This Caribbean paradise may be better know for finance than fish, but Cayman Islands fishing has all the makings of a world-class day on the water. The island chain sits on the edge of the darkest depths of the Caribbean: the 20,000-foot Cayman Trench. Inshore reefs give way to blue waters within swimming distance of shore. You also have some amazing flats and mangroves, and unique water havens like Stingray City. There’s a lot to pack in on Cayman Islands fishing charters.
How you spend your trip will depend on which island you visit. Grand Cayman is the biggest of the three and has a lot more going on off the water. It also has the majority of the country’s charter boats. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are much smaller and less populated. They both have some incredible flats and backcountry. Of course, all three islands are stunning, with white sandy beaches and crystal-clear seas. You really can't go wrong if you're looking for beauty.
Types of Fishing
The best thing about fishing in the Caymans is that you can enjoy fun flats action, productive reef fishing, and a serious bluewater bite, all in one day! Most charter captains give you the choice of where to fish. Here are the main ways you can spend your day.
Deep Sea Fishing
You can find Blue and White Marlin, Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Wahoo pretty much year-round in the Cayman Islands. The best bite is during the hot summer months, with everything except Wahoo hitting their peak in June and July. All three islands have reliable – although not enormous – deep sea fish within easy reach of a half day trip. Grand Cayman is your best bet for big game battles, simply because there are a lot more boats here.
Inshore Fishing
Bonefish and Tarpon are the main targets on flats fishing trips. Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman are best for bonefishing, but the mangroves and inland waters on all three islands hold lots of baby Tarpon. The only place you’re likely to see Silver Kings in the 50-100 lb range is on George Town’s waterfront, where they get fed by crowds of tourists. We’ve never tried fishing here, but we’re pretty sure it’s frowned upon. You also have Permit, Pompano, and Barracuda in the shallows throughout the country. The best time to target these fish is in the heat of summer when the winds are lower and the fish aren’t scared into deeper waters.
Reef Fishing
Inshore reefs straddle the line between the beach and bluewaters throughout the Cayman Islands. They’re home to year-round populations of Jack Crevalle, Mangrove, Mutton and Yellowtail Snapper, Triggerfish, and Nassau Grouper. You can also find some Goliath Grouper swimming around the shallower edges of the reefs. Reef fishing is a great way to switch things up on a full day trip. You can spend the morning battling Billfish, then hit the reefs on your way back to snorkel and catch some tasty bottom fish.
Fishing Techniques
The fish don’t get that big here. Blue Marlin average around 150 pounds and Tarpon rarely top 15 pounds in places you can actually catch them. Don’t let this put you off, though. It means you can enjoy incredible light and fly action for all your favorite fish. Trolling is the most common tactic offshore, while inshore anglers prefer light spinning or fly gear. On the reefs, you will either be jigging or bottom fishing, with the option to try traditional handline fishing, too.
Need to Know
You don’t need a fishing license on a registered Cayman fishing charter. You can also fish from shore without a license, but you have to release all your fish. Certain species, including Sharks, Rays, and Goliath Grouper, cannot be removed from the water under any circumstances. The Islands are an important spawning ground for Nassau Grouper. Because of this, it’s illegal to fish within a mile of any Designated Grouper Spawning Area from November 1st through March 31st. It’s also illegal to fish in any Wildlife Interaction Zone, such as the Sandbar or Stingray City.
During a single day in the Caymans, you can battle Blue Marlin, drop lines for Snappers, fly fish for Tarpon, and still have time to swim with Stingrays. Nowhere else in the Caribbean can you do so much on one trip. Captains here are happy to give you the reigns and let you decide how you spend your day. So jump aboard and take your pick!