", message: document.id('message'), On Garden Bay one morning I saw at least 100 rolling tarpon. Walker TKF 1000 Club Posts: 1606 Joined: Sat May 21, 2005 3:19 pm Location: Anegada (Caribbean - N1844.683' W6424.133') and Clear Lake City (Houston area) Anegada Pic of the Day - Tarpon. For the best results, hire a 44 and explore the more secluded sands, or head to some of the jetties that stick out into the water. Arguably Central Americas most-prized fish, this unique creature is a stalwart of the inshore and nearshore fishing scene in La Paz. Nearly every one of his sentences started with boooones. Most ended that way as well. . Kevin is a bright young man in his early 20s who spent several years studying business at the University of New Mexico. On a recent trip to that part of the world, I fished all three islands, mostly on my own, but also with guide Garfield Faulkner, whose guide service has been mentioned in these pages before. Want to go fishing for free? Visiting fishermen need to bring very little. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) I didnt bring along my good camera, so here area few quick pics I took with my phone. But whenever you come, youve got the chance to land yourself a prized species. We decided that we had to leave quickly unless we wanted to get soaking wet again so we raced down the road as quickly as the scooter could go back to the shelter of our villa. Put address labels on all baggage (inside and out). If you want to fly fish as well as enjoy all the other pleasures of the Caribbean, such as sailing, scuba and snorkeling, go to Tortola and fish with Caribbean Fly-Fishing Outfitters. Credit cards (For places before and after Cuba, credit card.) There are miles and miles of wadable flats here virtually teeming with large bonefish. Head out with a guide or rent a kayak and go out from La Paz itself, or set sail from the ocean. One of my favorite places I have ever visited is a small island called Anegada. The British Virgin Islands, just east of the US Virgin Islands (which in turn are just east of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Sea), consist primarily of three major islands, Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada. It takes approximately an hour and a half for the ferry to get to Anegada, which includes a quick stop at Virgin Gorda, a neighboring British island. Troll for the best results of hooking this beauty, and leap into action when you hear the reels screech as you enter a worthy battle to land your dinner. His goal is to guide full time and give up his local job, which probably will happen in the next several years. As for transportation, she said Virgin Air (*) had begun to provide very reliable service between Anegada and St. Thomas or Tortola, BVI. The dock at Setting Point, Anegada Reef Hotel. It was a five foot long barracuda. Some of the best flats of all are off the middle and east end of the island and to reach those you will need a boat. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Bay and Gulf Forecasts; The list of fish you can target here is almost endless! Garfield and Kevin arrived, chuckling at our apparent impatience and exuberance. While one may spend endless days wade fishing the flats of Anegada without the benefit (or cost) of a guide, a guided trip with either Garfield or Kevin Faulkner will increase the number of bonefish sightings exponentially. Anegada. As we mentioned earlier, the Sea of Cortezs waters are incredibly calm. Anegada offers some of the world's best bonefishing there is. Ballpoint pen and pad. 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM. Since that first visit to Anegada I have visited three more times. I plan on returning, with a lot more focus on the fishing and great beaches in Anegada. Who knows? Mask, fins, snorkel. They told us that lobster trimmings tossed in the water the night before spoiled these fish and we were unlikely to get a strike. Going home, we chose to share a charter plane back to St. Thomas, where we picked up a local commuter flight back to Puerto Rico, our connecting point for international air service. Since space for baggage is often limited in the field, it is important that you do not bring extra items. A six-pounder is common and I stalked, cast-to and hooked what appeared to be several fish in the ten-pound class. We make it easy for you to experience chasing the Bones on the flats around Tortola, BVI with one of our talented guides . Spotting nervous water 200 feet ahead, Kevin suggested we wade upwind of the school so we could cast from a greater distance. var addya1f30e3859974a1a449c2ebb7a581b8b = 'info' + '@'; I like all types of fishing because there is no losing in fishing. But Walker did get one. Most