Madeira

Between May and September every year some of the biggest blue marlin in the Atlantic appear in Madeiran waters.

Blue marlin have been fished by island anglers since the 1970s, when pioneers such as Dr. Antonio Ribeiro took on the challenge of battling marlin and tuna. During the 1980s, the focus for most visiting anglers tended to be sharks and the prolific schools of bigeye tuna, but some huge blue marlin were weighed in and many more lost. Dr Antonio was rewarded for his pioneering work when he boated a European record blue marlin of over 1000 lbs, the first grander blue marlin to be caught on rod and reel in Europe.

The one that started it all for Capt. Roddy Hays

In 1989, English skipper Roddy Hayes set up a charter operation in Madeira. One of the first to work alongside Roddy was former commercial tuna skipper Anibal Fernandes (now Captain of M.Y. Balancal). Soon both skippers were recording remarkable blue marlin catches, the great majority of which were tagged and released. The exceptional marlin seasons of 1992 to 1996 saw the island of Madeira become the focus of worldwide attention.

Blue marlin fishing in Madeira, along with the other Atlantic islands, underwent a severe downturn between 1997 and 2000, blamed by many on the strong El Niño event of 1996-1997. Conditions quietly began to improve from 2001 onwards, and recent seasons have seen the island grounds return to much of their former glory.

Today, the emphasis is on sustainability and conservation. Heavy tackle is used to avoid prolonged fights and care is taken to release billfish in as good condition as is possible.

Blue marlin normally start to appear in May and can be encountered as late as September. Recent seasons have seen the months of June and July produce the very best blue marlin fishing. Most blue marlin encountered in Madeiran waters will be in the 500 to 700 lb class. True giants in the magic thousand pound class are hooked up and fought every year.

The fishing grounds are situated on the south coast of the island, sheltered by the high cliffs from the prevailing northeast trade winds. Fishing generally takes place within a few miles of the island and many great fish are caught well within two miles of the shoreline. Lure fishing is the most successful method with a wide variety of medium to large artificials from various sources being successful.

There are a number of charter operators sailing out of both Funchal and the new marina at Calheta. The most reputable are...

Capt. Peter Bristow - Katherine B - www.fishmadeira.com

Capt. Anibal Fernandes - Balancal - www.madeira-marlin.com