Fishing in St Maarten...HELP

[DirtyChimneyMan]

I am going on my honeymoon to St Maarten at the end of the month:eek:
I would like to do one offshore and one inshore trips while I'm there... Suggestions??? Has anyone been there before? Any recommendations are greatly appreciated, boats... Type of fishing etc....

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP OFFERED!! :) :)

[parker pete sportfishing]

I have a friend that owns a resturant there...ill talk to him n get back to you... will u be on the dutch side or french side? its an awesome time there

[ReelErIn]

http://taylormade-charters.com/

I fished with this guy a few yrs ago not bad we didn't hit bill fish that daY
however we did good on Dorado and Tuna/ tuna were not big 20#s or so but fun with a light stick.

[DirtyChimneyMan]

I have a friend that owns a resturant there...ill talk to him n get back to you... will u be on the dutch side or french side? its an awesome time there
I am 99% sure we are on the Dutch .....Thanks a TON Pete

[DirtyChimneyMan]

http://taylormade-charters.com/

I fished with this guy a few yrs ago not bad we didn't hit bill fish that daY
however we did good on Dorado and Tuna/ tuna were not big 20#s or so but fun with a light stick.
I'll check it out thanks! :)

[vinntastic]

Here's an early congrats because if you think you don't fish a lot now,just wait:eek: UNLESS you are marrying into the SHRIMPMAN family;) just kidding have a great time and catch em up out there..

[Gerry Zagorski]

Congrats Doug.... Told Mom and she wanted me to pass along her best too.

Sorry I can't help with fishing intel.... If it's like some other Carribean places I've fished, you don't want to fish with unknowns the resorts hook you up with or some guy hawking on the beach. Many just want to take your money for a short and unproductive boat ride.

[DirtyChimneyMan]

Thx Gerry
Pete what's the name of the restaurant?

[DirtyChimneyMan]

Here's an early congrats because if you think you don't fish a lot now,just wait:eek: UNLESS you are marrying into the SHRIMPMAN family;) just kidding have a great time and catch em up out there..
Vin.... Only reason I haven't fished as much as I'd like is because I have to pay for the wedding!!!!! There won't be a "shrimptastic" next year!! :eek: :eek: :p ;)

[vinntastic]

Vin.... Only reason I haven't fished as much as I'd like is because I have to pay for the wedding!!!!! There won't be a "shrimptastic" next year!! :eek: :eek: :p ;)
I no it will be dirtastic:D ;)

[DirtyChimneyMan]

Love It!!!!!!!:d

[captfysh]

Been there a few times...offshore they'll take you the FADS (fish attracting devices) and you'll probably get some mahi, maybe a wahoo..billfish unlikely.. inshore edge of reef produces a variety of snapper/grouper/cuda but it's hard to find a boat unless you can hook up with a local..late afternoons at Lee's Roadside Grill is where some of the locals hang out, grab a beer and feel them out!! You didn't mention if you'd be bringing some of your own stuff..if you do, there are tarpon in the lake (OK, giant salt pond) right in Phillipsburg..The ladies roam the jewelry/perfume/whatever shops and you can be catching tarpon 2 blocks away.There is a dam/water flow thing at the NE corner, when the gates are open the poons stack up, (every cast!) but it's still pretty good fishing even with no flow(expect 4-8 fish per hour, and you aren't going to land them all). BUT.. because it's so salty the baitfish are stunted little things.. for fly rodding, clouser minnows in size 2 or 4 work fine, as will deceivers or any other small baitfish pattern tied with a bit of flash.. If it's too windy for flies, a 6 pound spinning outfit works..use 1/8 oz jigheads with small 1 inch Mr Twister tails or something similar..also shad darts!! You would think the thin wire hooks would straighten out but because of the light gear you really don't put that much pressure on and I think the thinner gauge hooks penetrate more easily Most tarpon in the pond are 6-15 pounds, great on light tackle!
Hope this helps!!

[DirtyChimneyMan]

Thanks! Not sure if I'm going to be bringing gear with me... I will probably just use what they have...

[DirtyChimneyMan]

Thanks again to you guys that helped.... And if anyone else has some input, it's welcomed.