can anyone please tell me if there is anywhere on lake or river where a very new fisherman can try his luck? Is it necessary to have a licence and what can you expect to catch? We are back out again to CV in a few weeks and will be bringing my fishing stuff with me.

Good question. If there are some definitive answers I will add this to FAQ.

You could try asking this guy.

Overall Season Catches: Above Average
Most Sucessfull Methods: Fly
Biggest Fish: 125lbs blue shark

This was in the report on the linked site. I'm no fisherman and I didn't realise that you could fly-fish for 125lb blue shark.

You DO need a licence to fish freshwater and there is talk of one being needed for shore fishing.
There are some excellent sites from companys who offer guided fishing trips for carp, black bass etc.( check off seasons )
Suggest that you try around any of the harbours for mullet but would not know if they are in residence at this time of the year

Here's the reply from the expert.


1) fresh water fishing
you need licence from fisheries office in portimao cost around 5 euroes you need to take your passport with you
in rivers like arade and guadiana you can catch mullet more upstream you can catch small carp and barbel
in dams like santa clara you can fish for black bass fly fishing or spinning some catch on small live bait more to the north you can fish for carp on dams like monty do rocha
note that the 2 dams near silves were dry last year so forget them for years
2)sharks to near 400lbs are possible but you need good gear we have started using 450lb steel traces when shark fishing you can catch tuna and dorado on the fly and using bait( water temp needs to be over 20c normally aug to early oct time)
Any questions about any kind of fishing i can be contacted on e-mail j.bate@clix.pt and for basic ideas look at my web site www.tightlines-portugal.com

My 10 year old son and my father have participated in a spot of off the beach fishing at Centines and at Algar Seco but after seeing the disgusting mess at Algar Seco on the cliffs (human faeces, fishing hooks, bottles, disgarded food, condoms etc etc) then they're looking for an alternative place to have a go. Any ideas that don't involve a 100ft drop off a cliff ?

Lots of locals fish off the Praia Grande beach and rocks at Ferragudo. They even have an annual fishing competition there.

I used to fish at the Barragem (reservoir) near to Pereira, between Portimão and Odiaxére. Yes, you do need a licence and a box of cold beer, but neither is difficult to procure. I got my licence in Portimão, it cost a few euros and a bit of time, all I needed was my passport.

We caught carp and lots of small beasties called "achigãs", I have no idea what the English name is.

I suspect we may still be out for season for some fishing, the licencing people will give you a calendar.

I much prefer sea fishing, and used to fish almost every week at Algar Seco. It was nice at the time. A licence has been required for quite some time now, but we were able to exploit a loophole in the law because, whilst a licence was required, none had ever been produced so the authorities were unable to issue a legal document. So we fished, drank beer, got a tan, took our rubbish home with us and had had freshly barbequed fish for supper. Not a bad day's work for an estrangeira.

Those were the days...

We caught carp and lots of small beasties called "achigãs", I have no idea what the English name is.
The English name is Bass

Thanks Finn Pete!

You're welcome

One of my future plans is to fly fish for black bass in the reservoirs and for anything that takes of the rocks and beaches.
If anyone has any experience of this any info would be much appreciated.

hi redwinegirl,not sure if this is any help but here goes,iIf you turn right off the 125 at porches and right again at Alporchinos and follow that road till you come to Senhora da rocha chapel(youll find it handy enough on any map)you can fish safely from the cliff at the church or you can wander down to fishermans cove and through the tunnel cut in the cliff to what amounts almost to a private beach and fish safley to your hearts content.
Also you are within a minutes walk of a couple of really nice resturants and its really not touristy ,also very clean.
I know i,ve been slagged a bit for not buying in CVO but its only 10 mins away and this part of Alporchinhos is out of this world with unspoiled resturants and bars, a much bigger mix of spanish irish portuguese and english etc with less english breakfast and more cataplana,plus the prices are sooo much cheaper,mind you i don,t know if the fishing is any good,
happy hunting,
gerry

There's always a handful of local fishermen fishing from the chapel site, so it must be good. Never seen anyone catch anything there though.

Thank you very much for all your replies and helpful information. I will let you know how they get along