Season Round Up

As we draw into the final days of 2009, it’s time to review the stellar game fishing season we’ve had in Madeira this year.

Things always start with some optimism at the start of a new big game season. Madeira for many years stood in a shadow of it’s former self, suffering from decreased numbers of fish and even fewer anglers to go after them. However, over the last few of years we have seen the island grounds return too much of their former glory. This year was no different.

When the season is opened by one of the local charter fleet going 2 for 2 (600 & 900) and within days of that good numbers of fish are raised, hooked and caught the world once again starts to watch what Madeira is doing. The one thing that was different this year was that due to the global economic downturn, it was at time difficult for us to catch a charter. For the first time in a good number of years there were more marlin than anglers. Those that did make the journey to the Atlantic island in pursuit of the king of game fish were rewarded with some of the best fishing we have seen since the Balancal went into the charter business. Some of our anglers were lucky enough to experience multiple shots a day, line class record shots, birthday wishes made true, dreams for filled and memories to take home that will last forever!

Grander Marlin, Double First

Our season opened just over 2 weeks after that first fish of the year. Long-term Balancal angler Oliver King, along with friend Ian Alvey returned to Madeira mid June to settle a score with a Madeira Blue that had eluded Ian the year before. Oliver had given Ian one of his days the previous season after the 2 days he had fished drew blank. Ian was lucky enough to get his first tangle with a Blue Marlin that managed to throw the hooks after a few minutes, so the mission was on to settle the score! Ian would fish 3 days on the Balancal with Capt. Anibal on the bridge, Oliver on the wire and Matthew running the deck. Also on board were Ian’s three kids and long time Balancal friend, Jody, who had been invited to ride along for the day. What panned out for the days fishing know one could have guessed! Ian got his fish, his first Atlantic Blue Marlin, that taped out a short measurement a touch over 11ft, that was enough to call the fish in at 1000lb – a grander, Oliver took the wire on his first ever Marlin, even though he dumped the leader shouting “I’m NOT taking a wrap on that thing” !

Pending EFSA European Line Class Record

Some days the big blues stay away, but what we did have this year in their absence been some great White, Hatchet and Spearfish fishing. Throughout August some boats in the fleet were getting 4 or 5 shots a day at these smaller members of the billfish family.  These fish are tricky to hook up on the conventional 80 or 130-class tackle that we usually deploy for the bigger family members, but on one occasion this year we got lucky and stuck a 66lb Spearfish on 80lb gear. The fish ate a Pakula Mouse in Lumo and was 11lb more than the current EFSA European record. This is the second record beating Spearfish we have seen on the Balancal in the last two seasons. Last year we had a potential IGFA women’s line class fish of 32kg that was disqualified as it broke it’s bill on the transom of the boat as it was being wired. When asked, we will deploy lighter tackle and target these fish; they make great sport on 20 or 30 class outfits!

Birthday Dreams for Bill

Mid June had us receive a call from Christina. She was hoping to book a few days fishing for her husband Bill, as a 40th birthday treat. (That’s our kind of woman!) It’s great to be able to accommodate guest from all over the world, and we set some dates up for Christina and Bill to join us during the 3rd week of July. It turned out that the trip from the States to Madeira was well worth it. After a slow first couple of days Capt. Anibal was able to but Bill on his first Blue Marlin and after a short battle he had a fish of an est. weight of 700lb alongside. The following day Capt. Anibal did it again and found Bill a second fish for his trip est. at 600lb. It’s great to be able to deliver the goods for our guests, Bill and Christina went home with some great memories of their trip and we look forward to seeing them both next year.

We have loads more great stories from some great guests and friends that have fished with us over the 2009 season, sorry if we have missed you out, it’s not personal, but we also wanted to mention a few other highlights from the Madeira 2009 season as a whole.

2nd Dr Antonio Ribeiro tournamen

The weekend of the 13th and 14th June saw the 2nd Dr Antonio Ribeiro tournament take place. Ran out of the marina at Calhetta, the tournament saw 15 boats enter for a total of nine fish released over the 2 days of fishing. Final top honours went to the “Omega”. We will update news on the 2010 event when we get details. Anyone who has an interest in fishing the tournament in 2010 should email us now with your enquiry.

4th July Blue Marlin World Cup

As always, Madeira is a hot ticket for the top spot, with the winning fish being caught in Madeira waters on 3 occasions in the past. This year was no different with 4 Marlin being weighed in. For much of the tournament the 595lb fish caught from the “Hawk Eye” was the leader. The fish was eventually beat by “Wound Up” from Bermuda with a fish of 865lb. There is no second place in the Blue Marlin World Cup!

Wahoo Fishing

As the summer rolled into autumn, most boats turned their attention to the Whaoo fishing. The last couple of seasons these fish have failed to show in good numbers although the fish that have been caught have been of a good size (40-60lb and great sport on light tackle) if only one at a time. This year however, the fish showed in good numbers, maybe the best for several seasons. Boats fishing for these toothy critters have been seeing up to 10 or 12 shots a day, and regularly catching up to 6 fish per trip. This fishing lasted through November and in to December. When the fish are as thick as they have been this year, fishing can go on into mid January.

There we have it then, a small summery of the Madeira 2009 season. Balancal has once again been in the thick of the action and are looking forward to meeting new guests and old friends in 2010. If you are interested in booking time on one of the constant top boats in the Funchal charter fleet, please drop us an email via our website http://www.madeira-marlin.com Also remember to follow us on Twitter  and Facebook

May we take this opportunity to thank our sponsors and supporters for there continued help. Legend Lures, Pelagic, Marlin World and Costa Del Mar, thanks guys!