Once I got the fish close I saw it was a nice sized blue runner jack, also known as a hard nose jack. Redondo Beach Sportfishing. Danny's Bonefishing, home of the best fishing grounds known to man in BVI. 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. Head out with a guide or rent a kayak and go out from La Paz itself, or set sail from the ocean. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This means that you can hop in a kayak and explore even offshore waters, as well as the inshore shallows. The trip to Anegada from Tortola through the Beef Island airport is a nine-minute plane ride 22 nautical miles. With miles and miles of untouched flats, its no surprise that Anegada is becoming a well known destination to many fly fishermen around the World. 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM. ", Its a bit different than most fishing trips where they go to a lodge. In the interest of space, we wont talk about how many we landed. Beautiful, tough-fighting, and delicious in equal measure, this is a true all-round fish. They have two 18-foot flats boats with 60hp Yamahas. Thankfully, the process is easy enough and can be done online or at the dock. The Faulkners charge $350 for a full day of flats fishing, and $200 for a half day. Anegada is a desert island, maybe five or six miles long, and half a mile wide, and completely surrounded by flats, mangroves and reefs. Make no mistake, BVI is an undiscovered fly-fishing spot that also happens to be a great place to bring a nonfishing spouse. It offers the perfect mixture of historic charm and authentic beauty. 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. Dazzling and exotic, it's everything you could want out of a Mexican fishing adventure, and it's sure to leave you out of breath and . I was expecting to get a nice break from those chilly days on the river, but I have to say the weather here is not much different than what we encountered down there. It still swims in my mind and beckons me back for a return trip next year! After a day of fishing, stick around for the beach barbecue at the Anegada Reef Hotel. 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. We usually spot them tailing or mudding, so spotting fish is not as tough here as in some other areas. While many flats must be accessed by boat, most fishing is done while wading. Leave extra house key and itinerary with relative or friend. 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM. $9 elsewhere.). Fishing in Anegada #249410 03/08/2021 09:49 AM 03/08/2021 09:49 AM: Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 573 Michigan. Also, be sure you bring wading shoes. A round-trip plane ticket to Anegada is $54. While articulate, he is a man of very few words. Caribbean tarpon central Rick DePavia. The list of fish you can target here is almost endless! Kevin Lorenzo Faulkner. There must have been a school of blue runner feeding on the bait fish because I kept catching them one after another. How was it? Wrap around style gives most complete eye protection. Over a cup of coffee, Batchelor told us of his plans for his new business venture, Caribbean Fly-Fishing Outfitters. Once you take off, you immediately can see Anegada; its so close, you could reach it if the plane had to glide to it. Nanny Cay is ideal as this is where we are based however if families are coming as well they sometimes want something different. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; You must be logged in to post a comment. 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. It's also the flattest, with an elevation of only 28-feet at the highest point and among the least populated, with less than 300 permanent residents. (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.). 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! I managed to hook one of them and got a couple of jumps before it threw my fly. We target Bonefish on 7 & 8 wt fly rods with floating line on 12 16lb leaders & tippets using shrimp patterns like Crazy Charlies in various colors to imitate & fool these fish. I like all types of fishing because there is no losing in fishing. Anegada Flats Fishing | Anegada Fly-Fishing Guide Service | Ph: (284) 540-5100 Fly Fishing Come and experience the thrill of stalking a pod of tailing Bonefish, in ankle-deep water; the rush as a hooked Tarpon blasts into the air, and that heart pulsing anticipation as a Permit noses down to study your fly. Specific areas I fished around Tortola were Carrot Bay early in the morning and Smugglers Cove and Garden Bay in the evening standing in waist-deep water. This was certainly adequate. The inshore waters of Miami have some of the best Tarpon fishing found in the world. Getting to Anegada was a problem for us. The highlight of my trip was fishing Anegada. The average Tarpon found in the Miami Beach and Biscayne Bay area runs from 60 to 120 lbs., with plenty of 150 lb. Now tarpon are very hard fighters, even on 50 pound test tackle a fight on a large fish can go two hours. It was a five foot long barracuda. . Head out of town to quieter beaches or cast from some of the deserted islands, and get your fish on. We headed toward the sunrise as another large cruise ship went passed us in the opposite direction. We fished the entire day and did not see a single other boat. I was extremely pleased with his knowledge of the water and tips on how to land the bonefish. She saw no reason to arrange for a private charter, but said the hotel would gladly assist anyone who wants to go that route. He obviously loves to fish and has eyes like a hawk. Gear| 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. As far as I know, there are only two guides in the area who guide for shallow water. Youll understand what the craze is all about! Here are our picks of the most effective ways to land that trophy catch and fill the cooler! 