Jamaica

[Mackem]

Hi,Does anybody know any info on the shore fishing on Jamaicas north coast.I tried the Boat fishing this year in the Dominican Republic in August,niether of the boats going out caught anything,not sure wether they were really trying or not,they just slung some small fish baits out trawling just under the surfacebut they didnt change them for the full five hours.It looked as though we were aimlessly going in any direction,maybe i am wrong,it just felt that way.

[marktheshark]

Hullo matey
I fished Negril and Ocho Rios four years back; Jamaica's inshore waters have been plundered and there are every few fish, even in the corals. I tried spinning, fly and bait and apart from a few palm-sized trevallies and a small needlefish ... nothing. When I snorkelled the rocky reef off Negril there were some rays (crickey ! - as poor old Steve Irwin would have said), but all the usual reef fish (sargeant-majors, parrot-fish, angels and chromis) were very wary; I saw no predators, not even barracuda. Everyone fishes, with spear or handline, and everything caught is kept for the table. I'd say it's the worst place I've fished in the Caribbean.
I did book a boat charter too, thru hotel; five Americans turned up to share the trip (cost us $100 each), and we got a skipper who basically couldn't be bothered. We tried tuna heads and Rapalas offshore, no fish strip or ballyhoo on the heads, and we didn't get a bite. Crew were surly and not open to suggestions such as, can we change the lures, and how about putting the beer in the icebox first? The Americans wanted to tip, out of habit; I suggested we go to the nearest bar serving cold beer and spend the tip there. Motion was carried.
Sorry to sound down. It's a great island for music, food, scenery and people, but for me, the fishing was carp (as dyslexic people say).
ATB
Mark

[Framlingham Chris]

I'm flying out to Jamaica Monday. Got a telescopic I'm taking. Any other advice for fishing from the beach. Got to give it a bash!!

Bate? lures? Any other advice?

[Cascars]

Might be worth taking some rapalas, spinners and various lures. As for bait, try buying some kind of oily fish while there and cut it into thin strips. While I was there snorkelling I saw small Barracuda (up to a couple of ft) very close in and various other fish that would take lures / fish bait. Good luck, I wish I was coming with you.