Fishing in St. John, USVI?

[Arthur]

Matt......a big thanks....... we took lots of your advice and it made for a great trip.

[Matt K]

Arthur, Glad I could help. I am trying to get down there myself. My kids vacations do not line up for the first time ever. I am not sure I can pull iti off. Yes the in shore coral around the tourist areas are beaten up pretty good . There are still places you can go if you put in the time to find them . I try to leave them alone and go off shore and dive some great sites in 40 to 50 ft of water .

[Arthur]

Our snorkeling was somewhat limited, in that one of us was left to babysit on the shore with our young 'un. There's only so far to go as a single snorkeler, for safety's sake. I made it out to a couple of the offshore cays. A lot of swimming!

I felt that fish were great, even if the coral was only a shadow of what it once was. Next time.....

[Johnny Esox]

Arthur.
Great report and pictures.

[Benj]

Arthur,
Beautiful pics. that Rams head looks awesome

Arthur, Once upon a time I lived on St Thomas for awhile. I worked as an engineer Marty

Wow old steam trains were once in St Thomas? Nice to finally meet you Marty!

[cityfishing]

Arthur,
I am headed down to St John's next month. Where were the flats where you found the tailing bonefish? Did you rent your car in St Thomas and take the ferry? Stan

[Arthur]

We rented a Jeep Liberty on St. John from St. John Car Rental. You need 4WD on St. John......it's easy to find yourself in a "situation."

The flat I fished was community hole, so I don't mind naming it.....it's the area near the Annaberg Ruins...I think it's called Mary Creek. Very easy to get to, right off the main road. You'll need flats boots....lots of coral rubble and plenty of sea urchins. Keep an eye out for the rays and conchs. It's a shark nursery, so you may see some toothies as well.

There are some other flats but would require a boat or long hikes.

[Eric-Maine]

a great trip!

[cityfishing]

Thanks for the tips. I will check it out and hopefully catch my first bonefish. I hear there is good fishing in Saltpond Bay too. That is closer to where I am staying so I can try that spot early in the morning.

[Arthur]

I didn't fish that bay, but it's fishy looking...it's grassy and I spotted some sea turtles and rays there. There is a reef within swimming range, and rocks on the west side. Someone I met there said they saw a large barracuda there off the rocks.

In general I was surprised by the lack of 'cudas in the area. I saw none in many hours of snorkeling.


My general tip after snorkeling and fishing St. John is.......

Med Spinning
8-12lb line
small plugs
small jigs 1/8-1/4 oz, but with strong wire
superflukes or similar

I had to downsize to get bit.


The bait was small when I was there, especially what the fish were on. Even the tarpon were chasing tiny bait.