st kitts shore fishing

[docfish]

I'm visiting St Kitts in August/early september; can any one advise if shore fishing is likely to be worthwhile at this time. We're staying at Frigate bay, down south, and I was thinking of taking my 2-3oz travel rod which can double up as a spinning/light beach rod.

[PanamaJack]

I'm visiting St Kitts in August/early september; can any one advise if shore fishing is likely to be worthwhile at this time. We're staying at Frigate bay, down south, and I was thinking of taking my 2-3oz travel rod which can double up as a spinning/light beach rod.

Hi ‘Doc’
And firstly welcome to the forum.

I had hoped that someone with personal experience of the island would have replied by now, but as yet no one has picked up on it.

As part of your ‘googling’ I wonder have you looked at the forum posts on the TripAdvisor web site? Here’s the url - http://www.tripadvisor.com/SearchForums?ff=540&geo=147373&scope=2&q=Shore+fishing&returnTo=%2FShowForum-g147373-i540-St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html&x=14&y=11. Although not overly promising there is one particular thread that mentions shore fishing - http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147374-i541-k771960-Three_Questions_about_St_Kitts_Nevis_Please_Help-St_Kitts_St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html. But it appears more a case of not having seen people shore fishing rather than necessarily it’s not worth trying. Although the offshore fishing appears reasonable and the local authorities are creating artificial reef structures and floating FADs - http://www.geographia.com/stkitts-nevis/knfish01.htm.

Now, a bit of the curate’s egg! I did try searching in the Caribbean forum on a ‘Stateside fly fishing web site – http://www.reel-time.com. Here’s the specific url I created - http://www.reel-time.com/forum/search.php?searchid=722520 – but I’m unclear how long the search criteria remains valid – you may have to repeat the search. There’re a range of threads and responses, mostly – and remember these are mainly from American anglers obsessed with fly fishing for Bonefish on the Flats (and the island’s volcanic – limited shallow water) and personal security – negative but some equally positive. There do though appear to be opportunities to fish for Tarpon, particularly juveniles in the saltwater ponds.

I guess, on balance, it has to be worth taking a travel rod with you with a selection of lures – plugs, poppers and (Barracuda) tube lures are usually effective – together with some hooks (baitholders), small weights, floats and heavy mono & wire for traces.

So…Best of Luck! And if you have the time please report back, good or bad, with experiences from your trip.
Dave

P.S. Sorry forgot to add whatever the 'Yanks' talk about catching on 'the fly' you'll similarly be able to target on lures or baits.

[docfish]

Hi Panama Jack, many thanks for the research through which I will avidly browse asap! Thanks also for your advice - when you say heavy mono, what would you suggest - 30lb? we were thinking of using our favourite lures eg Storm Chug bugs or the bizarrely named Maria Angel Kiss, which is specifically recommended by Mike Ladle for many of the species you have mentioned.
Hopefully St Kitts will make a change from soggy Pembrokeshire!

[PanamaJack]

Hi Doc
I know that MIke and Steve Pitts have had several trips to Tobago so certainly go along with their recommendations on lures.

My personal favourites, particularly for Jacks, are from the YoZuri range - Hydro Tigers and the Surface GT Bulls. They have the advantage of being through wired. These are lures that I tend to work fast to create maximum surface disturbance and even if the fish initially miss don't slow down. Even after multiple abortive strikes they'll finally nail it, but slow down and they lose interest.

Tarpon though, in my experience, respond best to slower, sub surface plugs. But the hooks should be double or triple strength.

As to heavy leaders, fishing say 16, I'll tend to use 50 attached with an Albright Knot, having tied a Bimini Twist (or Hawaiian/Australian Plait) in the reel line. Tarpon especially have very sharp edges to their gill covers.

If Barracuda show up then I'd certainly suggest using a Tube lure - through rigged with wire and constructed of surgical rubber tubing.
Dave