Measuring just 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, Aruba may seem small. But what this tropical island lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in nature. It’s located just north of South America in the heart of the Caribbean, and boasts incredible rock formations, stunning golden beaches, and – best of all – crystal clear waters. Come deep sea fishing in Aruba and experience the best of it!
The waters get really deep really fast here, meaning a big game fish could be on the end of your line within minutes from leaving the dock. A who’s who of prized fish await, and we’re here today to introduce you to them. But alongside meeting the stars of the show, we’ll also let you in on all you need to know about deep sea fishing in Aruba. From spots and seasons to techniques and regulations, we’ve got you covered. So let’s dive in!
Aruba Deep Sea Fishing Targets
So we mentioned there’s a star-studded lineup in store when you visit Aruba… From delicious food fish to bucket list giants, these waters have it all.
Barracuda
While inshore anglers in Aruba will also know these fish, they just get bigger and bigger the further offshore you go. Juvenile ‘Cudas are fun to target on the flats, but nothing beats catching a monster in the deep.
Fun on light tackle, these wily creatures offer opportunities for the whole family and are great as a first catch for beginners and kids. Experienced anglers can also enjoy them, as they whizz away at speeds with your line, they may even cut it with their sharp teeth. Be careful when handling them on board for that exact reason, before snapping a photo with this dazzling, mirror-like figure.
Wahoo
Sticking with the silver theme, the next target species on our list is criminally overlooked in our book. Often referred to as everyone’s “favorite bycatch,” we think that Wahoo deserve to be targeted in their own right. Aruban anglers agree too. They’re actually the number one harvested species on the island.
Wahoo grow to incredible sizes here, adding to their pace and strength that’s up there with the best in the world. Get ready for 100 lb species making you work for every inch of your line. They love these warm waters, so you’ll find them here throughout most of the year. And did we mention they taste amazing too? Celebrate a trophy catch with a well-earned meal at the end of the day.
Mahi Mahi
Another fish that loves tropical waters is Mahi Mahi. Across the world, they swim in the same waters as Wahoo, but are more loved for one clear reason – their incredible color! These green-yellow beauties are picture perfect in the water and when hooked aboard, and everyone wants a piece of the action.
Just like Wahoo, they’re fast and strong, and love to wriggle left and right to try and evade your hook. They don’t grow quite as big as Wahoo here, but they are plentiful, meaning there’s almost always a chance of hooking one. Oh, and just like their silver friends, they make for incredible table fare – many say their meat is even better!
Tuna
Moving on from the theme of colors, we’ll take up the food fish theme, as we get to a species that needs no introduction. Probably the best-known and most loved eating fish across the world, Tuna are unsurprisingly on top of the to-catch list wherever you can find them. But it’s not just for their meat qualities.
Tuna grow big, dive deep, and put up an impressive fight, making them the perfect all-round fish. Here in Aruba, you’ll find three types of Tuna. Smaller Albacore and Blackfin Tuna are great targets, offering pound-for-pound action unmatched in the deep seas. But most anglers vie for the elusive Yellowfin, which can grow to over 200 pounds. Get ready to test your strength in order to land a large amount of meat.
Sailfish
It’s all about the fight as we move on to the first member of the Billfish family to make our list. Sailfish are possibly one of the few fish that can top Mahi Mahi as being the most photogenic. If you can get them to stay still, that is! Simply put, these fish are stunning. Their impressive bill is bettered by their dashing sail, and their deep blue color is a real sight for sore eyes.
These attributes don’t just make for good photos, however. They’re also a key reason why Sailfish are so sought after by big game anglers. Their bill allows them to thrash around to try and cut your line, while the sail aids them to swim away at speeds of up to 70 mph. That puts them in the top two fastest fish in the world. Now just imagine landing one!
Marlin
The only fish that can beat the Sailfish in a race is actually another member of the Billfish family – the Black Marlin. Unfortunately, they can’t be caught in Aruba, but their siblings – Blue and White Marlin – can. These creatures top almost every deep sea angler’s bucket list, and it’s easy to see why.
Like the Sailfish, they thrash around with their bills and speed away to try to evade your capture. But these fish also leap out of the water in the process! Get ready for an acrobatic spectacle when battling it out with a Marlin. But beware, this fight is not for the faint-hearted, and it could take hours before you reel one to the boat. If you’ve got the patience and the strength, you could try your hand at a Billfish “Grand Slam.” That involves landing all three Billfish in one day.
And More!
