Shore Fishing in Curaçao
Many visitors ask us if we can share tips for shore fishing in Curaçao. A lot of travelers bring a small fishing rod on vacation and enjoy spending a few relaxing hours fishing from the coast.
Standing by the sea, enjoying the tropical view while waiting for a bite, is for many anglers simply part of a perfect Caribbean holiday.
In Curaçao, shore fishing (also called inshore fishing) can roughly be divided into two categories:
Tarpon fishing
Other predatory and reef fish
In this blog we mainly focus on the second category. Think of fish like barracuda, jack crevalle, snappers, and ladyfish.
We’ll answer questions like:
Where are the best places to fish from shore in Curaçao?
Are you allowed to fish everywhere?
What fishing gear works best?
Which bait should you use?
Where can you buy fishing gear on the island?
Fishing Regulations in Curaçao
The good news: there are very few regulations for recreational shore fishing in Curaçao.
In general, you can fish anywhere where you have access to the water and where it is not private property.
There are currently no official rules regarding:
number of fish you may keep
minimum size
specific fish species
However, just like in many places around the world, fish populations are slowly declining. That’s why responsible fishing is important.
Our advice:
Only keep fish that you plan to eat
Remove hooks carefully
Release other fish as quickly as possible
This helps keep fishing in Curaçao enjoyable for future anglers.
Fishing Gear
Almost any spinning rod or pike rod can be used for shore fishing in Curaçao.
A good setup is:
Rod: 2.4 – 2.7 meters (8–9 ft)
Reel: size 3000 – 5000
Recommended line setup:
Braided line
Fluorocarbon leader
If you’re targeting larger fish like jack crevalle or barracuda, slightly heavier gear is recommended.
For barracuda, a steel leader can be useful because of their extremely sharp teeth.
Bait
You can fish in Curaçao using artificial lures or natural bait.
Natural Bait
Simple bait that works well includes:
small pieces of fish
shrimp
chicken breast
Surprisingly, chicken works very well and is commonly used by local fishermen.
Live Bait
For larger fish, live bait is often the most effective.
You can catch small baitfish such as pinfish using tiny hooks with a piece of chicken or fish.
Another option is using mullet as live bait. These can be difficult to catch with a hook, so many local fishermen use a cast net.
Baitfish are often found in the Zeelandia area, especially near the pipelines where water flows through.
Once you catch a baitfish, attach it to:
a circle hook
a live bait hook
Fishing it under a float often works well. Let the bait drift naturally with the wind or current, but avoid fishing too deep.
Best Lures for Fishing in Curaçao
Artificial lures can also be very productive from shore.
Topwater Lures
poppers
stickbaits
Early mornings and evenings can produce spectacular surface strikes from predatory fish.
Plugs
minnow plugs
jerkbaits
These work well for species such as snook and barracuda.
Soft Plastics
shads
paddletails
Very effective around piers, rocks, and mangroves.
Metal Spoons and Jigs
These can be cast long distances and are ideal for fast predators like jacks.
Top 10 Fish You Can Catch from Shore in Curaçao
You might be surprised by the variety of fish that can be caught from shore.
Some common species include:
Jack Crevalle – extremely strong fighter, often hunting in schools
Barracuda – fast predator found near reefs and piers
Ladyfish – very acrobatic and fun to catch
Snook – often near mangroves and inlets
Snapper – several species around rocky areas
Grunts – smaller but fun sport fish
Cuda – smaller barracuda species
Bonefish – rare, mostly found on sandy flats
Needlefish – often seen near the surface
Small tuna / bonito – occasionally even caught from shore
And of course there is tarpon, but we will cover that in a separate blog.
Where to Buy Fishing Gear in Curaçao
Curaçao does not have many large specialized bait & tackle shops, but there are a few places where you can buy:
fishing rods
reels
hooks
lures
fishing line
One well-known shop among local fishermen is:
Hodge Fishing Tackle
They probably have the largest selection of fishing gear on Curaçao.
Some supermarkets and Chinese stores also sell basic fishing supplies.
Good Fishing Spots in Curaçao
As mentioned earlier, you can fish almost anywhere you have access to the water. However, some locations are clearly better than others.
Willemstad – Queen Emma Bridge & Harbor
Even in the middle of Willemstad you can catch fish. Around the Pontjesbrug (Queen Emma Bridge) you will often find jacks, snappers and tarpon.
Piscadera Bay
The inlet of Piscadera Bay can produce species such as:
ladyfish
snook
snapper
jack crevalle
The current often brings baitfish and predators into the area.
Boka Sami
At Boka Sami there is a pier where people frequently fish. Because of the deeper water and current, it can be a great location for predatory fish.
Parasasa Beach
Near Parasasa Beach there are several productive spots, especially around the rocky areas.
Caracasbaai – Tugboat Area
At the end of Caracas Bay, just before the famous Tugboat dive site, there is a large pier where fishing is common.
Here you may catch:
barracuda
jack crevalle
snapper
Occasionally even tuna are caught from shore, especially when boats are anchored nearby.
Best Time to Fish in Curaçao
The best fishing times are usually:
early morning
late afternoon
evening
Predatory fish are more active during these hours and temperatures are more comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Shore fishing in Curaçao is a fun and easy way to fish during your vacation.
With a simple rod, some lures, or even a small piece of chicken, you can catch a surprising variety of fish.
And who knows — you might suddenly hook a powerful jack or a fast barracuda, right from the shore.
Tight lines!