I'm pretty sure that there would be no fishing allowed at Trunk Bay or any of the other beaches/waters that are within the jurisdiction of the National Park. I've never noticed anyone fishing from the shore at any beaches, so can't really help otherwise.

You probably already know that there are plenty of boats that will charter a deep-water fishing excursion, in case that interests you.

It's true that there is no fishing (or spearing, or snaring, or removing any sealife, including coral and seafans) in the Nat'l Park waters (the Nat'l Park actually extends out into the water here). Not much fishing from shore here.

These are quotes from this website:

"On St. John you might find people fishing at Leinster Bay or on rocky coast around beaches. In fact coastline fishing is common on all the islands."
"In National Park waters; fishing is allowed outside of swim areas, but not in Trunk Bay and Jumbie Bay on St. John. Spear guns are prohibited anywhere in Park waters"

Why is it so hard to find any information or for people to share personal experineces about shore fishing from STT ot STJ? Are there any beaches, bays, or any areas that are good for shore fishing on St.Thomas? I have a charter booked already but I am an avid fisherman and with all that great fishing around I will have to get a line wet more than one day.

While I am not avid and have no experience to draw from in USVI, I would think there would be more information about shore fishing if indeed it was good enough to support the effort.
Sorry.

I think the inshore fishing in the USVI is overshadowed by the big game offshore fishing which requires large boats, tackle & deep pockets. I would be more than happy catching small jacks, snook, tarpon or whatever from shore on light spinning and fly gear. I have done it in other spots in the Caribbean so I would think its available in the USVI's also.

Hello,

Fishing in the National Park is allowed by hand held rods only and only outside of swim areas. Fishing is not allowed in Trunk Bay and Jumbie Bay. Spear guns are prohibited anywhere in Park waters. Lobster is to be captured only by hand, snare or trap. Females with eggs must be returned to the sea. Lobsters must be landed whole. (2 per person per day NPS) There are other protected species and seasons for some. Please check https://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/more_info/fishing/usvifishingregulations.php for details.

On a trip to St. John a few days ago I kept a watch for fishing from shore. I noticed some folks fishing from Leinster Bay area - which has been mentioned before. I also saw several people fishing from the rocky coast on both sides of Haulover Bay (which has good snorkeling, the shore is a little rocky but there are sandy spots for laying out, the beach is ususally sparcely populated/quiet).

--Islander

Thank you Islander. Did you happen to see any of the fisherman catching anything? I would extremely appreciate any shared shore fishing experiences.

Hello Rmurphy,

It was in the mid-afternoon, around 3pm or thereabouts. There were 2 fishermen on one side and 3 on the other. There was a couple guys on the shore cleaning fish so I assumed they had caught them or their buddies had. I didn't take note of what type of fish it was.

--Islander

We see folks catching things off the dock here at Gregorie East (near Frenchtown). You are welcome to come try!
Pamela

Thanks for the invite. We will be staying at Frenchmans and I have heard of people fishing off of there dock. I am bringing a packable rod that fits in my backpack so I will have with me at all times.

I plan to wet a line from the beach in June....my plan of attack was to try to find contact info for the local bait/tackle shops and give them a call...they will know where, when & how...but will they tell you?

Please post your results and any hot tips for future anglers!
When is your trip?

Mike

Call -NEPTUNE FISHING SUPPLIES - American Yacht Harbor, 6100 Red Hook Qtr, Ste 7...340-775-0115 and ask them about it. I'll bet they know. And they'll probably tell ya, too.

From the USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament website ( http://www.abmt.vi/stt.htm):

Neptune Fishing Supplies is the best-stocked bait and tackle store in the Caribbean! Owner Stewart Loveland (left) is shown here with his crew Dee, John and Posey. Stewart say’s "you don't have to ask the price at Neptune" because he keeps his prices low to please his customers.

Neptune caters to the needs of both the local and stateside fishing fleet, maintaining their oil supply and battery needs and keeping the shelves stocked with hooks, rods, reels, lures, colorful skirts and even fresh bait - minnows to mackerel - you’ll find what you need!

In addition to their retail sales and rod and reel repairs, Neptune also books fishing charters, inshore and offshore.

Contact Stewart and his trusty team at Neptune Fishing Supplies (340) 775-0115.
email: [email protected]

Send us some pics of your catch!

We can snare bugs in the NP waters? Oh, please, please, please say yes! I know of a hole that must have at least 12 full-time residents! (Yes, it's in NP waters. No, I'm not going to tell you! Haha!)

I will post my fishing experiences when I return. I am bringing a medium weight spinning combo and maybe a fly rod. For tackle I am bringing some spoons, topwater plugs, and some shallow running suspending crankbaits (like husky jerks or rapalas). We have a tarpon fishing guide booked and hopefully I can pick up some pointers from him also.

Hello Marty,

If you want to read it for yourself visit the
National Park Rules: http://www.nps.gov/viis/rules.htm

🙂

--Islander

Unfortunetly I am back at work after a wonderful week in STT and STJ. I want to be back on the beach.
On the fishing: We chartered "Bite-Me Charters" out of STT, I wanted to go after tarpon and so after about an hour or so of throwing lures in the middle of bait fish with no luck we trolled around outer and inner brass islands and caught a little mackeral and a yellowtail snapper. Something big hit the downrigger and stripped off some line before snapping the wire leader. Our 4 hours was over pretty quick and we headed back. The guide was a really nice guy and he seemed to have a lot of knowledge of the fishing around the islands. He also does offshore and stalks bonefish on the flats. Even though I didn't catch much I would recommend him.
I also fished off of the dock at frenchmans with my light spinning gear w/ 8lb. test. I caught a baracuda and a blue runner off the dock using a spoon with a small wire leader. They were fun on the light tackle.