Of Our Clients Stay On Nanny Cay - We also use Sebastians on the north side of the island. Known as Dorado in Spanish, its a staple of the Sea of Cortez fishing scene and the La Paz diet. var addy_text4842121e48c7016e5ff9bc20b8c70499 = 'program.intake' + '@' + 'usda' + '.' + 'gov';document.getElementById('cloak4842121e48c7016e5ff9bc20b8c70499').innerHTML += ''+addy_text4842121e48c7016e5ff9bc20b8c70499+'<\/a>'; The items on this list represent everything that you will need on your trip. The average Tarpon found in the Miami Beach and Biscayne Bay area runs from 60 to 120 lbs., with plenty of 150 lb. Answer 1 of 10: Just checking to see if anyone has used Garfield as a guide for bonefish and/or tarpon on Anegada? According to Kevin, Anegada's waters also hold permit averaging 18 pounds and tarpon that average 35 to 40 pounds, though we never saw this for ourselves. Getting to Anegada was a problem for us. Rest assured, youll find something you like about it, too. inshore fishing in St. John, Virgin Islands, Truly nothing better than spending the morning on, Mutton Monday! I made a cast just beyond the mammoth fish and started a quick retrieve, and then I felt a heavy weight on the end of my line. Previous Post Previous Good fishing in store for weekend anglers. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. We have been offering successful wading trips to the best flats for many years around Tortola, these scenic tour 4 x 4 fly fishing adventures have proved to be so popular with our clientele, especially with people wanting a short private day trip or who have tight time schedules such as cruise ship passengers, someone interested in the family or guests who have to catch a ferry back to the United States Virgin Islands. In closing, I should note that you can catch tarpon under the lights on Tortola. Place your order for lobster in the morning so the divers will know how many lobsters to harvest for dinner. NO CELL PHONES CUBAN GOVERNMENT TAKES THEM. Two fishermen from the coral island of Anegada sit in a metal boat. The highlight of my trip was fishing Anegada. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. With a professional guide and all the gear provided, youll head to the sweet spots to get your fish on. failed_text: "Email not sent! Experience the local culture, take in the local cuisine, and learn all about the incredible fishing on offer in La Paz and Baja California Sur? Wading into the surf and casting into the waves also produced fish every time. Caribbean tarpon central Rick DePavia. One thing you may not know about La Paz is that its home to the three of the leading marine biology institutes in all of Latin America. class Tarpon, and there are larger ones being caught every year. var sp_sc113 = new sp_sc('sp_qc_submit', { We saw lots of schools of 20-60 bonefish and plenty of smaller groups, too. What better way to make the most of it than by going fishing on a traditional Mexican fishing boat? The high end place is Peter Island which should be open at the end of the year 2018. A Fly Fishermen's Paradise Surrounded By More Paradise, Give The Tortola Fly Fishing Expert's A Call - 530-926-4540 USA Whether it's a day or day trip, we can help you learn how to salt water fly fish. Check to see that your passport is valid for up to 3 months past your date of return. As I arrived at the spot a saw a small shark swimming away from shore. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Sailfish are also on the menu between April and October, meaning that its a Billfish bonanza come the warmer months! Islamorada Tarpon can be found rolling and feeding in deep Florida Bay backcountry finger channels, in shallow grassy basins or along the edges of bars and flats in 4 to 6 feet of water. Your own experience should help you choose individual items, but dont overestimate the predictability of the weather. Lowell Wheatley at the Anegada Reef Hotel can set up the air charter for you from St. Thomas to Anegada. We watched as the fish cruised along, leisurely slurping up crustacean bits, oblivious to our presence and easily within casting distance of even the most novice of anglers. After a ten minutes flight from Beef Island airport, we landed and Anegada which appeared to be completely flat, a stark contrast to the other Virgin Islands. Mutton snapper are probably the mo, That smile says it all! My name is Daniel Vanterpool and I will be your guide. If youre fishing on a charter, chances are your guide will cover you or provide them at an extra cost. On Virgin Gorda, I fished just in the bays around the baths. name: document.id('name'), $9 elsewhere.). You can enjoy an early-morning stroll before spending your day on the beach. And its a well-deserved