ALL OUR BAREBOATS ARE NOW REGISTERED FISHING VESSELS!
The deep blue and crystal clear shallows found in the BVI offer some of the best fishing in the Caribbean. At anchor, or while sailing, drop in a line and reel in a trophy sized Blue Marlin, Yellow and Black Fin Tuna, Wahoo, and Dolphin (Mahi Mahi).
At Anchor or inshore fishing in the Sir Francis Drake Channel you can use Light tackle, hooking onto Dolphin, Barracuda, Kingfish, and Wahoo.
FISHING PERMIT REQUIRED
Anyone over the age of 18 who is fishing must have a recreational fishing permit which is granted to visiting tourists who wish to catch on a catch & release basis. It is illegal to have bill fish in one’s possession or to have more than 30 pounds in ones possession per boat.
Taking lobster and spearfishing (any method) are prohibited.
BVI SUP CO can arrange the fishing permits for you for $60 per person. It takes at least 4 business days to arrange, so order it on their website ASAP. We can provide you the license number of the boat, which you will need for the permit application.
BVI SUPco can also rent you the Reel, Rod, Tackle Box, Rod Holder, Gaff and lures you will need for your fishing onboard.
FISH POISONING CAUSION:
We caution people against eating most species of fish in the BVI. There is a toxin, which can cause ‘fish poisoning’ if ingested. The name is ciguatera and it can cause nausea, pain, cardiac, and neurological symptoms in humans when ingested. In general, to be safe, catch-and-release is advised, although tuna, mahi-mahi, kingfish and Wahoo can be considered safe to eat.
WHERE TO FISH
Deep Sea Fishing
The BVI is home to the famous North Drop above Tortola, which claims the highest number of Blue Marlin strikes per day of anywhere in the World. The North Drop is actually within the waters of the British Virgin Islands, but located about 18 miles above St. Thomas.
Inshore Fishing
Trolling a line behind your yacht during your sailing trip can prove to be very worthwhile. There are schools of Spanish Mackerel, tuna and Kingfish that hungrily feed around the Islands, which you can catch in the Sir Drakes channel, on the North side of Tortola or while sailing to Anegada.
Bone Fishing
There is excellent bone fishing in the BVI particularly on Anegada. Other BVI locations are not as vast as Anegada’s miles of reef.
There is a small but accessible spot west of the Beef Island bridge where you can bone fish.
Barracuda may be poisonous and should always be returned.