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Fishing Charters in Jamaica

PostPosted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:18 pm
by mark_odegard
Hey Larry,

I booked a charter in Jamaica (Montego Bay, to be specific) for next March, and the person I talked to said that it's up to me what we target. I'm thinking probably marlin being that I've heard that's the hot time of year, but I was wondering if you had some suggestions. I really like fish that pull hard and have a reasonable chance at a really long fight. Something I can cast or jig for (as opposed to trolling) is also pretty appealing for me, but I was hoping to find something consistent enough to have a good shot at catching at least SOMETHING being that the trip is fairly expensive on a college student's budget.

Any info you have would be much appreciated.

Mark

Re: Fishing Charters in Jamaica

PostPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:36 am
by dahlberg
Hi M
With the exception of stripies and maybe whites, there are very few places on earth where one day of fishing will provide very good odds in terms of catching a marlin. I would ask the person with whom you plan to fish what he feels you have the best odds of catching at that time of year. Ask about various options and be cognizant of how much time you will spend traveling versus fishing with each of the options. Believe me lots of people get taken for boat rides...
best,
L

Re: Fishing Charters in Jamaica

PostPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:24 pm
by mark_odegard
From what they told me, I lucked out on the times vs driving to fishing ratio: a 3 minute drive to over 1000 feet of water! So if I decide to chase marlin I shouldn't have to worry about that.

But at any rate, thanks for the advice, I'll be keeping it in mind!

Mark

Re: Fishing Charters in Jamaica

PostPosted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:28 pm
by Bill Crain

Re: Fishing Charters in Jamaica

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:30 pm
by Justin C
If your charter told you you are going to be taken on a 3 minute drive out of Jamaica and target Marlin...I'd find a different charter!

Re: Fishing Charters in Jamaica

PostPosted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:26 pm
by mark_odegard
Justin C wrote:
> If your charter told you you are going to be taken on a 3 minute drive out
> of Jamaica and target Marlin...I'd find a different charter!


They just told me the water is really deep only a few miles from shore, but your comment still catches my interest.. So what makes you say that?

Mark

Re: Fishing Charters in Jamaica

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:25 pm
by Justin C
thousands of people visit Jamaica annually wanting to charter a boat for fishing, it costs the charter $$$ to take you 20-40 miles offshore. Just do your research, most charters (mexico, caribbean, central america) just want your money, very few are actually proficent on putting clients on fish (unless the bite is amazing). The ones that are exceptionally good and have premium gear, charge double generally, compared to what the "boat ride" charters charge - taking you 3 minutes out of port to the "deep water" doesn't sound like a great plan to me, most port areas are very heavily fished.

A few good questions for your charter:

1) live bait will they have? - they should!
2) How big, age, motors - of boat?
3) What kind of gear do you have- do you want to cast or is the gear trolling only, many charters have crap for casting gear (if anything)
4) And maybe most important - do you have references I can talk to?

Re: Fishing Charters in Jamaica

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:19 pm
by dahlberg
Excellent advice Justin. Thanks for the post. Sounds to me like the voice of experience talking, and that's one voice a person should always heed!
best
L