by whitetip » Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:36 am
Having been the erstwhile initiator of this particular thread and been quite surprised with the response, I’m delighted with the way in which an initial gripe about yet another tax on what we may consider an ancient right to fish our geographical shores has descended into the timeless hunt for information regarding where to go, what to use as bait, which skipper to stick to and what tackle to use… !
Pardon the chuckle folks, I’ve just recently gone through a months worth of Sky TV’s fishing month schedule, featuring all manner of Guru’s from Matt Hays (he of Angling Times fame) to Rex Hunt (Yebedahh Yebedahh – French kiss that introduced European Perch into Australian Lakes ), to my all time favourite , Cyril Chauquet the mad French/American who has no regard for dry clothing and can speak several languages. – I will not mention Paul Young, for a number of obvious reasons, nor that annoying Mr Wilson (lovely fish) as I can’t stand his annoying chuckle. Henry Gilbey should as ever be treated as the amateur he truly is….
Therefore, for those of you in the know, and who stalk the hallowed shores of the southern sea from Vila Real de Santo Antonio to Sagres, the accepted wisdom of the hunt goes like this…
Shore fishing from the Spanish border, the Guadiana River all the way to Albufeira… Sandy Laguna environments, rich in Bass, flat fish, various species of Bream, Ray, Gurnards, Needlefish even Eels…
Baits include rag worm, crab, locally sourced Coreano, any kind of shellfish, sardine, mackerel and indeed, a wide variety of spinner lures. Patience as ever, a great virtue.
Albufeira to Sagres…. Rocky ground , reefs, and the kind of Atlantic species one would associate with them. Sagres is something else… dare I say, Bass, common and spotted to 5 kilos plus on the lure, grey mullet to 3 kilos, on of all things a fly rod and the ever dependable butcher fly, big wrasse, conger, meagre, and grouper, and Oh joy, 3 kilo plus Dentex and Gilthead … To fish and to barbecue… a linear curve if ever there was one.
The Western Ocean from Sagres all to the way to Sines, is best tackled by the dedicated Alpinist angler or the boat aficionado. Believe me the boat is best… Think blue shark, even Mako, blue fish, grouper, various other species including big blue fin tuna, rays and skate of amazing size and power, sailfish, marlin, swordfish… Take big tackle and a back support, ensure your wallet is nice and fat!
To the doubters out there allow me to state the following. I have been there and caught them; I have been underwater in their environment, photographed them and marvelled at what us air-breathing mammals can only imagine. I also fervently hope the same spectacle will be there for a future generation of enthusiasts to appreciate.
And that’s only the salt water… You wouldn’t believe what lurks in the freshwater lakes of the Algarve…. Lol
Best regards
Whitetip