myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hello from California.

I'm hoping to find someone who can take me out fishing inexpensively. I have my own tackle and can walk down the hill from Bethel. I have gone out of Castara but it's a long drive.

Thanks, Hugh

Hi Hugh

It's quite a stroll from Bethel to Buccoo, but at least it's mainly downhill

I can't recommend anyone at Buccoo by name, but would imagine that your best bet is to try the fishing co-op by the goat track. Just ask around if anyone would take you out, but best to negotiate the rate and time out before- hand and if you offer the 'captain' the spoils, this should bring the price down.

Are you after anything in particular?

Best of luck

Steve

I am after kingfish. dorado, snapper, wahoo, etc. I have gone out of Mt. Irvine, Speyside and Castara for years and plan to have my own boat in the future but until then I need to hitchhike with someone else. I used to be able to go out for free or next to nothing but now the guys want $100 which, when added to the price of a rental car, is too much.

I'm thinking I can walk down with my gear in the morning and then catch a taxi back up the hill in the afternoon. We're behind the Moravian church so it's not too far. I share my catch with the villagers: my friends, family and neighbors. They come running when they smell the BBQ!

Hugh

Hugh S wrote:I used to be able to go out for free or next to nothing but now the guys want $100

Hi Hugh

I think that we used to pay around $TT100 for a morning's fishing several years ago. With our boatman keeping most of the catch of kingfish, bonito, cuda and dorado, it was a good arrangement. We paid for the fuel and they had a good catch, without the hard work of haulin' fish.

Prices have gone up considerably, no doubt due to the popularity of fishing around the island with tourists. 100 bucks is quite a hike in just a few years and there are always a few (anywhere) who will try it on if they think you'll part with the cash, but there could be a few of the local fishermen who take a less commercialized view and will take you out if they keep the catch. Most of the guys we have been out with have benefitted this way - assuming we are successful of course.

Best of luck and tight lines

Steve

Steve,
Can you recommend a line weight to take out there with me, also I was thinking of taking exta with me for the locals eg, the boat owner, would this be worth it, as I don’t know how hard it is for them to get tackle.?

Hi Tony

Sorry it took so log to get back to you

It depends on the kind of fishing that you intend getting stuck into, but seeing that this thread is about boat fishing, rather than shore or fly fishing, I'll assume that you want to do some inshore / offshore fishing for those species mentioned above.

I would suggest 30lb breaking strain mono is more than adequate, but this also depends on the tackle and rod set up that you are taking, but 20 - 30lb class is about right.

You may also wish to take some 60lb wire traces for cuda, kingfish and wahoo and some 50lb mono for trolling traces, if dolphin (mahi-mahi and bonito or 100lb mono if tarpon are in your sights.

Line in these weights is not exactly hard to come by on Tobago, but I have yet to have any surplus items of tackle turned down by local fishermen or guides, so taking more than you need is easy and a nice guesture to those you fish with.

Cheers
Steve