Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Jamaica (Complete Guide)
Many anglers traveling to Jamaica want to know the best time and season to fish. There are several factors that play into your decision on when to fish in Jamaica.
The best time to fish in Jamaica for white marlin, barracuda, mahi-mahi, and yellowfin tuna is January through May. For big wahoo and bonefish, the best fishing window is September through January in coastal waters.
| Fish Species | Best Fishing Times in Jamaica |
| White Marlin | February through April is the best season for local white marlin fishing. |
| Blue Marlin | August through October is the best season for blue marlin fishing. |
| Amberjack | Year-round availability; Bite best early morning & late afternoons. |
| King Mackerel | Year-round availability; No real peak season. |
| Bonefish | Year-round availability; Best fishing runs November through December. |
| Grouper | Year-round availability; Best fishing runs May through October. |
| Mahi-Mahi | Year-round availability; February through June is the best fishing season. |
| Tuna | March through April is the best tuna fishing time. May can be good as well. |
| Wahoo | Spring & Fall are the best seasons for Jamaica wahoo fishing. |
| Flounder | Year-round availability; August through October is the best fishing season. |
Jamaica is a beautiful island with a rich history and interesting culture. It’s a vacation destination that attracts a lot of travelers from different parts of the world. Jamaica is well-known for its reefs and awesome fishing as well.
Best Time to Fish Jamaica
Fishing in Jamaica is very productive from June until November. So, anglers can catch the vast majority of fish species during the summer and fall months. However, it’s possible to fish in Jamaica at any time of the year.
It’s incredibly important for anglers to plan their Jamaica fishing adventures. First of all, anglers need to decide what species of fish they are going to target during their fishing trips.
After that, it’s necessary to study the bite times of target fish species. Keep in mind that the best time to fish Jamaica depends a lot on the species that you are targeting.
Let’s assume that you are interested in catching white marlin. In this case, it would be better to plan your Jamaica fishing adventures for February and March.
Anglers, who target blue marlin in Jamaica, get the best results between August and October. Or, maybe, you would like to catch mahi-mahi during your angling trips? If so, visit Jamaica in the spring.
It’s also important to note that many anglers prefer to target blackfin tuna during their fishing trips. The best time of the year to target mahi-mahi in Jamaica is between May and July.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Jamaica
These Jamaica-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Type of Fishing Offered |
| Just Hook It Charters Ltd. | Reef, Nearshore & Offshore |
| Reel Magic Sports Fishing | Reef, Nearshore & Offshore |
| Jamaica Sailing Adventures | Reef & Offshore |
| Island Dog – Lady White | Inshore, Nearshore & Offshore |
| Island Dog – Whaler One | Offshore |
| Island Dog – Lady Verr | Inshore, Nearshore & Offshore |
Jamaica Species Breakdown: Best Months
Jamaica is a place where anglers can target a great range of fish species. Anglers can catch many different species of fish in the area. Here, we’ll provide a list of the top targeted species in Jamaica. Also, we’ll give anglers tips on where and when to fish for these species.
Amberjack
Anglers can always book a fishing trip to fish for amberjack in the waters around Jamaica. Visit the most remote spots in the area to catch amberjack during your fishing trip.
It makes a lot of sense to target amberjack in the northern waters of Jamaica. It’s important to note that amberjack bites well throughout the year.
Barracuda
It’s possible to fish for barracuda in Jamaica. Barracuda can be found near the reefs in the area. Montego Bay is the perfect place to target barracuda in the waters of Jamaica.
Barracuda fishing is good in Jamaica all year round. It makes sense to fish for barracuda in the early morning and late evening.
Bonito
Bonito is also one of the common fish species in Jamaica. Bonito bites well all year round. However, anglers who specialize in bonito fishing get the best results in December and January. Bonito can be caught in Montego Bay. Bonito usually bites well during morning hours.
Grouper
Jamaica is also known as a grouper fishing spot. The best time of the year to catch for grouper is between May and October. However, grouper fishing is good in Jamaica all year round.
So, anglers can fish for grouper at any time of the year. Anglers should book a deep-sea fishing trip to Montego Bay to catch grouper.
Kingfish
Fishermen can also get bites of kingfish (also known as king mackerel) in Jamaica. It’s possible to target kingfish throughout the year. Ocho Rios is one of the fishing spots where anglers catch kingfish in the region successfully. Anglers often get bites of kingfish just before dusk.
