Jamaica 2009 - Negrill

Rasta Fishing

This report is about one of our favourite countries, the beautiful Island of Jamaica! The first time we have been there was in 2006, location Negril in Bloody Bay. We stayed at the RIU Club Negril resort and had a great holiday, though the fishing wasn’t that much. Because I didn’t bring a rod, I only went fishing one time with a nice looking charter, but we only caught some small bonito.

The second time in Jamaica was in 2007 in a place called Ocho Rios, staying in the pretty comfortable RIU Club Ocho Rios resort up there. I did bring a rod along, but the beach fishing circumstances weren't that good. A lot of jet skis, bigger touristic ambiance, ropes with rubber floaters to mark the swimming pool area in front of each hotel. I did try though, and caught me a little flounder with blue spots on it. No further attempts taken!

The third time on Jamaica was on our honeymoon in 2009. We went back to Negril. this time we stayed in the RIU Palace and I was fully armed with travelling rod and all kinds of gear. Because this resort is on the other side of Bloody Bay, it is less crowded and the fishing circumstances looked pretty much ok. Next morning I was on the beach at de break of dawn, the whole beach empty, a very calm sea ahead. Immediately I got very excited when I saw two stingrays cruise the water about 30 feet in front of me. I took my camera and went in to persuade them. I took some pictures and started fishing with lures, which leaded to some following needlefish and a very small barracuda, no strikes.

The next morning I was trying bait, I got me a nice package of fresh shrimps delivered by the hotel chef. The fishing was like working, a second after I casted in, little fish hit on the shrimp. You can catch a lot of small fish like that, like permits, bonefish, mullets, jacks, snappers etc. Casting with more distance gave a bigger strike. Something was fighting like hell! After reeling it in, it was quite a surprise to land a 4 lbs pufferfish. Good thing I had steel leader, because they can bite through anything with their powerful jaws. I took the fish with me to my room, where my wife was still asleep. I put it in the bath and waited till she got up and went into the bathroom. The expected scream was a lot of fun!

On the beach you can charter a lot of boats, for about 60 US dollar an hour. Depending on what kind of fishing you want, it’s possible to trawl for bigger game fish, or going bottom fishing up on the reef.
I booked at the oldest looking guy, because he must have the most experience in these waters.
He introduced himself as Mandela. I agree, he looked a lot like Nelson Mandela! We went trawling and in two hours we only got one strike of a bonito. When we were reeling it in, it got attacked by something bigger which gave me "Mexico déjà vu". So we only caught half a fish, probably a shark or kingfish got the other half. The bite marks were impressive. Mandela was cursing and shouting that we were being robbed. I suggested to go bottom fishing upon the reef to try catching a diversity of species. Mandela didn't trust my spinning rod and braid in particular, he was fishing 60/100 nylon line himself. He said I was fishing way to light. Every few seconds when my squid baited hooks hit the bottom there was fish on, starting with a red parrot fish. Some more nice colourful species were caught, red snappers, groupers, triggerfish, lizard fish, pufferfish, permits and some more unidentified species. Mandela missed a lot of fish and he didn't pretend "like he didn't care!". He started cursing again and he didn't understand why I caught fish all the time. I explained it all came down to material, he was fishing heavy gear rod with nylon lines that have a lot of stretch! Because my braid line has no stretch at all, the fish is hooking itself. Mandela started to get interested in a gear like mine and asked me all about it. At the end of the session, Mandela caught 4, my counter stopped at 23. I'll have to say the fishing was great in this ambiance, the hot sun and a nice calm turquois sea. Heading back home, the sound of reggae bass drums coming from the Island where completing it all, we just love Jamaica and its people who have a great sense of humour by the way! I thanked Mandela for the great experience and he was happy to provide his family with a nice meal of fish.

With only two days to go, I wanted to give it another try just in front of the hotel, early in the morning. When I came to the waterline I saw the stingrays again and the adrenaline started pumping. Nervous as hell, I tried to put on a rig on as fast as I could, putted a chunk of shrimp on each hook and I casted about 40 feet in front of them, kept the line tight and waited! Strike!!!!! The stingray took off and I was walking along with it on the beach. I was very excited because I had never caught a ray before, in my country these species are very rare and almost extincted. When I got it on the beach, I felt euphoric and quickly took some pictures. What a beautiful animal, I put it back with cause of the poison barbed stinger on his tail and it swam away in great health. Quiet an adventure this early in the morning, I went back to the room and told Simone all about it and showed her the pictures. Jamaica, thanks for a great holiday!!!! If you want to get in touch with Mandela:

Mandela Fishing!
Donald Parkins
Orange Bay
Santay P.A.
Hanover
Jamaica
Phone number: 876-8840620

Yah man!!!!!!