Fishing in U.S. Virgin Islands

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Fishing

St. Thomas

Fishing here is synonymous with blue marlin angling -- especially from June through October. Four 1,000-pound-plus blues, including three world records, have been caught on the famous North Drop, about 20 mi (32 km) north of St. Thomas. A day charter for marlin with up to six anglers costs $1,500 for the day. If you're not into marlin fishing, try hooking sailfish in the winter, dolphin (the fish, not the mammal) in the spring, and wahoo in the fall. Inshore trips for two to four hours range in cost from $200 to $550, respectively. To find the trip that will best suit you, walk down the docks at either American Yacht Harbor or Sapphire Beach Marina in the late afternoon and chat with the captains and crews.

For marlin, Captain Red Bailey's Abigail III (Rte. 38, Sapphire Bay. 340/775-6024. www.sportfishvi.com) operates out of the Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina. The Charter Boat Center (6300 Red Hook Plaza, Red Hook. 340/775-7990. www.charterboat.vi) is a major source for sportfishing charters, both marlin and inshore. Capt. Eddie Morrison, aboard the 45-foot Viking Marlin Prince (American Yacht Harbor, Red Hook. 340/693-5929. www.marlinprince.com), is one of the most experienced charter operators in St. Thomas and specializes in fly-fishing for blue marlin. For inshore trips, Peanut Gallery Charters (Crown Bay Marina, Rte. 304, Estate Contant. 340/775-5274. www.fishingstthomas.com) offers trips on its 18-foot Dauntless or 28-foot custom sportfishing catamaran.

St. John

Well-kept charter boats -- approved by the U.S. Coast Guard -- head out to the north and south drops or troll along the inshore reefs, depending on the season and what's biting. The captains usually provide bait, drinks, and lunch, but you need to bring your own hat and sunscreen. Fishing charters run between $550 and $750 per half day for the boat. Capt. Byron Oliver (340/693-8339) takes you out to the north and south drops or closer in to St. John. Gone Ketchin' (340/714-1175. www.goneketchin.com), in St. John, arranges trips with old salt Captain Grizz.

St. Croix

Since the early 1980s, some 20 world records -- many for blue marlin -- have been set in these waters. Sailfish, skipjack, bonito, tuna (allison, blackfin, and yellowfin), and wahoo are abundant. A charter runs about $100 an hour per person, with most boats going out for four-, six- or eight-hour trips. Caribbean Sea Adventures (59 Kings Wharf, Christiansted. 340/773-2628. www.caribbeanseaadventures.com) will take you out on a 38-foot powerboat called the Fantasy.