARY Go in spring or fall for seven days. Wake at dawn, fish offshore for bluefin, amberjack, grouper and snapper. In the afternoon, try inshore fishing at the mouth of local rivers.
CONTACT Alfredo Gigliotti:
alfredogigliotti@virgilio.it
PHOTOS THIS PAGE: ALFREDO GIGLIOTTI
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