{"id":385,"date":"2025-10-01T12:07:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T10:07:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/?p=385"},"modified":"2026-06-11T12:09:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T10:09:07","slug":"ten-days-of-sea-friendship-and-bent-rods-the-logbook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/?p=385&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Ten Days of Sea, Friendship, and Bent Rods: The Logbook"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Ten Days of Sea, Friendship, and Bent Rods: The Logbook<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\tWhat happens when you bring together three friends, a deep-rooted passion for the open sea, and ten days of absolute freedom? From September 20 to 30, 2025, alongside the legendary Andrea \"Capitan Cinelli\" and Ale Zonarelli, we experienced an adventure of a lifetime\u2014the kind you talk about for years over a good glass of wine. This is the day-by-day logbook of our expedition.<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"\"Day 0 (September 20) \u2013 Departure and Nighttime Thrills<\/h3>

The eve of a trip is always a mix of adrenaline and frenzy. An evening flight from Bologna heading to Olbia. We land in the dead of night, but our minds are already on the fishing lines and the roar of the engines. Just enough time for a quick nap, because tomorrow the real work begins.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 1 (September 21) \u2013 The Transfer: From La Caletta to Puntaldia<\/h3>

The alarm goes off at dawn, and there’s no room for fatigue. Today’s goal is logistical but crucial: we need to retrieve the boat from the port of La Caletta<\/b> (Siniscola) and bring it to our “home base” mooring in the stunning setting of Puntaldia<\/b>.<\/p>

Once we cast off, the sea welcomes us for our first taste of navigation. A smooth but exciting transfer, perfect for checking that everything is dialed in before the real offshore fishing sessions of the coming days. We arrive in Puntaldia tired but with our eyes full of blue, ready to dock the boat right where it will stay for the rest of the trip.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\"\"Day 2 (September 22) \u2013 The Hard Law of the Sea: Hunting for Spots in the Swell<\/h3>

The second day immediately reminded us who\u2019s truly in charge out there: the sea. Upon waking up, the water had gotten significantly rougher, and the sky didn’t look promising. To make matters worse, the forecast for the following days predicted a sharp turn for the worse.<\/p>

In situations like this, in a sea that isn’t yours and whose secrets you don’t know, finding the right spots is anything but easy. Chart coordinates tell you a lot, but it\u2019s only by cruising over them and reading the fishfinder that you truly understand the bottom structure and baitfish movement.<\/p>

Despite the rolling and the wind starting to whip our faces, the Captain, Ale, and I made our choice: no retreat. We spent the day mapping the sea, crossing data, and studying depth contours to find the best structures and drop-offs. We knew the bad weather would give us a hard time in the days ahead, but that stubborn search was the only way to lay the groundwork for our next drops.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\"Day 3 (September 23) \u2013 Few but Worth It: Tenacity Pays Off<\/h3>

On September 23, the weather completely dropped its mask: terrible conditions, stiff winds, and a sea that showed no signs of calming down. Anyone else would have stayed at the dock twiddling their thumbs, but our stubbornness from the day before had to lead to something.<\/p>

We decided to make a targeted attempt on one of the depths we had studied. Fishing in those conditions requires double the focus: keeping the boat on position is a matter of millimeters, and feeling the bites on the bottom through that motion becomes an art form.<\/p>

And yet, our consistency paid off. Amidst the waves, a strike! After a solid retrieve, a beautiful seabream (parago) comes on board. Not a giant of the sea, sure, but on such a difficult day, that fish was pure gold. A moment of pure satisfaction that filled us with joy and gave meaning to all the effort we put in up to that point.<\/p>

With the wind picking up even more and the weather continuously worsening, we decided that was enough for the day and headed back to port. We were wet and tired, but the day had been amply rewarded.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\"\"Days 4, 5, and 6 (September 24-26) \u2013 Plan B: Exploring the Sardinian Inland<\/h3>

When the weather digs its heels in, a good sailor knows when it’s time to keep the engines at idle and enjoy terra firma. On September 24, 25, and 26, the weather just wouldn’t cooperate: strong winds and a sea way too rough to fish safely and enjoy the day.<\/p>

