'Balancal' Game Fishing
"The Atlantic Blue Marlin season in Madeira runs from May to October with the average fish being estimated at around 700 lbs. Past fish records show that approximately one in every ten is the fish of a lifetime, the elusive 1000 llb 'grander'!"
LAST REPORT: Balancal Early July 2008 Report
Our summer blue marlin season is now in full swing. This year has been a good year with greater numbers of blue marlin around than in previous seasons. Along with fish of our usual average size, there are currently good numbers of smaller size fish in the 400 and even 300 lb class which is unusual but these smaller fish increase our numbers and have given our anglers, both novice and experienced, some extra excitement in the last few weeks. Aboard the Balancal we have been doing very well and our anglers have had hooked and fought two blue marlin in a single day on a number of occasions, most recently during the 4th July World Cup when a 636 lb blue marlin that was badly injured was boated late in the afternoon and a larger fish lost on the leader earlier in the day. At press time there is plentiful ocean life on the island grounds with fin and Bryde's whales, pods of spotted and bottlenose dolphin, loggerhead turtles and Corey shearwaters being commonly sighted. Besides blue marlin there have been some other gamefish in the area feeding on the abundant bait including white marlin, spearfish/hatchet marlin and dorado, both the usual schoolies and some bigger fish to 20kgs. Today (6 July) the first big tuna of the summer season showed up. This is an exciting development and we hope that they will continue to stay in the area.
It has been said on many occasions that Madeira offers some of the finest fishing grounds for Atlantic Blue Marlin. Fish close to and in excess of 1,000lbs are caught here more than anywhere else in the world. Although you may not see the same numbers of marlin compared to other locations, the fish of your dreams is waiting for you just for you between May and October each year. Big Eye and Bluefin Tuna are also regularly caught with the average weight for Big Eye being around 100lbs. Wahoo up to 90lbs are not uncommon and make excellent sport on light tackle.
Boat Specifications
Lochin 333 Gamefisher • 10.5 metres - Less than 3 years old
Twin 300 h.p. Perkins Diesels
GPS, Depth Sounder & VHF Radio
Maximum Safety Equipment
Captain Anibal Fernandes is recognised as one of Madeira's most experienced fisherman. Anibal spent twenty years fishing commercially in South Africa before returning to his native Madeira in 1982. It was at this time that he met Roddy Hayes and eventually became the skipper of 'Anguila'. Their first season together was one of the most successful ever with over 80 Blue Marlin caught and tagged. He went on to skipper both 'Lara Jade' and 'Margarita' and during this time guided anglers to almost 20 'granders'. He has now been the skipper of 'Balancal' for almost two years.
Fish for:- Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Big Eye Tuna, Yellow Fin Tuna, Blue Fin Tuna, Dolphin Fish, Wahoo
EXCURSIONS
Take to the open sea . . .
Dolphins, Whales, Picnics, Swimming & Game Fishing: To make your holidays unique and special, take a break from every day life and take to the open sea for the purest of fresh air and exhilaration. You may even have the chance to swim with wild dolphins in the Atlantic Ocean!
Balancal Big Game Fishing
Estalagem Casa Velha do Palheiro, Palheiro Golf, São
Gonçalo, Funchal
Contact: Jonathan Fletcher
Telephone: ++351 291 794901
Fax: ++351 291 794925
Website www.madeira-marlin.com
E-mail info@madeira-marlin.com
MORNING CRUISE -
Passing along the south east coast you will have the
perfect opportunity to witness dolphins first hand. A
memory you will never forget!
AFTERNOON CRUISE -
We'll put the lines out, so get ready to reel them
in! We'll pass under Cabo Girão, Europe's highest sea
cliff before stopping off for a picnic and swim.
TWILIGHT CRUISE -
Serving Canapés and sparkling wine this has got to be
the best way to round off the day.