Aruba Recommendations

[Flounderpounder55]

Was looking for suggestions on charters in Aruba
Thanks

[Captain Rich]

If you use the Hadacurari marina at the west end of the island you will fish much rougher water but have much better fishing (as opposed to the tourist dock in the center of the island). I use to use the Melina there, the boat is really worn but the mates who sell the catch that you don't want are really dialed into the fishing. I used to catch big wahoo, yellow and blackfin tuna and mahi. Check out the boat, see what they are catching and then decide to go or not. I found the boats at the central marina were fancier but just taking tourists for a boat ride and maybe getting a barracuda or two, small mahi or sharks.

I just found my blog post from 9/20/12

I visited an old friend this past week, the island of Aruba, haven’t been here in 30 years, big changes going on! Aruba doesn’t get the play as a great fishing destination, but I’ve got to tell you, I fished there “off season” and did great.. The first fishing day we had wind and big seas, we mugged up on blackfin tuna, mahi, and barracuda. I couldn’t hook any yellowfin, they were busy tearing up the 10 lb blackfin we were bringing in. Ditto the wahoo, they were brutal, just snipping off the ballyhoo right behind the hook. The second day the wind dropped out and the bite turned on. I boated 3 wahoo to 35 lbs, 2 mahi, and 7 barracuda. Highlight and dissapointment of the day was watching a 100 lb class wahoo have his way with my ballyhoo/ Islander for 10 minutes and then have the hook thrown/ tear out ! Bummer !!!

There are two marinas in Aruba, the Hadicurari on the North End, and the Renaissance Marina in the center of Orangestad on the south end. The North end is windier but has less fishing pressure. I fished the Melina out of the Hadicurari Marina. It was a well worn 28′ Chris Craft with twin volvo pentas. Nothing fancy, perfectly functional. The tackle was all Penn and Shimano and very good.

[Ttmako]

Fished out of the central marina. It was ok, not great. small wahoo, tuna, barracuda.
Boat was an absolute POS. He suckered us into fishing out of the lee where was supposed to be a good wahoo bite for like an extra $100. Man we turned around the corner and it was pretty snotty, really snotty. I think the captain thought we would tell him to turn around. Not so much! I'm still waiting for a big wahoo.

[stugots]

I went there in July a few years ago and we opted for bottom fishing as the boats were trolling 50s and catching small Mahi. I forget the name of the boat but we went on a Grady White with twin outboards. If you can find that guy he was good.

[tuna john]

been there several times and fished, had 1 good catch of wahoo one time, rest of the trips not good. All small fish, ask them to toss back they look at u like your nuts and usually rough waters. Go to carlos and charlie's the money will be better spent. Just my .02

[Jigman13]

Fish the beaches and docks at night. Save your money. As stated, most boats are tourist "traps". Boat ride, crappy fishing, etc. Prob a few good boats who fish the north side. Expect to get your fillings jarred loose. The seas are no joke. Easy 10s with white caps lol. But the fish are there...

[Reel Tight]

You have two options offshore which is only about a half a mile for the beach mostly wahoo, cuda and mahi....depending on the time of year billfish. I have been fishing aruba ever year for the past 8 years and have fish with a hand full of guys and by far the best captain around is Marcelino on the Caroline at the marina by the marriot.....your other option is inshore trolling light tackle for wahoo and blackfin with fly & spin fishing Aruba with Laurenz also a great captain and a sharpie on inshore grounds around the island....depending on the conditions i try and fish with both of them at least once. Both captains have new tackle and both guys will go the extra mile to catch you fish. they will also set you up to have your fish cooked at one on the many restaurants in the area.

[tunajoe]

I would avoid fishing the boats right near the resorts. I watched their catch for 14 days over 2 vacations there and it sucked. Can you say tourist trap?

[BigRock44]

Would bring a surf rod if possible. I was there about 10 yrs ago and got some 'cudas and a large jack from the surf. Also stalked a huge bonefish for a while in a shallow inlet area near the airport, but couldn't hook him. I'm sure there are plenty of bones on the beach, but with that stiff, unrelenting wind kicking up the surf, it's hard to see them. Also hooked some houndfish in a cove near a touristy area (can't remember exactly where, but towards the wild side of the island). They were hyper-aggressive and tail-walked like marlin when you set the hook! Had rented a jeep back then and was able to do a little exploring. Also found an off-the-beaten-path tackle shop with some gear and helpful info, away from the tourist area.

[Raalph]

I've had good and consistent results with Lucky Star charters out of the Renaissance Marina downtown. They have two boats, all the guys who work the boats are experienced. They fish the north side when wind/waves permit (including in pretty heavy seas). Mostly target wahoo, by-catch of small blackfin, skipjack/bonito and 'cuda. When the weather's bad they fish around the boats on anchorage west of the island, some mahi and small tuna along with wahoo. They also will do bottom fishing (deep water snapper) on request but I've not tried that.

They have a website but I'm not sure how well minded it is, best bet is to call the contact phone number(s) provided there and speak directly to Capt. Gregory.

[Flounderpounder55]

Thank you all for the great advice and recommendations! Got to go out on a private with the Melina. Great captain and mate, "nicely used" fishing boat with a stellar first mate that would put most guys 20 years younger to shame. Had a good black fin bite landing 8 and a couple bonito, barracuda, breaking off 2 large wahoo as well. Unreal th price difference to have a mate and captain for one person for the entire boat. Captain peter picked.me up and dropped me off at my hotel. Really was a nice trip to get away for a while. Thanks again for the intel

[Captain Rich]

That's The One !!