Fishing in Portugal

A successful fishing trip in Portugal

 

Come fishing in Portugal! We currently have boats and guides waiting for you in the Algarve, Cascais near Lisbon, Porto, the Azores and Madeira.

Fishing has long formed an integral part of Portuguese culture and diet. It is a fantastic fishing destination with a long season and lots of different fish and angling experiences. Popular forms of fishing in Portugal include sea fishing including big game fishing, fresh water fishing, beach casting and cliff fishing.

People who want to give fishing a go or learn new skills are always welcome on day trips where tuition is provided if necessary. While for the more experienced, the sizeable range of habitats in such a small country offer the opportunity for more challenging sport and some whopper catches!

 

Sea and Big Game Fishing in Portugal

With over 500 miles(800km) of coastline and a strong maritime tradition, Portugal has no shortage of locations for sea fishing! Up to 200 different species of fish can be taken from Portuguese waters including 1000lb (450kg) marlin! Thanks to the benign influences of the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans, the Gulf Stream and the continental shelf the Portuguese coast attracts many large fish and has gained a reputation as one of the best sea fishing destinations in Europe. Big game (deep sea) fishing can provide the ultimate thrill and it is very popular in Portugal, Madeira and the Azores. With breathtaking scenery and the challenge of massive tuna, blue and white marlin, shark and scabbard fish amongst others, your photos and experience will be the envy of your friends!

Most boats now operate a catch and release policy. You can charter a boat privately at any time or join a group on a prearranged trip. We offer big game fishing in the Azores, Madeira, Cascais, Eastern Algarve, Vilamoura and Lagos

The islands of the Azores and Madeira are currently rates as some of the best locations in the world for big game fishing

 

Big Game Fishing in The Azores
From July to late October the gulf stream brings very large marlin and, in recent years, large blue-fin tuna to feed in the waters of the Azores. The islands hold six out of ten of the current IFGA men’s blue marlin world records and a total of 22 world record catches for different species. As well as these giants there are plenty of other big game fish including white marlin, bigeye and yellow fin tuna, spear fish, swordfish and mako sharks so hopefully you’ll go home triumphant!

Big Game Fishing in Madeira
The blue and white marlin seasons lasts from May to October in Madeira. Very large fish have been taken here and the World Cup Blue Marlin Championship was won by fishermen in Madeira in 1995, 1996 and 1997. As well as the marlin, there are albacore, dorado, spear fish, big eye tuna, blue fin tuna, skipjack, amberjack and wahoo ensuring good fishing all year around.

 

Big Game and Sea Fishing in The Algarve and Mainland Portugal
Shark fishing trips in the Algarve report a good success rate. Blue sharks are the most commonly caught but Mako and hammerhead sharks have also been taken. As the water temperature rises, the marlin comes to the Algarve and there are yearly marlin fishing competitions run from Vilamoura marina and Tavira. An IGFA Record Marlin was caught in Tavira in the Algarve. There is also a good variety of other fish to be had with corvina of up to 100lbs (45kg) a particular highlight. Further up the coast there are less big game fish but recommended sites for general sea and reef fishing in Portugal include the area around Sines in the Alentejo and Sesimbra, Peniche and Nazaré in central Portugal, near Lisbon.

fresh water fishing

For the hungrier, less experienced or more modest amongst you there are also great reef fishing half-day and day trips available from marinas across Portugal. The guide will provide you with, insider knowledge, fishing tackle and bait, a comfy chair and if you’re a beginner will show you the ropes. One of the best things about these trips is that after an invigorating day in the sea air you can normally take any fish you catch home for the barbecue!

As you sail out to sea you will first find bream, sole, grouper and jewfish, then as you head further out you pass over an extension of the continental platform where medium size fish build their nests and swim in big shoals giving you the opportunity to catch anchovy, mackerel, sea bream, rock bass, conger eel and spurdog. Finally as you head out towards open sea there are shoals of tuna, sharks, sawfish and sprat waiting to test your skill! We currently offer these trips in Vilamoura, the Ria Formosa near TaviraCascais and the Azores.

On sea fishing trips there may be discounts for non-fishing friends or family who you can lure along with the promise of great scenery and a sun tan and the possibility of spotting wild dolphins and whales!

While you are near the coast you could also try for mullet, eels, sole and snook in the river mouths and estuaries.

 

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Fishing charters in Porto!

Fishing trips in Lisbon!

Fishing trips in Eastern Algarve!

Fishing trips in Vilamoura!

Fishing trips in Albufeira!

Fishing trips in Lagos!

Fishing trips in Azores (Sao Miguel)!

Fishing trips in Azores (Faial)!

Fishing trips in Madeira!

Marlin