Big game fishing on the Portuguese coast

With 1,000 pound Marlin having been taken in the past, it is safe to say that Portugal is one of the best places to go big game fishing in Europe. As well as Marlin there are other sporting fish, such as Tuna, shark, swordfish and sawfish thriving in the many mighty Atlantic Ocean.

In fact, there can’t be too many places to go big game fishing, which can rival a summer’s day in a fishing boat, far out in the Atlantic Ocean, somewhere off the Portuguese coast.

On a typical fishing trip off the Portuguese coast you will nearly always encounter fish like bream and sole. As you slowly pass over the edge of the continental shelf you will find slightly bigger fish. The open sea now beckons and it is here that you hope to hook a big fish – A “big eye,” a “blue fin” tuna or a swordfish would be a more than satisfying catch!

Although the fish you really want to get your hook into is the marlin, for the marlin is one of the world’s most exciting sporting fish. These incredible fish can swim at speeds of over 100 kilometres per hour and can grow to be five metres long.

Fishing trips are advertised all along the Portuguese coast and it is simply a question of booking your trip in high season in order to avoid disappointment, or, during less busier times, simply paying the fisherman and then jumping on the boat.

The host fisherman usually provides all the rods and bait, so all you have to remember to bring is yourself! More often than not, the skipper will hover around the continental shelf until you have reeled in enough mackerel to use as bait, before heading out to sea for the big fish!

If you have ever fancied your chances with a big game fish such as the mighty marlin and you find yourself on the Portuguese coast, you would certainly be in the right place to give this thrilling sport a go.