Fishing Holidays in Portugal
Freshwater Fishing and Big Game Fishing
Fishing at Sunrise - Brent Pinheiro
The fisherman is a romantic figure of great importance to the history and culture of Portugal. Walking along the beaches of any coastal towns on any evening, you will see the fishing boats with their vast nets and small cages lined up, waiting to be pulled out into the sea in the early hours of the following morning.
Go through the dishes of the day in any of the restaurants you find in any coastal town and the list of seafood dishes will dominate the menu - Squid, Swordfish, Monkfish, Prawns, Crab, Lobster, and for the Portuguese one exotic but vitally important fish not found in local waters, Cod.
The bravery of medieval fishermen venturing further and further out to sea could be regarded as the very first steps that would ultimately lead to Portugal´s great voyages of discovery. It´s perhaps this calling to venture out into the ocean´s seas that explains the curious lack of interest amongst Portuguese fishermen for freshwater river fishing.
Traditional Fishing Boat
Frederico Pinto
For freshwater angling enthusiasts the rivers and resevoirs of Portugal contain some dream catches – big Carp weighing over 32kg, Catfish coming in over 15kg and Barbel far larger than anything you could find in the UK. Portugal contains some of the cleanest trout rivers in Europe and some of the hardest fighting Loudmouth-Bass around, for those who like a real challenge.
Given that there is little interest in freshwater fishing amongst the locals, anglers visiting Portugal can find whole stretches of river to themselves, with wonderful weather and beautiful scenery to cap the perfect fishing experience.
Freshwater Fishing
Angling Holidays
Freshwater Fishing in Portugal
F.L.A.P. (Freshwater Leisure Angling in Portugal) runs possibly the best website on freshwater fishing in Portugal (www.flapholidays.com) and offers a number of packages for anglers, from renting farm house cottages close to lakes and rivers in the Alentejo, to arranging fishing licences and carhire for those who may simply want to include a few days fishing into a planned holiday.
Their website also contains practical advice concerning the kinds of rods and bait anglers will find most suitable for Portuguese freshwater fishing.....(More)
Sportsfishing
Big Game Fishing
Big Game Fishing in Portugal
Sportsfishing enthusiasts keen to reel in something even bigger and wilder can join up with the Reefcat Fishing crew (www.reefcatfishing.com). Located in Vila Real de São Antonio, a pleasant fishing village in the Eastern Algarve close to the Spanish border, Reefcat Fishing offer big game fishing charters in the Atlantic waters off the Algarve.
With large female blue Sharks and the occasional Hammerheads around throughout the year, bluefin Tuna weighing in at over 1000lbs, and Blue and White Marlin appearing between the months of August to October, there is the potential for some spectacular fishing.
Reefcat use a purpose-built 12m catamaran, specifically constructed for offshore sportfishing in the Algarve waters. The boat has a full commercial licence for up to 12 passengers and two crew, although they rarely take out more than eight anglers at a time to ensure that everyone has plenty of space and can enjoy their day. For big game fishing the limit is normally restricted to numbers of five or six. Prices for individuals begin at €65 with the cost of whole boat charters ranging from €650 - €750. A light lunch is included and the crew recommend brining your own suncream, water and a hat. Reefcat operates a strict catch and release policy.....(More)
Coarse and Sea Fishing
Fishing Holidays in the Algarve and Alentejo
Carp Fishing in Portugal
Since coming to Portugal 11 years ago John Bates has taken people from England, Scotland, Germany, Holland, America even Hawaii fishing to his secret carp dams and barbel rivers. Based in the Algarve, his Tight Lines fishing holidays (www.tightlines-portugal.com) offers a wide variety of fishing holidays.
These range from coarse fishing at some of the beautiful dams in the Alentejo, where Carp of world class sizes can be found (last years best catch being 19 Carp, each over 10 lbs, by a single angler in one day!) to Marlin and Shark fishing off the coast of the Algarve.
Accommodation can be arranged for individuals or groups wanting to stay in anything from hotels to camp sites....(More)
Carp Fishing
Fishing Holidays in Peniche
David Lloyd´s first Portuguese Carp
David Lloyd has been a keen angler for 35 years now and has travelled all over England visiting fishery, lake, river and reservoir to some of the most notorious hotspots known to anglers. Since arriving in Portugal in 2006 David found the waters in Portugal full to the brim with fantastic, well conditioned carp - "As an experienced angler I can tell most of these carp here have never even seen a hook never mind been on the end of one".
Working with a Portuguese guide that speaks excellent English, David runs CL Bait Supplies (www.fishingportugal.com) in Peniche, aiming to satisfy all their Angling customers with excellent Carp bait for performance fishing. Carp fishing in Portugal is a fast growing sport on excellent waters that have hardly been touched by Anglers and there are waters here that have yet to be explored. Tailored holidays can be arranged offering a range of fishing opportunities....(More)