Aruba Fishing

[hammer]

Hello,

My wife and I are travelling to Aruba next week and we are looking to fish. I would prefer inshore fishing, casting to busting schools of fish, but I understand most of the fishing is offshore, mostly trolling, and that would be fine. Can anyone offer any advice regarding charter captains, boats, etc?

Thanks,
John

[wittich]

My suggestion is to leave your rod at home. I spent an entire week fishing around the island. never saw a single bonefish. Aruba is a horrible destination to go flyfishing. --124-3

[ShaneY]

if you want bonefish do a search they are there but not easy to get at. I have seen rolling tarpon in the harbor in town right next to the paddock bar but didnt have my rod. there are supposedly snook in there also and off the beaches early in the morning too. Ive only caught small cudas though off of jettys with metals and only had a few bonefish nose my flys. if you look at my old posts i have put some time in trying to figure it out. also if you can find a ladder stand on it out on the malmok wreck flats I have seen permit there. Good luck.

[gresmi]

John,
Never say die. I've been to Aruba myself about 5 times. Never had much luck, but looking back on it, I really wasn't doing things right. I've not been there in a few years. But, in the time since then, I've picked up a few tips about the fishing there. Be advised, this is not firsthand experience. I'm only passing along what I've seen and heard.

Caught a post from a guy that was there on his honeymoon a while back who was slamming big bones. He posted several pics, so no b.s. (of course). Couldn't tell where he was at, but appeared to be wading in ankle to shin deep water.

I just got my newsletter from the mgmt of a timeshare there (Playa Linda). In one of the articles, one of the other members is holding up a slot size snook he caught behind the resort in the early morning.

I've seen some big snook under the docks around the marina in the center of town, but was not able to get one. I do know that wahoo fishing is good offshore. You can get on a boat pretty inexpensively. Some are as low as $40 (seafood restaurant in town).

Good luck!

[Bonecrusher]

Trust me. I caught some of there. Granted, you won't find endless flats but I guarantee there are bonefish there.
The Malmok wreck looks fishy and I tried it 2-3 times but never saw a damn thing. Hooked up off the beach up towards the lighthouse. You see some small huts on the left and a parking lot.
On the Southside, near Fish Bones restuarant, there's a small mangrove/grass flat where I caught 3 nice bones up to 8 lbs. Search "bonecrusher" and you'll see the pix.

[kyhnau]

Hello.
Is it allowed to link to other fishing forums from here?
I recently read a very informative guide to Aruba bonefishing on another site. I believe its the most detailed description you will find online.