madeira

**PMU** · 26-01-2006, 21:30

hello all
going to madeira in july, whats the shore
fishing like? can I get gear over there?
any charter boats doing general fishing?
dont want to splash out for a marlin boat.
I would be grateful for any tips. thanks
Pat

**cezice** · 26-01-2006, 22:52

viseted madeira on a cruise i went on in the begining of december and in the harbour there are loads of bige boats i asume for the big stuff but there are as many litler ones there. its a grate place mate was onli there for a day but so much to see the tobogan ride thing is good !
when we were leaving i was surprised to see quite a few anglers on the shore line. this was about 5 in the evening..........maybe it fishes wel at night ??? your guess is as good as mine. but all in all you shouldnt have a problem with geting on to a boat there are pleanty there. go to the litle booking office thingy at the harbour side, not far from the beatles yaght thats there.

hope that iv been of use to you.
any more questions just ask mate.

**PanamaJack** · 27-01-2006, 09:39

Hi Pat
The island's as you're doubtless aware volcanic in origin and, from memory, has the highest sea cliffs, west of Funchal, in the world. I believe they're over 3000'. Any way the only point for mentioning that is that most of the shore line, other than that area east of Funchal to what was the old whaling station - now a hotel development - is inaccessable. However, as the previous respondent mentionned you would be able to shore fish that area. I've never seen too much come out of it though, mainly small bream and the locals tend to use long beachcasters or even bamboo poles fished 'roach pole' style.

It's some years since I last fished there, and there were no small boats available for charter, but things may well have changed. If you do find someone to take you out though there's excellent light tackle trolling inshore for Bluefish, Skipjack Tuna and Wahoo, and we've even caught 10lb Bream species on Rapalas. (Also, occasionally Dorado show up.) The areas we had most success were to the west of Funchal, out towards the Cape, and to the west side of the Desertas Islands.

Although, particularly during the early 90s, they had a hugely successful run of Marlin over the last 5 years or so it's been very slow. Although fish when they showed were normally BIG, 600lb plus up to fish way in excess of 1000lbs. However the rates ramped up during the halcyon days whilst they were paid by anglers desperate to catch a 'grander' detered clients when the fish 'disappeared. Clients, and several of the bigger boats, deserted the venue in numbers.

But things certainly in terms of fish changed last year, the Marlin returned in reasonable numbers, but there were very few clients. You may want to view this thread from a US web site, that's updated by Dustin Foo - a London-based barrister cum luremaker - to see what's been happening in 2005 - http://www.marlinnut.com/dcforum/DCForumID1/887.html.

Back to the dirth of clients though a number of the local Marlin boats offer charters offer where they'll put a group together. And rates, for an individual, seem to be around 100 Euros for half a day, 165 for a full day. Here's one such illustration - http://www.madeira-marlin.com/pages/boat.html. If you want a more comprehensive listing though details, and url links, are on our Club's web site - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_Ar...le_Madeira.asp.

Just as a last point July is right in the middle of prime Marlin time.

Alright I've 'banged on' about the Marlin fishing, something I particularly enjoy, but I guess many of the others would certainly be interested in how your trip goes and details of the shore and inshore fishing. Please make sure you post back a report when you get back.

Every success
Dave
http://www.scbi.org.uk

**PanamaJack** · 27-01-2006, 09:53

I've just noticed in your 'banner' ID that you fish for sharks. Albeit years ago I recall seeing an article with a picture of a 300lb plus Blue Shark that a Belgian angler caught. And our Club members have had some big Threshers, fishing deep, whilst after Broadbill Swordfish. Makos also show up, as well as Hammerheads.

Then, and this is only for interest because no one fishes for them, there are huge deepwater Six Gill Sharks off the island. In the evening they would come out of the abyssal deeps to bottom feed on areas like the 100 fathom drop off. I remember in the 'early days' of a UK publication - Angling Times - Bernard Venables catching a fish of 15 or 1600lbs. And subsequently Trevor Housby being spooled, on a 16/0 Senator, whilst there.

**PMU** · 27-01-2006, 21:57

thanks dave and cezice
I knew it was rocky but 3000ft!I will probably stay in Canico.
I will also look into the boat scene when there. No point bringing
spinning rod.heard about those big blues,hope they are more plentiful
in madeira than ireland.will definately post results.
Pat

**Dave Godwin** · 28-01-2006, 09:10

There is an English charter skipper operating from Madeira, his name is Ron Cowling, and his boat is called "Our Mary".
As i remember he offers all types of boat fishing.

