San Juan Deep Sea Fishing Charters

San Juan Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Best Deep Sea Fishing Charters in San Juan

San Juan: 19 fishing charters available
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(107 reviews)
San Juan
trips from US $1,087
Excellent
4.5 / 5
(43 reviews)
San Juan
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $600
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(1 review)
San Juan
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $300
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(44 reviews)
San Juan
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $425
Excellent
4.6 / 5
(28 reviews)
San Juan
trips from US $80
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(66 reviews)
Fajardo
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $950
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(121 reviews)
Fajardo
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $550
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(34 reviews)
Humacao
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $365

Deep Sea Fishing in San Juan

When it comes to deep sea fishing, San Juan, Puerto Rico has a reputation that doesn't stop impressing. Thanks to its rich waters and year-round fishery, Puerto Rico is a must-see destination for many passionate anglers, especially those interested in exploring the deepest of waters the Atlantic has to offer. If fishing for A-list pelagics just a couple of miles from the shore doesn't sound attractive enough, just wait until you learn what else is on the menu.
 

What to Catch

 
The combination of currents, upwellings, Fish Aggregating Devices, and deep waters just off the coast of San Juan creates unprecedented conditions for various game species, especially Marlin. This saltwater heaven is one of the best locations for Atlantic Blue Marlin, both in terms of size and quantity. Giant Marlin are not a rare sight (two monsters over 2,000 lb range made their way into boats), and the Club Nautico de San Juan Billfish Tournament is a record-breaker with 190 Blues caught in a single tournament. 
 
White Marlin are usually in the 45–65 lb range, while Yellowfin Tuna average 60–150 pounds. Mahi Mahi are usually 10–15 pounds, though 30–50 lb specimens are often caught, as well. When it comes to Wahoo fishing, San Juan waters close to the shore are the best on the whole island. And don't forget the Sailfish!
 

Where to Go

 
The best part? You can get your hands on all these heavyweights just minutes from the shore. Only a couple of miles from the coast, you will be fishing in waters 600 feet deep. Even Blue Marlin can be found 2–5 miles from the dock. The famous "Billfish Pass," also known as "Blue Marlin Alley," where the waters are 5,000 feet deep, is located just 30 minutes from the coast (about a mile and a half). And if this isn't enough for you, venture 75 miles offshore to the Puerto Rico Trench and fish in the deepest waters in the Atlantic – over 28,000 feet deep. 
 

How to Fish

 
  • All Billfish are strictly catch and release – Puerto Rico takes great pride in being one of the world leaders when it comes to conservation and sustainability. 
 
  • Trolling is the name of the game in these deep waters, be it trolling large lures at high speed or slow trolling using live and dead bait. Even though Puerto Rico is more oriented toward bait fishing in general, lures and teasers might be a bit more popular in San Juan. 
 
  • When it comes to live bait fishing, it's all about ballyhoo – locals use it for various game fish. It's great for tempting all the Billfish, as are mullets, small Tarpon, Tuna, Mahi, Barracuda, and Bonito. Blue Marlin can't get enough of Tuna, Needlefish, Mahi Mahi, and Mackerel, while White Marlin are big fans of squid, surgeonfish, blue runners, and small Tuna. Sailfish are into the same things as White Marlin, in addition to flying fish, Mahi's favorite. 
 
  • Sportfishing weapons of choice usually include 80 lb IGFA-class gear, but some Billfish and Mahi enthusiasts go even lighter than 30 pounds. Light tackle is normally paired with smaller lures. 
 

When to Go

 
Deep sea fishing in San Juan is amazing year-round, but there are times of the year that are better than others for some species. July–October is the best period for targeting Blue Marlin since they tend to be bigger than in September and October. If this is what you want to focus on, go to San Juan during the summer season when you won't be as tempted by other species. 
 
White Marlin are great throughout the year, but their prime time is from April until June. Sailfish usually start appearing in October, and the best time for them is November and mid-December. Large schools of Yellowfin Tuna are beginning to show up in early summer, and the best season for them is May–July. Mahi are also great during summer, but best from the beginning of December until early March. The end of December is perfect for Wahoo, even though other months can be good as well. 
 
With such diversity and year-round opportunities, the hardest part will be to choose when to go and what to target. You can't go wrong whatever you decide. Head to San Juan and experience the best that the deep Atlantic has to offer. 
 
San Juan
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Based on 28,443 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Deep Sea Fishing in San Juan