What do you do in these cases? You pivot to Plan B. We split our days “a bit on board, a bit exploring.” We stayed near the boat for routine maintenance and to make sure the moorings at Puntaldia were pristine, but then we decided to start the cars and head inland.<\/p>

Exploring the Sardinian interior among wild mountains, stone villages, and the scent of myrtle and strawberry trees was a true revelation. We took the opportunity to disconnect, step off the beaten tourist path, and, of course, comfort ourselves at the table with the bold flavors of traditional Sardinian cuisine. Three days different from what we planned, but spent with plenty of laughs, planning for the next outings, and great camaraderie. The perfect recharge while waiting for the sea to calm down.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\"Day 7 (September 27) \u2013 Between Sun, Rain, and an Unexpected Guest<\/p>

On September 27, the weather decided to play hide-and-seek with us. We headed out anyway for a boat scout, determined not to give up, but the scouting turned out to be really tough due to constant, frustrating instability. Within a few miles, we went from blinding sunshine to sudden downpours that forced us to take cover.<\/p>

The fish were also affected by this constant barometric rollercoaster. After several attempts, the only noteworthy bite brought a small scorpionfish (scorfano) on board: a concentration of spines and colors, but definitely too small for the pot. We released it immediately, wishing it well and hoping the gesture would bring us a bit of luck.<\/p>

Given the continuous worsening in the afternoon, we headed back to port. But we didn’t lose heart: we all gathered at the house to organize a great, rejuvenating afternoon snack\u2014complete with chats, a good glass of wine, and plenty of irony about this bizarre weather.<\/p>

The day ended like that, in total relaxation. But while it kept raining outside, we were already studying the charts around the table: for the next day, we had a very interesting plan in mind…<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\"<\/p>

Days 8 and 9 (September 28-29) \u2013 A Lesson from the Master and the Secrets of Live Bait<\/h3>

Tired of wandering aimlessly in a sea that kept throwing tantrums, we decided to make the smart move: pick up the phone and rely on a great friend who lives a bit further north, in the Cannigione area. I’m talking about Giuseppe Falcone from Shardana Fishing<\/b>, a true master of the sea and fishing in Sardinia, to whom you can only take your hat off and learn.<\/p>

\"\"The appointment was for real hardcore anglers: 6:00 AM, the dock still wrapped in pitch darkness. The number one goal of the day was fundamental: catching live bait. Anyone who knows me knows that squid fishing is absolutely one of my greatest passions. Giuseppe took us directly to a couple of his spots: we dropped our lines, and the magic happened. The squids were there, big time! Seeing the mastery with which Giuseppe moves makes you instantly realize the difference between someone who goes to sea and someone who masters it: when someone knows their stuff, they know their stuff<\/i>. The day couldn’t have started better.<\/p>

Unfortunately, the hard law of fishing struck again: when the sea decides it doesn’t want to hand out presents, no perfect bait or live squid will change that, and the strikes on the predators never came. Despite this, the outing was incredibly interesting. Giuseppe gave us a top-tier masterclass, showing us spots and secrets that we will jealously guard and that will come in very handy for future adventures.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 10 (September 30) \u2013 Dismissing the Crew: Logistics and… Spring Cleaning<\/h3>

\"\"Every great adventure has its time for reflection and duties. September 30 was dedicated to putting everything back in order. The first mission was nautical: we fired up the engines to bring the boat back to the port of La Caletta<\/b>. Once moored, we rolled up our sleeves for a deep wash and cleanup, leaving her perfectly tuned and shiny, ready to jump into action for the next fishing trip.<\/p>

But the real work was waiting for us on land. After ten days of intensive living with a crew of only men\u2014among fishing gear, boots, wet jackets, and quick dinners\u2014the house was definitely… suffering! Before packing our bags and catching our flight back to Bologna, we had to dedicate quite a bit of attention and elbow grease to the rooms to bring back some order.<\/p>

