Truly a sport for all seasons, fishing in the Cayman Islands offers excitement to both beginners and experienced anglers. Cayman water temperatures vary by only 8 to 10 degrees through the year. The bait fish are here year-round and so are the gamefish. In fact, all the popular offshore species abound in these waters throughout the year. All three Cayman Islands have a number of charter boats captained by competent local seamen whose knowledge of local waters is legendary.  Plus a number of other, equally expert local boat captains. Full day rates vary from about US$450 to US$750 and often include all equipment and lunch. You need bring only drinks and a desire to have fun!

For a change in pace, try one of the fastest growing sports in fishing - Fly Fishing. Stalk the wiley, hard fighting bonefish in the crystal shallows and watch in amazement as they burn off 100 yards of line in 12 inches of water. For guide service in Grand Cayman check out Fish Bones - Guided Fly Fishing and discover why bonefishing with a fly rod is fast becoming an obsession of anglers worldwide.  Additional Information Regarding Fishing Charters and Guides is available on this list.

FISHING: The Unofficial National Sport of the Cayman Islands

The official motto of the Cayman Islands is "He Hath Founded It Upon the Seas." The emphasis here is on the word "upon." From diving and snorkeling and light tackle action from bonefish, tarpon and permit: the Cayman Islands is a watersports lovers paradise. And when it comes to sportfishing, all three islands offer skilled and novice anglers a variety of angling opportunities.

While cricket may be the most famous of West Indians sporting events, in the Cayman Islands, "goin' fishin'in" claims national attention. Many of us consider fishing the unofficial "national sport" of the Cayman Islands. Popular gamefish such as blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dolphin (dorado) and barracuda are caught year-round. Catches of white marlin and , very rarely, Atlantic sailfish and Atlantic long-billed spearfish are also reported.

On of the Cayman Islands' attractions for anglers is that you don't have to go far to hook up: good catches take place as close as a quarter mile offshore all three Cayman Islands, where the ocean floor drops off sharply, plummeting thousands of feet and creating a natural thoroughfare for the big migratory pelagic species prized by anglers.

No news spreads faster throughout our islands-without any assistance from modern technology-than tales of hot offshore action when the wahoo or tuna are running-or when a big fish arrives at the dock. While many popular Caribbean gamefish species are caught in any month, Caymanian captains can identify distinct seasons. Wahoo season runs November through March; yellowfin tuna season follows in spring months. Predictably, small blue marlin can be caught and released year round.

For years, these islands have been known as an excellent sportfishing destination for anglers seeking bluewater billfish action close to shore. Although blue marlin caught in our waters average 200 lbs. or less, they are here to challenge anglers year-round-and marlin strikes occur as close as a quarter mile offshore, where the drop-off and deep water begins. Our local captains promote conservation and sportsmanship by encouraging anglers to release fish which are not to be eaten and all billfish unless they are local records or potential prize winners during tournaments.

Grand Cayman has a small fleet of modern, well-equipped sportfishing boats are available for full and half day charters, beginning as low as US $375 for a half day, up to US$1100 for a full day aboard a sleek new Bertram 54' equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and tackle. Smaller charterboats and excellent local captains are also available in the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

Our experienced and knowledgeable Caymanian captains and fishing guides welcome both serious sportsmen and absolute novice anglers, whether for deep sea or flats fishing. They are happy to share their unique island techniques for blue water and shallow action, including outwitting wily bonefish, found on the flats of all three islands.

Light Tackle and Flyfishing Action - Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit

Good bonefishing for these prized fighting fish (which average 3-8 lbs. in Cayman waters) awaits anglers in distinct areas of Grand Cayman, including the shallow flats of North Sound, South Sound and Frank Sound; in the coastal flats, including South Hole Sound Lagoon, off Little Cayman and along the shallows off the southwest coast of Cayman Brac.

Visitors should be aware that guides release bonefish (as well as tarpon and permit) to provide action for future anglers.

Sportfishermen will also discover the thrill of catching and releasing small tarpon, powerful light tackle fighters found in many of these same areas, but especially in Grand Cayman's North Sound and Little Cayman's landlocked Tarpon Pond.

