Virgin Islands Offshore Fishing

Columbus sighted the Virgin Islands on his second trip to the new world, and he still though he had found the coast of China. Today's anglers, fixated on what is undoubtedly the best blue marlin fishing in the Atlantic, miss a host of more affordable options like tarpon, bonefish, permit and a host of reef and flats species. Add the fun in the sun attractions, excellent Cruzan rum at $2.50 a bottle, killer local food at restaurants like Vel's in Fredricksted on St. Croix that has more conch in the conch salad or fritters than anywhere else, and you can enjoy the tropics on a budget. Upscale spots, like Caneel Bay or Gallows Point on St. John or the exceptional waterfront Carambola Beach or Bucaneer Resort on St. Croix offer solid lodgings. Still, it's the fishing that brings us back as often as possible.

Bluewater Charters

Unfortunately, St. Thomas, the most popular of the islands, attracts 1,000 cruise ships a year to Charlotte Amalie's harbor. Fortunately, charter fishing boats run out of Red Hook, terminus of one St. John ferry, to the superb blue marlin fishing on the Atlantic side. Like other ports there's only a 10 to 15 mile run out to the North Drop, a famous fishing bank next to the Puerto Rican Trench, the deepest water in the Atlantic. Good fishing runs from St. Thomas around Barracouta and Kingfish Banks over to Anegada.

Most offshrore boats honk along at high speed trailing lures like Kona Heads, but bait produces blue marlin as well as wahoo, dolphin, various tunas and more sharks than most like. The last are a light tackle angler's problem because the longer you play a fish and more likely it is to be nabbed by a shark and it's now politically incorrect to, as Hemingway did when he fished here, tote a Tommy Gun.

So don't argue when the skipper suggests heavier gear. Also realize that catching a big marlin is a bit like hauling a safe up to the top of a six story building and then, just when you reach out for it, watching it drop back to the street. As a result, skippers, mates and deckhands really do most of the fish playing, and the inexperienced angler mostly reels in slack as the boat backs down to the fish.

However, billfishing is something every angler should try at least once. I suggest you book a day with two or three other anglers and split the $800 or so full day tab. Don't forget tips for the deckhands and mate and check on who brings lunch and such. If this sounds like a lot consider a $200,000 boat, fuel costs and wages for a skipper, mate and deckhand.

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