The World-Famous North Drop is the hot spot for billfish like blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish, which can easily be accessed from St. Thomas or St. John. A short ride offshore St. Croix, the billfish bite best off Lang Bank, another deep drop-off where cool waters and ocean currents bring a bevy of bait fish, especially June through October. During the winter months, dolphin, wahoo and tuna keep the action on the drop-offs hopping. Closer inshore, you'll find kingfish, mackerel, bonefish, tarpon, ambe rjack, grouper and snappers in Virgin waters all year long.

Red Hook is the main hang-out where you will find Captains and mates armed with local knowledge can guide you to the hot spots aboard a sportfishing charter. Both half day and full day trips are available. Half day trips are usually scheduled from 8 AM to 12 Noon and 1 PM to 5 PM and focus on inshore fishing. Full day trips can be of two types. On the first type, usually 8 AM to 4 PM, you troll slowly out to the drop-off, then fish for marlin once there. For the second type of full day trip, generally 8 AM to 5 PM, your captain will head full throttle for the drop with marlin as the single-minded pursuit.

A full day marlin trip is the most expensive, because of the extra time and fuel required. Daily fees range from $800 to $1,000 daily for the boat. This fee can be split among a maximum of six anglers.

Captains, or charter offices, can assist anglers in sharing a `split' boat. In most cases, a deposit of 50% is required to reserve the boat in advance of the trip. Bait and tackle are provided, but you need to bring your own lunch and drinks.

If you're itching to experience the thrill of competition, then enter one of our local tournaments - the July Open, American Yacht Harbor Billfish Tournament, USVI/Open Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament, Golden Hook Challenge and Harm's Virgin Islands/Pu erto Rico Billfish Series. These big-money billfish classics attract amateurs as well as internationally-famed world class anglers.

Virgin Islands' sports fishermen have proudly pioneered world billfish conservation for decades, promoting catch-and-release which helps ensure survival of this species for our future generations. Also, specially made research `tags', which mates place in billfish before the fish's release, have helped scientists learn more about these elusive undersea creatures. For example, blue marlin tagged in Virgin waters have been recaptured again off the coasts of Africa and North Carolina - giving clues as to their migration patterns. Thanks to catch-and-release and the tagging program, billfish seem to be increasing in numbers. Just ask local and visiting Virgin Islands' sports fishermen who will tell you that the season of '96 has been the best - most productive - in the last decade.