Fishing

…when predatory fish are most active. Legislation imposes minimum sizes and quotas for certain species, as well as a ban on scuba diving. Life jackets are mandatory, and maritime authorities (Maritime Affairs, National Park, Nature Reserves) regularly check compliance with regulations.

Target species and fishery interest

To answer the question "What fish can you catch in Guadeloupe?", there is a wide variety. In coastal fishing, you can catch Lutjanus analis (gray snapper), Lutjanus synagris (striped snapper), Haemulon flavolineatum (gorette), Scomberomorus regalis (king mackerel), Coryphaena hippurus (mahi-mahi), and Thunnus atlanticus (blackfin tuna). On coral reefs, groupers (Epinephelus striatus), trevally (Caranx latus), and barracudas (Sphyraena barracuda) respond to lure or live bait techniques. Offshore, big game fishing in Guadeloupe targets Makaira nigricans (blue marlin), Istiophorus albicans (Atlantic sailfish), Thunnus obesus (bigeye tuna), Acanthocybium solandri (wahoo) and Thunnus albacares (yellowfin tuna). These migratory fish follow schools of prey-rich waters, offering fights lasting several minutes, or even more than 30 minutes for a marlin weighing over 100 kg.

Fishing areas and access to spots

The locations vary according to preference. The coastline of Grande-Terre, with its limestone cliffs, offers fishing spots on the quays of Saint-François, Le Moule, or Le Gosier, where the depth just a few meters from the shore can already reach 5 to 10 meters. The passes between the lagoon and the open sea (e.g., Passe de la Grande Vigie) are home to jacks, barracudas, and tarpon. The Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, a vast area of mangroves and seagrass beds, is home to juvenile species, snappers, bonefish (Albula vulpes), and mullet.

In Basse-Terre, the volcanic seabed drops rapidly to over 100 meters, allowing for big game fishing a short distance from the coast. The Canal des Saintes, between Terre-de-Haut and mainland Guadeloupe, is home to schools of tuna and dolphinfish.

Marie-Galante, La Désirade, and Les Saintes are also departure points for offshore fishing. Charter boats based in Saint-François or Rivière-Sens take fishermen to well-known spots, some of which are located thanks to underwater features such as isolated mountains, drop-offs, coral heads, or underwater freshwater springs. Long distances are not necessary : in less than 30 minutes of sailing, you can often reach areas rich in fish.

Best times and weather conditions

The tropical maritime climate offers a dry season, from December to May, which is more conducive to calm sea trips, and a wet season, from June to November, marked by higher rainfall and the risk of cyclones. The months from January to April are generally the most stable, with calmer seas, trade winds blowing between 15 and 25 km/h, and modest waves (1 to 1.5 meters), making big game fishing easier. Marlins are more common in spring, tuna in winter, while mahi-mahi are present almost all year round, with a peak during seasonal migration periods.

Local fishermen recommend fishing at the end of the day, when the light is fading and predators hunt near the surface. Ocean conditions, influenced by warm fronts and sea surface temperature, create areas rich in prey, which can be identified visually (seabirds, plant debris, current lines).

Equipment, bait, and techniques

The baits used include live bait (small bonito, balaous), surface lures, metal jigs, and artificial flies. Braided lines rated at 50 to 80 lbs, fluorocarbon leaders rated at 60 to 100 lbs, heavy-duty swivels, and reinforced hooks with anti-corrosion coating are essential. Powerful reel brakes, especially for marlin trolling, must be maintained regularly.

For coastal fishing, a rod measuring 2 to 2.5 meters is sufficient, while for big game fishing, shorter but more robust rods equipped with a fighting chair on the boat are required. Modern fishfinders, operating at 50 or 200 kHz, allow you to identify schools of baitfish and the topography of the seabed, optimizing positioning.

Cultural and economic aspects

Fishing in Guadeloupe has historical significance. The archipelago produces more than 2,000 tons of fish each year through artisanal fishing, supplying the local market with fresh fish (skipjack tuna, tazar, dolphinfish, snapper). Traditional techniques, such as lobster trapping, beach seine fishing, and handline fishing, coexist with sport fishing for tourists.

Local festivals, such as the Fish Festival in La Désirade, celebrate this connection. Sport fishing excursions, which cost between $120 and $200 per person for half a day, contribute to the tourism economy, supporting skippers, mechanics, equipment sellers, boat rental companies, and restaurants that prepare the fish caught. Guides, trained in marine biology, educate visitors about the fragility of coral ecosystems, reminding them of regulations (minimum sizes, closed seasons for certain species, fishing bans in marine reserves).

Protected areas and sustainable management

Guadeloupe has several marine protected areas, such as the Cousteau Reserve, where fishing is restricted, promoting the replenishment of stocks.

• Guadeloupe National Park, covering 22,000 hectares of land and a large marine area, oversees resource management.
• Responsible fishing means respecting legal sizes: for example, snapper must be over 20 cm, and daily quotas limit the catch of certain popular species.
• Tour operators encourage catch and release for marlins in order to preserve breeding stock.
• Data collected by scientific observers helps to assess the health of stocks.

Sustainable practices ensure the future availability of resources, which are essential for local food security and the maintenance of the sector.