\"\" we closed the front door heading to Olbia airport, the fatigue was real, but the desire to return to this beautiful sea was already sky-high. Huge thanks to Capitan Cinelli, Ale, and Giuseppe for making these 10 days unforgettable. See you on the next wave!<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\"\"P.S.<\/b> Once we landed in Bologna, the first mandatory stop could only be at the table. After so much time at sea, we needed a nice, steaming plate of tortellini to bring us back to life and welcome us home properly!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ten Days of Sea, Friendship, and Bent Rods: The Logbook What happens when you bring together three friends, a deep-rooted passion for the open sea, and ten days of absolute freedom? From September 20 to 30, 2025, alongside the legendary Andrea “Capitan Cinelli” and Ale Zonarelli, we experienced an adventure of a lifetime\u2014the kind you talk about for years over a good glass of wine. This is the day-by-day logbook of our expedition. Day 0 (September 20) \u2013 Departure and Nighttime Thrills The eve of a trip is always a mix of adrenaline and frenzy. An evening flight from Bologna heading to Olbia. We land in the dead of night, but our minds are already on the fishing lines and the roar of the engines. Just enough time for a quick nap, because tomorrow the real work begins. Day 1 (September 21) \u2013 The Transfer: From La Caletta to Puntaldia The alarm goes off at dawn, and there’s no room for fatigue. Today’s goal is logistical but crucial: we need to retrieve the boat from the port of La Caletta (Siniscola) and bring it to our “home base” mooring in the stunning setting of Puntaldia. Once we cast off, the sea welcomes us for our first taste of navigation. A smooth but exciting transfer, perfect for checking that everything is dialed in before the real offshore fishing sessions of the coming days. We arrive in Puntaldia tired but with our eyes full of blue, ready to dock the boat right where it will stay for the rest of the trip. Day 2 (September 22) \u2013 The Hard Law of the Sea: Hunting for Spots in the Swell The second day immediately reminded us who\u2019s truly in charge out there: the sea. Upon waking up, the water had gotten significantly rougher, and the sky didn’t look promising. To make matters worse, the forecast for the following days predicted a sharp turn for the worse. In situations like this, in a sea that isn’t yours and whose secrets you don’t know, finding the right spots is anything but easy. Chart coordinates tell you a lot, but it\u2019s only by cruising over them and reading the fishfinder that you truly understand the bottom structure and baitfish movement. Despite the rolling and the wind starting to whip our faces, the Captain, Ale, and I made our choice: no retreat. We spent the day mapping the sea, crossing data, and studying depth contours to find the best structures and drop-offs. We knew the bad weather would give us a hard time in the days ahead, but that stubborn search was the only way to lay the groundwork for our next drops. Day 3 (September 23) \u2013 Few but Worth It: Tenacity Pays Off On September 23, the weather completely dropped its mask: terrible conditions, stiff winds, and a sea that showed no signs of calming down. Anyone else would have stayed at the dock twiddling their thumbs, but our stubbornness from the day before had to lead to something. We decided to make a targeted attempt on one of the depths we had studied. Fishing in those conditions requires double the focus: keeping the boat on position is a matter of millimeters, and feeling the bites on the bottom through that motion becomes an art form. And yet, our consistency paid off. Amidst the waves, a strike! After a solid retrieve, a beautiful seabream (parago) comes on board. Not a giant of the sea, sure, but on such a difficult day, that fish was pure gold. A moment of pure satisfaction that filled us with joy and gave meaning to all the effort we put in up to that point. With the wind picking up even more and the weather continuously worsening, we decided that was enough for the day and headed back to port. We were wet and tired, but the day had been amply rewarded. Days 4, 5, and 6 (September 24-26) \u2013 Plan B: Exploring the Sardinian Inland When the weather digs its heels in, a good sailor knows when it’s time to keep the engines at idle and enjoy terra firma. On September 24, 25, and 26, the weather just wouldn’t cooperate: strong winds and a sea way too rough to fish safely and enjoy the day. What do you do in these cases? You pivot to Plan B. We split our days “a bit on board, a bit exploring.” We stayed near the boat for routine maintenance and to make sure the moorings at Puntaldia were pristine, but then we decided to start the cars and head inland. Exploring the Sardinian interior among wild mountains, stone villages, and the scent of myrtle and