St. Martin

[docofthebay]

Going to St. Martin next april..Any advice on inshore fishing?

[Lineas Tenso]

Back from week's vacation in St. Maarten 7-22-05 to 7-29-05:

Score:

Tarpon 18 Ed 2

After asking around and doing some scouting on my own, I found a spot directly across the street from the Royal Palm Resort (Simpson Lagoon) loaded with Tarpon in the 60 to 80 lb class. I was anticipating fish in the 10 to 40 lb range and consequently did not have quite the leader/tippet I needed. However, I did manage to play a 3.5 foot 60 lb + tarpon to the dock from where I was fishing. I lost many many large tarpon to acrobatics, broken leaders/tippets and dock pilings etc. The fish seemed to slightly prefer white Deceiver patterns over clousers (chart/white) and some tarpon specific patters. I used an eight weight rod with floating line and 30 lb fluorocarbon leader to the majority of the time. I also had and used a 9 weight with various shooting heads and 30 lb leader. I found my biggest problem after overcoming my initial awe of the size of these fish was the abrasions these guys put on the leader. Next time I'm going with a heavier tippet. The fish seemed most active between 05:00 and 08:30 although one morning I stayed until 09:30 and was still getting hits.

I also spent a morning with a Guide (Robbie Cijntje) from Onshore Fishing Charters fishing for smaller tarpon in the Salt Ponds around Phillipsburg. I managed one 5lb Tarpon here which looked incredibly similar to our local shad. These fish were much more aggressive and acrobatic than their larger counter parts. The patterns of choice were bright yellow foam gurglers purchased at from Gander Mountain. Here I used my 8 wt and floating line as the water is only a few feet deep. Robby used to be a deep sea charter captain but losed his boat to Hurricane Luis in 1995. He does this along with some other businesses he has. He does a great job of spotting fish on which to cast and picking locations which have fish. I recommend him as a guide. His email is rcijntje@caribserve.net telephone is 011 599 557 0106. I think he may have spinning gear for customers but fly fishing is bring your own equipment from rods to flies. Fishing at the Salt ponds I recommend insect repellent or Buzz Off hat and shirt. Sturdy sole shoes are also recommended (not flat booties).

The scenery around Simpson lagoon and the Salt Ponds are not a typical tropical paradise you've seen in the magazines. The Lagoon location is a mooring area for dingys used to get to larger boats in the lagoon and is within 50 feet of a major road and is quite noise the later in the day one fishes. Some locations on the Salt Ponds are nice while others have old discarded major appliances, however when you have a 40 lb tarpon on your line you soon forget the rusty Maytags. This area is also in close proximity to major roads/traffic. I

Overall I rate the Tarpon fishing as excellent and would recommend any one going there on vacation to brigh their gear. You won't be disappointed.