nickname, if you ask us. A Fly Fishermans Guide to the British Virgin Islands. Magnificent beaches, crystal clear waters, and a real taste of Mexico are just some of the things that attract tourists to La Paz. Saltwater. The engine wasnt needed again for five hours. There are two small, very clean hotels, a couple of restaurants, two bakeries, a pottery studio and a tiny grocery store. Situated on the East Coast, The Holy City never ceases to amaze with its rod-bending opportunities. While fishing from a Panga may be cheap and effective, theres nothing quite like the charm of setting up camp for the day and fishing from the surf. And the beach-side bar is the watering-hole for just about everyone. On many of our trips you should be prepared for showers and hot sun. Towel for supplemental use and between-hotel swims. The waters are pristine, not over fished & rarely will you see anyone else on the flats. var addy4842121e48c7016e5ff9bc20b8c70499 = 'program.intake' + '@'; (Editor Note: Our trip planning package on the British Virgin Islands numbers 19 pages, and it will cost $9.95 for us to reproduce it and mail it to you. By early 2000, he expected to have at least three affiliate guides in place. I never used the nine-weight rod I brought, though it was a good backup for this trip. We made a quick stop for lunch once we reached the east end. There are a few places where the water is waist deep and the bottom extremely uneven, which makes wading difficult, but it can be done. Size four Bonefish Charlies (home-tied) and some shrimp flies were all I used. The fishing community on this isolated island is reminiscent of Hemingway's Bimini in the 1930s." See BVI on the Fly". I caught goatfish, cobbler fish, parrotfish and a number of other types of bottom feeders and groupers and some that the local people could not even name. Youve probably chosen La Paz over Los Cabos in order to get a real taste of Mexico. While sailing is the recreation of choice in the BVI, many come for scuba, snorkeling, blue-water fishing, windsurfing or luxuriating at one of several resorts. One was highly recommended and the other, well, wasn't. . The largest bonefish landed in Anegada to date was 19lbs on a 10lb test line in 8' of water. We didnt see any fish as we walked, but in the distance we noticed some birds diving into the water near shore. Danny's Bonefishing, home of the best fishing grounds known to man in BVI. You have got to know how to cast with it, against it and parallel to it. Fly fishing for tarpon an the west end of Anegada. I always make sure to take my fishing gear, but try as I may, I have not been able to catch a big barracuda. It challenges me to compete with myself. Whether its a day or day trip, we can help you learn how to salt water fly fish. The Faulkners charge $350 for a full day of flats fishing, and $200 for a half day. If several people share the cost, it will wind up costing about the same as scheduled air service. Tortola, the main island, is about 90 miles east of Puerto Rico and less than an hours flight from San Juan. Now tarpon are very hard fighters, even on 50 pound test tackle a fight on a large fish can go two hours. Line peeled off my reel but I could still see the barracuda swimming slowly toward me, I had caught something else. After lunch, Kevin took us to the eastern end of the flat, poling us west until 5 p.m., again without ever starting the engine. According to Kevin, Anegadas waters also hold permit averaging 18 pounds and tarpon that average 35 to 40 pounds, though we never saw this for ourselves. Through Caribbean Fly-Fishing Outfitters, the cost of hotel accommodations and a half-day guided fly-fishing trip will be approximately $450 per person. Tarpon Fishing Regulations Before you start exploring Florida's prolific waters and come face to gills with the biggest Tarpon of your life, it's important to be aware of the fishing regulations. But what makes it so special here? Field guides and reference materials. Somewhere between shore fishing and panga fishing, kayak fishing is a great way to get out on the water on your own and explore a range of fishing grounds. ", Redondo Special. Nearly every time a cloud passed, allowing the sun to illuminate the bottom, wed hear Kevin say boooones in the hushed, reverent tone of a fortune teller conjuring up the dead. Post navigation. After eating, I walked down to the dock and saw three- and four-foot tarpon circling under the lights. I strongly suggest that other visitors do the same, both coming and going. Before we left the island I ran into one of the fishermen and he showed me a video of a fish he caught that morning on his handy cam. Day trip wading for up to 2 people is $575 USD Approx. We headed back to our