Days fishing/excursion that became a Nature Tour
09.23 . Sailed from Funchal Marina - party consisting of Skipper Anibal, Tina, Valerie, John, Louisa , Jessica and Special Guest . Argument ensued, L. and J. for going East to Ponte São Lorenço : Skipper and S.G. for heading West ( in view of fresh N. Easterly ) ; casting vote of S.G. prevailed .
10.35. A cry of " Thar she blows " as John spotted a whale blowing 1 mile and a half off the village of Magdalena . As we approached , we saw 100s of frenzied shearwaters and a huge shoal of dolphins cruising about and jumping out of the oily calm water. We trolled around hoping for a strike from an attendant tuna or dolphin fish but no luck. During this time the whale had moved towards the action to join the feed of bait fish and baby squid ; the Fin Whale took little notice of us and was soon joined by another one - his mate ? Some of the dophins were rather sluggish and swam slowly and belly up - a sure sign of a good feast .. Many fotos taken , alas no video and J. took one showing a Fin Whale with its mouth open ! Swim with the dophins ? why not and Val and John jumped in with mask and snorkel within a sandwedge distance from the whales.. Restarted the engines and continued trolling around the feed ; finally some strikes ! Unfortunately they were all bird strikes and Anibal reeled in and released 3 protesting shearwaters .
13.10 Anchored beyond Paulo do Mar , swam , - our turn to feed and what better than the picnic of roast chicken , English sausages and bacon........................
14.50 Weighed anchor and trolled light rods along the coast towards Ponta do Pargo the western tip of the island. A strike ! and Val expertly brought in an amberjack foul- hooked on its back. No shelter fom the N. Easterly round Ponta do Pargo and Balancal performed a rodeo act with L. and John sitting in the bows and getting drenched ; fortunately they held on as we saw 8 hammerhead sharks in the rough water .
15.15 Headed eastwards and soon spotted 6 more smaller vwhales only half a mile off shore . We approached within 100 meters when they dived without breaching and were not able to identify them. Several sightings of flying fish and turtles . Stopped for a dip off Ponta da Cruz and S.G. cleaned the day`s catch on the swim platform.....
18.25 Tied up at Funchal Marina and later we all had a magnificent dinner at Casa Velha .
Thank you for making this day possible and surely we´ll return again next year. Best wishes, Michael Stewart
13.10 Anchored beyond Paulo do Mar , swam , - our turn to feed and what better than the picnic of roast chicken , English sausages and bacon........................
14.50 Weighed anchor and trolled light rods along the coast towards Ponta do Pargo the western tip of the island. A strike ! and Val expertly brought in an amberjack foul- hooked on its back. No shelter fom the N. Easterly round Ponta do Pargo and Balancal performed a rodeo act with L. and John sitting in the bows and getting drenched ; fortunately they held on as we saw 8 hammerhead sharks in the rough water .
15.15 Headed eastwards and soon spotted 6 more smaller vwhales only half a mile off shore . We approached within 100 meters when they dived without breaching and were not able to identify them. Several sightings of flying fish and turtles . Stopped for a dip off Ponta da Cruz and S.G. cleaned the day`s catch on the swim platform.....
18.25 Tied up at Funchal Marina and later we all had a magnificent dinner at Casa Velha .
Thank you for making this day possible and surely we´ll return again next year. Best wishes, Michael Stewart
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