myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hello
I will be arriving Tobago April 8th for a week staying up at the Arnos vale hotel, first time to Tobago.
Going to try and get some beach and rock fishing in but would also like to do some inshore fishing as well. If any one wants to team up please contact me.

I wish I had a load of question to ask about fishing in Tobago but every time I think of one this forum has the answer.
Thanks for such a useful site and not only just for the fishing part.

Here's a question -What is the rock/beach fishing like around Arnos vale?


Thanks
Monty

Hi Monty

Beach fishing at Arnos Vale is nigh-on impossible, because of the proximity of the rocks and coral reef, which is the main attraction for snorkel and scuba enthusiasts. Any lead or lure is likely to get stuck fast every cast.

The rocks to the left or right of the bay can produce all manner of rock-dwelling fish, such as parrot fish, wrasse and hogfish to small hooks baited with shrimp or whelk work well. Float fishing is a good option to keep tackle losses to a minimum, but bear in mind that most of these fish live in the nooks and crannies, so they are usually are pretty adept at diving back home and taking your terminal tackle with them.

Some absosolute monster barracuda have been hooked from the rocks, but every single one has been lost due to the coral and rocks rubbing through the line. A wire trace helps, but the fish only needs to touch your main line on coral and it will part company with you.

I have also seen some large tuna chasing baitfish, just beyond casting range, out to the left of the bay. I cannot imagine landing anything of that size from the rocks though. Still, it was an incredible sight and an indication of the potential if you were fishing from a boat with livebait.

By the way - a word of warning - these rocks are covered in a microsopic film of algae, which seems to have the same coefficient of friction as Teflon - it is lethal to stand on with bare feet and/or most rubber soled shoes, so be careful.

Other beaches in the Arnos Vale area are Colloden (similar to Arnos Vale with a reef close inshore), Plymouth beach, and Great Courland Bay to Black Rock.

Cheers
Steve

Hi Steve
Many thanks for the advice and info specially regarding the slippery rocks.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers
Monty

Paul

See the Casting a Lure in Janaury thread for a report on recent efforts at Arnos Vale. As well as the big barracuda there have also been some jacks around of late. As Steve P says either lure fishing or floatfishing livebaits are likely to work best.

I am living out here until August and would be happy to meet up for shore trips. I am also sorting out some inshore boat trips with UK visitors from Pigeon Point (tarpon) and Castara (tarpon, jaks, kingfish, snapper) using livebaits - half of Britain seems to be coming fishing here in April. You would be very welcome to join one or more of these. Send me an email if you are interested.

Steve H

Hi Steve
I am in Tobago this week and would like to meet up to either shore fish or get out in a boat .
I do have a small problem, can you email me with the best way to contact you unfortunatly I cannot email out to you from the hotel I am staying at.
Hopefully hear from you.

regards
Monty