Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has flyfished in Aruba along the flats, beach areas or on the west side of the resorts. If so what kind of equipment do you use and what type of fish do you catch. I will be out there from Feb 5th -14th. Please feel free to e-mail me at Marshallbrothers@aol.com

Thanks,
Brad

Brad: I dont have any answers as I havent gone yet . I am planning a trip in early March and have been trying to find out about fly fishing also. I am going to the show in Somerset N.J. on Saturday and will try to get some info. My call to the official tourist bureau was not very helpful and most of the captains seem to be off shore types. If you find anything out please let me know. I am going to bring a 7wt and a 9wt with me. I know you can chum up the Mahi in shore from small boats in most places so Aruba shouldnt be much different. Good luck. Bob

Flyfishing in Aruba has only caught on in the past year or so. Several areas are reported to be productive. Most are on the airport side of town. I'm trying in Feb and will report on this board

Please don't kill the pretty tropical fish!!

Hi,

Thanks for the reponse. In the past I have used a 7wt rod with little fly crabs along the north-west shore near resorts early in the morning and have had no luck yet. I ran into a guy out there that told me that small silver spinners on spinning tackle is how he caught fish, I believe that they were small jacks. I have seen large snook under docks, and I am going to attempt to catch some this year. My wife is from NJ shore as well, please let me know how the show goes.

I also wanted to add that any flyfishing I do will be catch and release so there should be no worries about any tropical fish being harmed.

Thanks,

Brad M.

Looking for any areas or day trips for Peacock bass fishing in Aruba. Arriving the 4th of Feb for a week. Have heard about it and would love to try my luck.
Know Venezuela is a popular spot for these Bass and just wondered about Aruba.

Any info helpful...Thanks

DE

Thanks, Brad! Have fun!

Hi Joe,

Thank you so much for the useful information. I was cuious about where you stayed or if you had tried to fish on the North-West side of the island. Also what type of lure did you use when fishing for Bone fish? Also, how far did you have to you have to go out to catch Barracuda, what other types of lures or spin tackle would you use, and how big where those barracuda's.

I also wated wanted to thank you everyone else for there feedback. I will be staying at the Allegro Occidental from Feb 7th- 14th.

Thanks dad.
Indeed, there are some nice places on the Island to flyfish. Be sure first of all to be carefull and do not damage anything of the flora and fauna. There are not that much real flats and bones are not abundant. Make sure you have a strong leader and enough backing, I lost a big bone (leader broke) with allready 150+ yards of backing out. As they will rush out to sea when you hook ´em they can cut up your gear along a stone for example. So make sure you bring some spare stuff.
Best spot according to most people would be malmok, there is a barch/wreck lying almost on the dry. The water is shallow and the bottom is rocky with turtle grass. Put on some polaroids and a cap and be there at sunrise for the best light, at sunset there´s also an increased activity of fish.
Myself I tried several spots (and still have some more spots I want to check out).
At Barcadera there is some sort of flat I liked a lot, also with a wreck on shore, close to the barcadera harbour (on the left of the harbour facing sea). Places I will have to do some more fishing on or where I think would be good are:
In front of the highrise hotels, especially towards holiday inn and mariott. Mangel Halto, Baby Beach and Santo Largo are also very nice for bones, maybe even a tarpon at mangel halto or santo largo, who knows?
And a spot I would like to go but you´ll need a boat is the sonesta island.
Good luck, and you can always contact me with questions.

Aruba Man,

Thanks so much for all of the information. I just had a few questions. What kind of fly's lures were you using to catch these bones. How long of a leader where you using and what weight would you recommend. How were you working these lures- (fast or slow)? Also how far out in the water would you walk? Have you ever fished on the NW side of the island. I really appreciate any feedback.

Brad M-