Are you attracted to sport fishing? Jamaica hooks more than your attention
Deep and productive waters
just 15 minutes from the coast,
well equipped sport fishing
boats and panoramic views add up
to a quality fishing experience
In Jamaica. Visiting fishermen
get a chance to land blue
and white marlin, wahoo,
tuna and dolphin (dorado) in
deep water falling by the thousands
of feet beyond the reefs.
The blue marlin is the most precious
big game fish and
catch your first marlin in
Jamaica is at your fingertips.
The Cayman Trench creates
conditions of one to two knots
constant current that
helps gather algae
to form “weed lines”: these
they are all deep sea fishermen
dream. Heavy rains too
riverbanks causing erosion
drifting trees and other debris
To the sea. This floating matter
attracts bait fish and triple tail
sea bass seeking shelter
of the sun, which in turn
attracts bigger fish. Full
ecosystems exist under these
weed lines that can spread
for miles and contain everything
marine life, including
lots of game fish.
During the summer months
when the wind is quite calm
and the sea is relatively flat
the grass lines get bigger,
which therefore means more
marine activity under the
area.
On the south coast there are
enough banks and
keys where you can find a
lots of bottom fish,
namely snapper and grouper.
The largest bank along the
South coast is Banco Pedro.
This bench houses a variety
fish such as horse mackerel, lamb
and red-tailed snapper like
as well as grouper and shellfish.
Wahoo and kingfish fishing
is excellent throughout the
south coast due to the presence
of these banks. Tea
The north coast also has quite a
few banks and the main three
banks located off the coast of
Port Antonio son Henry
Holmes, Grappler and
Shipwreck. There is also a
popular bank located 15 miles
off the coast of Montego Bay
called the Buckner Bank.
Strictly speaking, there is
certain periods of the year
when different species of fish
are more common. The dolphin
(golden) the season runs
from January to April,
the black fin and the yellow fin
the tuna season runs from April to
August and the central marlin
the season runs from August to
December. Despite this, you
you will find it quite common
for any of these species
get caught in the waters of Jamaica
all year.
So if you are in Jamaica, right?
now is a good time to go
to fish. The charter boats can be
reserved for full day or half day
travel in most tourist areas (see
listings in the Jam-boree golocal
pages). Prices vary little
but be sure to ask about
if drinks are included
and who gets the fishing.
The prize fish mount is available.
and some ships will
arrange to have a fish cleaned
and even cooked to order.
A day of fishing in Jamaica is
about more than lines,
bait and fighting marlin. It’s a
unique opportunity to experience
island topographic
beauty and coast of
on the high seas aboard a comfortable
sport fisherman with a professional
crew that will ensure that
if you catch the “big one”
or don’t you have a wonderful
experience. Listen to
some music, enjoy a little
snacks and watch
looking for porpoises and sea turtles
how frequent Jamaica
coastal waters.
Fly fishing and light tackle fishing
River estuaries, plains, coastal lagoons, seagrass beds and
The mangroves of Jamaica are home to many popular species.
game fish, including tarpon, snook and barracuda.
Opportunities abound for exciting fly fishing and light tackle
charters led by experienced guides. Most species of fish are available.
all year.
Salty Vic offers fishing excursions to various areas of the island.
including river, coastal and deep-sea habitats, as well as
Fly fishing classes for adults and children. Contact Salty Vic
at (876) 863-1599 for information and reservations.
Cayman Trench
Fishing in Jamaica is world class due in part to the presence of
the Cayman Trench that runs from the Windward Passage into
the extreme southeast of Cuba towards Guatemala. About half a
about a mile off the coast of Montego Bay, the descent begins, beginning
to about 400 feet and gradually descending to 3,000 feet more
offshore. The relatively narrow trough tends from east to northeast
west-southwest and has a maximum depth of 25,216 feet
(7,686 m), the deepest point in the Caribbean Sea. This area is
teeming with marine life as nutrients rise up the wall from
the abyss to make the waters exceptionally rich for the
seas.
Tournaments
Several annual blue marlin tournaments are held in Jamaica,
attracting fishermen from all over the world. Port Antonio International
Billfish tournament, which usually takes place in October, is one of the most
famous and prestigious in the Caribbean. Every year this
The event attracts up to 50 boats, including fishermen from the US.
and neighboring islands of the Caribbean. Other tournaments are held
in Montego Bay, Falmouth, Discovery Bay and Treasure Beach.
http://www.jam-boree.com for more information