Aruba Fishing

The Dutch-controlled island of Aruba, an island of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea (not far from the coast of Venezuela) is known among fishing enthusiasts for offering some of the best fishing in the region. Aruba fishing is the basis for its popular fishing charter industry. The reputation of Aruba fishing, combined with its seafood cuisine and popularity as a vacation spot in general make for a very lively local fishing economy. Many Aruba travel guides and agencies suggest that a trip to this island is not complete without experiencing its fishing opportunities.

There is a great diversity of fish to be had in the waters surrounding Aruba. The shallow water fish there include red snapper, silk snapper, blackfin snapper, yellowtail snapper, greater amberjack, queen triggerfish, blue runner, parrotfish, king mackerel. The deep sea fish around Aruba include marlin, mahi mahi, barracuda, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, albacore tuna, sailfish, shark, and bonito. Groupers can be found in both shallow and deep waters.

Aruba Fishing Trip

Naturally, swallow water fishing is a less expensive pursuit as far as Aruba fishing goes – one can simply fish from the shore or can rent a small boat. Deep sea fishing is an endeavor that calls for a fishing charter, of which there are many in Aruba. The kinds of charters range from “bareboat” charters where one must find his own captain and/or crew to charters that come with a captain and a full crew and staff. Bareboat charters are better left to more experienced fishermen. Most of the fishing in Aruba goes on around the southwest coast of the island, where the sea is calmer. Some easier fishing can be found on the north side, but the seas are also rougher.

Aruba Fishing Guide

The most common method of fishing in Aruba is the simple hand-line, which only employs a hook, a line, and a sinking weight. With this basic tool the fisherman needs to be ready to pull catches from depths of hundreds of feet. Some of the appeal of Aruba fishing lies in the rugged simplicity of this method and the idea of having to wrangle and fight with hooked fish from far below the ocean’s surface. While there are certainly more technologically advanced ways one can fish around Aruba, the hand-line method seems to still be the most popular way to fish there. Although it is not a common type of fishing among the locals, there are also great opportunities for fly fishing in Aruba.