
Brasilia 2
Horta, Azores (PT)
The channels between the islands and the great depths of abundant marine life make fishing in the Azores one of the most interesting activities in this archipelago.
The water can reach depths of 1000m and when fishing in the Azores, you can find huge fish such as blue marlin, white marlin and sometimes yellowfin tuna, swordfish and several species of shark (including hammerhead, the grey canabota and mako shark). Smaller species such as Atlantic bonito, albacore, skipjack, bluefish, wahoo and barracuda are also in abundance.
Fishing in the Azores has a wonderful old-world charm that is hard to find elsewhere. Nowadays, it is very easy to travel to the Azores with many intercontinental flights that connect the islands with the rest of the world, throughout the year.
Top Species
Blue Marlin: Blue marlin fish are huge and have immense strength, jumping out of the water during a catch. The excitement and action involved in catching them is what attracts anglers from all over the world to fish in the Azores. It is considered a great feat to catch a blue marlin, with the famous Robson Green once saying that catching the blue marlin whilst fishing in the Azores is like finding the Holy Grail.
In July, when the temperature reaches 22°C, the blue marlin comes from the south to feed at the abundant banks where there are sardine, anchovy and mackerel. The Azores are famous for the enormous blue marlins which have an average weight of around 230kg. The largest to be caught in these waters weighed almost 600kg.
The best technique for fishing marlin in the Azores is trolling with artificial lures at the water’s surface. Try to find areas of water with temperature changes as these are the places that marlin prefer to be in.
Bluefin Tuna: The bluefin tuna (also known as cimarron) is a fish of the scombridae family and its species can weigh up to 600kg, which makes it one of the most prized catches by a fisherman.
The Bluefin Tuna appears during winter when the waters are around 16ºC, although its presence is difficult to detect because it spends most of its time hunting at great depths. In recent years, the amount of bluefin tuna has increased and some of them can weigh over 500kg.
Big Eye Tuna: Tuna with big eyes often swim in tropical waters and can reach 250cm in total length. They usually weigh between 50 and 80kg, but some can weigh more than 130kg. Other tuna such as the albacore and skipjack are also common in the Azores and during August, beautiful yellowfin tuna visit the islands when the water is warmer.
Grouper: Often living in rocky areas, the largest grouper can often be from 1m in length and weigh more than 40kg. Groupers are usually found among the seabed of the Azores and so the technique to catch them will be to anchor in and troll or to use natural bait. These fish can be fished all year round, weather permitting. You can fish with live bait or using the trolling technique, as well as using jigging.
Amberjack: Amberjack fish are blue on their back and white on their belly (although some may have a yellow tone). They have three fins and a dorsal, and can measure up to 160cm and weigh 60kg. Similar to a grouper, amberjacks are a sedentary species and can be fished with live bait, drifting or trolling. Perhaps the most interesting way to fish amberjack is using the jigging technique.
(Thunnus albacares)
The Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is probably the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. The magnificent fighter usualy feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. Blue Marlin is mainly caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
(Thunnus alalunga)
Katsuwonus pelamis
Thunnus obesus
Also known as Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)
(Acanthocybium solandri)
(Kajikia albida)
The Dentex (Dentex dentex) grows up to1m (3 ft) and 16 kg (35 lb). Common in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. He likes sandy & rocky areas up to 200m (700ft). Trolling or drifting with life bait are best, jigging is also a great technique.
(Sarda sarda)
(Lutjanus campechanus)
(Seriola dumerili)
(Prionace glauca)
(Scomber scombrus)
Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) are one of the finest sport fishing species. One of the best techniques used to fish them is trolling, especially using artificial lures and natural bait such as small barracuda or garfish. Another technique to try is to fish using a boat in well-known areas, trying to provoke the fish to take a bite with stick baits, lures or poppers.
(Istiompax indica)
(Trachurus trachurus)
Sphyraena barracuda
Epinephelinae
(Pagellus erythrinus)
The Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is a pelagic fish that can grow up to 500kg (1000lb). The biggest Bluefin Tuna every caught was 780kg (1496lb). These great fighters can be caught trolling, jigging, casting or drifting mainly in off-shore.
Autumn: Fishing in the Azores during autumn is ideal for catching different species of tuna and, at this time, you can practice deep sea fishing.
Winter: From the end of autumn through to winter is ideal for background fishing in the Azores to capture all kinds of rock fish. By jigging, you can catch amberjack, grouper, barracuda and bluefish. Winter is also a good time for fishing bluefin tuna as the water around the islands is around 16°C.
Spring: The best time for fishing in the Azores for tuna is during the months of May and June.
Summer: When the sea is calm during summer, it’s the perfect time for fishing marlin in the Azores. During the months of July, August and September, fisherman come from all corners of the world come here to find the mythical pelagic fish. The marlin appears in the Atlantic waters of the Azores during May, although the best time for fishing them is during the months of July, August and September. Also during August, it is possible to find yellowfin tuna.
You need a fishing license to fish in fresh water and salt water. The fishing charters in the Azores normally have the fishing license included in the price, so you don't need to buy one if you're chartering a boat.