The info from comments on fishing is great but i was wondering what advice people had for livebaiting/deadbaiting from the shore.
I've done some for pike using a wire trace and trebles but never for tarpon etc. I was hoping for some advice with regards to hook size. It may seem a simple question but i don't want to go too small/large. I was thinking of bringing 2/0 attached to 100lb mono.
Any experiences or advice with regards to this would be great!
Cheers,
Matt Jenkins
Livebaiting/deadbaiting
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Phil Dean
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Matt Jenkins
Thats great
Thanks for the reply. This sounds ok...not too big or small...does anyone know what else could possibly take a bait from the shore? I'm a bit worried about barracuda biting baits off!
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Stephen Hull
Matt
I think livebaiting is pretty much essential if you are after tarpon, although some of the locals I know have occasionally caught them on deadbait. Everything else seems very happy to take deadbait (barracuda, snapper, sharks). Fishing deadbaits after dark can be very productive - the bigger the better!
A 2/0 is fine for tarpon. I have been using Mustad Ultrapoint Big Gun's, following Mike Northcott's lead. The locals still swear by circle hooks for tarpon. Both work, but I've not caught or lost enough fish to know which might be better.
I wouldn't worry too much about being bitten off by barracuda - just see it as an occupational hazard. The bigger issues will be (i) getting some livebait and keeping it alive (ii) finding some tarpon within range.
On (i) I recommend bringing some Sabiki rigs - these work well for small jacks. I have also caught some sprats on them. Alternatively you will need a cast net or you may be able to buy some livebait from local fishermen. If I'm around when you're over, I'd be happy to join you.
On (ii), there have been quite a few tarpon close in at Crown Point between Tropikist and Fort Milford for the last few weeks and the occasional fish at Sandy Point. I haven't seen any signs of activity at Conrados (along towards Pigeon Point) which is Mike Northcott's favourite shore spot. There have also been some fish along Buccoo Bay and at Back Bay. Fishing at high tide and early morning/evening probably give the best chances of catching one. But things may well be different when you are over. Kester at Grand Slam is probably the most knowledgeable person on the island about where the tarpon can be caught at any particular time.
Steve H
I think livebaiting is pretty much essential if you are after tarpon, although some of the locals I know have occasionally caught them on deadbait. Everything else seems very happy to take deadbait (barracuda, snapper, sharks). Fishing deadbaits after dark can be very productive - the bigger the better!
A 2/0 is fine for tarpon. I have been using Mustad Ultrapoint Big Gun's, following Mike Northcott's lead. The locals still swear by circle hooks for tarpon. Both work, but I've not caught or lost enough fish to know which might be better.
I wouldn't worry too much about being bitten off by barracuda - just see it as an occupational hazard. The bigger issues will be (i) getting some livebait and keeping it alive (ii) finding some tarpon within range.
On (i) I recommend bringing some Sabiki rigs - these work well for small jacks. I have also caught some sprats on them. Alternatively you will need a cast net or you may be able to buy some livebait from local fishermen. If I'm around when you're over, I'd be happy to join you.
On (ii), there have been quite a few tarpon close in at Crown Point between Tropikist and Fort Milford for the last few weeks and the occasional fish at Sandy Point. I haven't seen any signs of activity at Conrados (along towards Pigeon Point) which is Mike Northcott's favourite shore spot. There have also been some fish along Buccoo Bay and at Back Bay. Fishing at high tide and early morning/evening probably give the best chances of catching one. But things may well be different when you are over. Kester at Grand Slam is probably the most knowledgeable person on the island about where the tarpon can be caught at any particular time.
Steve H
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Matt Jenkins
Courland bay
Many thanks for the advice stephen!
I'm coming over at the end of july/start of august and staying at the RTB. I've got my eye on the jetty and where the river meets the beach but also the rocks on the Plymouth corner of the bay look as if they give access to some deeper water (looking at the aerial shots) so i'll probably try there as well. I'll be up at 05 00 as recommended to make sure i'm there nice and early! I don't drive so fishing will be limited to walking distance...although i can quite happily walk a long way in search of fish!
I've just splashed out on the newest rod in the shimano stc range...the 12' specimen 3lb TC rod. I hope it can stand the strain (hoping it sees any action at all!). I'm hoping to locate some sabiki rigs and am bringing a smaller rod to try and catch some bait from around the jetty. I've followed lure advice to the letter too!
If you're around then i'm the 22 year old with a goatee, suede south african bush hat and a burnt face from staring into the water all day in vain!
Thanks for your help and hope to see you over there!
Matt
I'm coming over at the end of july/start of august and staying at the RTB. I've got my eye on the jetty and where the river meets the beach but also the rocks on the Plymouth corner of the bay look as if they give access to some deeper water (looking at the aerial shots) so i'll probably try there as well. I'll be up at 05 00 as recommended to make sure i'm there nice and early! I don't drive so fishing will be limited to walking distance...although i can quite happily walk a long way in search of fish!
