barbados novice fisher needs advice

**nicklord1** · 19-04-2007, 12:55

Hello i have got a boat and i was wondering what types of fish i could catch off the coast of barbados , grenadines and st lucia which are edible. Also times of year and location would be helpful too.

cheers

**PanamaJack** · 20-04-2007, 16:39

Hi Nick
Firstly welcome to the forum.

I suspect from your comments you have a yacht, and you’re probably be sailing in deeper oceanic waters? If so, with the potential for variable speeds, it’s probably worth using some of the smaller, tapered lures – either lead headed, cedar plugs or perhaps some from the Ilander range.

They’re fairly non-selective in terms of the pelagic species they’ll attract but probably the best quality eating fish would be Dorado (aka Mahi Mahi or Dolphin) or the Tuna –Yellowfin, Skipjack or Blackfin. (Little Tunny – they have wavy, ‘worm-like’ markings on the back, above the lateral line, and a scattering of dark spots, between the pectoral and ventral fins – have dark flesh, which is not to everyone’s taste.)

In all cases it’s worth bleeding the fish and icing it quickly to keep the flesh in perfect condition. And grill or barbeque it VERY lightly, you don’t want the flesh drying. In terms of the Yellowfin Tuna I must admit to also liking it raw, sushi style. Just slice it thinly and serve it with some wasabi sauce.

After the hurricane season in the late Autumn and Winter months then Wahoo should make a showing. Probably with Dorado my favourite eating fish, even better than Yellowfin. Here it’s essentially to use a wire trace and heavier ‘jet’ lures will work well. And there’s no way you’re going to outpace a Wahoo. Some skippers specifically targeting them troll at speeds in excess of 20 knots. Just a word of warning, avoid their teeth. Wahoo have teeth just like razors!

I’ve had them hit livebaits without popping lines out of the ‘rigger clips. When you retrieve the bait it often looks as if the back of the bait has been ‘surgically removed’ with a sharp cleaver! Often the only indication you get is that the vibrations from the bait swimming have stopped.
Dave

**nicklord1** · 10-06-2007, 14:10

Is there a book which shows me what these fish look alike etc . Also what baits and rods shall i use and what time of year etc. I am months from getting the yatcht.

**Spitfire66** · 10-06-2007, 18:10

Rod & reel - probably a 50lb setup will do - get a selection of lures for the fish PanamaJack suggested (wahoo, dorado,tuna, barracuda etc). Take at least a spare spool of line

Used with a harness a standup rod might suit you.

Make sure the boat has a proper rod holder not just something clamped to a rail.

You wont have to wait till you get there - you can troll the whole way

You will also need a long handled gaff

**nicklord1** · 10-06-2007, 18:42

Spitfire i appreciate your reply but i am afraid i have never fished before so dont really understand your terms if you can direct me to any books or websites or if you have time to email or we can chat via im i would appreciate it .

**Spitfire66** · 10-06-2007, 19:41

Trolling is basically "towing" a lure (artificial fish) behind your boat to simulate a baitfish which the predators will attack (& hopefully get hooked)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28angling%29

The lures are something like this

http://www.2catchmarlin.com/store/info.php/id/444

**PanamaJack** · 11-06-2007, 10:25

Nick
As a starting point, and I don't wish to be in any way disparaging, might it be worth expoloring some of the posts on a forum like this - http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/forum-view.asp?fid=9. It covers sportfishing but essentially from the perspective of a yacht owner, an occasional fisherman. There are, for instance, a couple of threads, one very extensive, on fishing for Dorado from yachts. Here the urls - http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...152544&start=1 and http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...54943&posts=12.

As well, for instance, there may be references to the point Spitfire raised about rod holders. Some US built yachts may be designed with integral flush mounted holders. In other instances boat owners may have found other ways of compromising - always of course ensure that the rod is attached to the boat by a safety line.

There are of course specialised Sportfishing site's that include sections on techniques. Here're a couple of examples - http://www.marlinmag.com/techniques_list.jsp?type=1 and http://www.sportfishingmag.com/techn...ist.jsp?type=1.

But, as you suggested, a book may be better places to develop your insight and here something like Peter Goadby's Saltwater Gamefishing - Offshore and Onshore - ISBN 0 207 17303 6 or even Ken Schultz's The World Atlas of Sportfishing - ISBN 0 600 56807 5 - might help. These are the sort of things you might be able to source through an end of line bookshop, or possibly through Amazon.

Then, and I note you live in London, have you thought about wandering into somewhere like Hardy's of Pall Mall. There used to be a 'big game' section downstairs and, occasionally, you'll find someone - usually an antipodean or South African - with a knowledge of game fishing. Just 20 minutes picking someone like that's brains can also be extremely useful. But it's important to stress that you need to find someone with some practical knowledge not just a little 'oik' who wants to sell you whatever they happen to have in stock.

One last point. You mentioned a source that would identify the species. This is quite comprehensive and contains some excellent photographs - http://www.fishbase.org/home.htm
Dave

**lucky** · 11-06-2007, 16:08

Originally Posted by PanamaJack

always of course ensure that the rod is attached to the boat by a safety line.

Hi Dave - what do you recommend for a safety line?

**PanamaJack** · 11-06-2007, 16:41

Originally Posted by lucky

Hi Dave - what do you recommend for a safety line?

Hi Lucky
I guess for both stand-up fishing and in the chair I tend to use reasonable lengths of light rope. A spliced loop at one end is attached to the stanchion on which the fight chair or 'rocket launcher' sits. And the line needs to be long enough to rest on the cockpit's floor. At the other end a stainless, spring loaded clip is fitted that either attaches to the loop on the reel's back plate or, for light tackle, I tend to clip it round the rod's foregrip. You'll find some crews will alternatively attach the clip to the reel lug - the non-drag lever side. Alright I suppose if it's the boat's tackle. I just find that the clip can mark the reel's anodising.

For preference, and in the event of any accident, I tend to leave the safety line attached throughout the fight. So the line does need to be long enough to enable the angler to manoeuvre around the cockpit.

I'm sure I've got some shots that illustrate that somewhere - I'll find them and post separately.

Finally I recall once, whilst we were anchored, we were forced to lower the rod and reel into the water on the safety line just to get the line under the keel. (We'd detached it from the stanchion.) So you need to be very confident in your splices and that clip.
Dave

**PanamaJack** · 11-06-2007, 17:24

Originally Posted by PanamaJack

I'm sure I've got some shots that illustrate that somewhere - I'll find them and post separately.

The first one's of my friend playing a 400lb Blue on 50lb stand-up gear - http://www.scbi.org.uk/Pages/00_Scbi...%20in%20Curves - and the second, the attachment, a 225lb Yellowfin I got fishing the chair - you can see the slack in the line.

Both fish came from Ascension Island.