Shore flyfishing Antigua

**Nick c** · 08-12-2006, 12:47

My wife and I are visiting the North west of Antigua in early Jan(2007) and I want to try out some flyfishing for Tarpon or bonefish .
We are on a budget so a guide might be a bit expensive .
We are staying at coconut beach club and need some help on where to try and what kit to take?I think I can only pack one rod and minimal equipment.Any comment gratefully received.
Nick

**PanamaJack** · 10-12-2006, 13:11

Hi Nick
And firstly Welcome to the forum.

Whilst it's not a part of the Caribbean I've previously fished could I suggest another forum where you should get reasonable levels of feedback - http://reel-time.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=7. It's an American fly fishing forum and, using its search facility I picked up 24 references to Antigua. Whilst not all I'm sure will be of use some should certainly give you background information. Or try a new post, that might work. Certainly Yanks, and most of the posters are Americans, seem to be delighted in helping their 'cousins' from this 'side of the Pond'.

The other option, should you not get any further feedback from this post, would be to try a post to the International forum on http://www.ukswff.co.uk.

One last point, have a great trip and, once you're back, could you please post details of your experiences on this thread.
Many Thanks
Dave

**Nick c** · 11-12-2006, 18:44

cheers for that Dave ..have a good christmas..think of me knee high in warm water....................
Nick

**marktheshark** · 11-12-2006, 19:19

Hullo Nick
I've not stayed at your hotel but I have fished in a couple of places nearby. First the good news: I've taken bonefish and tarpon there; now the bad: it's not terribly fly friendly. The sand is so fine on that side of the island that any tide quickly stirs it up and spoils the visibility.
If you really want to catch tarpon, the best place close to you is, ahem, the bird sanctuary at the back of Galley Bay hotel, not far from the Coconut BC. There's a couple of brackish lakes stuffed full of tarpon, snook, mullet and tilapia, and the tarpon went up to 40lb four years ago, so there's a chance of some right porkers in there now. How you get to fish there ... well, that'll be another story. It's fenced in, with reception on the road side of the shore. You might need to ask, beg, blag or bribe your way in - or join the SAS!
When I fished there the tarpon were very shy of the fly: I had about five takes (from hundreds of casts) and no hook-ups. I finally cracked it using a heavy spinning rod and a 40g Bass Bullet lure. Dusk is best but the fish are active from about 4pm, when they start chasing the tilapia shoals.
There are ponds, and tarpon, all around the island, but another place you might get lucky is in the salt ponds to the north of St Johns backing Dickinson Bay. Ask for the casino (if it's still there). There are a series of tidal channels that were full of small (up to 10lb) tarpon. Again it's good news and bad: when I tried last, they absolutely refused conventionally-fished flies, but went mad for an epoxy fry-fly spun very fast behind a clear plastic bubble float making a lot of splash on the surface, so popper flies might work. If you do try the fly, retrieve as fast as possible, and try around dusk or when it's cloudy.
In the sea near you there'll be jacks, needlefish, barracuda and possible snapper that might take the fly, and some finger-length baby mackeral that look like they'd make good bait, but you might find it hard work. See if you can find rocks and coral nearby - this will attract the predators. I personally would bring a spinning/baitfishing outfit as well as a fly one.
Any use? Let me know if you need more
Mark