Species Hunting in the Azores - September 12-20, 2018

* European Barracuda - Sphyraena sphyraena

Recently returned from a vacation on Sao Miguel Island in the Azores.  We stayed at a B&B called Casa Maria De Deus located just northeast of Povoacao.  Spent time with Cynthia and her father, Wally, taking in the scenery and culture. However I still found some time to do a little fishing.

Maia, Sao Miguel Island

On the second full day I went on a four hour fishing excursion in a boat operated by Northshore SeaTours in Maia.  I arrived at the small fishing port before sunrise. 

Fishing Port in Maia

Captain Pedro took me and two other passengers just outside the harbor where we began trolling using swimming plugs.  Soon after we started I caught a European Barracuda, which was a new species for me.  I’ve caught Barracuda before in the Caribbean but it was a different species.  One of the the other guys caught and lost a small Bluefish. After a while we anchored and started jigging.  Jigging wasn’t productive so we switched to bottom fishing using shrimp for bait.  I caught five Two Banded Seabream and three Blacktail Comber.  

Two Banded Seabream - Diplomas Vulgaris

Blacktail Comber - Serranus atricauda

I also hooked but lost a large fish that Pedro guessed to be a Guelly Jack. We spent the last hour trolling close to shore. I caught one Grey Triggerfish, another new species.  The other guys caught a Triggerfish and a few Lizardfish.  It was a fun trip and Captain Pedro did a great job finding the fish and pointing out interesting sites along the shore. 

* Grey Triggerfish - Batistes capriscus

Last year in May 2016 I had some success catching freshwater fish on the island.  I had no trouble finding and catching European Perch and a Northern Pike. This time I returned to Lagoa Verde but had no luck.  The water was warmer so I assume the larger fish were out beyond casting distance.  Time constraints also limited when and how long I could fish.  Would have preferred to be there at dawn or dusk instead of in the middle of a hot sunny day.  The only freshwater fish I caught on the island was a very small Largemouth Bass at Lagoa De Sao Bras.    

I did manage to catch a nice variety of species one evening while fishing off the dock  in Povoacao.  Caught seven different kinds of fish, five of which were new species.  I used a Sabiki rig baited with small chunks of fish. 

* Bastard Grunt - Pomadasys incises

* Dusky Grouper - Epinephelus marginatus

* Gilt head Seabream - Sparus aureate

* Black Scorpionfish - Scorpaena porous

White Seabream - Diplodus sargus

* Guinean Puffer - Spheroids marmoratus

Axillary Seabream - Pagellus arcane

* Indicates a new species

We’re planning another trip to the Azores in June 2019.  Freshwater fishing might be better in June and I would like to rent kayaks this time.  I would go out with Northshore again.  I enjoyed using a variety of methods for targeting different species. Might even book a longer trip.