Fishing in Antigua, Tortola, St Lucia

[13Specialk]

Will be on a cruise starting Dec 7 and am looking for an opportunity to bonefish or tarpon fish for a single day at one of the islands in which the ship docks. Does anyone have any experience with this or have some suggestions on where to look to find a guide for just a day?

[jbk]

I'm afraid that you won't find bones or tarpon around in sufficient numbers to fly fish productively for them in Antigua or St.Lucia, pretty sure that they have neither bones nor tarpon persent at all at these two locations.

However you will find both Bonefish and Tarpon in the BVI's, you will need to get away from Tortola to some of the better flats systems in teh VI's to have a good days bonefishing. Tarpon, again local guides will take you to the right place. Search this forum and the web and you'll find info on fly fishing the BVI's.

Tough locations for massively productive fly fishing sessions though, in my experience though you understand.

[spinguy]

On Tortola there is a flat not too far from where the cruise ships dock. It is near the bridge to Beef Island, to the north on the main island side of the channel. It is conceivable that you could get a taxi from Roadtown to Beef Island (3 or 4 miles), have him wait while you fish fro a few hours, and get back in time to the ship.

[alexander]

Will be on a cruise starting Dec 7 and am looking for an opportunity to bonefish or tarpon fish for a single day at one of the islands in which the ship docks. Does anyone have any experience with this or have some suggestions on where to look to find a guide for just a day?

There are tarpons and bonefish in Antigua and Barbuda although one day stop makes it hard to go after them. Best time for tarpon would be early morning before sunrise.
For bones you'd have to go to second island called Barbuda. There is large lagoon that has plenty of them. You can get there by plane in about 20 minutes. Round-trip ticket would cost about $70.

[jbk]

Alex, Can you provide some more info on location of Tarpon in Antigua, are they plentiful and what size ranges will you see there?

[BobG]

If you're loking to spend some $$$, there an excellent bonefish/tarpon guide that works out of Gov's Harbor. His name is Ian Bachelor, and he enjoys a great reputation for getting his clients into large tarpon in and around Gov's Harbor.

[alexander]

Alex, Can you provide some more info on location of Tarpon in Antigua, are they plentiful and what size ranges will you see there?

Saltwater ponds are usual places were you'd catch them, like one by Dickenson Bay. Other places are St. John's Harbor itself (where cruise ships dock) and Joly Harbor. Very interesting place for baby tarpon would be pond by Hawks Bill. I'm not an expert but I'd say that you can expect 10-20 lb ones.

[jaws3]

I have only hooked into Tarpon from the old concrete dock platform at Jolly Harbour very early in the morning - from 2 - 6 am. They were in the 20 - 30 lb range.
I tried for them (sight fishing) on the beach between Ffryes Point and Johnsons Point but had no luck (they were feeding on baitfish in the shallows). Also tried in English harbour in the early am (4 - 6h30) between all the luxury yachts at anchor but again no luck. Beautiful to see them cruising though!

I have not tried for Bones on Barbuda but was told by one of the local Barbuda boaters that his brother is a guide for Bone fly fishing on Barbuda. Don't know if it is true or not. Due to travel limitations I don't think you'll make it coming off a cruise ship for the day. I have visited Barbuda often but only stayed over once so far. Accommodations in town are basic - mostly B+B type (90$ per room per night 2 yrs ago).

As for fly fishing equipment on Antigua - take all your gear from home. Virtually no supply of fly-fishing gear there. Only place I found with limited selection 4 years ago was Aqua Sports in Heritage Quay (where Cruise ships dock). At that time they charged 50$ for 6 Bone flies and 95$ for 10 Tarpon flies.(both Umpqua kits).
On my last visit 2 yrs ago, this store had NO fly fishing gear anymore.

There is another guy who does shore based guiding.(his boat was stolen) Phil Harley. Send me a personal mail if you need his mobile phone number.
Len

[Frankie G]

If you're loking to spend some $$$, there an excellent bonefish/tarpon guide that works out of Gov's Harbor. His name is Ian Bachelor, and he enjoys a great reputation for getting his clients into large tarpon in and around Gov's Harbor.


I'd second the motion for Ian. I fished with my wife in Tortola in 2001- in a flat right next to the airport. He had another guy with him named Graham, who took me down the flat for some bones...it was crankin though, and the only hook I buried was in Graham's left butt cheek. I loved his attitude though.."I said "Lets go back to the boat and get that taken care of." He said " Take this pliers and cut the tippet at the eye of the hook. We're here to fish." Final tally was a few yellowtail- couldn't get on a bone. They are top notch guys. They will also take you snorkeling- kinda cool to be all on your own instead of with 25 other divers- but BobG is also right in saying they are top $$$. I think a day of fishing with tip was close to $800. I went through the resort, so if you can set it up on our won I bet you do better.

Frank

[mwgdc]

Spent many days and nights tarpon fishing in Tortola. There are tarpon cruising right around the cruise ship dock at night. You can hook them, but you'll never land one there. If you have time during the day, you can look in the bays for bait. If you find the bait, you'll find the tarpon.

Agree with already mentioned bonefishing info for Tortola. The flats by the Beef Island bridge hold some fish but they are spooky. Also, it doable by taxi. Don't have to have him wait, there are enough taxis going to and from the airport, you can always get a ride.

If you want more details, send me a PM.

Good luck