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Aruba report

4K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  MajorGeek 
#1 ·
First I would like to thank Juro and the gentleman from Seattle for their reports.I printed both of them up and read them daily while I was down there,sort of my bonefish bible.Malmok beach seemed to be my best bet for bonefish according to the reports,and I fished it on two seperate mornings.The first was slow until I tied on a small shrimp fly tied on a #8 freshwater nymph hook and caught a few cornetfish.Soon after I hooked into something that had some weight to it ,but insteed of a blistering run it swam slowly parallel to me.Next I saw silver flash in the water and it was off to the races.Line then backing melted from my reel at an alarming rate. After what seemed to be an eternity I finally got the flyline back on the reel only to have the fish make a second run almost as far. I decided the best way to land the fish was to beach it, and after a few nervous moments a wave carried the fish onto the shore. There infront of me was a beautiful bonefish of several lbs. A couple had stoped to witness the outcome of the fight and were kind enought to take my picture.(when I figure out how to post the picture I will put it up) After reviving and releasing the fish I waded back out and was soon hooked up again.The fight was almost identical to the first fish, except that I foolishly tried to palm the reel and had my knuckles rapped that brought back memories of the sixth grade at St. Peter's. I went back the next day and although the bonefish god's weren't with me I did manage to catch a small permit looking fish. So if you travel down to this lovely island don't forget the flyrod and some small shrimp flies you just never know what you might hook into.
 
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#2 ·
Rap on the knuckles! St Peter's! Must be from Dahchesta. As a young one I wanted to go there because thats where all my friends went, but I was protestant. Went to public school. Teachers didn't rap the knuckles but they'd grab you by the chin and drag you to the back of the class and make you stand stand facing a corner. Ah the memories!

Thanks for the report. Where'd you stay?
 
#10 ·
Brian where are you staying? This was our first time down there. My wife and I had a great time,and catching those two bonefish made it all that much better.If I had rented a car for one more day I would have liked to try the flats near the airport and further south down by the brewery.Looking foward to your report and good luck.
 
#11 ·
That sounds like a plan! ;)

The other place besides Barcadera / public landing next to the sand / salt piles where there were good flats at low tide was the inlet / bay near Savaneta. You can see the road flare off to the south in this map:

http://www.enjoyaruba.com/arubamap/arubamap_high_res.htm

The water was kind of deep there at high tide but would be good at low for bones and there were birds working bait off in the distance so a kayak would put you into some action for sure with jacks, small tuna, cuda, maybe even a wahoo.

The Barcadera area is also a low tide spot, and a local told me there are tarpon in that lagoon.

The bones around Malmok (the wreck) are here today, gone tomorrow but when they cruise by they are as willing as any I've ever cast to. Get the rod tip high quick, the coral will eat your tippet.

The beach is sandy to the south of the wreck with more coral to the north. Of course when I was horseback riding with my better half the fish were cruising the sand, and when I went back with the rod they were on the coral.

Just working that beach around Malmok for a couple of hours a day gives you better odds than the casinos down the road.

Good luck and please take some pictures to add to the Aruba Bonefish Club gallery. :wink:
 
#13 ·
Brian, if your out and about, the Bria Del Mar in the Savenata (sp?) area is pretty neat for lunch. Try the Aruban Seafood special.

The jeep safari tours fun and a good way to get the lay of the land if done early in your stay.

The happy hours at the hotel beach cabanas seemed like a fun place to be at happy hour time.

Have fun, look forward to your report.
 
#14 ·
Aruba!

Hi guys,

it was very interesting for me to read your reports from "the happy island". I'm a german flyfisher and travelled to Aruba around christmas nearly each year since
1990. My favourite spot is right at the airport(mainly blindcasting, but quite successfull). From time to time also caught fish at the Savanetah Flat and at "the wreck"Malmok. But in general it was a tough job for me to catch a bonefish.

I'm visiting aruba again this year (mid December to early Januar)and will try to get a flight to Los Roques. Can anybody recommend an airline?

bone
 
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