Excellent local guides are available on all three islands, but Little Cayman is recognized as the best island for three types of light-tackle gamefish action, from bonefish, small tarpon and permit, weighing up to 35 lbs. While good deep sea fishing exists right offshore for gamefish including blue marlin, dolphin, wahoo, tuna and barracuda, Little Cayman's main attraction for anglers is light tackle and flyfishing.

Light Tackle and Flyfishing in Little Cayman

Of the three islands, Little Cayman remains the destination which is best prepared to accommodate skilled anglers who want light tackle and flyfishing action. Year round, depending on weather conditions, anglers can catch bonefish weighing an average of 3-6 lbs.; tarpon weighing up to 20 lbs. in the land-locked brackish pond and permit weighing up to 35 lbs. caught in the flats off the north and south coasts.

Hotels on Little Cayman do not have fishing guides on staff year-round at this time and cater to a variety of vacationers including divers and "relaxers." Guests can contact either McCoy's Lodge or Southern Cross Club to arrange fishing, but should confirm the availability of experienced local guides for the period of their planned visit. (Southern Cross Club's new owners plan to have a light tackle sportfishing guide on staff year-round soon.)

The following information update was provided by Sam and Chip McCoy, who are the most experienced native Caymanian guides on Little Cayman.

Bonefishing:

The bonefish around Little Cayman average 3-6 lbs according to Sam McCoy, who has been leading trips for 28 years. The largest schools frequent the shallow areas of South Hole Sound near Owen Island. Bonefish can be spotted in areas known as muds, patches of water where the sea looks milky from the fish churning up the bottom while feeding. These are especially visible from the air on approach to the island.

Local (Caymanian) guides use fry rather than flies and anglers who want to try fly-fishing must bring their own tackle. South Hole Sound provides the best action. Local guides often prefer to fish from the beach rather than stalk the fish in the muds of the lagoon. These fish bite all day, according to Chip McCoy-finding them will depend on tides and weather conditions.

However, it is extremely misleading to claim that Little Cayman offers "the Caribbean's best bonefishing." We cannot over promote this attraction, as it does not rate with the fishing experience available for light tackle enthusiasts in the Florida Keys, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and other destinations frequented by dedicated fly fishermen.

Earlier this year, a visiting junior angler set a new Cayman Islands all-tackle bonefish record in Little Cayman. Tripper Dixon, a nine-year old visitor from Shreveport, LA, set the new Cayman Islands all-tackle record on March 18, 1996. The young angler caught a 10 lb. 4 oz fish on 8 lb. test which beat the previous all-tackle record of 3 lb. 10 oz. on 8 lb. test set by John Ouweleen on June 22, 1993. Anticipating a new record, Tripper and his Southern Cross Club staff guide kept the fish alive, weighed and measured it and then carefully revived the fish by "walking it" in the flats an then released it.

Fishing for Tarpon:

Tarpon averaging 20 lbs. are now plentiful in Tarpon Pond, the land-locked brackish lake and natural phenomenon which offers excellent action for fly-fishermen. These fish once grew no larger than 4-8 lbs but now larger species are caught frequently. Best times for this action are very early morning and late afternoon.

Fishing for Permit:

It's one of Little Cayman's best kept secrets that permit can be caught in these waters. They range from 15-35 lbs. and school of the southeast end of Little Cayman and are found on the northwest coast flats as well.

Flyfishing

This type of fishing requiring special skills and tackle is a relatively new technique in the Cayman Islands and anglers are urged to bring their own equipment. Native Caymanian guides from McCoy's Lodge and other guides from Southern Cross Club experienced in this special technique can be arranged on Little Cayman and on a limited basis on Grand Cayman.

On Grand Cayman, visitors should check with one of the booking agencies for current local flyfishing guides. GoCayman.ky can provide information about available guides to escort anglers on flylfishing trips along Grand Cayman's flats in North Sound and South Sound and inland canals. Submit a comment below or contact us for recommendations on all three islands.

On Cayman Brac, Edmund "Money" Bodden and Lemuel Bodden (specialize in bonefishing off the south coast) and Frankie Bodden and Steve Bodden are happy to work with light-tackle enthusiasts who bring their own tackle.