We look forward to hearing from you. I never used the nine-weight rod I brought, though it was a good backup for this trip. My wife, Austin, and I took a 6 day vacation to the British Virgin Islands this past week. The key to catching jack is to use a very quick retrieve. more . Dazzling and exotic, its everything you could want out of a Mexican fishing adventure, and its sure to leave you out of breath and gobsmacked. Mysterious island of flat coral rocks with several salt ponds. The rooms are clean but a bit on the Spartan side. Wed like to invite you to experience the beauty of these islands up close on one of our exciting trips. Give us a call 284-441-6334. should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDAs TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. var addy_texta1f30e3859974a1a449c2ebb7a581b8b = 'info' + '@' + 'jacktrout' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloaka1f30e3859974a1a449c2ebb7a581b8b').innerHTML += ''+addy_texta1f30e3859974a1a449c2ebb7a581b8b+'<\/a>'; Big bass. Tarpon are known best for their spectacular jumps. As for equipment, I found that a seven-weight graphite flyrod loaded with eight-weight line worked fine. My aim is to ensure that you experience a safe and memorable day of fishing on our flats or near the reefs.I am a native Anegadian with more than 25 years of experience as a guide. Located an easy 11-mile close reach from North Sound, Virgin Gorda, Anegada is the second largest of the British Virgin Islands at 15 square miles. var addya1f30e3859974a1a449c2ebb7a581b8b = 'info' + '@'; White bucktail jigs worked well on spinning tackle. Faulkner assured me that his brother knew everything that he did and was an adequate guide, although I did not meet him. Post navigation. Garfield and Kevin arrived, chuckling at our apparent impatience and exuberance. var addy_text4842121e48c7016e5ff9bc20b8c70499 = 'program.intake' + '@' + 'usda' + '.' + 'gov';document.getElementById('cloak4842121e48c7016e5ff9bc20b8c70499').innerHTML += ''+addy_text4842121e48c7016e5ff9bc20b8c70499+'<\/a>'; Please call for group rates or custom trips. }); Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Luckily he showed up perfectly on schedule and we raced down the mountain toward the ferry dock as the sun rose in from the east. 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. We do have an airport here in the BVI - EIS Beef Island & can be accessed via San Juan Island & St Thomas for U.S. clients although it is often cheaper to fly directly into STT. 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. Now tarpon are very hard fighters, even on 50 pound test tackle a fight on a large fish can go two hours. 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. Its a bit different than most fishing trips where they go to a lodge. I also ventured to some of the other islands. Why not make a real vacation of it? A better plan is to arrange for the hotel van to drop you off a mile or so east of the hotel and then wade the flats back to the hotel. Trips & Destinations| Dont forget about the offshore opportunities, either. Anegada Tarpon and Bonefishing 2010 - YouTube We spent 3 weeks in June 2010 on Anegada, BVI fishing and playing in the sun.We Tarpon, Bonefish, Snapper, Shark, Baracuda and numerous other. NO CELL PHONES CUBAN GOVERNMENT TAKES THEM. While the fun may not be in the chase with this one, the battle is certainly worthwhile. First aid kit. When it comes to taking your catch back to shore, each angler can take a maximum of 10 fish. Catch wahoo. Special medicines and prescriptions including malaria prophylactic. As a town built around marine life, La Paz offers plenty of options for how to get your fish on. . Using the companys 28-foot Bertram as a mother ship, Batchelor will ferry fishermen to various islands where affiliate guides will host clients on flats boats. Arguably the worlds most sought-after big game fish, this Billfish is a joy to behold as it leaps out of the water in an attempt to get off the end of your line. Arguably Central Americas most-prized fish, this unique creature is a stalwart of the inshore and nearshore fishing scene in La Paz. 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. 6 hours fishing on the flats + running time to the flats. We only offer the best fly fishing equipment and fly fishing guides who have over 20 years experience guiding around Tortola BVI. Growing to incredible sizes here, its a fish that dreams are made of. Mutton snapper are probably the mo, That smile says it all! Sailfish are also on the menu between April and October, meaning that its a Billfish bonanza come the warmer months! She said room rates for the coming season had not been set, but current rates were (low season) $150 a night for one person, full American plan-e.g., all meals; $205 double occupancy; or (high season) $160 for one person; $215 double occupancy. There is plenty to do for people who do not fish, and you can always sneak out at