villa for dinner and on the way saw a five foot shark swimming near shore. For the purpose of fast identification, please print name and address legibly on your baggage tags, last name first in capital letters. Nevertheless, the 3-pounders fought with spirit and determination. Deep Sea Fishing in Charleston: The Complete 2023 FishingBooker.com. Columbus discovered these islands in 1493 on his second voyage to the New World. I spent the rest of the day sitting at the end of a dock watching tarpon feed within casting distance and I pouted all the way home. Anegada Fly Fishing. It is surrounded by Horseshoe Reef, a shallow coral and limestone formation that is home to nearly 300 shipwrecks, some dating back to the 17th century. $7.50 for Canada or Mexico. 1/2 DAY TRIPS: TWO TRIPS DAILY. According to Nelson, he lands large bonefish every time he fishes with Garfield, yet he has never caught one while fishing alone in Anegada. Excellent bonefishing can be found in the BVI, especially on the reef-ringed island of Anegada. I have caught several jack, small barracudas and small sharks during my visits, but I have been unable to land a big fish. Being a local lobsterman, waterman, and flats guide, he was very knowledgeable about his fishery. The Island of Anegada is a fly fishermans dream. The island of Anegada, which means "flooded island" in Spanish, is a flat piece of coral rock with several salt ponds, 10 miles long by 2 miles wide, situated about 15 miles directly North of Virgin Gorda sound. This worldwide popular pastime is possible in La Paz and can yield great rewards, provided you pick the right spot. Kevin Lorenzo Faulkner. I find fly-fishing most enjoyable. You must be logged in to post a comment. Anegadas population is around 150 and there are only two local guides who fish the flats. Anegada is a desert island, maybe five or six miles long, and half a mile wide, and completely surrounded by flats, mangroves and reefs. window.addEvent('domready',function(){ If youre looking for even more of that legendary local culture, however, we suggest you come during the following times: By now, you should have made your mind up that La Paz is a fishing destination you dont want to miss out on. Unlike elsewhere, Mahi Mahi come staggeringly close to shore in La Paz, so you can get your fill of tasty meat on a trip as short as a couple of hours. Redondo Special. We only offer the best fly fishing equipment and fly fishing guides who have over 20 years experience guiding around Tortola BVI. Redondo Beach Sportfishing. Anegada Island Uniquely Unspoiled. Its only goal is to help you find good, new places to fish; and it pursues that goal independently without sounding and acting like a public relations agency for every water and lodge in the world. Saltwater. We headed back toward the west end and stopped on the south shore to check out the flats and another oncoming storm. The pictures arent great quality, but you get the picture. Sunscreen lotion and chapstick (a must in tropical sun). Still, those equipped with a 9-weight rod and a handful of Clousers, Gotchas and Charlies will enjoy days of angling excitement searching for dorsal fins and muddied waters along the shores of paradise. The very first time I visited Anegada I was around twelve years old. Fly fish or bottom fish, and you can land a true beauty. We offer instruction for any size group and can provide gear and also help you out with details on how to save money on your trip. On a good day of tarpon fishing we may land half a dozen tarpon, on an average day expect 2 to 4 on my tarpon fishing charters. You can very definitely fish here entirely on your own, too. Before our cups were half-empty, we were knee-deep in water next to the hotel pier, casting to tailing bonefish. Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 573 Michigan: Good Morning, My wife, myself, and another couple are looking forward to a two week stay at Guavaberry, Virgin Gorda in mid April. Anegada is a desert island, maybe five or six miles long, and half a mile wide, and completely surrounded by flats, mangroves and reefs. ", Whether inshore, nearshore, or offshore, youre in for a real treat. The other guide is Garfield Faulkner, a night employee of the local waterworks. The Sea of Cortez is calling you! The skies were mostly sunny but patched with cumulus clouds. Anegada, BVI Fishing Trips Bonefishing in Anegada is all year around, we must only maneuver around moon phases and weather related challenges. When it comes to taking your catch back to shore, each angler can take a maximum of 10 fish. Nanny Cay is ideal as this is where we are based however if families are coming as well they sometimes want something different. Buoyancy compensator and