Capt. Alvin Turbe and crew are off to an excellent start in the 2016 Virgin Islands tournament circuit earning Best Boat and 3rd place overall in their first tournament of the year. The annual Dolphin Derby, hosted by the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (VIGFC) on April 24th, featured a total of 18 boats and 80 anglers, all competing for the largest Mahi and a shot at a $25,000 grand prize. Angler John Clark of the Capt. Alvin Fishing Charters team hooked the 3rd largest fish of the tournament, a 28lb Mahi on rigged ballyhoo. Angler Gilbert Laban of the Capt. Alvin team landed the 9th and 10th largest Mahi caught in the tournament. This marks the fourth year in a row that Capt. Alvin Fishing Charters crew has earned Best Boat in the VIGFC Dolphin Derby. Next up is the Anegada Memorial Day tournament, the Bastille Day Kingfish tournament and the Billfish Open in July.
The Mahi run has gained some momentum in the past two weeks, a welcomed sign after an usually slow start to their spring migration through VI waters compared to last year. Offshore charters in March and April hooked mostly Yellowfin tuna, Blackfin tunas, Skipjacks and the occasional Sailfish. More consistent sign of Mahi started in early April, with schools of fish in the 20-30lb class making their way around St. Croix and towards St. Thomas. The slow bite for all boats in this year’s Dolphin Derby is a sign that the bite just isn’t at its peak yet but we’re confident in the upcoming couple of months we’ll start to see Mahi’s in greater numbers and the afternoon Yellowfin action to really get hot along the North Drop.
Inshore trips have primarily targeted reefs/wrecks on the northside of the island but the Kingfish bite on the southside reefs really picked up in late April. Kingfish, Pompano, Yellowtail Snapper, Horseye Jacks and Barracudas are all in the mix this time of year. As we get closer to the summer months, Tarpon and larger Kingfish will start to move in closer along the coastline.
We hope you’ll get out on the water with us if you’re planning a visit to St. Thomas or St. John this spring or summer! Our May, June and July availability is filling up quickly so be sure to reach out to us if you’re looking to get in on the upcoming summer Yellowfin and Billfish bite along the famed North Drop!
Remember, you can keep up with all the St. Thomas fishing action on our Facebook page where we post the latest pictures and reports from our inshore and offshore charters:
Capt. Alvin Fishing Charters – Facebook
Tight lines!
Capt. Alvin Turbe
340-626-4220