Hi!
We are visiting Tobago in mid November staying at Sandy Point. Does anyone know if the Tarpon are still there this time of the year? Reading the previous links on the forum it appears that live bait is quite essential. Where is the best place to get hold of livebait?
Thanks for any help!
Cecilia
Fishing
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Cecilia
Tobago is one of those places that appears to have an almost resident population of tarpon, but some months are better than others.
I don't think that November is a really 'hot' month for tarpon, but I imagine that there will be some fish hanging around the usual spots between Plymouth and Crown Point - you just have to find them.
Live bait isn't essential for tarpon, especially if you are fishing from the shore. I've had them on dead bait, flies, lures and live baits too, but at least with the first three methods, you don't need to go to the trouble of collecting baits and keeping them alive - which is always a major problem.
If you want live bait, then you will either need to catch them yourself with a cast net, or maybe a small piece of bread or fish under a float, or trade some line or hooks with one of the local guys (most of the local lads have a cast net to catch tarpon or Cervally bait), sometimes they will offer you a few baits if you strike up a lime with them.
Have fun anyway
Cheers
Steve
Tobago is one of those places that appears to have an almost resident population of tarpon, but some months are better than others.
I don't think that November is a really 'hot' month for tarpon, but I imagine that there will be some fish hanging around the usual spots between Plymouth and Crown Point - you just have to find them.
Live bait isn't essential for tarpon, especially if you are fishing from the shore. I've had them on dead bait, flies, lures and live baits too, but at least with the first three methods, you don't need to go to the trouble of collecting baits and keeping them alive - which is always a major problem.
If you want live bait, then you will either need to catch them yourself with a cast net, or maybe a small piece of bread or fish under a float, or trade some line or hooks with one of the local guys (most of the local lads have a cast net to catch tarpon or Cervally bait), sometimes they will offer you a few baits if you strike up a lime with them.
Have fun anyway
Cheers
Steve
Take only photos - leave only footprints. I like that concept.
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Stephen Hull
Cecilia
Just to concur with Steve P, livebait is not essential.
First find the tarpon - look where the terns and pelicans are feeding early morning/late afternoon, or if you're feeling lazy, go and have a chat to Kester/Kevin from Grand Slam on Pigeon Point jetty. There should be some tarpon at Sandy Point in November, although there weren't many last year.
While I never managed a tarpon on lures in all my months in Tobago, they can be tempted - have a read of the tarpon & jacks thread - the advice from K Collins on lures/methods is borne of many years experience.
If you really want livebait, it's likely to require a bit of effort unless you can barter some. If you want them for early morning this can be quite difficult. In the end I found one of the easiest ways to get a supply was to catch small grunts from the car park at Little Rockly Bay (Lambeau) using small (size8-12) hooks and bits of fish bait. From 20-60 yards out it was generally a bite a minute and you only need half a dozen fish to last a few hours - grunts are pretty hardy which means you don't need much if any aeration when they're in the bucket (just refresh the water every half hour or so) and they last a long time on the hook.
Happy fishing
Steve Hull
Just to concur with Steve P, livebait is not essential.
First find the tarpon - look where the terns and pelicans are feeding early morning/late afternoon, or if you're feeling lazy, go and have a chat to Kester/Kevin from Grand Slam on Pigeon Point jetty. There should be some tarpon at Sandy Point in November, although there weren't many last year.
While I never managed a tarpon on lures in all my months in Tobago, they can be tempted - have a read of the tarpon & jacks thread - the advice from K Collins on lures/methods is borne of many years experience.
If you really want livebait, it's likely to require a bit of effort unless you can barter some. If you want them for early morning this can be quite difficult. In the end I found one of the easiest ways to get a supply was to catch small grunts from the car park at Little Rockly Bay (Lambeau) using small (size8-12) hooks and bits of fish bait. From 20-60 yards out it was generally a bite a minute and you only need half a dozen fish to last a few hours - grunts are pretty hardy which means you don't need much if any aeration when they're in the bucket (just refresh the water every half hour or so) and they last a long time on the hook.
Happy fishing
Steve Hull
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
-
Cecilia
Tarpon!!
Hi again!
Long time back from our lovely holiday in Tobago (Nov 06) Absolutely loved it! Wanted to send you a picture of my 80lb Tarpon, but couldnt work out how to do it in this forum?
Thank you anyway for your advice and tips on this website, it was alot of help for us when planning our trip.
Take care, and hope to be able to return to Tobago soon again!
xcecilia[/img]
Long time back from our lovely holiday in Tobago (Nov 06) Absolutely loved it! Wanted to send you a picture of my 80lb Tarpon, but couldnt work out how to do it in this forum?
Thank you anyway for your advice and tips on this website, it was alot of help for us when planning our trip.
Take care, and hope to be able to return to Tobago soon again!
xcecilia[/img]
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Re: Tarpon!!
80lbCecilia wrote:Hi again!
Wanted to send you a picture of my 80lb Tarpon, but couldnt work out how to do it in this forum?
Nice fish Cecilia.
Would appreciate a few words on how you found the fishing if you have some time.
Cheers
Steve
Take only photos - leave only footprints. I like that concept.