Antigua

[benjmitchell]

Hi all,

I've had a quick scan of the world boards but if anyone has any further advise for fishing in Antigua I'd be really grateful.

I've booked a holiday there in November (staying near Dickinson's bay) and plan on taking a travel set up to do some shore fishing, probably some spinning and may be some pier work using some livebait.

I'm pretty new to sea fishing and was wondering what type gear I should take in terms of braid, hooks, and other tackle equipment.


I'm also looking at having a crack at the big boys on a boat.

I've heard a few horror stories regarding pretty poor/ disinterested skippers and wondered if anyone had any personal recommendations?

Thanks in advance,

Ben

[TomBettle]

I've fished aboard Overdraft and did have a good day, but they didn't listen hugely to my requirements. Though they were very friendly and made me welcome.

The boats is a very strange machine, would never get coded here in the UK due to the fact that there is a big gap in the gunnell between the wheelhouse and the aft section of cockpit. Other than that it looks much like a UK charter boat than a tropical Big Game boat.

It was my then new girl friend and my first (and last) nice holiday together and she wanted to come fishing. I booked the skipper on the proviso of light tackle and we targeted the readily available species such as small Tuna, Dorado etc NOT a specialist trip for Marlin and so on.
The boat was based around the corner at one of the boat yards near Nelsons Dockyard and it collected us from my resort (can't remember, but just East of Nelsons).
First dissapointment was all the rods were 80's and all had ropeyish old Senators and wire line on them. Well we'd paid for the trip so we were going to enjoy it.

If I remember correctly it was about a 15 mile journey out to the sea mounts which we proceeded to circle all day. Abbie wasn't enjoying herself in the big Atlantic swell, but did actually feel better after eating some lunch, however I was having a whale of a time with medium sized Wahoo to about 50lb and small yellowfin Tuna around 25lb. The highlight being hooking a yellowfin which was instantly taken by something hugely bigger and with particularly sharp teeth. I'll never know what it was, but it almost spooled me several times and was on for about 45 minutes before coughing up the yellow fin about 20 feet under the boat.

Obviously a shark and a large one based on the power of it, but no idea what species apart from the tooth prints would suggest a gape of something like 16" to 18" and razor / saw like teeth rather than daggers...
Glad it got away though as the crew were intent on bringing it inboard and I would much rather have it released.

Anyway, for a good day afloat, google "Overdraft Antigua".

Tom

[marktheshark]

Hi
I posted a reply to a similar query about fishing in Jolly Beach which is still on the first page of this forum. Dickinson Bay is broadly similar - a clean sand beach, often prone to stirring up, with not many fish around. However, they get some goodish snapper at night from the Warri Pier - they dive into the pilings, so you'll need heavy gear and 30lb-plus line - and you can walk to the salt ponds for baby tarpon to 10lb.
To correct myself, the boat I used from Jolly Harbour was called Nightwing, skippered by Capt Mike, not Overdraft.

[benjmitchell]

Cheers guys

[cigar-smoker]

We stayed in a villa in Jolly Harbour in January and were lucky enough to be able to fish straight from the decking into the sea. We fished most mornings and used Mullet tactics, telescopic rods, spinning reels, 10lb line and small floats with size 4 and 6 hooks. We opted not to use the normal baits of fish etc and decided we would use bread, lumps of cheese, luncheon meat etc.
We fished every morning and never had a blank taking small bream up to about 1.5lb, numerous puffer fish (Jesus they make a noise when you take them out of the water), Garfish and some nice snappers. Best fish was a snapper about 4lb taken in the evening on ledgered luncheon meat. We took small floats, shot, small hooks out with us along with rods and reels and had a blast

[Alan_Stewart]

Hi Ben,

I am planning a trip with my girlfriend to Dickinson's bay on the 16th of November for a week. I am interested in doing some fly fishing for Bonefishing in the shallows, & also planning a boat trip for some bigger fish. If you fancy sharing a boat with me, or fancy a shot at some bone fishing please get back in contact.

Best regards,

Alan.

I am planning a trip with my

Hi all,

I've had a quick scan of the world boards but if anyone has any further advise for fishing in Antigua I'd be really grateful.

I've booked a holiday there in November (staying near Dickinson's bay) and plan on taking a travel set up to do some shore fishing, probably some spinning and may be some pier work using some livebait.

I'm pretty new to sea fishing and was wondering what type gear I should take in terms of braid, hooks, and other tackle equipment.


I'm also looking at having a crack at the big boys on a boat.

I've heard a few horror stories regarding pretty poor/ disinterested skippers and wondered if anyone had any personal recommendations?

Thanks in advance,

Ben

[benjmitchell]

Hi Alan,

Unfortunately I don't get out there until the 26th otherwise I'd have jumped at the chance. Really want to get out on boat but can't seem to find anywhere that does singles and I don't fancy forking out $800 to have the whole boat to myself.... esspecially not with the way the dollar is going.

Any info you may be able to provide when you get back (if you have time) would be massively appreciated.

Best of luck... I hope you bag up!

Ben

Hi Ben,

I am planning a trip with my girlfriend to Dickinson's bay on the 16th of November for a week. I am interested in doing some fly fishing for Bonefishing in the shallows, & also planning a boat trip for some bigger fish. If you fancy sharing a boat with me, or fancy a shot at some bone fishing please get back in contact.

Best regards,

Alan.

I am planning a trip with my