HELLOOO TOBAGO---GO'IN FISHIN

[Phil Baker]

Hello all...First time i've posted on the site, ( excellent by the way ) although I have been an avid reader for some time now. Due to visit Tobago for 2 weeks in April , staying at the Crownpoint beach hotel & counting down the minutes, let alone the weeks !! Anyway... mad keen on fishing - fully stocked on all of the recomended gear, & itchin to use it...just need to know how, where, & when... I might add that I favour roving tactics, up to my butt in water & throwing lures out...no particular species in mind, just some good rock/reef/inshore sport fishing, so any up to date advice would be appreciated, as mentioned, Iv'e read all the threads, & found them invaluable, but always keen for more.
I'm also considering packing a small inflatable for scooting around the LOCAL beaches & bays, is this advisable ? I don't want to go upsetting the locals or anything!!

[Steve Pitts]

Hi Phil

I remember someone else asking about the wisdom of taking a small inflatable to Tobago for snorkelling / diving and the replies from those more knowledgeable than me about the currents and tides ranged from
'You'll end up in Venezuela' to 'You will die' .

Even if the wind, tides and currents don't get you, an 80lb tarpon could tow you around for days! Far safer from the shore, wading up to your butt, as you mentioned.

The Crown Point area is as good as any for snook, jacks, ladyfish and tarpon and all of these will take lures of various descriptions. Dawn and dusk being the best time of day. There have been some grouper caught from the rocks off of the NP oil terminal, but they do like the rocks and make straight for them when hooked. Very few are landed or so I believe.

A little further around toward Pigeon Point, there are often tarpon rolling by the Conrado hotel and further along again, the occasional bone fish - very early in the morning, before the sun is up.

Back towards the far end of the runway, more small tarpon and bigger bonefish on rising tides.

Will be out in May myself, so please let us know how you get on.

Cheers
Steve

[Lynn Nuttall]

Have stayed at Crown Point Hotel twice on each occassion there were guests fishing off the 2 view points in the gardens and you can see the fish clearing in the water.

My sister in law has just returned from Crown Point after 3 weeks between Trinidad and Tobago. You will have a great time.

[Phil Baker]

Many thanks for your tips & advice Steve & lynn, the appetite is well & truly wetted!! & thanks for the comments regarding the use of inflatables Steve, although I would never dream of actually fishing from one, I was just thinking of using it to get from a to b, Bon accord lagoon & kilgwyn bay etc, but the bit about " you will die " has prompted me to think again by the way Steve, in light of all the toothy critters out there, do you advise the use of wire from the off Don't want to lose any of my nice new shiny lures
Thanks to you Lynn, for the bit about the hotel, have spoken to the staff on the phone, & they seem very friendly, can't wait!!

[Steve Pitts]

Hi Phil

Wire traces are optional and in truth, I rarely use one whilst fishing at Crown point as I have never seen a barracuda caught there. In addition to which - I think that wire puts off snook, so prefer a mono leader of a couple of feet of 40lb BS Amnesia.

From most other beaches and flats though, wire of 30lb is a good insurance policy. Even tiny cuda will chop your lure off without it.
I have taken to using Tyger wire from sportfish - not cheap but very flexible, doesn't kink and you can tie knots in it too.

Cheers
Steve

[Stephen Hull]

Steve

"I think that wire puts off snook"

I started fishing with wire leaders after a 10lb snapper chomped through my braid like butter and I never caught a snook in 10 months of fishing...I think you could well be right!

My record with barracuda wasn't much better although I did catch one of about 4lb at Crown Point one morning, but only ever one.

Still dreaming of Tobago.....

Steve H