Lured to Sport Fishing? Jamaica Hooks
More Than Your Attention
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_Helm]Matt Helm
Deep and productive waters only 15 minutes from shore, well-equipped sport fishing
boats and scenic views add up to a quality fishing experience in Jamaica. Visiting anglers
have a chance at landing blue and white marlin, wahoo, tuna and dolphin (dorado) in deep
water that drops to thousands of feet beyond the reefs. Blue marlin is the most prized big
game fish and catching your first marlin in Jamaica is well within reach.
Cayman Trench
Fishing in Jamaica is world-class due in part to the presence of the Cayman Trench that
extends from the Windward Passage at the southeastern tip of Cuba toward Guatemala. At
about half a mile off the coast of Montego Bay, the drop off begins, starting at about 400
feet and gradually sloping down to 3000 feet further offshore. The relatively narrow
trough trends east-northeast to west-southwest and has a maximum depth of 25,216 feet
(7,686 m), the deepest point in the Caribbean Sea. This area is teeming with sea life as
nutrients are carried up the wall from the abyss to make the waters uncommonly rich for
tropical seas.
The Cayman Trench creates conditions of one to two knots of consistent current
whichhelps clump together seaweed to form "weed lines"- these are every offshore
angler’s dream. Heavy rainfall also erodes riverbanks causing trees and other debris
to drift out to sea. This floating matter attracts baitfish and tripletail sea bass
seeking shelter from the sun, which in turn attracts bigger fish. Entire ecosystems exist
under these weed lines which can spread out for miles and contain all manner of sea life,
including large numbers of game fish. During the summer months when the wind is fairly
calm and the sea is relatively flat the weed lines get bigger, which therefore means more
marine activity beneath the surface.
Banks
On the south coast there are quite a number of banks and cays where you can find a
great number of bottom fish, namely snapper and grouper. The largest bank along the south
coast is the Pedro Bank. This bank is home to a variety of fish such as yellowtail, mutton
and red tail snapper as well as grouper and shellfish. Fishing for wahoo and kingfish is
excellent along the south coast due to the presence of these banks. The North coast also
has quite a few banks and the three main banks located off the coast of Port Antonio are
Henry Holmes, Grappler and Shipwreck. There is also a popular bank located 15 miles off
the coast of Montego Bay called the Buckner bank.
Species
Strictly speaking there are certain periods of the year when different species of fish
are more common. The dolphin (dorado) season runs from January through April, the black
fin and yellow fin tuna season run from April to August and the core marlin season runs
from August to December. Despite this, you will find that it is quite common for any of
these species to be caught in Jamaica’s waters year-round.
Charters
So if you are in Jamaica right now, it’s a great time to go fishing. Charter boats
can be booked for full-day or half-day trips in most resort areas (see listings in
Jam-boree’s golocal pages). Prices vary little but be sure to enquire about whether
beverages are included and who keeps the catch. Mounting of prize fish is available and
some boats will arrange to have a fish cleaned and even cooked to order.
A day of fishing in Jamaica is about more than just lines, bait and fighting marlin. It
is a unique opportunity to experience the island’s topographical beauty and coastline
from offshore aboard a comfortable sportfisher with a professional crew that will ensure
that whether you catch the "bigone" or not you have a wonderful experience.
Listen to some music, enjoy some refreshments and keep an eye out for porpoises and sea
turtles that frequent Jamaica’s coastal waters.
Fly fishing and light tackle fishing
The river estuaries, flats, lagoons inshore sea grass beds and mangrove forests of
Jamaica are home to many popular species of game fish including tarpon, snook and
barracuda. Opportunities abound for exciting fly and light tackle fishing charters led by
experienced guides. Most fish species are available all year.
Salty Vic provides fishing charters to several areas of the island including river,
inshore and deepsea habitats, as well as technical fly-fishing lessons for adults and
children. Contact Salty Vic at (876) 863-1599 for information and bookings.
Tournaments
Several annual blue marlin tournaments are held in Jamaica, attracting world-wide
anglers. The Port Antonio International Billfish Tournament, usually held in October, is
one of the most celebrated and prestigious in the Caribbean. Each year this event attracts
up to 50 boats, including anglers from the U.S.A. and neighboring Caribbean islands. Other
tournaments are held in Montego Bay, Falmouth, Discovery Bay and Treasure Beach.
http://www.jam-boree.com for more information
Jam-boree, Jamaica's Visitor Newspaper
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Helm http://EzineArticles.com/?Lured-to-Sport-Fishing?-Jamaica-Hooks-More-Than-Your-Attention&id=78923
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