Located in Funchal, this fishing charter is excellent for your deep sea fishing trips with your family and friends. Everything is on board to enjoy a wonderful day fishing in Madeira. We offer half day or full day fishing trips and go an extra mile to ensure your trip is memorable and productive. Everyone is welcome aboard our fishing charters - from novice to experienced anglers, to corporate groups and families. Book this boat now and enjoy a great day fishing in Madeira.
M.Y. Balancal,
Funchal,
Madeira
Fishing Area
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago situated less than 400km north of Tenerife (Canary Islands). Portuguese sailors discovered the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and Desertas in 1419. Today, Madeira is a popular tourist destination, famous for its wine, flowers, landscapes and its fishing possibilities.
Due to the geographic situation of Madeira, the island enjoys an abundance of fish of various kinds like Blue Marlin, Blue Fin Tuna, White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Albacore, Big Eye Tuna, Yellow fin tuna, Wahoo, Spearfish, skipjack tuna and many others.
Blue Marlin Fishing in Madeira
Every year, towards May blue marlin start to show up in the waters around Madeira. Marlin fishing has become very popular in Madeira since the 70’s, when anglers started catching regularly 1000lb+ Blue Marlin. Every season thousands of Big Game fishing enthusiasts fly to Madeira to fish this amazing predator. Most of the Fishing Charters in Madeira support catch and release.
The best fishing area for Marlin fishing is the southern part of Madeira. Here, the spectacular cliffs protect the area from the North Eastern winds, which often make fishing impossible on the north coast of the archipelago. The sea bottom quickly gains depth, which means “fenders in, lines out”. At relatively short distances from the coast the depths can reach over 3000m!
Apart from Blue Marlin, you can also count on two other lightweight billfish species: White Marlin and Spearfish (also from May to September).
Tuna Fishing in Madeira
In January the first tuna appear in this Madeira area, especially the Big Eye Tuna. In April and May these magnificent fighters prowl the offshore grounds in search of sardines, anchovies and mackerel. The biggest Big Eyes can be found in summer, when they surpass easily the 80kg barrier.
Albacore and Skip Jack arrive for the summer months, which are excellent light tackle tuna species. Bluefin tuna are around towards the end of summer. From late summer into early winter large wahoo are the best sportfish.
Bottom Fishing and Jigging in Madeira
During winter, when the big game season is very calm, it can be very interesting to go bottom fishing or jigging in Madeira. The irregular sea floor that consists of rocks, reefs, drop offs and holes is the beloved home to Grouper, Red Snapper, Amberjack, Horse Mackerel, etc. A perfect place to explore with large soft bait, jigs and inchiku lures.
Access to the Fishing Area
Atlantic Ocean
Boat and Captain
The Balancal is a British-built Lochin 333 Flybridge sportfisherman, launched in 2001. She was originally commissioned as a private sportfishing yacht and still continues to serve her owners in that capacity, but for the last three years she has also been placed in charter, taking her guests to sea in comfort and safety.
The 33 foot Lochin hull has proved itself in a variety of demanding roles, including that of RNLI lifeboat, and is renowned for its seakeeping and safety.
The Balancal is powered by twin 300 hp Perkins diesel engines giving her both speed and manoeuverability.
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.
Equipment
We run four 130 pound (58kg) class outfits.
• Shimano 130 lb Reel
• Shimano 80lb Reel (130lb line)
• Penn Int. 80lb W Reel & Rod (130 lb line)