Pricing & Charter Info.
your destination airport is Horta on the Island of Faial, Azores
The Double Header
(temporarily "Dois Peixes")
Capt. Les Gallagher
The Double Header is a 43’ Daytona newly renovated and re-powered in 2023 with modern 420HP low emissions (Tier III) motors by FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies. The new motors offer ample power, excellent response, clean emissions and excellent fuel economy. The Double Header is custom rigged for the giant blue marlin of the Azores with a new Scopinich chair, one-piece riggers by Rupp and a full new package of electronics by Raymarine (2023). Our new custom 130 rods are by Dru (the most amazing rods we have ever used) with Tiagras and Toray Amilan T-II Co-polymer lines. Created by the legendary artist designer Jack Hargrave, the boat is reputed to be a timeless masterpiece of sport fishing yacht design offering superb well balanced performance, excellent manoeuvrability and a spacious comfortable interior. The Double Header has set 5 blue marlin records during her time in the Azores.
The Double Header is co-owned (50/50) by Capt. Les Gallagher and Paul Scopinich
Price €3,000.00 per day (with 2 mates)
The Double Header on the North Coast of Faial - fishing out of Horta Marina 2023
Film: © Steve Momot 2023
Please note:
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we do not work with charter booking agencies - it is cheaper for our clients to book direct
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please, compare our presentation, equipment, experience and results to understand why do not need to work with agencies
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we also provide more accurate information as to the probability of catching different species during different months
Marlin fishing season in the Azores is during the months of July, August, September and October
Tuna fishing season in the Azores can be good in May and June (and occasionaly during July, August and September)
Standard tackle on all boats is 130lb class with Shimano Tiagra reels, custom rods by Dru, Biscayne or Pat Brian.
Light Tackle, Bait n’ Switch or World Record Fishing (with 2 mates) must booked in advance
Charters usually depart at 09.30 and return to the marina by 18.30 (9 hours at sea) - tackle, food and drinks are supplied on board
Blue marlin are our primary target species. Although the average weight of this species is around 550 lb, we frequently encounter much larger specimens of 800 - 1,200 lb. The most blue marlin ever caught by one boat per season was 112 by Capt. Les Gallagher in 1996. Generally, boats that fish a full season may expect to average around 40 blue marlin captures. In 1997, the largest blue marlin ever landed in the Azores weighed in at 1,307 lb. The fish was caught from the Xacara with Capt. Les Gallagher and mate Zak Conde. Many similar sized fish and larger have been lost over the years. In all, Horta has hosted 6 blue marlin world records, 5 of which still stand.
White marlin can be extremely abundant in the Azores and although excellent sport on lighter tackle, anglers often consider them as a pest when targeting the larger 'blues'. White marlin captures for a single boat have been in excess of 25 per day but with so many of the larger species around it is rare that a boat will decide to target white marlin only. The average weight of white marlin is around 50 lb. with the occasional fish being closer to 100 lb.
Spearfish are less abundant than white marlin and have an average weight of about 40 lb. The number of spearfish we see in the Azores varies considerably from season to season.
Swordfish can be plentiful in the Azores but are rarely targeted by sport fishermen unless they are seen tailing during the day. Under these circumstances it is normal to try and bait the fish from a distance. Although a number of fish have been caught in this way, a hook up is rare. Night fishing has been more effective. However, with so much good fishing to be had during the day, it is rare that a Captain is enthusiastic to include a night trip into what is usually a ‘seven day’ charter routine. We only recommend night fishing for swordfish if we know commercial boats are catching in the same area or if swordfish are seen tailing during the day.
Bluefin tuna made themselves very apparent to sport fishermen in the Azores during the summers of 1996 and 1997. Their presence is unpredictable and before 1996 only one or two encounters had taken place since 1985. Local commercial fishermen say that there had occasionally been large numbers of Bluefin tuna observed prior to the 1980's and mostly seen in the winter months. Most of the fish seen during 1996 and 1997 were between 600 and 1,000 lb. The largest tuna landed by sport fishermen so far weighed in at just over 1,000 lb. and the most caught by one boat in a single day was 6. Due to the conservation needs of this species and because we are usually fishing in very deep water, we are only interested to target bluefin tuna using the heaviest of tackle. In doing this, our objective is to minimize the fight time, avoid sounding and release a healthier fish.
Bigeye tuna fishing can be very good in the Azores as from the beginning of May and through until October. The presence of these fish is somewhat unpredictable. The fishing is often good around the Islands of S. Maria and S. Miguel during the month of May. During the last years, we have caught bigeye at various times throughout the season with late September often being particularly good. Most of the fish are between 200 and 300 lb.
Other tunas such as yellowfin and albacore are caught from time to time but are less commonly seen compared to bigeye.
Smaller species such as dolphinfish (dorado), skipjack and less commonly, wahoo, are caught from time to time.
Sharks such as Mako, hammerhead, blue and six-gill, although common and quite easy to catch are rarely targeted. These species are regarded as being less interesting than the excellent billfish and tuna fishing.