The travel season here in the US Virgin Islands may be slowing down, but the summer bite is just starting to heat up! So far the inshore fishing has been best in the morning and mid-late afternoon hours, the key being to escape the midday heat. The offshore bite has been stellar all summer, due in large part to a strong Yellowfin tuna bite along the North Drop. But the most exciting part of our summer so far was our recent 1st place overall finish at the 2016 Northside Sportfishing Club’s Bastille Day Kingfish tournament! A field of 62 boats participated in this year’s tournament targeting primarily Kingfish as well as other summer inshore species like Barracudas, Jacks and Spanish Mackerel. Capt. Alvin Turbe earned Top Captain with the catch of 6 Kingfish. Crew member Gilbert Laban earned 1st place overall with the largest Kingfish of the tournament, tipping the scales at 37.55lbs. Crew member Tamika Turbe earned Best Female Angler award reeling in 73.65lbs of Kingfish. It was certainly a memorable day on the water for the Capt. Alvin Fishing Charters crew and many thanks to the Northside Sportfishing Club for their commitment each year putting on such an exciting tournament experience!
The Offshore scene in July & August featured one of the best Yellowfin Tuna bites up along the North Drop in recent years, with a flurry of schools of 60-90lb Yellowfins moving in and out of the drop off during the morning and afternoon hours. Multiple hook ups were the norm with surface feeds often stretching the size of a football field. We have picked up a few Mahi-Mahi and Wahoo while live-baiting for tunas but their numbers have been inconsistent. Our focus now shifts on the famed Blue Marlin bite the rest of the summer and we eagerly anticipate the Marlin charters booked in the coming weeks. Reports and photos to follow!
Yellowtail Snappers and Red Snappers have been providing plenty of consistent action on our most recent inshore charters. Anchoring up current from reefs and wrecks and pitching live bait during select tides has been key to enticing these fish to the surface and into a feeding frenzy boatside. The Kingfish bite has been very consistent as well with many fish in the 20-40lb class ended up on the deck. Tarpon are in the mix as well, but this time of year they tend to move off the coastline and into deeper, cooler water.
We’re very excited for the end of the summer season and hope you’ll get out on the water with us if you’re planning a visit to St. Thomas or St. John!
Make sure to check out 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