Fishing in St Maarten...HELP

[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!!