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. However, one big game fish counts as five fish, and you may only keep up to five of any one smaller species. All anglers over the age of 16 will need a Mexican sportfishing license. fly fishing trips on Anegada. 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. See the Virgin Islands like never before. You are welcomed whether you're an adept angler or a novice. Anegada Island Uniquely Unspoiled. Because of this treacherous reef, most of the BVI yacht charter companies prohibit or discourage their customers from sailing here. Fly Fishing for Tarpon - Anegada. Tours may be combined with fishing; custom-tailored to meet your interest. Post navigation. We thanked our driver and wished him a merry Christmas then jumped on the ferry and began our adventure as two large cruise ships pulled in to port. When hooked, they'll burn line and jump all over the place and are a blast to catch. Rates are reasonable and include three meals a day. wait_text: "Please wait", Everyone on the flight pitches in with this kind of thing. Anegada Fly Fishing. 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. Old maps refer to it as "Drowned Island" because it sits so low in the water. The skies were mostly sunny but patched with cumulus clouds. Around the island of Tortola itself, fishing at any bay or part of the water will produce a variety of fish that you have probably never seen before. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) The flight leaves at 8 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. Make sure you book it in advance, because it only flies on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Columbus discovered these islands in 1493 on his second voyage to the New World. You can very definitely fish here entirely on your own, too. When it comes to taking your catch back to shore, each angler can take a maximum of 10 fish. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) We have four boats that include Spitfire, Betty-O, New Del Mar and Tourist. Due to the difficulty in getting a proper fit it is recommended that you bring your own mask and snorkel. One of my favorite places I have ever visited is a small island called Anegada. Since the days of Columbus, these islands have continuously hosted visiting sailors, from rumrunners, slave merchants and pirates to modern-day charter cruisers. Kayak Fishing. I strongly suggest that other visitors do the same, both coming and going. These vessels are typical all around the country and are a great, budget-friendly way of getting out on the water. Or if anyone out there has any strong recommendations for a fishing guide? 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. We've been wanting to do a tropical vacation in February for several years so this year we planned it and made it Continue reading The post Bonefishing and Tarpon Fishing in Anegada BVI appeared first on Tar-Pam Guide Service. The next day I went out by myself to the same area the birds were diving. We saw lots of schools of 20-60 bonefish and plenty of smaller groups, too. Additionally, we fish the diverse flats of the BVI: Beef Island, Virgin Gorda and Tortola, etc. 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. 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. We made a quick stop for lunch once we reached the east end. My wife, Austin, and I took a 6 day vacation to the British Virgin Islands this past week. Youre now ready to embark on your La Paz fishing adventure. Theyll hit anything you throw in front of them, so take your worst flies and unload your box. In comparison to the expansive flats of Anegada, most other BVI flats are small, some no larger than a basketball court, and the largest about the size of a football stadium. 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 (*). Thank you for visiting our website. 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. I used Clouser minnows and Crazy Charlies, something that would bump along the bottom, to hook most of these fish. Though we hadnt realized it while preparing for our family vacation, the British Virgin Islands one of the worlds most popular destinations for cruising sailors is also host to many flats teeming with bonefish, tarpon and permit. Garfield 495-9569 for fly fishing Bonefish & Tarpon Danny 441-6334 for fly fishing for Bonefish & Tarpon Sherwin for Wahoo, Tuna,Mahi, Snapper. 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. But thats no worry! Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. In addition to bonefish, we saw numbers of juvenile tarpon, which we caught with ease. Bring pretty much any bait and youre sure to attract a fish. 