cape verdes

[James Ensor]

Probably the best place in the world right now to catch blues. It is not being seriously fished and marlin are prolific between the islands where the tuna run. Best spot is probably Sao Nicolau which you can reach from the UK via Lisbon for under £600 including hotel, flight and visa. Local boats can be haggled to a modest price whilst international boats cost £500-£600 per day. Record haul from Sao Nicolau stands at 10 blues in one day. Try Cape Verde Jetaway www.capeverdejetaway.com for advice.

[PanamaJack]

James
From memory the record catch, in terms of numbers, came from the channel between Sao Vincente and Santo Antao back in the 90s. World record holder Stewart Campbell released, I believe, 22 Blue Marlin in a single day. That's never been bested from anywhere in the world.

Conditions in the channel, normally fished out of Mindelo on Sao Vincente, tend to be rather rough - it faces almost directly into the prevailing North East Trade winds. But as well numbers they, every year, catch or certainly hook 'granders'. Charles Perry, who often skippers for Stewart Campbell, has experiences of any numbers of 'granders' and the biggest fish he's hooked up there - and lost - was estimated at in excess of 1400lbs!

If the 'channel' isn't fishing well the Mindelo boats will run and fish the lee of Sao Nicholau where you can usually catch the Blues fishing Bait 'n' Switch. Or if you really want to try, on a fly rod. In '98 an American, Charlie Tombras, caught one of 208lbs fishing a 16lb tippet!
Dave

[PanamaJack]

For anyone interested there's an article published in Marlin Magazine a while ago featuring the Cape Verde Islands. Here's the url - http://www.marlinmag.com/article.jsp?ID=16225.