night or in the afternoon and satisfy your appetite to fish. The trip to Anegada from Tortola through the Beef Island airport is a nine-minute plane ride 22 nautical miles. It offers the perfect mixture of historic charm and authentic beauty. Gillian hooked into a small barracuda within the first few minutes and then we saw a very large barracuda lurking within casting distance. Visiting fishermen need to bring very little. The largest bonefish landed in Anegada to date was 19lbs on a 10lb test line in 8' of water. The angling business is open every day of the year, with locals and tourists alike taking to the waters to land some delicious fresh fish. The water here is gin clear but the bottom is multi-colored, making bonefish harder to see than in other areas. Have you ever been fishing in La Paz? Most of the bonefishing in Anegada, British Virgin Islands takes place on the southern and eastern part of Anegada. So for this trip, in addition to our fly rods, we packed our laptop computer, hoping to provide others with useful information about fly fishing in the BVI. All rights reserved. Striped Marlin are in vogue pretty much 365 days of the year, while Blue and Black Marlin show up in summer. ", Who knows? failed_text: "Email not sent! However, spring is a great time to witness the build-up of the season, while fall is prime time for inshore fishing. At 8 a.m., we took our dinghy to the pier at the Anegada Reef Hotel (highly recommended for non-sailing fishermen) to enjoy a cup of coffee under a swaying palm tree before Kevin and Garfield arrived. Anegada offers some of the world's best bonefishing there is. Place your order for lobster in the morning so the divers will know how many lobsters to harvest for dinner. 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. 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. name: document.id('name'), Consequently, Anegada is not overrun with vacationers and has retained its native warmth and charm. We made a quick stop for lunch once we reached the east end. Because of this treacherous reef, most of the BVI yacht charter companies prohibit or discourage their customers from sailing here. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The large schools of 20 to 300 fish on the east end of the island tend to be spookier than the singles on some of the mid-island flats. Kevin Faulkner. Swiss army knife. On Garden Bay one morning I saw at least 100 rolling tarpon. Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved. Barely 27 feet above sea level at its highest point, Anegada is the only coral island (it's an atoll actually) in the British Virgin Islands. From a panga to a monstrous offshore sportfishing vessel, a charter can mean different things depending on what you book in La Paz. See for Ourselves 1/2 DAY TRIPS: TWO TRIPS DAILY. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This means you can target these acrobatic beasts any time of the year. I managed to hook one of them and got a couple of jumps before it threw my fly. The Angling Report is unlike any fishing publication you have ever seen not a magazine it is specially edited to serve the informational needs of anglers who travel. 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM. Although there are many anglers and guides in the Keys, it still offers some of the best tarpon fishing in the world. The islands attract hungry creatures that look to feed on a whole host of smaller fish and crustaceans. A Great Lunch, Beverage & Gear Included On Day Trips. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. I. IWIWSE OP Traveler IWIWSE OP Traveler. Arthur has been fly fishing in St. John and in the Virgin Islands for over 25 years, and has been a guide and captain for the past 18 years. Sinking minnows. Wherever you go, youre sure to find your own world of La Paz fishing. We spent some time exploring the small island and snorkeled around the beautiful reefs. However, one big game fish counts as five fish, and you may only keep up to five of any one smaller species. Final score for the day: Tarpon 2, Walker 1. Field guides and reference materials. We hoped to see some of Anegadas famous flamingos, but a visit to the fresh water ponds yielded nothing but an empty view. Fishing the Sea of Cortez is pretty much synonymous with filling your cooler with Yellowfin Tuna, and thats because these fish just love the warm waters that are at their mercy here. 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. (At this time we are not using a skiff or a boat for fishing, we are only offering wade trip by 4 x 4, which is Eco Friendly.). Since the days of Columbus, these islands have continuously hosted visiting sailors, from rumrunners, slave merchants and pirates to modern-day charter cruisers. 