Aruba

[Buzz]

I'm heading down to Aruba 2nd week of Feb. Does anybody know what kind of fish I may catch at this time of year and also if anyone knows of a good guide down there.

[ronmontecalvo]

Have been there three times and yet to get a fish. You might try the area near the California Light House. I understand that the natives fish here. They also say that there are snook under the docks wher the fishing fleet docks. I've been out there early morning and never had a hit. Good luck

[danh]

Buzz,

I have been going down to Aruba for the last 9 years. This past year I took a tour of the Marriott. The guy who was our guide was really friendly and used to do fishing/diving trips. You might want to drop him an email and he might be able to point you in the right direction. His email address is:
warlyn@mail.setarnet.aw
and you need to send it with attention Gary in the subject field.

Good luck and I am jealous!

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On 1/17/00 7:53:58 PM, buzz wrote:
I'm heading down to Aruba 2nd week of Feb. Does anybody know what kind of fish I may catch at this time of year and also if anyone knows of a good guide down there.<BR>
</blockquote>

[ppatricelli]

I realize this post is too late for Buzz, but for anyone else looking for information on Aruba, this is what I know.
There are both bonefish and permit there, actually more permit than bonefish according to what I saw, but not huge numbers of either. There is sight flats fishing to be had just up-beach from the Marriott, in front of what's called "Fishermen's huts", and also at "Baby Beach" at the far end of the island. From what I saw at a distance I would also check out "Boca Grande". The mangrove lagoon abutting the airport looked fishy but you would need a boat. I am unaware of anyone operating as a flyfishing and/or light tackle flats/lagoon guide. There are the usual offshore blue water boats.
My suggestion? Bring your rod and CRAB flies, but don't get yourself into the mindset that this is a destination fishing site. last year I told all this to someone from this forum and he did and caught his first permit on a fly, so he's one up on me.

[koichi]

I was there in 1999 and stayed close to the Marriot, at the Holiday Inn. At the time I wasn't into fly fishing but I did get a lot of snorkeling done. I do recall seeing large schools of what APPEARED to be bonefish, near the beach by the Marriot. I also went to the aforemention Baby Beach, which IMHO is the best beach on the island, although you need a car to reach it as no resorts are in the immediate vicinity. Baby Beach would be excellent for wading, as the water is about a foot to two feet deep.

Aruba probably isn't the best fishing destination, it seems to cater more to Americans seeking the tropics but not wanting to go somewhere too exotic. Aruba is the classic big high-rise, sit on the beach all day resort. You would definitely get alot of funny looks going out with a fly rod. My two cents on the matter.