St. Lucia has many promising fishing opportunities for anglers

The sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean Sea are home to a wide variety of marine life, including game fish like marlin and sailfish, just to name a few. Many of the islands in this region of the world are known for their excellent fishing, and the island of St. Lucia is no exception. Each year avid fishermen and newbie anglers arrive on St. Lucia in search of the perfect fishing spot, where the fish are plentiful and the waters run deep.

Fishermen can choose between the warm salty waters of the Caribbean on one side of the island and the mysterious depths of the Atlantic on the other. Not only is fishing a great pastime on St. Lucia, it is also a way of life for many islanders. While visiting the island, travelers can explore several tiny fishing villages on St. Lucia, including Anse-le-Ray and Canaries. These charming little towns embody the history and tradition of fishing on St. Lucia. Traditionally, island fishermen would cast off from their dug-out canoes, and some continue the practice today.

St. Lucia Fish

When casting into the either the Caribbean or the Atlantic, fishermen have the opportunity to catch an assortment of game fish. The most common species of fish found in the waters surrounding St. Lucia are blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, king fish, yellow fin tuna, and dorado. Most fishing charters will take you to the best fishing spots for the specific fish you're trying to catch. This means that game fishermen will have the opportunity to hook some of the most prized game fish in the world.

Of all the game fish species found around St. Lucia, the white marlin is one of the most sought after. This fish dwells off the coast of the island. Depending on the time of year, your catches could include mackerel, king mackerel, barracuda, and kingfish in addition to white marlin.

Visitors can enjoy several kinds of fishing while vacationing on St. Lucia. Rock and surf fishing, kite fishing, spear fishing, fly fishing, estuary fishing, and deep sea fishing are the most popular fishing ventures among anglers on the island. Some of the most common catches include fish like shad, perch, grunter, garrick, kabeljou and shark.

Fishing Operations on St. Lucia

If you want to do more than fish from the shores you'll need a boat, either your own or a chartered vessel. You can get a half-day charter starting at about $250(USD) for up to six people. A full days charter can cost up to $950(USD) for one to six people, and lasts eight hours. Here is a list of some of the best fishing charters on St. Lucia:

• Hackshaws Boat Charters & Sportfishing

• Capt. Mike's Sportfishing and Pleasure Cruises

• Trivial Pursuit Charters

• Mako Watersports

For vacationers who aren't into fishing but still want to get out on the water, several of the island's charter companies offer activities like dolphin and whale watching. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of St. Lucia's amazing coastline on a day trip with one of the island's charter companies.

Fishing Regulations

Because fishing is such a popular sport on St. Lucia, it is important to remember a few things when angling in these waters. In order to preserve the Caribbean's fragile ecosystem, officials on the island promote a catch and release policy among fishermen. Environmentally aware fishermen also remember not to throw waste overboard into the water so the seas of St. Lucia remain clear and clean.