USVI North Drop Sea Conditions

[andyyar]

Can anyone tell me what the prevailing sea conditions are fishing the North Drop?

I've been to BVI on a sailing charter, and remember pretty steady 15+ knot trade winds blowing through. Im looking for a potential second home location, tropical/nearby great bluewater fishing, but would prefer and area with generally calm seas. I realize this may put my on the pacific coast of Central America, but BVI was a beautiful place as well, although I never got to fish.

Would like to know the general North Drop sea conditions for both the winter and the summer months. I would be bringing a 31 ft. CC.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Swami]

I'd have to say that the general average conditions on the North Drop in the summer (blue marlin season) are sporty but definitely fishable in a 31 CC. You hit the nail on the head--in the summer, the trades blow just about every day, which is why it's so popular with the sailboters. The same wind kicks up six-footers (plus or minus) on the Drop, but the blue marlin don't care. In fact, the few times I've been there when it was less than six-footers, the fishing stank. Some days you may find yourself in solid six-to-eights or bigger.

You're right on track--if you want really calm water, think Costa Rica or Guatemala, but if you want really beautiful Caribbean water (scuba diving,etc) then I couldn't think of a better place than the BVIs, St. Johns/St. Croix, etc.

[Robja]

Swami is right Costa Rica. Guatamala is cheaper but not quite as safe in my opinon

[sanchoco]

I love fishing Costa Rica and Guatemala but the weather is not always calm.

Northern CR the wind blows More often than it is calm. Guatemala has it's windy season (December to March) I owned a strike 29 in Guatemala and had days that I did not fish because of the weather(6-8ft 25kts)

The notrth drop will be uncomfortable on Any given day in a 31cc. I was uncomfortable in a 52 custom 3 of 4 days. Great fishing though.

[hobie2]

i have fished it on double header charters center console (in the 31 size but with inboards). the north drop is rough but the fishing is amazing. 100+ lb yellowfin busting on the surface constantly.

[andyyar]

Thanks for the replies. I had a feeling it may be a little sporty on the North Drop, consistently. Is the south drop any more protected (Calmer)? Also, on the pacific side I was looking at the Punta Mita to La Cruz area of MX (good fishing and adequate marina facilities) but would love to find a suitable place in either Costa Rica or Panama. I would be interested in hearing anyone's opinion about some of the contrasts between the three fisheries. I've fished CR a couple of times with charters for sails, but when left to my own devices, prefer to target marlin and tuna. How does CR's Marlin and tuna fishing stack up against Puerto Vallarta, or Hannibal Bank and Montusa or Zane Grey Reef Panama? Thanks for your input.

[hobie2]

when i was last on the south drop it wasnt pretty but the time before was nicer. we got some big big mahi and wahoo. north drop has an amazing tuna bite by some FAD that the charters know about. aparantly they put an anchor in the water chained to some floats that sit halfway up the column. bait everywhere

[carom]

Ok, I live in Puerto Rico....I fish the ND all the time, it is not as bad as these guys say. not on my book at least. You have to watch the weather during the winter, the rest of the year I fish it very comfortable in a 27' WA.

commercial guys here run out more than 20 miles offshore in home made wood 20ish boats with single yamaha enduros 90HP..that's their favorite.