Mahi-mahi
Mahi-mahi is one of the top targeted species in Jamaica. It’s possible to fish for mahi-mahi at any time of the year. However, mahi-mahi fishing is the most productive between February and June.
Book a deep-sea fishing trip to target mahi-mahi. Fishermen can try to catch mahi-mahi in Montego Bay. The early morning or late evening are the best times of the day to target mahi-mahi.
Marlin (Various Species)
It makes sense for anglers to try marlin fishing during their trips. Jamaica is the home to blue marlin, white marlin, and many other fish species. Jamaica’s Port Antonio is the perfect spot where anglers can enjoy marlin fishing. Here, anglers often catch marlin.
The perfect time of the year to target white marlin in Jamaica is between February and April. Blue marlin is the most active between August and October.
Marlin fishing is good in Montego Bay. It’s recommended to fish for marlin in the morning or in the afternoon.
Flounder
Jamaica gives fishermen an opportunity to catch flounder. Falmouth is the ideal place for anglers, who want to target flounder during their fishing adventures. Jamaica flounder fishing season starts in the late summer and ends in the early fall.
Tuna (Various Species)
Tuna fishing is also very popular in Jamaica. Fishermen can target different species of fish in the region. Anglers can fish for albacore tuna, blackfin tuna, skipjack tuna, and yellowfin tuna in the waters of Jamaica.
The season to catch tuna in Jamaica starts in March and lasts until May. Try tuna fishing in the deep waters of the Cayman Trench. The perfect time of the day to target tuna is between dusk and dawn.
Wahoo
Wahoo is another fish that so many anglers prefer to target during their Jamaica fishing adventures. Wahoo gets active during the cold months.
Wahoo fishing is the most productive in the spring and in the fall. It would be better to fish for wahoo in the Cayman waters. Bear in mind that wahoo often bites well at first light.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Best Time of Day to Fish Jamaica
Anglers in Jamaica choose to fish in the early morning, from late morning to afternoon, and from afternoon to dusk. The best time of day to fish in Jamaica depends on several factors such as the season of the year as well as the fish species that you are targeting.
It would be great to start planning Jamaica fishing adventures and study the behavior of your favorite fish species ahead of time.
Analyze a fishing calendar carefully and try to find the best bite times of fish that you want to catch in Jamaica. Go fishing during times of increased fish activity.
When choosing the best fishing times, you also need to take into account weather conditions. If the weather allows, anglers can go fishing when their favorite species of fish are the most active.
The vast majority of anglers in Jamaica choose to fish at dawn or at dusk. These are the best bite times when you can catch many fish species.
That’s why you should aim to fish Jamaica from dawn and until 2 hours after sunrise or 2 hours before sunset until dusk. Fishing is the most productive during these hours.
Jamaica Fishing & Tidal Impacts
The fishing times in Jamaica depend a lot on tide times. So, anglers need to analyze tidal times carefully before going fishing. Check fishing tide tables to find out when tides are high and low in the area.
Keep in mind that fishing is the most productive during the rising tides. Water that comes to the area during incoming tides contains high amount of oxygen. So, many fish species become active and start searching for food.
Storms & Jamaica Fishing
When planning Jamaica fishing adventures, anglers should always check the weather forecast. And of course, fishing during storms should be avoided for several reasons.
Stormy weather is a big challenge for fishermen. Fishing in storms is dangerous. It’s also important to note that fish go to deep waters and stay inactive during storms. That’s why fishing from shore in storms is not productive.
However, it would be great to go fishing after storms and rainstorms. Fishing is good in flooded areas after storms. Storms create great opportunities for shore fishing. So, it’s a great idea to fish in the bays or in the near coastal areas after storms.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Jamaica?
It’s important to know that anglers can fish Jamaica all year round. Winter creates great fishing opportunities for anglers in Jamaica. It’s important to know that many species of fish actively feed during the winter months.
Anglers, who go fishing in the winter, get the best results in February. Among the species of fish that anglers can catch in the area in the winter are barracuda, bonito, mahi-mahi, marlin, snapper, mackerel as well as tuna. That’s why winter fishing is very good in Jamaica.
Night Fishing in Jamaica
Night fishing has many great benefits for anglers in Jamaica. It’s a good idea to fish at night during the hot winter months. It’s also important to note that night fishing is very productive. Night fishing makes it possible for anglers to catch such species as bream, flounder as well as mackerel.
