The European garfish lives near the surface along the coasts of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, in loose shoals that hunt small fish and shrimp. It is a slim silver-green fish with a long beak lined with tiny teeth. On light gear it jumps and tail-walks far out of proportion to its weight. That beak is bony and hard to set a hook in, so many bites come to nothing; a thin strip of fish bait or a small spinner just under the surface gives the best chance.
The one boat that lists garfish does not target them. In Malta, Adele II, a fast Axopar 37 from Floriana, runs 12 hour private days from 08:00 for up to 11, mixing bottom fishing, jigging and live baiting inshore and offshore; garfish are a fish you may see near the surface on the inshore part. In tropical waters the long-beaked fish at the surface are usually needlefish, warm-water cousins of the European garfish.
Questions and answers
Short answers to what people ask before they book. Anything else, ask the captain in chat.
Why are garfish bones green?
The colour comes from a natural pigment, biliverdin, that the fish lays down in its bones. It is harmless, stays green when cooked, and the white flesh around it is good to eat.
Can I catch garfish on a Malta charter?
You may, though no boat on Reelzy sells a garfish trip. Adele II from Floriana lists them beside bigger fish such as amberjack, dentex and mahi mahi, and its 12 hour days include time inshore, where garfish shoals feed near the surface. If you see them, ask the skipper for a light rod and a thin strip of fish bait.