If variety is the spice of life, then we've had a spicy angler visit us indeed. California-based angler Steve Wozniak has fished across the globe, having caught over 390 species of fish in 31 different countries. He spent two days fishing with us in Faro over January 22 and 23, and apart from experiencing our normal excellent Winter bottom fishing, he also showed us a few tricks of his own.

The saltwater fishing in our region can be excellent. We are certainly known for summertime shark and big game, but the wintertime reef fishing is a relatively untapped bonanza of outstanding table fish - and a few outsize surprises as well. The January weather was relatively stable, and on both days, we were favoured with little wind and eminently fishable seas. After breakfast in Silves, we met up with the boat in port and made the short run out to our first reef.

Typical gear for the bottom fishing is relatively light, especially in the tips. Detection of light bites is critical, and this is aided by using the newer braided lines, which have minimal stretch and can telegraph the lightest tap from 150 feet down. While the commercial fishermen use longer rods to 3m or more and braid in the 20+ pound range on revolving spool reels, Steve was quite successful with rods in the 7 foot class and 14 pound braid. Terminal rigs consist of a paternoster with 2-4 hooks in the #2 size, plus a 1-2 ounce sinker to reach the bottom. Baits are many and varied, but pile worms, clams, and shrimp all seemed to be effective on the reef fish.

On our first day, we had to move around to a couple of different reefs before we found active fish. But when we hit the right rockpile, sea bream and other assorted reef-dwellers, such as besugos, bogas, and choupas, began to come in one after the other. Most of these fish were in the 500g range, but give an excellent account of themselves on light tackle. This action was steady and continued through the day, but the real fun started when Steve pulled out some heavier tackle in the 10-15kg class and rigged up some large live and dead baits. Sardines, mackerel strips, and live bogas up to 20 cm were put on the bottom on a sliding sinker rig, with the reel left in free spool and the strike alarm set.

In less than 30 minutes, the big gear got hit. Steve let the fish run, then set into something that was obviously not a bream. After a spirited battle than included several hard runs, he boated a solid conger eel well over a meter in length. Over the next few hours, the big gear was hit several more times, and in the afternoon, Steve landed a 3 kg skate, considered by some to be the best table fish in the area.

Some of the fish Steve caught on his trip with Tightlines.

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