Tarpon fishing is a waiting game. First time tarpon fishers should bring their patience!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Tarpon fishing is a waiting game. First time tarpon fishers should bring their patience!
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
First time Inshore fishing, wasn't sure what to expect but it was great. Relaxing and calm waters. Wish we would have allowed ourselves more time to travel the San Juan traffic to get to the marina (took almost 2 times longer than google maps predicted due to traffic). Make sure you eat something before the trip. Be prepared with sunscreen and make sure you bring sunglasses and a hat.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
First time Inshore fishing, wasn't sure what to expect but it was great. Relaxing and calm waters. Wish we would have allowed ourselves more time to travel the San Juan traffic to get to the marina (took almost 2 times longer than google maps predicted due to traffic). Make sure you eat something before the trip. Be prepared with sunscreen and make sure you bring sunglasses and a hat.
Bayside Fishing Charters
Bayside Fishing Charters
No restroom on board so female passengers should plan ahead for a 4 hour trip. Some bugs at night (mosquitoes) but crew provided bug spray and they only last about 20 mins at dusk. Perfect trip in inland waters with light to calm wave activity (no motion sickness.). Bring a snack and enjoy!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
No restroom on board so female passengers should plan ahead for a 4 hour trip. Some bugs at night (mosquitoes) but crew provided bug spray and they only last about 20 mins at dusk. Perfect trip in inland waters with light to calm wave activity (no motion sickness.). Bring a snack and enjoy!!
SuFishNSea Charters
SuFishNSea Charters
Not the biggest fish but certainly a lot of fish with an experienced Captain
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Not the biggest fish but certainly a lot of fish with an experienced Captain
SuFishNSea Charters
SuFishNSea Charters
We were first time fishers. Captain Louis is a very good teacher, explained exactly wat to do when a fish bites. We got 3 out of 3 catches
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We were first time fishers. Captain Louis is a very good teacher, explained exactly wat to do when a fish bites. We got 3 out of 3 catches
SuFishNSea Charters
SuFishNSea Charters
They said it had been a tough few weeks. Mid Feb might just be a bad time.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
They said it had been a tough few weeks. Mid Feb might just be a bad time.
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Go with Luis let him show you all fishing in Puerto Rico has to offer. Heโ€™s the only guy we will use from now on!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go with Luis let him show you all fishing in Puerto Rico has to offer. Heโ€™s the only guy we will use from now on!!
SuFishNSea Charters
SuFishNSea Charters
Give yourself a long enough trip to hook up multiple time. Tarpon are very allusive.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Give yourself a long enough trip to hook up multiple time. Tarpon are very allusive.
Backwater Tarpon & Snook Fishing
Backwater Tarpon & Snook Fishing
I would definitely book at least 4 hours as the captain sometimes needs time to find the fish.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
I would definitely book at least 4 hours as the captain sometimes needs time to find the fish.
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Theyโ€™re always biting if youโ€™re fishing for the right species at the right time and right place.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Theyโ€™re always biting if youโ€™re fishing for the right species at the right time and right place.
Double Hook Charters
Double Hook Charters
We fished in the afternoon. Sunscreen was needed, but not bug spray. Fish were biting. It was great.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We fished in the afternoon. Sunscreen was needed, but not bug spray. Fish were biting. It was great.
Reel Addiction PR
Reel Addiction PR
Be prepared for weather. Sun and possible rain. And talk with the captain of your expectations.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be prepared for weather. Sun and possible rain. And talk with the captain of your expectations.
SuFishNSea Charters
SuFishNSea Charters
Go with Clery! This was our first time to San Juan, the fishing exceeded our expectations!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go with Clery! This was our first time to San Juan, the fishing exceeded our expectations!
Backwater Tarpon Fishing PR
Backwater Tarpon Fishing PR
Remember, itโ€™s fishing and no one can control the fish. Show up prepared with suggested items. Be patient and take direction from your captain, they all spend thousands of hours a year on the water and are experts in their craft.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Remember, itโ€™s fishing and no one can control the fish. Show up prepared with suggested items. Be patient and take direction from your captain, they all spend thousands of hours a year on the water and are experts in their craft.
SuFishNSea Charters
SuFishNSea Charters
This is a great trip for families and those not wanting to go offshore. Very calm waters, very relaxing. However, fish are big, exciting and a lot of fun to catch. Even the most experienced will enjoy this trip. This is a perfect all around trip for everyone.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
This is a great trip for families and those not wanting to go offshore. Very calm waters, very relaxing. However, fish are big, exciting and a lot of fun to catch. Even the most experienced will enjoy this trip. This is a perfect all around trip for everyone.
SuFishNSea Charters
SuFishNSea Charters
Bring sunscreen and sun shirts. Always a good idea to bring your preferred snacks/food.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring sunscreen and sun shirts. Always a good idea to bring your preferred snacks/food.
Extreme Fishing Puerto Rico
Extreme Fishing Puerto Rico
Go to Luis. He was awesome. It was a little slow at first but it got exciting after a while.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go to Luis. He was awesome. It was a little slow at first but it got exciting after a while.
Grillofishing Charters
Grillofishing Charters
Great time strongly recommend we have fished many locations. This was an amazing trip.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Great time strongly recommend we have fished many locations. This was an amazing trip.
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Backwater Tarpon Bay Boat Ranger 23
Make sure your captain knows what theyโ€™re doing! My son and I are boaters and good local knowledge of the exit and return from the harbor area is essential. Ours worked it perfectly despite conditions of deep ocean swells between 8-10 feet. During lunch afterwards we saw a boat nearly hit the rocks.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure your captain knows what theyโ€™re doing! My son and I are boaters and good local knowledge of the exit and return from the harbor area is essential. Ours worked it perfectly despite conditions of deep ocean swells between 8-10 feet. During lunch afterwards we saw a boat nearly hit the rocks.
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Blue Water Fishing Puerto Rico
Follow instructions to meeting location carefully. Uber and maps don't always recognize the dock location.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Follow instructions to meeting location carefully. Uber and maps don't always recognize the dock location.
Backwater Tarpon Fishing PR
Backwater Tarpon Fishing PR

Top Targeted Deep Sea Fishing Species in San Juan