Those are our top picks but they’re by no means all you can catch on an Aruba deep sea fishing trip. Combine your voyage to the deep with a hop to the nearshore reefs, and there are plenty of colorful and delicious species available. We’re talking Snappers, Groupers, and Triggerfish.
Further out and Rainbow Runner, Bonito, Bull Sharks, and Kingfish weighing an average of 70 pounds are common. If you drop your line to the ocean floor, deepwater Groupers and Swordfish are possible. Everything depends on what you want to target, and what methods you want to try out. That takes us on nicely to the next section.
Aruba Deep Sea Fishing Techniques
To get offshore, you’ll need a vessel, that’s for sure. Thankfully, Aruba’s marinas are full of charter boats waiting to take you away. With the waters getting so deep so quick (we’re talking 400 feet within minutes), you can choose between anything from four hours and up, with private and shared charters available. However, you’ll want to know what technique to try out. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll most likely be doing:
- Bottom fishing. Effective in shallow waters or around structure, this is a popular method when fishing the reefs on the way out. You’ll drag your bait along the sea bed or on the reefs, mimicking the bait fish your targets like to eat. In the serious depths, you can also try a variation called deep dropping. This will see you use electronic gear to hook oversized fish.
- Trolling. Probably the most common method of deep sea fishing, this technique involves dragging multiple lines behind the boat to grab the attention of top-feeders. You sit back and let the reels do the work, before leaping into action when anything from a Barracuda to Blue Marlin bites at the end of your line.
- Handlining. Now you may think it’s crazy, but anglers in Aruba like to use their hands to pull in some of the biggest creatures out there. Make sure you’re ready to test your strength if you’ve not done it before. And don’t forget to bring some gloves – or at least ask your captain to provide some!
- Fly fishing. Another seemingly strange addition to this list, fly fishing is usually associated with fishing calmer waters. That’s certainly the case in Aruba’s legendary inshore waters. But if you’ve got some experience with fly gear, nothing beats the thrill of landing a deep sea topwater feeder like a Sailfish or Mahi on the fly. Anything is possible!
When to Come Deep Sea Fishing in Aruba
As the weather rarely drops below highs of 85 degrees in Aruba, there’s never a bad time to visit. We’ve already mentioned that this makes it hospitable for a number of fish too, so there’s something on the menu whenever you come. Mahi Mahi and Wahoo are two of the year-round species, while Yellowfin Tuna are also available pretty much all the time.
The Tuna season really picks up come spring, though, and stays red hot until the end of July. The rest of summer is reserved for Kingfish, Mahi Mahi, and Wahoo’s peak seasons, before Billfish steal the show in fall. Sailfish and Blue and White Marlin are available through the end of December. Then, Barracudas and Sharks take you into the new year. As you can see, there’s always something biting, it all depends on what you want to target.
Where to Go Deep Sea Fishing in Aruba
Aruba is so small, that there’s no bad place to head out of. You’ll be surrounded by waters that get deep very quickly, so get ready to enjoy the Caribbean within minutes.
The island’s capital, Oranjestad, boasts multiple marinas that all host charter boats. The Renaissance, in particular, is known for its high-end charters, which is no surprise, as it’s located close to the island’s fanciest resorts.
Head further north, and the town of Noord is a popular starting point for Billfishing adventures. Meanwhile, San Nicolas at the southern end of the island also has some ports. The northern coast is largely wilderness, so you won’t find many charters here. But we definitely recommend a visit during your stay. We’re sure you’ll agree that this island has so much to offer.
Anything Else?
Before you start booking your dream vacation to Aruba, there are just a few things you should know. The rules and regulations, of course! The good news is that visiting anglers don’t need a license to fish in Aruba, and that counts for deep sea fishing too.
The only real restrictions are on spearfishing – anywhere on or around the island – and on Billfishing. You’ll have to release any Billfish you catch. But that’s okay, as these big game monsters are all about the chase and fight. And you’ll probably have enough fish for dinner among the rest of your catch, anyhow!
And You’re Ready!
That just about wraps up our guide to deep sea fishing in Aruba. Hopefully, you now see that this stunning island punches well above its weight when it comes to angling opportunities. And the best bit? There’s action inshore if you want to discover even more of the fishing scene! Deep sea fishing in Aruba is still relatively undiscovered by tourists. Uncover it for yourself and enjoy what promises to be the trip of a lifetime.
Have you ever tried deep sea fishing in Aruba? Thinking of going? Drop us a line in the comments below. We love to hear from you!