**dale** · 28-01-2006, 11:38

i was there a year ago and the shore fishing seemed pretty inaccessable due to the depth.

the boat fishing was expensive. 150E for a hlaf day and 250 for the full. that was when sharing with 2 other guys.

mind you when you see a 1000lb marlin its going to be worth it.
i didn't hook up in the trips i did but i did see one. what a fish.
lucky old me managed the only fish hooked all week on the boat a 20lb+ dolphin. least i got it 20lb stand up so i got some sport for my several hundred euro's.

around the harbour in Funchal there was plenty of activity with guys catching small bream and mullet.
rats a plenty at night.

nice place for a holiday with a spot of fishing. my wife enjoyed it and she hates when i disappear for hours on end while we are on hols.

**PanamaJack** · 28-01-2006, 12:16

Pat
Canico was where the whaling station used to be. And it was probably still in operation up to the early sixties processing Sperm Whales. Magnificent creatures. But, despite its barbarity, the locals were targeting them from open boats - Moby Dick style - from open rowing boats with hand held harpoons. You have to admire their bravery.

Any way there might be some purpose in taking your spin rod with you and fishing for the Bluefish and European Barracuda. Either plugs, or small float fished livebaits would work. The Bluefish are a species of the Caranx family - Jacks - with impressive teeth and ATTITUDE! And, if you put too much pressure on their head, they'll jump. I think the biggest our members have recorded from there was a 19 pounder, that might still be one of the European line class records. I can recall whether there're any freshwater streams entering at that end of the island, but Bluefish do seem to be attracted by freshwater.

Forgot to mention for either species you'd need to fish with a wire trace.

Then Dale's observation about 'granders'. They're unbelievable beasts when they jump or more often, like Black Marlin, broach - landing on their sides. The biggest we recorded from Madeira was a measured, and estimated using the recognised formula, 1300 pounder. In that it wasn't quite world record size it was released. Just to whet your appetite though, if you are tempted, there're some pictures of jumping Blues and a couple of weighed 'granders' on our Club's web site against this url - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_Ar..._Ascension.asp. Those fish came from Ascension Island, somewhat further south.
Dave

Well Dale what did you think of your Dolphinfish? They're prodigous jumpers and the colours are magnificent, hence their Spanish name Dorado. They're one of my favourite light tackle gamefish. And in slightly warmer seas where you encounter them in numbers they're great sport on a heavy fly rod.
Dave

**stonefish** · 27-02-2006, 19:10

Wow, 3000' cliffs. I'd take a drop net if I were you !!

**halcyonbill** · 23-04-2006, 22:21

Hi Pat, I'm just back from a week in Canico; my second trip to Madeira. My advice is to take walking boots, sun cream, and a breathable waterproof.
You can get some gear there, but it is very different in style to what you are used to. Unless you hire a car, it is quite difficult to get around while carrying shore gear(packed buses), but not impossible. I met two keen chaps heading for a small harbour at the eastern tip of the island, which looked promising, and would give access, but is a good hour stiff walk from the end of the road. They had the usual european telescopic long rods and minimum gear. The area is called San Laurenco and has some fish pens offshore. A wonderful walk at the sunny end of the island, regardless of fishing.
There is a black sand/pebble beach at the bottom of the cliff at Garajau,near Canico, which might be accessed by the new service road down to cable car/hotel they are building. Some access can be had near most coastal towns but all I've seen caught are sardines and mullet.
Yes, there are many small boats, and people are friendly, but try to organise some thing before you go, or you will be dissappointed. July is right in the middle of the game fishing season, and also popular with divers. Pre booking is also advised for car hire; it's cheaper.
The north coast is inclined to have a bit more wind, more surf. Also more rain.
Best plan, break into the piggy bank and take a day on the game boats; there's good tuna in already; I saw some on the slab last week; and no better way to get the sun.
A last tip, take plenty of cash; they seem to have a reluctance to take credit cards.
I normally spend Easter and/or May day in your part of the world, on Corrib, but Madeira is warmer and very nice, with great food and drink (cheaper too) so I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Best of luck.