strawberry trees was a true revelation. We took the opportunity to disconnect, step off the beaten tourist path, and, of course, comfort ourselves at the table with the bold flavors of traditional Sardinian cuisine. Three days different from what we planned, but spent with plenty of laughs, planning for the next outings, and great camaraderie. The perfect recharge while waiting for the sea to calm down. Day 7 (September 27) \u2013 Between Sun, Rain, and an Unexpected Guest On September 27, the weather decided to play hide-and-seek with us. We headed out anyway for a boat scout, determined not to give up, but the scouting turned out to be really tough due to constant, frustrating instability. Within a few miles, we went from blinding sunshine to sudden downpours that forced us to take cover. The fish were also affected by this constant barometric rollercoaster. After several attempts, the only noteworthy bite brought a small scorpionfish (scorfano) on board: a concentration of spines and colors, but definitely too small for the pot. We released it immediately, wishing it well and hoping the gesture would bring us a bit of luck. Given the continuous worsening in the afternoon, we headed back to port. But we didn’t lose heart: we all gathered at the house to organize a great, rejuvenating afternoon snack\u2014complete with chats, a good glass of wine, and plenty of irony about this bizarre weather. The day ended like that, in total relaxation. But while it kept raining outside, we were already studying the charts around the table: for the next day, we had a very interesting plan in mind… Days 8 and 9 (September 28-29) \u2013 A Lesson from the Master and the Secrets of Live Bait Tired of wandering aimlessly in a sea that kept throwing tantrums, we decided to make the smart move: pick up the phone and rely on a great friend who lives a bit further north, in the Cannigione area. I’m talking about Giuseppe Falcone from Shardana Fishing, a true master of the sea and fishing in Sardinia, to whom you can only take your hat off and learn. The appointment was for real hardcore anglers: 6:00 AM, the dock still wrapped in pitch darkness. The number one goal of the day was fundamental: catching live bait. Anyone who knows me knows that squid fishing is absolutely one of my greatest passions. Giuseppe took us directly to a couple of his spots: we dropped our lines, and the magic happened. The squids were there, big time! Seeing the mastery with which Giuseppe moves makes you instantly realize the difference between someone who goes to sea and someone who masters it: when someone knows their stuff, they know their stuff. The day couldn’t have started better. Unfortunately, the hard law of fishing struck again: when the sea decides it doesn’t want to hand out presents, no perfect bait or live squid will change that, and the strikes on the predators never came. Despite this, the outing was incredibly interesting. Giuseppe gave us a top-tier masterclass, showing us spots and secrets that we will jealously guard and that will come in very handy for future adventures. \u00a0 Day 10 (September 30) \u2013 Dismissing the Crew: Logistics and… Spring Cleaning Every great adventure has its time for reflection and duties. September 30 was dedicated to putting everything back in order. The first mission was nautical: we fired up the engines to bring the boat back to the port of La Caletta. Once moored, we rolled up our sleeves for a deep wash and cleanup, leaving her perfectly tuned and shiny, ready to jump into action for the next fishing trip. But the real work was waiting for us on land. After ten days of intensive living with a crew of only men\u2014among fishing gear, boots, wet jackets, and quick dinners\u2014the house was definitely… suffering! Before packing our bags and catching our flight back to Bologna, we had to dedicate quite a bit of attention and elbow grease to the rooms to bring back some order. we closed the front door heading to Olbia airport, the fatigue was real, but the desire to return to this beautiful sea was already sky-high. Huge thanks to Capitan Cinelli, Ale, and Giuseppe for making these 10 days unforgettable. See you on the next wave! \u00a0 P.S. Once we landed in Bologna, the first mandatory stop could only be at the table. After so much time at sea, we needed a nice, steaming plate of tortellini to bring us back to life and welcome us home properly!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[57,47,63],"class_list":["post-385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-villa-gin-en","tag-fishing","tag-pesca-en","tag-villa-gin-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=385"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":399,"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385\/revisions\/399"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bandabassotti.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}