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. All of the accommodations below vary in their rates depending on the type of accommodation. Divers should have depth and pressure gauges, watch and knife. Come and experience the thrill of stalking a pod of tailing Bonefish, in ankle-deep water; the rush as a hooked Tarpon blasts into the air, and that heart pulsing anticipation as a Permit noses down to study your fly. The action stopped as suddenly as it began and after thirty minutes of catching only seaweed, I headed in. You'll be amazed at the variety of marine habitats; back country lagoons, mangrove shore line, secluded flats and reefs; offering an eventful day on the water. We had a quick breakfast and then rented a scooter to tour the island. Chances are that you will probably end up carrying someones chickens, or Christmas presents, or something in your lap. The rain started lightly, but within minutes it was pouring. With Striped Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna on offer in winter, there really isnt a bad time to come. Since 1993, Arawak Expeditions has been providing unforgettable adventures on St. John and in the Virgin Islands. See for Ourselves Anegada flats Head high Caribbean Swell Getting Around Home About Fisheries Giant Redfish River Stripers Pamlico Mixed Bag Shad False Albacore Fly Fishing Seminars On the Water Classes Rates Media Fishing Reports Lodging Book A Trip Recent Reports Dog Days of Summer August 4, 2022 Upcoming Fly Fishing Seminar June 8, 2022 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. The Atlantic Coast of Florida, especially south of Biscayne Bay, boasts incredible Tarpon fishing from January through June. subject: document.id('subject'), (Call us or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. For live and premium content, sign up for our email newsletter and we'll send reports directly to your inbox. I had arranged for a taxi to take us to the ferry docks the day before since we have no car and live on top of a mountain, but we were both concerned that he may not show up in time to get us on our ferry, or even show up at all. name_text: "Name", 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. His Sea Craft skiff is a bit worse for wear but is not unsuited for flats fishing. Why not make a real vacation of it? Youve probably chosen La Paz over Los Cabos in order to get a real taste of Mexico. Sunscreen lotion and chapstick (a must in tropical sun). The very first time I visited Anegada I was around twelve years old. Want to go fishing for free? The report is particularly useful if you want to read about places in BVI other than Anegada that offer good fishing.). One more thing about equipment, take everything you will need, because there is no source of fly equipment in Anegada. I didnt bring along my good camera, so here area few quick pics I took with my phone. var addya1f30e3859974a1a449c2ebb7a581b8b = 'info' + '@'; 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. West Africa might seem like one of the more extreme fly fishing destinations . His ship, anchored off St. Croix (now part of the U.S. Virgin Islands), was blown off anchor and drifted to the island of Virgin Gorda in the BVI. but just could not get the tarpon to take. Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved. We fish sandy bottom seas as well as coral rock areas surrounding the Island. 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. With the Gulf Stream and the Atlantic Ocean at its doorstep, deep sea fishing in Charleston [], Deep Sea Fishing in Mexico: The Complete Guide. Situated on the East Coast, The Holy City never ceases to amaze with its rod-bending opportunities. 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 fishing community on this isolated island is reminiscent of Hemingways Bimini in the 1930s. The first is Clinton Vanderpool, a local government official who is generally available only on weekends unless you book well in advance. And its a well-deserved nickname, if you ask us. I probably took 100 bonefish flies and maybe 50 tarpon flies and a bunch of Clousers. Most of the bonefishing in Anegada, British Virgin Islands takes place on the southern and eastern part of Anegada. The resident expert on fishing these flats is Ian Batchelor, a British-Canadian fly fisherman now living in the BVI. The BVI provide anglers with terrific opportunities for excellent fly fishing and a great deal more. A Great Lunch, Beverage & Gear Included On Day Trips. If theres Marlin swimming nearby, chances are its going to make the list of top targets in the area. I always make sure to take my fishing gear, but try as I may, I have not been able to catch a big barracuda. Water bottle. We appreciated his intense focus and verbal efficiency. Anegada is so flat that you can barely see it by boat until you are very close. However, before booking the fishing trip of a lifetime, youll want to get clued up on the rules and regulations. Arguably Central America's most-prized fish, this unique creature is a stalwart of the inshore and nearshore fishing scene in La Paz. We took their advice and followed them to their 18-foot flats boats. However, spring is a great time to witness the build-up of the season, while fall is prime time for inshore fishing. 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.