Continuing to get out myself and with customers, and still exploring the fishing in the south of Portugal for both good pleasure fishing and in search of big carp and barbel.

The best carp water is getting harder, but fish are getting bigger with an average size of 25lbs, with a potential  new Portuguese record lost a few times. Some have started to up-rate their gear to 4lb test and 35lb braid in effort to reduce potential losses and bank this fish. The attached picture was fish from last Sunday (31st Aug) at 28lb 7oz, which was followed on Monday with 23lb fish for local anglerC hris from Lagos on the Algarve.

We have been out exploring my favorite river looking for the big barbel that inhabit it and we were pleased to be joined by experienced London specimen hunter who has fished with Bob James and Trevor West. Keep an eye on the Tightlines site for more updates as we have a lot more trips booked this year into October.

A special note to avoid disappointment, please if you plan to come out and find your own fishing (which can be very difficult) DO GET A FISHING PERMIT BEFORE FISHING, a visiting holidaying angler last week was fined 200 euro's and had all of his gear confiscated when he was caught fishing without one! So be warned!

For more guidance on permits take a look at our DIY info page.