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FISHING GUIDE · JAMAICA
Jamaica Fishing Guide
Jamaica has deep water close to shore, so north coast boats troll for marlin, wahoo, tuna and mahi with short runs. Montego Bay has the most charters, and Port Antonio is known for its October marlin tournament. Fish sanctuaries and marine parks around the coast are closed to fishing or need a permit.
📍 Jamaica, Greater Antilles. Montego Bay on the northwest coast is the main charter hub; Port Antonio in Portland parish on the northeast coast hosts the long-running marlin tournament. Pedro Bank lies off the south coast. The Cayman Trench runs close to the north shore.
Map: spots, ramps and marinas
★ Fishing hot spot · ● Boat ramp · ● Marina · ▭ Protected area (solid red = no fishing, dashed = fishing with rules)
Open the full Jamaica & Cayman Islands map →
Quick facts
- Off the north coast the seabed drops to about 3,000 feet roughly half a mile from shore.
- The 62nd Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament was held October 22-25, 2025, out of the Ole' Marina in Port Antonio.
- Jamaica has declared Special Fishery Conservation Areas (fish sanctuaries) where all fishing is banned, including Bogue Island Lagoon and Montego Point in St. James.
- The Montego Bay Marine Park was declared in 1992; fishing in a Jamaican marine park needs written permission from the park manager.
- Spiny lobster is closed April 1 to June 30, with fines up to J$3 million or two years in prison.
What you can catch
- Blue marlin
Best late summer and fall; tournament season. - White marlin
Best in February and March off Montego Bay. - Mahi-mahi (dolphin)
Close to shore; best late winter into spring. - Wahoo
About March to May and September to November. - Yellowfin and blackfin tuna
Offshore; blackfin most active in summer. - Sailfish
Less common; a few miles offshore. - Grouper and snapper
Bottom fishing; Pedro Bank is the main bottom-fishing area. - Bonefish and tarpon
Inshore and flats; bonefish best about November and December.
Month by month
| January | Bottom fishing for grouper and amberjack. |
|---|---|
| February | White marlin season; mahi start to show. |
| March | White marlin; wahoo run begins. |
| April | Mahi offshore. Lobster closed from Apr 1. |
| May | Mahi, wahoo, yellowfin tuna and bottom fish. Lobster closed. |
| June | Blue marlin; some of the biggest fish. Lobster closed through Jun 30. |
| July | Quiet month for big game. |
| August | Blue marlin season starts. |
| September | Blue marlin; Montego Bay tournament season. Wahoo again. |
| October | Blue marlin. Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament (Oct 22-25 in 2025). |
| November | Blue marlin winding down; deep-water bottom fish; bonefish good. |
| December | Reef fish in deeper water; bonefish good. |
Tips
- Ask before you book who keeps the catch; on many Jamaican boats the crew keeps or sells fish.
- Stay out of fish sanctuaries (Special Fishery Conservation Areas); all fishing there is banned.
- Do not keep or buy lobster from April 1 to June 30.
- If you fish from a boat on your own, contact the National Fisheries Authority about licences: (876) 927-1731.
- Get written permission before fishing inside the Montego Bay Marine Park.
Rules and license
National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; NEPA / NRCA for marine parks · Official rules page ↗
- Fisheries Act 2018: fishers need an individual licence, plus a vessel licence when using a boat; one rod and line from shore is exempt. Check current rules for visitors on charters.
- Fish sanctuaries (Special Fishery Conservation Areas) are no-fishing zones, e.g. Bogue Island Lagoon, Montego Point, Bluefields Bay, Orange Bay, Discovery Bay, Oracabessa Bay, Galleon Harbour, Three Bays, Alligator Head, Bird Cay (Pedro Banks).
- Marine parks (Montego Bay Marine Park and others): fishing only with written permission of the park manager; no explosives, electric devices or poison.
- Spiny lobster closed April 1 - June 30; minimum 3-inch carapace; no berried lobster.
- Bag limits and size limits for finfish: not confirmed from an official source - check current rules.
Rules change. Always check the official page before you fish.
Boat ramps and marinas
The map above shows 1 boat ramps and 3 marinas from OpenStreetMap. Tap any dot for directions.
- Boat ramp near Mahoe Bay
- Danny's Marina
- Errol Flynn Marina
- Yacht Harbour Marina
Sources
- https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20251015/organisers-optimistic-about-62nd-port-antonio-international-marlin
- https://jis.gov.jm/marlin-tournament-gets-off-to-smooth-start/
- https://www.moa.gov.jm/sites/default/files/Special_Fisheries_Conservation_areas.pdf
- https://jis.gov.jm/nfa-urges-fishers-to-get-licensed/
- https://jis.gov.jm/fish-sanctuaries-working/
- https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/04/09/3-m-fine-people-found-lobsters-closed-season/
- https://leap.unep.org/en/countries/jm/national-legislation/natural-resources-marine-parks-regulations-1992
- https://www.ecolex.org/details/legislation/natural-resources-montego-bay-marine-park-order-1992-lex-faoc087957/
- https://fishingbooker.com/blog/?p=44051
- https://fishingbooker.com/blog/?p=55310
- http://guru.isleblue.co/en/articles/2213178-jamaica-fishing-by-the-month
Checked October 2026. BigJoe does not invent facts: every number on this page comes from the sources listed above.