On the other hand, night fishing is suitable not for everyone. Keep in mind that fishing in the dark can be difficult for beginners.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
Many anglers give a preference to deep-sea fishing in the waters of Jamaica. They book a charter and go to the deep waters to enjoy fishing. However, surf fishing is also possible in the region. There are many beaches where anglers can fish from shore.
It’s also important to note that a lot of anglers choose to shore fish in the marine parks of Jamaica. Anglers can also fish from piers in Jamaica.
Among the most popular piers in Jamaica are Downtown Pier, Reynold’s Pier, Pier One, and many others. So, try pier fishing in these places.
Top 5 Fishing Spots in Jamaica (Best Months)
When planning fishing trips in Jamaica, anglers need to decide where to go fishing. And of course, anglers need to give a preference to the spots where fishing is excellent. Now, we’ll tell you about some of the best fishing spots in Jamaica and its surrounding areas.
Montego Bay
Montego Bay is one of the most popular fishing destinations in Jamaica. Anglers choose to book a charter to enjoy deep-sea fishing in this place.
Among the fish species that can be caught in the waters of Montego Bay are barracuda, mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna as well as wahoo. It would be better for anglers to visit the bay between September and October. Fishing is the most productive during these months.
The Cayman Trench
The Cayman Trench is an ideal place for fishermen, who would like to catch tuna and wahoo. It’s worth noting that the waters of the Cayman Trench are full of fish. Here, anglers can also target blue marlin, mahi-mahi, and many other species of fish.
The Cayman Trench is a spot where anglers can fish all year round. If you would like to target tuna in Jamaica, then go fishing between March and June. The season to fish for tuna starts in the late fall and ends in the early spring.
Falmouth
Falmouth is another great fishing spot in Jamaica. The location impresses anglers with a great variety of fish species. Here, anglers can target such species of fish like bass, bream, cod, ling, flounder, mackerel as well as sharks.
The fishing season in Jamaica starts in April and lasts till October. Anglers can catch the vast majority of fish species during this time of the year.
Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios has gained huge popularity among anglers, who take an interest in deep-sea fishing. The area impresses with its diversity of fish.
Here, anglers can target many different species of fish including blue marlin, mahi-mahi, tuna, sailfish as well as wahoo. Fishing in Ocho Rios is excellent all year round.
Port Antonio
Port Antonio attracts so many anglers, who are interested in targeting blue marlin. The reality is, fishermen often catch a big marlin in the waters of Port Antonio. Here, it’s also possible to target many other fish species such as barracuda, tuna, white marlin, and many others.
Deep-sea fishing charters always provide anglers with great experiences. That means that you can fish in the area at any time of the year.
Booking Charters in Jamaica (Best Times)
Anglers need to book a charter to organize an unforgettable fishing trip in Jamaica. Booking a charter will allow you to enjoy fishing in the local waters and explore the beauty of the region.
– Best season to go
It’s important to know that the fishing season in Jamaica is busy during the winter months. The reality is, a lot of tourists visit Jamaica in January.
That’s why the demand for fishing is high and prices go up in the winter. Keep in mind that fishermen can also visit the area when the fishing season is low. The prices on fishing charters are much lower, but anglers can still get good results.
– Morning vs. Afternoon
Anglers in Jamaica choose to go fishing either in the morning or in the afternoon. It would be great to fish in the morning during the summer months. Morning fishing is more productive in the summer.
Water cools down and this results in an increase in fish activity. Afternoon fishing is good during cooler months. So, it’s recommended to fish in Jamaica in the afternoon during spring, fall, and winter months.
– 1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters
Fishermen also need to decide how long their trips will last. You need to know that fishing trips can last half-day, full-day, or several days. Anglers have to book charters that meet their fishing goals and preferences.
Let’s assume that you are interested in catching mahi-mahi, tuna as well as blue and white marlin. Keep in mind that a half-day trip will be enough to test angling skills against these fish species. It’s also important to note that a half-day trip is the cheapest option.
Bear in mind that it takes anglers a few hours to get to some remote fishing spots in Jamaica. Half-day trips don’t give anglers enough time. That’s why they should consider booking longer fishing trips.
So, a full-day fishing trip will be a better option. Full-day trips give anglers enough time to travel to the necessary spots and enjoy fishing. However, full-day trips are more expensive than 1/2 day trips.
Some anglers need even more time to spend on fishing. So, they can consider booking multi-day trips. Multi-day charters are a good option for anglers, who are interested in catching a trophy fish.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Barbados, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Puerto Rico, please check out this helpful guide.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish the Bahamas, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Costa Rica, please check out this helpful guide.
