Fishing and Charters in St. Lucia

The sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean Sea are home to a wide variety of marine life, including game fish like marlin and sailfish. 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 Ocean 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 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, but depending on the time of year, your catches could include mackerel, king mackerel, barracuda, and kingfish in addition to the prized 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 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.

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.

If you want to fish with the oldest and most respected fishing outfit in St. Lucia, look up Captain Mike's Sportfishing and Pleasure Cruises.  The company has been around since the 1940s, and has passed down from father to son, keeping the business a family one.  Not only are they a well-respected company, but they have proven they know what they are doing, recently breaking the record for catching the largest blue marlin: a 940 pounder! Anglers have the choice of three boats, and drinks, bait, and tackle are included in the price.

A 31-foot and a 38-foot Bertram make up the fleet at Hacksaw's Boat Charters, Ltd.  The family owned business offers half and full day fishing charters for both novices and pros alike, as well as whale watching tours and private cruises.  Both boats are tournament rigged.

Mystic Man Tours offers some of the most competitive fishing charter prices in St. Lucia.  Charterers have the option of choosing four, six, and eight hour trips aboard "Reel Affair 2," a 38-foot Bertram, "Natural Mystic," a 42-foot Samson, or "Mystic Man 1," a 26-foot Bertram.  Fishing takes place about five to six miles off shore, and prices include food, drinks, bait, and tackle.

Reel Ire looks to offer their guests the full experience.  There are several different packages available for purchase in different time increments, but each package includes drinks, food, bait, tackle, and a DVD recording of your day.  The "Reeling and Liming" package includes a trip to a secluded beach for a barbecue of the days catch.

There are three boats in the Serenity Tours and Vacations family: the 31-foot "Luxury Fantasy," the 35-foot "Xiphias Seeker," and the 28-foot "Typhoon."  Of the three, only the "Xiphias Seeker" is equipped for fishing trips.  Anglers can choose to catch and release, or have the crew filet and prepare their fish for dinner.

Your experience with Trivial Pursuit Fishing Charters can expand far beyond the sea, when you choose to stay at the company's bed and breakfast Casa del Vega.  Even if you select other accommodations, Trivial Pursuit will pick you up from your hotel and transport you to the boat, where you can choose between a half day of shore, light tackle, or deep sea fishing, or a full day of deep sea fishing.

The waters off the coast of St. Lucia are filled with those trophy fish that most avid anglers have been in search of their whole lives.  Whether you plan to reel in the biggest catch of your life, or just want to have a little fun, it can be done when you plan to fish in St. Lucia.