I've just splashed out on the newest rod in the shimano stc range...the 12' specimen 3lb TC rod. I hope it can stand the strain (hoping it sees any action at all!). I'm hoping to locate some sabiki rigs and am bringing a smaller rod to try and catch some bait from around the jetty. I've followed lure advice to the letter too!
If you're around then i'm the 22 year old with a goatee, suede south african bush hat and a burnt face from staring into the water all day in vain!
Thanks for your help and hope to see you over there!
Matt
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Stephen Hull
Matt
I will still be around then (just). I'm sure we can manage a few trips together. The rocks at Plymouth are somewhat inaccesible, although there are one or two places where you can get access (through Fort James). It may be possible to hook one of the big tarpon that live around there, but landing it will be quite another thing!
By the time you arrive it will be the wet season and the Courland River should be flowing a bit more. Where this crosses the beach may be good for snook and sometimes tarpon can be caught there.
I know Danny Miners got some livebait on Sabiki rigs near to RTB (see some of the previous posts) - you might want to send him an email and find out exactly where. Failing that try Plymouth jetty.
Steve H
I will still be around then (just). I'm sure we can manage a few trips together. The rocks at Plymouth are somewhat inaccesible, although there are one or two places where you can get access (through Fort James). It may be possible to hook one of the big tarpon that live around there, but landing it will be quite another thing!
By the time you arrive it will be the wet season and the Courland River should be flowing a bit more. Where this crosses the beach may be good for snook and sometimes tarpon can be caught there.
I know Danny Miners got some livebait on Sabiki rigs near to RTB (see some of the previous posts) - you might want to send him an email and find out exactly where. Failing that try Plymouth jetty.
Steve H
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Matt Jenkins
Thanks
Steve,
Many thanks for all of your advice and help...very kind of you. I'll try and get an avatar up on here so that you have some idea of what i look like. I'm just hoping to catch something...last time i was out in the carib in antigua i only had a light rod and hooked into a snapper that shot off towards the horizon, trailing my 12lb line behind it! I'm much better prepared this time, even this far ahead of time. I've still got a few bits to get together so if you're struggling for anything just give me a shout and i'll try and bring it out for you,
Best wishes,
Matt
Many thanks for all of your advice and help...very kind of you. I'll try and get an avatar up on here so that you have some idea of what i look like. I'm just hoping to catch something...last time i was out in the carib in antigua i only had a light rod and hooked into a snapper that shot off towards the horizon, trailing my 12lb line behind it! I'm much better prepared this time, even this far ahead of time. I've still got a few bits to get together so if you're struggling for anything just give me a shout and i'll try and bring it out for you,
Best wishes,
Matt
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Matt Jenkins
Fishing report?
Hi steve,
How are things going out there at the moment from the shore? I noticed in other posts that you were giving it a go a bit more so thought i'd ask how it was going. I had a question which i wondered if you could answer...what is the bottom like around plymouth pier and the rocks past fort james? I'm wondering how much tackle to bring, allowing for loss etc. I hope the fishing's been good for you!
Matt
How are things going out there at the moment from the shore? I noticed in other posts that you were giving it a go a bit more so thought i'd ask how it was going. I had a question which i wondered if you could answer...what is the bottom like around plymouth pier and the rocks past fort james? I'm wondering how much tackle to bring, allowing for loss etc. I hope the fishing's been good for you!
Matt
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Stephen Hull
Matt
The bottom off the jetty is mostly sandy, but there is a fair amount of debris, so you could lose a few weights there. Off the rocks, you would probably need to cast 50-100yds to safely get onto the sand.
Fishing has been pretty good here of late. Quite a few tarpon to 50lb on livebait from Grand Slam. Also some tarpon close in at Sandy Point feeding on flying fish heads that had been dumped there. Steve Pitts hooked and lost a couple of fish but I'd better leave him to tell that tale. I'll also leave Steve to report on some of the other shore trips when he gets back home.
Steve
The bottom off the jetty is mostly sandy, but there is a fair amount of debris, so you could lose a few weights there. Off the rocks, you would probably need to cast 50-100yds to safely get onto the sand.
Fishing has been pretty good here of late. Quite a few tarpon to 50lb on livebait from Grand Slam. Also some tarpon close in at Sandy Point feeding on flying fish heads that had been dumped there. Steve Pitts hooked and lost a couple of fish but I'd better leave him to tell that tale. I'll also leave Steve to report on some of the other shore trips when he gets back home.
Steve
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Matt Jenkins
Congrats and thanks
well done on the tarpon! thanks for the reply and i'll look forward to steve pitt's reports! Damn 2 months can seem ages 
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
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Matt Jenkins
Thanks steve
Hi steve,
I'll look forward to details of your exploits! A diary sounds a good idea..i'm afraid i'll have to steal your idea as i have a terrible memory! I finally located some 6" rubber shads after weeks of searching...thank god! eBay seems the best source i can find...much cheaper too!
Matt
I'll look forward to details of your exploits! A diary sounds a good idea..i'm afraid i'll have to steal your idea as i have a terrible memory! I finally located some 6" rubber shads after weeks of searching...thank god! eBay seems the best source i can find...much cheaper too!
Matt