Do you fancy indulging yourself in complete luxury while fishing for the king of big game fishing the magnificent Blue Marlin?
Well we are please to add Casa Velha do Palheiro that is located in the hills above Funchal in the Palheiro Estate, This is a graceful 5 star Madeira country house hotel, with 37 luxurious rooms. There is also direct access to the stunning Palheiro Golf Course, with privileged tee offs from the halfway house, a short stroll from the gate. Combine this luxury accommodation with the resorts own big game fishing boat M.Y. Balancal, which is fully equipped to fish from 130lb class Blue Marlin fishing to light tackle bottom fishing. Also, as any angler knows apart from being in the right place at the right time with the correct tackle when big game fishing its all about teamwork therefore it is paramount that you are fishing with a top captain and crew.
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 'grandeurs'. He has now been the skipper of 'Balancal' for almost five years.
Between May and September every year some of the biggest Blue Marlin in the Atlantic appear in Madeiran waters. 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 its former glory. Blue Marlin normally starts 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 artificial lures from various sources being successful.
FISHING METHODS
Big Game Fishing, Trolling.
SPECIES TO CATCH
Blue Marlin
Season: May to September
Peak: June to July
Weight: 400lb to 1100lb
Average Weight: 550lb |
Big Eye Tuna
Season: Jan to August
Peak: May to July
Weight: 30lb to 160lb
Average Weight: 75lb |
Wahoo
Season: September to Jan
Peak: Oct to Nov
Weight: 30lb to 120lb
Average Weight: 60lb |
Note: these figures are complied with catch reports over 5 years, however they can be affected by adverse weather conditions.
TOUR INCLUDES
Flights, all transfers, accommodation, breakfast, 1 dinner for two persons in the Casa Velha do Palheiro dining room including house wine, guided fishing and tackle.
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
Holiday insurance, and local tips
OPTIONS
Additional Fishing Days
Non Angling Activities
VISA
A machine readable passport with at least 6 months before expiry
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
No vaccinations currently required.
PLEASE NOTE
All details of visa and medical requirements are correct at time of press. However, please check these requirements for changes.
DEPARTURE TAX
There is no departure tax payable upon leaving Madeira.
FLIGHT ROUTE AND FLIGHT TIME
UK - Madeira (approx 4 hrs)
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
(E) 1 checked in items 23 kg (WTP) 2 checked in items 23 kg (C/F) 3 checked in items 23 kg. British Airways permits each passenger to check in one piece of sporting luggage i.e. a rod holdall, but must not exceed 23 kg.
TRANSFER TIME
Funchal airport - Casa Velha do Palheiro (approx 45 mins)
WHALES & DOLPHINS IN MADEIRA
Several species of whales and dolphins may be sighted in Madeiran waters all through the year. The sperm whale is frequently found in Madeiran waters. Lone adult whales may be encountered year-round with more small family groups, sometimes including young calves, being seen in summer.
Fin whales are the other great whale regularly seen in Madeiran waters. Unlike the sperm whale, which is feeds on large prey such as squid, the fin whale and its close relatives, the Bryde's and sei whales, feeds on small schooling fish such as (in Madeiran waters) mackerel and scad, engulfing great scoops of water which is filtered through baleen plates to leave the whale with a mouthful of prey. On request and at your own risk Balancal can stop the engines and let you swim with some of these magnificent creatures.
PALHEIRO GOLF
Palheiro Golf is situated on Madeira Island some 10 km east of Funchal with magnificent views overlooking the town and bay and is set within the stunning 200 year old Palheiro Estate. The 18-hole par 72 course was designed by Cabell Robinson and opened in 1993. Palheiro Golf was changed in 2003. Two holes were replaced, and a 6-hole academy course was created.
LEVADA WALKING
Walking is often the best way to experience the wondrous and thrilling landscapes of Madeira. The courses laid out for walks are breathtaking, winding along trails and paths through the majestic peaks and deep gorges of the island, or along the rugged coastline of the island. Many walks follow the “levadas”, small water courses built by man for irrigation purposes, veritable “veins” which criss-cross the island in all directions. They run along the contours of the island transporting water from the north side to the south side and providing the ideal way to see the very different landscapes and types of flora and fauna to be found on the island. The walking is easy, if a little vertiginous. In fact, many a love affair with Madeira has started with the discovery of the levadas. They are unique in their accessibility and extent (presently 2150km) and deserve appreciation not only for their beauty and design, but also for the courage and determination needed to bring the concept to its present glory.
MADEIRA WINE COMPANY
Madeira Wine is perhaps Madeira’s most famous product, and for many people, the Blandy name is synonymous with the wine. The first Blandy to settle on the island, John Blandy, arrived in 1807, and had established himself by 1811, purchasing a house and adjacent wine stores at number 8, Rua de Sao Francisco. These have become The Old Blandy Wine Lodges, wich are still working lodges open to the public, welcoming approximately 200,000 visitors per year. In 1989 the Symington family took a controlling share in the Madeira Wine Company, adding Madeira to their existing Port wine portfolio.
SCUBA DIVING
The popular diving club can be easily reached with an elevator and is the only base in the underwater national park of Madeira. It's only a few steps away from the domestic reef with a large number of fish which you can discover by yourself with dive buddy or with a guide from the diving base. The base is furnished with up-to-date rental equipment and is maintained and checked by skilled personnel. A sufficient equipment selection is available for underwater sports. Beginners and advanced students are trained according to CMAS/DTSA and Padi. There is also the possibility to achieve different brevets up to the diving teacher assistant. Don't forget to bring your medical certificate and diving license.
