Twenty-four sportfishing world
records have been set from the Virgin Islands, for fish ranging
from mega blue marlin to swift swimming wahoo.
The hot spot for billfish - blue marlin, white marlin,
sailfish - is the world-famous North Drop, which you can easily
access from St. Thomas or St. John. A short ride offshore St.
Croix, the billfish bite best off Lang Bank, another deep drop-off
wher e cool waters and ocean currents bring a bevy of bait fish,
especially June through October. During the winter months, dolphin,
wahoo and tuna keep the action on the drop-offs hopping. Closer
inshore, you'll find kingfish, mackerel, bonefish, tarpon, ambe
rjack, grouper and snappers in Virgin waters all year long.
Captains and mates armed with local knowledge can guide
you to the hot spots aboard a sportfishing charter. Both half
day and full day trips are available. Half day trips are usually
scheduled from 8 AM to 12 Noon and 1 PM to 5 PM and focus on
inshore fishing. Full day trips can be of two types. On the first
type, usually 8 AM to 4 PM, you troll slowly out to the drop-off,
then fish for marlin once there. For the second type of full
day trip, generally 8 AM to 5 PM, your captain will head full
throttle for the drop with marlin as the single-minded pursuit.
A full day marlin trip is the most expensive, because
of the extra time and fuel required. Daily fees range from $800
to $1,000 daily for the boat. This fee can be split among a maximum
of six anglers. Captains, or charter offices, can assist anglers
i n sharing a `split' boat. In most cases, a deposit of 50% is
required to reserve the boat in advance of the trip. Bait and
tackle are provided, but you need to bring your own lunch and
drinks.
If you're itching to experience the thrill of competition,
then enter one of our local tournaments - the July Open, American
Yacht Harbor Billfish Tournament, USVI/Open Atlantic Blue Marlin
Tournament, Golden Hook Challenge and Harm's Virgin Islands/Pu
erto Rico Billfish Series. These big-money billfish classics
attract amateurs as well as internationally-famed world class
anglers.
Virgin Islands' sports fishermen have proudly pioneered
world billfish conservation for decades, promoting catch-and-release
which helps ensure survival of this species for our future generations.
Also, specially made research `tags', which mates place in billfish
before the fish's release, have helped scientists learn more
about these elusive undersea creatures. For example, blue marlin
tagged in Virgin waters have been recaptured again off the coasts
of Africa and North Carolina - giving clues as to their migration
patterns. Thanks to catch-and-release and the tagging program,
billfish seem to be increasing in numbers. Just ask local and
visiting Virgin Islands' sports fishermen who will tell you that
the season of '96 has been the best - most productive - in the
last decade.
USVI-BASED SPORTFISHING
CHARTER OPERATIONS
(All telephone numbers
in the 340 area code)
ST. THOMAS
Fish Hawk (Fish Hawk Marina) 775-9058
Prowler Sportfishing Charters (American Yacht Harbor Marina) 779-2515,
775-7205
Marlin Prince (American Yacht Harbor
Marina) 693-5929, 779-5939
Hook-E-Player (American
Yacht Harbor Marina) 775-3281
Bluefin II (American Yacht Harbor Marina) 775-6691
Abigail III (Sapphire Beach Resort Marina) 775-6100
Phoenix (Sapphire Beach Resort Marina) 775-6100, ext. 732
Double Header (Sapphire
Beach Resort Marina) 777-7317, 771-2032
ST. CROIX
Ruffian (St. Croix Marina) 773-7165/773-6011 (773-0917)
Louie G (St. Croix Marina) 773-1123
Center Console (Salt River Marina) 778-9650
Lisa Ann (Green Cay Marina) 773-3712; 773-4977
Cruzan Divers 772-3701/1-800-35 2-0 107
Fishaholic 773-8988; 690-8570
Leisure Lady 773-8988; 690-8570
Sharon M III 773-8988; 690-8570
ST. JOHN
Gone Ketchin' (Cruz Bay) 714-1175
Off Shore Adventures - Mixed Bag (Westin Resort Marina)
513-0389; 776-6730 |