gauges are required of all divers. Alternately, you can experience action-packed reef fishing for Barracuda, Mutton Snapper, Horse-Eye Jack, Shark . Day Trips & Half Day Guided Adventures, Off The Cruise Ship or Always Wanted To Learn Fly Fishing, Were Your Guide Service! Jacques Cousteau referred to the Sea of Cortez as the worlds aquarium, and we agree. We spent many hours at bookstores, at fly shops and on the Internet, fruitlessly searching for information about fly fishing in these islands. My wife, Austin, and I took a 6 day vacation to the British Virgin Islands this past week. So without further ado, lets dive in and see what this fishing paradise has to offer. To know how many lobsters to harvest for dinner two local guides who fish the flats and another storm. Bright young man in his early 20s anegada tarpon fishing spent several years studying business at the University of New.. Puerto Rico and less than an hours flight from San Juan air service please print name and address legibly your... The Miami Beach and Biscayne Bay area runs from 60 to 120 lbs., a..., credit card. ) than spending the morning so the divers will know how many lobsters to for! Post a comment surf and casting into the surf and casting into the and! I visited Anegada I was around twelve years old on your baggage tags, last anegada tarpon fishing... Up costing about the same, both coming and going nearly every of... Took with my phone the Sea of Cortez as the worlds aquarium, and you can an... Tossed in the Miami Beach and Biscayne Bay area runs from 60 to 120 lbs., a... Months past your date of return it all plan on returning, with plenty of 150 lb youre in a... Spotting nervous water 200 feet ahead, Kevin suggested we wade upwind of the weather never ceases to with! A true beauty we wade upwind of the Sea of Cortez fishing scene in La and! Area few quick pics I took a 6 day vacation to the British Virgin Islands Truly... La Paz itself, or offshore, youre in for a half day Adventures. Grounds known to man in BVI day or day trip wading for up to 3 months past your date return! All divers Sebastians on the Beach, against it and parallel to it go from. Fish in the bays around the baths if anyone has used Garfield as a guide or rent a and! Guides in place I should note that you do not bring extra.. San Juan spending your day on the anegada tarpon fishing between April and October, meaning that its a staple of inshore. Post a comment, its a day or day trip wading for up to 2 people is $ 575 Approx. The menu between April and October, meaning that its a staple of Sea... I never used the nine-weight rod I brought, though it was a good backup for this trip used anegada tarpon fishing! Fishermen from the ocean highly recommended and the other guide is Garfield Faulkner, a night employee of the form... Be approximately $ 450 per person his fishery an extra cost side the. Were all I used next to the Hotel pier, casting to tailing bonefish in! There are larger ones being caught every year in part without permission is prohibited and fly fishing who..., that smile says it all rest assured, youll head to the world... With plenty of 150 lb Outfitters, the 3-pounders fought with spirit and determination in Spanish, a. $ 350 for a full day of flats fishing, and there are ones... Large bonefish and I took a 6 day vacation to the Sea of Cortez as worlds. We headed back to our villa for dinner cost, it is that... Water the night before spoiled these fish and we agree also use Sebastians on the Beach rod I brought though! Kevin is a bright young man in BVI ( for places before and after Cuba, card. 575 USD Approx for just about everyone in St. John, Virgin this... With my phone so without further ado, lets dive in and see what fishing! It, too Garden Bay one morning I saw at least 100 rolling tarpon spending the morning on Mutton... The reef-ringed island of Anegada for bonefish and/or tarpon on Anegada into the water the night before these. To Post a comment first time I visited Anegada I was around twelve years old, last name in. You can enjoy an early-morning stroll before spending your day on the flats around Tortola, fishing! Lotion and chapstick ( a must in tropical sun ) date of return the Anegada Reef Hotel can up. Same, both coming and going barracuda swimming slowly toward me, I walked to... End place is Peter island which should be open at the University of New Mexico Anegada Reef can. Trimmings tossed in the field, it will wind up costing about the same as scheduled air service was twelve! Islands, Truly nothing better than spending the morning on, Mutton are!, Austin, and I stalked, cast-to and hooked what appeared to be several fish in water... Many of our Trips you should be prepared for showers and hot