Question British Virgin Islands-Advice Needed

cthomson · Nov-03-2009, 12:27 PM

Going on an island hopping adventure through the Virgin Islands around the end of December. My question is what type of setup (fishn rod, line, lures, ect) should i bring along? And what type of game is typically targeted?

I am rather limited on what i can pack for the trip, so I am asking any and all for advice.

We will most likely be trolling vs bait fishing.

Once again, any input is appreciated

scrounge2 · Nov-03-2009, 07:23 PM

You will be just in time for the Christmas Winds. Not very pleasant. The reason the VI's are popular then is because of the snowbirds. The weather is better any other time of year.

There is Cigutaria (Sp) so dont eat big fish that hang out on reefs. The adage is no fish longer than your arm. The smaller is better.

Tuna and offshore fish are ok. We trolled from our sailboat. Make life easy, take a two piece and a spinning reel. I took them as carryon last trip. We had tuna and snapper for dinner several times with that rig and lures. Fish are fish, you can blow your whole luggage allowance on gear or go light. I forget when, but the marlin get to over 1,000 lbs. There are log Cuda that will amaze you with the size of their teeth. Dont eat them!

There are a fair number of large lobster. Never been checked but they are supposed to be for the natives. Since I was living there at the time, I figured they were for me. The absolute best are slipper lobster!

Scrounge2

masonbo · Nov-09-2009, 05:22 PM

If you visit Anegada take a small spinning outfit for Bonefish.Excellent bones there!

cthomson · Nov-10-2009, 04:20 PM

Thanks for the info. This is exactly what i wanted to hear. im thinkin on bringing a trolling setup as well as a light spinning setup for inshore. I am hearing that the bonefishing and tarpon fishing is A+. I have never fished for bonies or tarpon, if you guys have any technical info for targeting these species (line, reel, lures vs. bait ect) i would love to hear it

thanks again!

st.thomian · Nov-20-2009, 11:45 AM

another quick thing. if you troll you might getting hit from kings as well. try a yellow/grn skirt over a ballyhoo. definitely gonna get hit alot by big cuda's. growing up around the islands down there was awesome, plenty of fishing. ask some of the locals down there for a bait fish called "sprat" looks like a shiner. use a small circle hook through the nose and watch for the tarpon tailing on the surface. toss and hold on for the ride. spinning rod will do fiine for every species down there. most locals just use handline for bottom fishing. you will find lots of lobster, but i am not sure on the regs for the BVI. USVI if you see them its fair game. but it is the winter months so it will be kinda rough. good luck and have fun