Fishing St. John, USVI

When is the best time to fish in St. John? Consistently warm weather and prime location makes every day a fishing day!

The Virgin Islands are perched at the edge of a six-mile deep oceanic trench located on the boundary between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Migrating schools of small fish gather here, which attract larger fish such as Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado and Mahi. This area hosts some of the best blue water big game fishing in the Caribbean, setting more than 20 world records including a 1,073-pound Blue Marlin!

Opportunities exist for anglers of all ages and experience levels. Most big game fish strike with little warning and are known to put up a fight. Wahoo are known to attack the bait ferociously and swim away from the boat up to 50 miles an hour! Snapper, Kingfish and Skip Jacks are common in-shore catches; and Leinster Bay offers an area for fishing the flats. Some recreational fishers have success from shore but fight windy conditions and coral snags.

Beware of certain coral-feeding fish that can be contaminated with ciguatera toxin, locally referred to as fish poisoning. Additionally, much of the waters surrounding St. John are inside the National Park which are regulated by both territorial and federal restrictions. So your best bet is to hire a knowledgeable charter captain to guide you through the island’s waters while you sit back and relax. Whether a novice or seasoned angler, you may go home with a mounted trophy or at the very least, bragging rights.

Offshore Season

• April: Dolphin & Wahoo
• Apr-May: White Marlin
• May-Oct: Blue Marlin with a prime bite window around the full moon
• Nov-Mar: Wahoo, Sailfish Barracuda, Jacks, Dolphin & Tuna
• Oct-Mar: Sailfish
• Oct-Jan: Mahi
• All Year: Blackfin & Skipjack Tuna

Inshore Season

• Jan-May: Bonito
• Feb-May: Kingfish
• Mar-Sept: Bonefish
• Mar-Oct: Tarpon
• All Year: Barracuda, Jack, Snapper, Tarpon & Snook