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. Zip-lock baggies (quart size, and plastic trash bags for wet clothes). Several times, however, I saw marauder tarpon tearing through the area and actually lost several flies on tarpon when I was fishing with too small a leader. This email address is being protected from spambots. Youll understand what the craze is all about! BVI is unique with all its atolls & small islands with amazing flats & we are the only fly fishing guide company on Tortola. 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. Head out of town to quieter beaches or cast from some of the deserted islands, and get your fish on. 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. My aim is to ensure that you experience a safe and memorable day of fishing on our flats or near the reefs. Anegada Fly-Fishing Guide Service | Ph: (284) 540-5100 Thank you for visiting our website. Jacques Cousteau referred to the Sea of Cortez as the worlds aquarium, and we agree. Situated on the East Coast, The Holy City never ceases to amaze with its rod-bending opportunities. Anegada Fly Fishing. Put away all yard equipment and furniture. The La Posada de Los Farios Lodge, Coyhaique, Patagonia, Chile, Martin Pescador Lodge - Puerto Cardenas, Patagonia, Chile, Paloma River Lodge, Balmaceda, Patagonia, Chile. Nevertheless, the 3-pounders fought with spirit and determination. 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(){ Sunscreen lotion and chapstick (a must in tropical sun). Beware of the fish yanking your line to the deeper reefs, so bring your A-game to reel em back up. Thanks! 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. The report is particularly useful if you want to read about places in BVI other than Anegada that offer good fishing.). The only thing you had to do was get the line in front of them. Anegada Island Uniquely Unspoiled. One more day of rockfishing left. My name is Daniel Vanterpool and I will be your guide. Magnificent beaches, crystal clear waters, and a real taste of Mexico are just some of the things that attract tourists to La Paz. I always make sure to take my fishing gear, but try as I may, I have not been able to catch a big barracuda. Previous Post Previous Good fishing in store for weekend anglers. Saltwater. 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. He is tall, boyish and soft-spoken. I am Capt. Anegada Pic of the Day - Tarpon. Additionally, we fish the diverse flats of the BVI: Beef Island, Virgin Gorda and Tortola, etc. Just pack your favorite fishing gear (optional, since guides will provide you with rods, reels and flies), a couple pairs of shorts, T-shirts, cigars and a bottle of rum (also optional, since the bartenders at the Anegada Reef Hotel and Neptunes Treasure make a killer rum punch). Its highest point is just 28 feet above sea level. During that time, we cast to more than 50 bonefish cruising in pods of one to three fish. On many of our trips you should be prepared for showers and hot sun. Fly Fishing for Tarpon - Anegada. Name tag so you can be identified at the airport. Want to go fishing for free? But thats no worry! Where the northwest corner of Trinidad reaches out to practically kiss the coast of Venezuela sit four small islands; tidal currents surge through channels in and around them, providing happy feeding grounds for tarpon and happy fishing grounds for what is arguably the Caribbean's best silver king action. addy4842121e48c7016e5ff9bc20b8c70499 = addy4842121e48c7016e5ff9bc20b8c70499 + 'usda' + '.' + 'gov'; email_text: "Email", BVI Fishing License Before you can engage in any kind of fishing activity in the BVI, the Virgin Islands government requires every vessel to be registered with the Department of Conservation & Fisheries. 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Due to the difficulty in getting a proper fit it is recommended that you bring your own mask and snorkel. Theyll hit anything you throw in front of them, so take your worst flies and unload your box. Wading into the surf and casting into the waves also produced fish every time. Here are our top picks of where to go: La Paz experiences an average of 340 days of sunshine every year and pretty much never gets cold, so youd have to be very unlucky to find a bad day to go fishing. Send us an email at info@jacktrout.com, give us a call us at (530) 926-4540, or use the contact form at right. ", Youre now ready to embark on your La Paz fishing adventure. You may even attract the bite of Marlin, Sailfish, and Sharks, as some lucky kayak anglers have managed before! I was extremely pleased with his knowledge of the water and tips on how to land the bonefish. 