The spring and early summer here in the US Virgin Island has produced some exceptional fishing. Â The early marlin bite has been very good producing many more fish than last year. Â Yellowfin tuna and blackfin tuna bite has been strong in the evening on the North Drop 20 miles north of St. Thomas and St. John. Â The South Drop has been producing good numbers of mahi mahi and is only 8 miles south of the islands and can be fished on a 4 hour trip. Â The wahoo bite has been slow on the South Drop but the North Drop is still producing some good sized wahoo.
The summer months will continue to produce more blue marlin on the North Drop. Â A full 10 hour day is recommended to target the most sought after species in the world. Â The Virgin Islands offers the best blue marlin fishing in the Atlantic during our summer months. The best bite is historically 7 days prior to three days after the full moon but many can be caught off the moon also. Â We are strictly catch and release for billfish here in islands but Grey Taxidermy does an outstanding job of preserving your memory with a replica mount after measuring and photographing your trophy.
Tuna fishing on the north drop historically has been exceptional on the north drop all summer long. Â You will have to keep the pressure on the bigger tuna and get them in quickly however as giant sharks lurk these waters waiting for an easy meal. Â We often take some revenge on these monsters when guests wish with sharks as large as 1000 pounds being caught. Â No worries for those at the beach however, these critters strictly stay well offshore in hundreds of feet of water.
Mahi mahi will also continue to provide good action through the summer. Â The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has deployed several FADS (fish aggregating devices) in our offshore waters. Â These FADS are anchored to the bottom of the ocean with netting near the surface designed to be an oasis in the desert of seas for bait. Â Where there is bait, there are generally larger fish such as mahi. Â Be the first to the FAD, especially with live bait, and chances are you will find mahi. Â Mahi mahi, the fish so good they named it twice; beautiful, fight hard and great on the table.
Inshore fishing has been very good for snapper, small grouper, jacks and sharks. Â We are still catching king mackerel and cero mackerel although the bite has slowed some in the last month. Â Our four hour inshore per person bottom fishing trip for $150 per person has been a huge success since we ran our first trip in April. Â This option gives individuals and small groups the opportunity to experience great action and table fare without the cost of a private charter. Â Our new vessel, Hitman, can accommodate up to 8 passengers with a minimum of 4 guests to run the trip. Â If you are interested in experiencing saltwater fishing here in St. Thomas or St. John without spending $650 this is your best option.