Recreational fishing along the Lebanese coast is a long tradition — fishermen on the Manara, weekend trolling boats out of Jounieh, and shore casting in Batroun. Equipment shops stock everything from $20 spinning combos to $1500 saltwater bait casters.
Equipment basics
- Rod: spinning for casting lures, surf for beach, boat for offshore.
- Reel: spinning for beginners, baitcaster for control, conventional for big game.
- Line: monofilament forgiving, fluorocarbon invisible, braid sensitive.
- Hooks and weights: matched to bait and species.
- Lures: jigs, soft plastics, spoons, plugs.
Techniques used in Lebanon
- Shore casting for bream, mullet, and small bass.
- Spinning for amberjack and barracuda from rocks.
- Trolling for tuna, dorado, and mahi-mahi offshore.
- Bottom fishing on offshore drop-offs.
Tips for buyers
- Match rod power to target fish weight.
- Wash gear with fresh water after every saltwater session.
- Lubricate reels every 20 hours of use.
- Local hand-tied flies and lures often outperform mass-produced imports.
