fishing Jamaica

[clarkona]

i know this is not our norm on here but going to negril in jamaica for a wedding in november and will hope to fish does anyone know any info good boats or some good links to start with
any info will be welcome (and hopefully it will be warmer)
i know its a long shot
not my wedding i will add!!!!
cheers
mick

[Cascars]

The fishing is apparently very poor in Jamaica. There have been posts on here before about it. Apparently some of the locals use explosives to catch their lunch decimating large areas.
However I learned to dive off Montego Bay and saw a few good fish, mainly Eagle Rays, Barracuda and large Grouper only a couple of miles out, so the fish are there if you can find them.

[PanamaJack]

i know this is not our norm on here but going to negril in jamaica for a wedding in november and will hope to fish does anyone know any info good boats or some good links to start with
any info will be welcome (and hopefully it will be warmer)
i know its a long shot
not my wedding i will add!!!!
cheers
mick

Hi Mick
There are a couple of earlier threads on the Caribbean forum regarding Jamaica that are worth reading - http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29555&highlight=Jamaica and http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38431&highlight=Jamaica. They similarly seem to paint a less than optimistic view of the fishing, certainly that close to shore. But that’s also reflected in the results of the one offshore charter reported upon.

I don’t think all is necessarily ‘doom and gloom’ though. You will certainly be there during the Blue Marlin season – although the fish do tend to be somewhat on the small side, sub 300lbs. And tournaments are held there on that northern coastline that can attract up to 50 boats – local plus others from the neighbouring islands and even US boats.

(Unfortunately there's nothing first hand that I can point to. It's well over 15 years since any of our Club members last fished there.)

Rates out of places like Montego Bay and Port Antonio seem to be in that 700/800 $US range for a full day, 400 for a half. And there do seem to be opportunities to join mixed charters as an individual. However, based on Mark's experience, be very cautious whom you go with. Certainly some are little more than ‘tourist traps’, an opportunity for a boat ride and little more. Take some local advice from the hotel/resort you’re staying at, or take a look at the marina when the boats returned either for the ‘food fish’ they have on board or the release flags.

So, in terms of other resources on the ‘Net, you may wish to try posting to some of the ‘State-side forums, ones like www.marlinmag.com or http://www.sportfishingmag.com/. There a number of other links as well on our Club’s web site – www.scbi.org.uk, under Links to other forums.

There are also some specific references I’ve found on this fly fishing forum. Bear in mind thought that they’re similarly referring to shore-based fishing. Here are the links – http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14065&highlight=Jamaica, http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54496&highlight=Jamaica and http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49526&highlight=Jamaica. Again though people that have been there so try posting to see if they will update you on their experiences. I know it's a 'long rod' forum but usually starting with a slight apology about it being 'ever so slightly' off topic and a mention that you're a Brit will smooth ruffled feathers.

Then, of course, there’s the TripAdvisor forum. It’s much more general in terms of Jamaican activities and tourist advice but importantly it’s one that has an extensive range of contributors. Any rate here’s the link for fishing related posts – http://www.tripadvisor.com/SearchForums?ff=69&geo=147309&scope=2&q=fishing&returnTo=%2FShowForum-g147309-i69-Jamaica.html&x=11&y=9.

Lastly there’re a couple of local tourist sites that provide some links to charter boats - http://www.holiday-jamaica.co.uk/sample-the-many-flavors-of-jamaica.asp and http://www.cometojamaica.com/.

Hope that gives you a starting point. Please do though report back on your trip. Your fishing experiences, good or bad, will be a great help to others visiting the island in the future.

Thanks
Dave