St. John USVI Fishing Charters - Types of Fish, Bait, Spots, Recipes
We rounded up with Just Fish St. John to find out what a St. John USVI fishing charter trip is all about, from the types of fish guests can expect to catch to the types of bait used and where to catch them. Then, most importantly, how best to eat these freshly caught fish.
Image courtesy Just Fish St. John
What are some of the most popular fish species that anglers can catch in St. John USVI?
St. John has a great year-round fishery, with mahi, wahoo, and tuna being the most common offshore species.
Can you share any recent exciting catches from your St. John fishing charters?
There are so many to choose from, but one of my favorite days on the water was taking a couple out offshore fishing for their very first time. We landed a monster 71-pound mahi, which we both ended up mounting. We also caught two nice yellowfin tuna and four more trophy 30-plus-pound mahi.
Could you walk us through a typical day on one of your St. John USVI fishing charters?
We pick up at the National Park dock at 7:30 AM and normally head out for a 30-minute run to the south drop. Once arrived, we get our lines out and start trolling, looking for any bird activity and signs of life. After fishing has commenced, we head back in, where we clean and bag your catch for you to enjoy during your vacation.
- Pick-up: National Park Dock (18.3186° N, 64.7243° W) at 7:30 AM
- Transit: 30-minute run to the South Drop
- Fishing: Trolling, watching for bird activity and signs of life
- Return: Clean and bag your catch for you to enjoy during your vacation
| Bird | Indicates Presence of |
|---|---|
| Longtail Terns | Small baitfish (e.g., sardines, anchovies), which attract tuna and mahi-mahi |
| Boobies | Flying fish and larger bait schools, signaling tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi |
| Cormorants | Nearshore reef fish (e.g., snapper, grouper) and smaller pelagics |
| Frigatebirds | Large predatory fish (e.g., marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahi-mahi) chasing baitfish |
How does deep-sea fishing in St. John differ from inshore or shore fishing around the Virgin Islands?
We use the same techniques both inshore and offshore. Mainly, the different variety of fish you will catch will differ, along with sea conditions.
How do the fishing conditions in St. John vary throughout the year, and what’s the best season for different types of fishing?
It's all about the wind. Summertime is usually the calmest time of year unless there is a storm approaching. When the Christmas winds kick in, it can get pretty brutal offshore.
All of these species (the best fish to catch in the Virgin Islands) can be caught year-round, just at different peak times, per the table below:
| Season | Target Species |
|---|---|
| April - May | Mahi |
| June - October | Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna |
| October - February | Wahoo |
Image courtesy Just Fish St. John
What advice do you have for anglers and fisherman visiting St. John for the first time (or those who want to fish for the first time in the Virgin Islands)?
Get out there and give it a try!
Are there any specific techniques or equipment that work particularly well in these waters?
We do all types of fishing, whether it be trolling, bottom fishing, or live bait fishing.
How do you promote sustainable fishing practices on your charters in St. John and the Virgin Islands?
By releasing juvenile and overgrown fish to continue to thrive. All billfish are catch-and-release.
Are there any species or areas you actively work to protect while fishing in St. John USVI?
We release all billfish caught.
How does the vibrant community of St. John contribute to the fishing experience for visitors?
The guests really enjoy the small-town vibe of St. John, and when they get off the boat, most find themselves at Woody’s, where the kitchen prepares their catch for them to enjoy while embracing the town vibe.
What are some nearby spots or activities you’d recommend after a day of fishing in St. John?
Catch and cook at Woody’s, sunset drinks at Drink, and morning swims at Hawksnest Beach.
Have you had any memorable marlin fishing experiences, and what’s the largest fish ever caught on your charters?
I had three anglers in their late 60s on the boat one day. First thing they said was they didn't want to catch a marlin. Well, we ended up hooking up to the largest marlin of my career, with an estimated weight of 750 pounds. These three anglers battled this fish for four hours and, in the end, enjoyed every bit of it.
How often are species like tarpon, barracuda, or sailfish caught in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and where are the best spots for these catches?
We don't really target tarpon, but we have a large following of them that like the free handouts we give them while we clean fish. They know the sound of the boat and come right over, and we are able to let our guests hand-feed them with fish scraps. Sailfish are caught mainly in December through February. Barracuda are a very common catch that we see both inshore and offshore.
What’s the most elusive fish in these waters, and what makes it such a challenge to catch?
The blue marlin can be very tricky to catch, but the yellowfin tuna seems to be my nemesis. We catch several, but they can be very leader-shy, so having to use light tackle and leaders makes it challenging to get them to the boat before the sharks get ahold of them.
Image courtesy Just Fish St. John
Which of the local fish species, like yellowfin tuna, kingfish, or mutton snapper, do you think tastes the best?
My favorite fish to eat in the ocean is wahoo.
Image courtesy Just Fish St. John
Do you have any favorite recipes or preparation tips for mahi mahi, grouper, or lobster that you'd recommend to visitors?
I keep things simple—a little seasoning and slap it in the oven.
What are the must-try ways to cook conch or prepare fresh-caught seafood from the U.S. Virgin Islands?
Keeping it fresh and simple is the best way to enjoy it!
What are the most effective baits for catching blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, or mahi mahi in these waters?
One word: ballyhoo.
Are there specific techniques you recommend for fishing species like bonefish or snook inshore?
I'm not a fly fisherman, but that's the way to go.
For deep-sea fishing in the Virgin Islands, what setup works best for targeting big game like billfish or sharks?
Trolling a six-line spread and plenty of teasers.
What’s the most impressive or unusual catch you’ve ever witnessed in the U.S. Virgin Islands waters?
A 14-foot hammerhead, a triple-header sailfish, and a quad blue marlin coming into the spread is a sight to see.
Do you have any stories of anglers reeling in record-breaking or once-in-a-lifetime fish here?
My favorite four-hour trip was a father-son trip. We went out south and didn’t even make it to the drop when I spotted a bird. For the next two hours, we caught 60 mahi on light tackle spinning rods with live bait. After we reached our limit, they asked what the chances were we could find a marlin. We put out a marlin spread, and 20 minutes later, we were hooked up on a solid 200-pound blue marlin that the son got to the boat for a nice release. A great trip of a lifetime.