November is one of the more quiet months in Vieques but
it’s also the time of year that businesses, mine included, start
getting ready for the upcoming season. By all indications, 2008
is going to be a very busy year for tourism in Vieques. I’m
already booked solid for Christmas and New Years and getting
calls and e-mails everyday for the rest of the winter months.
Many of these folks are planning their first trip to the island
but I’ll also be seeing several repeat customers that have
fished with me before, both here and in Key West. Returning
fishermen are one of the best signs that Vieques is going to
truly succeed with a tourist driven economy.
For first time anglers (and even non-anglers,) there are several
things that makes Vieques different from established
destinations like the Florida Keys. For starters, there are no
tackle shops down here. As a guide I provide everything you’ll
need from fly rods to sun block. My buddy Capt. Franco at
Caribbean Fly Fishing does the same. However, if you want to hit
the beaches on your own for a day or two, and you should, you’ll
need to bring all the basics like flies, leaders, pliers, etc.
Traveling with all this can be a pain these days so call one of
us if you have any questions. You can also read my June, 2006
article in the archives for some more tackle specifics.
If you’re still in the planning stages for a winter trip to
Vieques, it’s a good idea to call one of the car rental
companies and book a vehicle before you book a place to stay.
I’m emphasizing this because I’ve heard from several people that
for many of our busiest weeks in January and February, few if
any cars are available. With more tourists coming down this
season the supply of rental cars might not be able to keep up
with demand. The same thing happened last year at peak season.
To get the most out of Vieques you’ll need a vehicle, and a Jeep
or other 4wd is preferred. There are too many beaches and hidden
trails to see down here and taxis just don’t cut it. The cabs
are great at night for hitting the restaurants, but this is a
dirt road type of island. If you’re sticking to the pavement
then you’re not really seeing Vieques.
Accommodations may also be a bit tricky at the height of season.
Our only major resort at Martineau Bay has finally closed for a
long needed remodeling. I’m glad this is happening because a lot
of my customers gave it mixed reviews when staying there. When
it reopens in the next fall it should be world class.
Unfortunately, this leaves Vieques without its 150 rooms. That’s
a lot for an island our size. The good news is that there are
currently more private homes available to rent than ever before.
A private house or villa is the best bargain to be had when
staying down here. It lets you or your group cook breakfast and
lunch at home, saving money for dinner at some of our great
restaurants. Three years ago there were less than 100 private
homes available to rent. Today that number has probably tripled.
The smart homeowners have kept their weekly rates the same or
even lowered them to keep up with the competition. The nicest
homes may already be booked but something advertised as newly
remodeled may actually be renting for its first season and a
real bargain.
Getting back to the topic of fishing one more time, I’m really
looking forward to a great year. If you fished with myself or
Franco last winter, you may remember a lot of wind and not too
many fish. The tarpon simply didn’t show up on the island’s
north side, their normal domain, and it was often too rough to
run along the south side and reach the bonefish that are always
there. I’ve remedied that problem this year buy ordering a new
and much lighter boat, allowing me to drive down the dirt roads
past Garcia Gates and launch at Blue Beach. This will give me
year round access to the superb bonefish and permit waters on
the island’s southeast tip. I’ll have a full report on my new
boat next month.
Finally, most of my anglers ask me about the deep sea fishing
off of Vieques. As a dedicated flats guide, the blue water is
way out of reach for me and sometimes dangerous for my 17 foot
skiff. Capt. Franco with his 20 foot Ranger will hit the deep
water on calm days but he also prefers chasing bonefish and
tarpon when the winds kick up. By this Christmas, Vieques will
finally have a dedicated offshore boat when Capt. J Ferguson, a
fellow Key West refugee, brings his 26 foot, twin outboard Panga
to the island. For anglers wanting to go offshore and bring back
some tuna or dorado for the grill, you’ll finally have your ride
out to the big water. I’m personally looking forward to trying
to land a sailfish on a fly from J’s boat. That will be a real
first for both myself and Vieques.
Capt. Gregg McKee,
WildFly Charters