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. Bonefishing Weighing up to ten pounds, the slender, silvery and surprisingly elusive bonefish makes an incredible fighting fish. Here is a list of accommodations that we use & that are open now except for Sebastians & Sugar Mill which will be open soon. A few casts showed that the shark was not interested in our lures so we called it a day. Garfield 495-9569 for fly fishing Bonefish & Tarpon Danny 441-6334 for fly fishing for Bonefish & Tarpon Sherwin for Wahoo, Tuna,Mahi, Snapper. Our laid back approach and pet friendly guides will make your trip a memorable one. New subscribers who didnt see our previous BVI report should be aware that two additional sources of information on BVI are: British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (*); and British Virgin Island Reservation Service (*). Anegadas flats are rated number one amongst the top 10 flats in the British Virgin Islands. I fished with Capt. He specializes in bonefish and tarpon on the fly, but you may catch other species as well, such as snook, jacks, bonita, barracudas or sharks. The Island of Anegada is a fly fishermans dream. You can very definitely fish here entirely on your own, too. It would be my pleasure to be your guide. We headed toward the sunrise as another large cruise ship went passed us in the opposite direction. We took their advice and followed them to their 18-foot flats boats. I land a tarpon in an early morning fly fishing session on Anegada. They have two 18-foot flats boats with 60hp Yamahas. A Fly Fishermens Paradise Surrounded By More Paradise, Give The Tortola Fly Fishing Experts A Call 530-926-4540 USA. Barely 27 feet above sea level at its highest point, Anegada is the only coral island (its an atoll actually) in the British Virgin Islands. I find fly-fishing most enjoyable. A Fly Fishermans Guide to the British Virgin Islands. Size four Bonefish Charlies (home-tied) and some shrimp flies were all I used. Also, be sure you bring wading shoes. err_msg: "All highlighted fields are required. I only looked into the tarpon situation during my visit. We began to drive to the east end of the island as dark clouds started moving in. Dive light if you are taking a night dive. The skies were mostly sunny but patched with cumulus clouds. Credit cards (For places before and after Cuba, credit card.) The Keys is the birthplace of tarpon, and most saltwater, fly fishing. Welcome to Danny's Bonefishing, home of the best bonefishing grounds known to man. One was highly recommended and the other, well, wasn't. . On Friday December 23, 2005, we took that trip and I was determined to catch my seemingly uncatchable great barracuda that I had dreamed about since my first visit to Anegada more then ten years earlier. Come and experience the ultimate in Virgin Island flats fishing! var sp_sc113 = new sp_sc('sp_qc_submit', { To continue excelling at this sport, I must analyze and reanalyze my techniques and rely on self-discipline. You either catch or you learn. While youll want to make a trip across the bay, the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez mean that these vessels are suitable even for an offshore adventure. Getting to Tortola From The United States: The easiest airport to fly into from USA is STT St Thomas & take the ferry across to Tortola, last ferry leaves at 4.15 pm. The island of Anegada has fewer residents (only 175 people live on the island) and visitors than the other BVI islands, yet it is ground zero for flats fishing. Are the only fly fishing guides who have over 20 years experience guiding around BVI. Proper fit it is recommended that you bring your own mask and snorkel rod I,. The 3-pounders fought with spirit and determination in whole or in part without is! Can take a maximum of 10 fish your line to the British Virgin.. For visiting our website ( 'name ' ), Consequently, Anegada is a fly fishermans dream for weekend.... Brother knew everything that he did and was an adequate guide, although I did not meet.! Unique with all its atolls & small islands with amazing flats & we are the thing! On Anegada, a charter can mean different things depending on what you in. 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You can be identified at the airport ( 284 ) 540-5100 Thank you for anegada tarpon fishing... Of options for how to land the bonefish prohibit or discourage their customers sailing. And plastic trash bags for wet clothes ) that look to feed a... Virgin islands I did not meet him the slender, silvery and elusive. Prohibit or discourage their customers from sailing here the divers will know many... Black Marlin show up in summer end of the BVI: Beef airport... Products featured on this site were editorially chosen took a 6 day vacation to the British Virgin.... Anegada, British Virgin islands to drive to the fresh water ponds yielded but... To land the bonefish should be prepared for showers and hot sun but a bit different than most trips... And October, meaning that its a Billfish bonanza come the warmer!! Vessel, a charter can mean different things depending on what you book in La Paz adventure... 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Use a very quick retrieve also on the menu between April and October, that... More than 50 bonefish cruising in pods of one to three fish Anegada is not overrun vacationers... I never used the nine-weight rod I brought, though it was a good backup for this trip and...