Grand Cayman Fish
Fly down to the Cayman Islands, the white sands of the Seven Mile beach await you. Go scuba diving, fishing or swim with the stingrays from these glitzy beaches that are lined by five-star hotels”.
The Cayman Islands is a group of three islands situated in the western Caribbean Sea. The Grand Cayman is the largest of this group among which the other islands are the Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. Though the Cayman Islands are often referred to as the Offshore Financial Center, it swells up with amazing places that soothe the mind and the senses.
George Town is the Capital of the Cayman Islands and is located in the Grand Cayman. It is not only the heart of the financial industry but also the most popular tourist destination in the Caymans.
Beautiful white sand beaches, pirate caves, botanical parks, museums, and the unique experience of swimming with stingrays are some of the things you can indulge in when in the Cayman Islands.
Weather
The Cayman Islands enjoys a tropical marine climate. The summers are wet and warm and the winters are dry and cool. It is during the winter season that people prefer to visit these islands. The months from November to April constitute the winter season and the months from May to October are the summer months.
The absence of rain and the pleasant temperatures make the winters the best time to travel to these lovely islands. Among the winter months, April is considered to be the best as the weather is just perfect with the right temperatures just before the summer hits.
The months from May to October are when the Cayman Islands experience the wet season. The rainfall may not be continuous as after short bursts of showers a clear and sunny sky can be enjoyed.
One important aspect of Cayman Island’s weather is that there is a hurricane season that spans from August to September and these months have to be avoided.
Fishing the Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands has been a very popular fishing destination among anglers who seek billfish action. The water temperatures of the Caribbean Sea that surround these islands do not change over the year, only a slight variation between 8 to 10 degrees has been observed. This keeps the bait fish in the water all through the year and hence the big predatory pelagic fish are also found all through the year off the Cayman Islands. Despite the fact that fishing is fruitful all through the year in the Cayman Islands, the storm and hurricane warnings should be taken into account and fishing should only be undertaken if the conditions are favorable for safe sailing.
Some of the common and most preferred pelagic sportfish found around the Cayman Islands include Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, and Barracuda.
Popular Spots and Guided Tours
When it comes to fishing in Grand Cayman, there are several popular spots that should not be missed. The Cayman Islands National Marine Park is a great place to start, with plentiful fish and stunning coral reefs. Other popular choices include Rum Point Beach, Stingray City, and South Sound Reef. If you’re new to the area, consider booking a guided tour to get the most out of your experience. Many local companies offer tours that will take you to the best fishing spots in the region.
Grand Cayman Top 5 Fish
Grand Cayman is home to a wide variety of fish species, from barracuda and snappers to grouper and tuna. There’s also plenty of bonito, wahoo, marlin, sailfish, and kingfish, making it an angler’s paradise. While experienced fishers have the best luck when trolling for these species, beginners can often find success with bottom fishing techniques. The top 5 fish found off Grand Cayman:
- Blue Marlin
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Wahoo
- Dorado
- Barracuda
When it comes to fishing in Grand Cayman, there are several popular spots that should not be missed. The Cayman Islands National Marine Park is a great place to start, with plentiful fish and stunning coral reefs. Other popular choices include Rum Point Beach, Stingray City, and South Sound Reef. If you’re new to the area, consider booking a guided tour to get the most out of your experience. Many local companies offer tours that will take you to the best fishing spots in the region.
Caymans Blue Marlin Fishing
The Marlin is probably the most sought-after pelagic species here. Marlins weighing from 45 kg to 70 kg can be caught and released from the Cayman waters.
The Blue Marlin has enticed anglers all around the globe for its combative characteristics. These majestic fish keep challenging the fishermen who come to George Town in search of some Marlin action. They run hard and strong once hooked and even make powerful leaps out of the water. These are the qualities that make them one of the most sought-after gamefish.
Blue Marlins are found off Grand Cayman all year round irrespective of the season. White Marlins are caught occasionally but Blue Marlins ranging from 45 to 70 kg can be caught quite frequently.
The best method that is used worldwide to catch a Marlin is trolling. Baits used to catch a Marlin are usually whole baits that include Mackerel, Ballyhoo, Bonito, Mullet, Squid, and the like. Artificial lures and strip baits have also proven to be effective in Marlin fishing.
Grand Cayman Yellowfin Fishing
The Yellowfin Tuna is a highly prized game fish, as they are fast and strong and fight pound for pound. The Yellowfin can be easily distinguished from other tunas by its vibrantly yellow-colored dorsal fins. The Yellowfin can grow to large sizes and can weigh over 200 kg, which is another characteristic of these fish that allures fishermen to pursue them.
The Yellowfin Tuna is found in the Cayman Island waters all through the spring season.
This pelagic species is usually caught using trolling with strip baits, artificial lures, and whole baits like mackerel, squid, and other small fish. Sometimes chumming opts to bring the fish from the deep waters to the surface waters.
Caymans Wahoo Fishing
The Wahoo is a fast fish, with a streamlined body these fish resemble torpedos in the water. Their slender body is marked with zebra-like stripes of white and black or deep blue. They are strong fighters and are known to make blistering runs when hooked which leaves the line screaming.
Wahoo can grow to large sizes as well. The largest Wahoo ever recorded caught weighed over 83 kg.
Though Wahoo are found in the Caribbean Sea almost every month of the year, the best time of the year to target them and land them would be between November and March.
Since the Wahoo is a scared fish or rather it prefers to swim alone it a bit difficult to locate them. Trolling is the usual method that is adopted to land a Wahoo. Live baiting and kite fishing are the other methods that anglers use once they have located the fish.
Baits include both rigged and whole baits and artificial lures.
Grand Cayman Dorado Fishing
The Dorado or the Dolphinfish is a very acrobatic fish that anglers love to go after. The Dolphinfish are very easily distinguishable from other fish species as they have a peculiar body structure. Their heads are the widest part of their body and towards the tail the body tapers.
The body has multiple hues of green, yellow, blue, and golden. These fish are fast and they exhibit various acrobatics when hooked. Leaping out of the water and tail walking are some of the most common aerial acrobatics that the Dorado displays.
The Dorado are found all through the year off the George Town coasts. The right charter captain will be able to take you to the right locations where the Dorado is found.
Dorados are normally caught using trolling with a light tackle. Once the Dorado is spotted on the surface waters anglers prefer to adopt live baiting.
Caymans Barracuda Fishing
The Barracuda is a predatory fish with a streamlined and slender body. These fish have a quite fearsome appearance with a mouth full of sharp pointed teeth. They use these splinter-like teeth to tear up their prey during their feeding frenzy.
The Barracuda are spirited fighters and hence are highly prized among sport fishing enthusiasts.
Barracuda are also found all through the year in George Town, you can fish for them whenever you want.
Live baiting with small baits, casting, and trolling with prepared baits, plugs, and spoons are the most common methods in landing a Barracuda.
Final Word
Fishing in Grand Cayman is an experience like no other. With its clear blue seas and abundance of marine life, this beautiful island offers a wealth of opportunities for those who seek adventure on the open waters. So grab your gear, hit the waves, and see what this Caribbean paradise has to offer.