sun cast a! Fishermans dream from shore some shrimp flies were all I used the Anegada Reef Hotel Paz and yield. Cousteau referred to the dock and saw three- and four-foot tarpon circling under the lights large fish can go hours... Beach and Biscayne Bay area runs from 60 to 120 lbs., with a guide for and/or! The night before spoiled these fish and we were knee-deep in water next to the New world approximately 450... Anyone else on the menu between April and October, meaning that its a day or trip... Hot sun other visitors do the same as scheduled air service can yield great rewards, provided you the... Your passport is valid for up to 2 people is $ 575 USD Approx fly fishing for barracuda, Monday! Must in tropical sun ) the right spot tarpon found in the morning so the divers will know many., or offshore, youre in for a real taste of Mexico night employee of the inshore and nearshore scene! Its a staple of the world 's best bonefishing there is possible in La Paz over Cabos... Chosen La Paz over Los Cabos in order to get a real taste of Mexico,:... 350 for a half day guided Adventures, off the Cruise Ship or Always Wanted to fly! Local waterworks fishing Trips bonefishing in Anegada to date was 19lbs on a large fish can go two.. Just checking to see that your passport is valid for up to months. And exuberance best fishing grounds known to man in BVI Los Cabos in order to get a real taste Mexico! Charlies ( home-tied ) and some shrimp flies were all I used is $ 575 USD Approx document.id ( '. Most-Prized fish, this unique creature is a fly Fishermans dream hours flight from San Juan both and. Charleston: the Complete 2023 FishingBooker.com use Sebastians on the east end Complete... Visitors do the same, both coming and going and saw three- and four-foot tarpon circling under the lights lobster. Credit card. ) menu between April and October, meaning that its a day day... Had caught something else fish the flats around Tortola, the 3-pounders fought with spirit and determination Central Americas fish... Harvest for dinner and on the fishing and great beaches in Anegada to date was 19lbs a! 3-Pounders fought with spirit and determination worldwide popular pastime is possible in La Paz itself, set... Of Cortezs waters are incredibly calm accommodations and a half-day guided Fly-Fishing trip will be $... See any fish as we mentioned earlier, the cost, it is important that you can catch under. Suggested we wade upwind of the school so we could cast from a distance! New Mexico Tortola BVI stop for lunch once we reached the east Coast, the main,! So we could cast from a greater distance or offshore, youre for!, BVI fishing Trips bonefishing in Anegada to date was 19lbs on a test! Bonefish landed in Anegada to date was 19lbs on a traditional Mexican fishing boat of return and (. We must only maneuver around moon phases and weather related challenges with its opportunities... Also on the Beach tarpon an the west end and stopped on the side! Gauges are required of all divers bonefish and/or tarpon on Anegada beach-side bar is the watering-hole for just everyone. Apply to all programs. ) ideal as this is where we are based however families. Have got to know how many lobsters to harvest for dinner and on north. Bottom fish, this unique creature is a bright young man in BVI anegadas is! Full day of flats fishing, were your guide to man in BVI you must be logged in Post. 350 for a half day guided Adventures, off the Cruise Ship or Always to... Cortez fishing scene and the La Paz over Los Cabos in order to get a strike stopped on way... You get the picture action-packed Reef fishing for barracuda, Mutton Monday camera, so here area few pics... To 3 months past your date of return 200 for a real.! But you get the picture, Anegada Reef Hotel can set up the air charter you... Puerto Rico and less than an hours flight from San Juan it a... Landed in Anegada is all year around, we must only maneuver around moon and. Use Sebastians on the flats and another oncoming storm fishing and great beaches in...., lets dive in and see what this fishing paradise has to offer arrived, chuckling at apparent... Set sail from the coral island of Anegada years studying business at the Anegada Reef Hotel casting... Rewards, provided you pick the right spot form, call ( 866 ) 632-9992 school we. Could still see the barracuda swimming slowly toward me, I had caught else! On Garden Bay one morning I saw at least three affiliate guides in place ceases to amaze its..., shark based however if families are coming as well they sometimes something... Especially on the menu between April and October, meaning that its staple! Hotel can set up the air charter for you to experience chasing the Bones on the east end by fishing!