The archipelago of Madeira is situated southwest of Portugal, less than 400km north of Tenerife (Canary Islands). The archipelago consists of the Madeira island, Porto Santo and Desertas. The area was discovered by Portuguese sailors in 1419, today Madeira is a popular tourist destination known for its wine, flowers, landscapes and its famous fireworks displays.
Local Fish Species in Madeira
There are many species of fish that can be found in the local waters. Some of the most common fish species that can be caught in Madeira include marlin, tuna, dorado and wahoo.
Blue Marlin fishing in Madeira
Big game fishing in Madeira means targeting Blue Marlin. This fish is one of the most respected and well-known species around the world for its size, strength and power. Known for performing impressive jumps during the fight, Blue Marlin can reach a size of 4.3m and weigh more than 1200 pounds (500kg).
Fishing Blue Marlin is full of emotion and action, attracting thousands of fishermen from around the world each year, to try their luck at catching a Grander. Many world record-sized Marlins have been caught in the waters of Madeira.
Fishing in Madeira has earned itself much fame since the ‘70s when fishermen began to capture specimens of over 1000 pounds (450 kg). Every May, the first Blue Marlin reach the waters of this archipelago and fishermen go to these islands each season to put their skills to the test.
Billfish fishing in Madeira is always catch & release! After the fight, they are tagged and released alive to ensure the preservation of the species. The best place to fish them in Madeira is to the south of the island. Thanks to the high mountains of the island, the sea here is protected from the prevailing winds from the Northeast and North.
White marlin
The average weight of the White Marlin is about 20 to 30 kg and they usually move in small groups in waters more than 100m deep. The White Marlin feeds on a wide variety of fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. The best time for fishing White Marlin in Madeira is between July and November and these summer months can also result in catches of species like the short bill Spearfish.
Tuna
Bluefin Tuna and Bigeye Tuna can be found off Madeira between January and May; Tuna fishing in Madeira is also great October & November. Yellowfin Tuna are around from October to January. Albacore can be caught all year round.
Dorado
The Dolphinfish is highly sought after not only for its meat but also for its acrobatic leaps and its intense yellow colour. In Madeira, the best way to target Mahi Mahi is trolling with light tackle – and in certain areas you can also catch this predator chumming and spinning. Both techniques produce great results. Dorado fishing in Madeira is best between June and September (when the marlin is around)
Wahoo
This predator has razor sharp teeth and is found around the world in tropical and subtropical waters. Wahoo are famous for their impressive speed and prized meat. They can be up to two and a half meters long when fully grown and can weigh 83kg. Wahoo is mainly caught trolling with artificial lures.
