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Portsmouth Fishing Charters | Deep Sea & Inshore Fishing - Book Now!
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Dominica · Dominica Coast

PORTSMOUTH
FISHING CHARTERS

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4.6★
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10+
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Portsmouth, DM
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About

Portsmouth Fishing

Portsmouth is Dominica's second-largest town in the north, set along beautiful Prince Rupert Bay. The deep waters of the Guadeloupe Channel produce wahoo, mahi mahi, and yellowfin tuna, while the Indian River estuary offers unique mangrove fishing for snook and tarpon. Portsmouth provides a quieter, more authentic Dominican fishing experience.

Travel Info

Getting to Portsmouth

Whether arriving by cruise ship or flying in for vacation, here's what you need to know.

Cruise Ships

Occasional visits November-April, typically weekly during peak season

Star Clippers SeaDream Hapag-Lloyd Ponant Sea Cloud

Excursion Alternatives:

Star Clippers SeaDream Hapag-Lloyd Ponant Sea Cloud

By Air

Douglas-Charles Airport (DCF)

Booking Tips

Portsmouth is about 30 minutes from DCF airport, making it the more accessible of Dominica's two main towns from the main airport. Some smaller cruise ships anchor in Prince Rupert Bay. Book charters through the Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services (PAYS) or directly with local captains 1-2 weeks ahead. The Indian River tour is a must-do between fishing sessions.

Sunscreen SPF 50+, polarized sunglasses, hat, rain jacket, sturdy shoes, insect repellent (the Indian River area has mosquitoes), camera, cash for tips (15-20% customary in EC$ or US$)

DIY Fishing

Shore Fishing Guide — Portsmouth

Want to fish on your own? Here are the best shore, pier, and bank fishing spots.

Prince Rupert Bay Beach

Shore Fishing

The sweeping beach of Prince Rupert Bay offers easy shore casting along its entire length. Jacks and barracuda feed along the steep dropoff just offshore. The north end near the old fort has rocky structure that holds snapper.

Target: Jacks, Barracuda, Snapper

Indian River Mouth

Shore Fishing

Where the Indian River empties into Prince Rupert Bay, the brackish outflow attracts snook and juvenile tarpon. Fish the outgoing tide with live bait or topwater plugs. The mangrove-lined river mouth is a unique and atmospheric fishing spot.

Target: Snook, Tarpon, Jacks

Cabrits Peninsula

Shore Fishing

The rocky headland of the Cabrits National Park at the north end of the bay drops into deep water. Cast heavy jigs from the rocks for powerful jacks and barracuda. The deep channel between the Cabrits and the reef attracts kingfish.

Target: Jacks, Barracuda, Kingfish

Toucari Bay

Shore Fishing

The small protected bay north of the Cabrits offers calm-water fishing from a volcanic sand beach. The reef close to shore holds yellowtail snapper and grunts. Blue runners school in the shallows and provide steady light-tackle action.

Target: Snapper, Grunts, Blue Runners

Best Baits

Live bait (small jacks, pilchards), topwater poppers, heavy jigs, cut bait, soft plastic shrimp

Tactics

Portsmouth offers diverse shore fishing from sandy beaches to volcanic rock points. The Indian River mouth is unique in the Caribbean — fish the tidal changes for snook and tarpon in a dramatic rainforest setting. The Cabrits rocks require sturdy footwear and heavier tackle (20-30 lb). Prince Rupert Bay's beach is the easiest access point for visiting anglers.

Regulations

Dominica does not currently require a recreational fishing license for shore fishing. The Cabrits National Park has specific rules — check with park rangers. The Indian River is a protected area — fishing may be restricted. Spearfishing with scuba gear is prohibited.

Fishing Calendar

What's Biting in Portsmouth?

See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.

Color Key
Peak Good Fair Off Season
Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Amberjack
Nearshore
 G G P P P P P G G G G G
Barracuda
Nearshore
 G G G G G G G G G G G G
Blue Marlin
Deep Sea Fishing
 G G G G G P P P P P G G
Jacks
Nearshore
 G G G G G G G G G G G G
King Mackerel
Nearshore
 P P P P G G G G G G P P
Lionfish
Bottom Fishing
 G G G G G G G G G G G G
Mahi Mahi
Deep Sea Fishing
 P P P P P G G G G G G P
Mangrove Snapper
Inshore
 P P P G G G G G G P P P
Wahoo
Deep Sea Fishing
 P P P G G G G G G G P P
Yellowfin Tuna
Deep Sea Fishing
 P P P P P P G G G G G G
Species Glossary

Portsmouth Fish Species

10+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.

View Full Species Guide

Inshore Species

Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.

Mangrove Snapper

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar

Nearshore Species

Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.

Amberjack

Peak: Mar, Apr, May

Barracuda

Peak: Year-round

Jacks

Peak: Year-round

King Mackerel

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar

Deep Sea Fishing Species

Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.

Blue Marlin

Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug

Mahi Mahi

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar

Wahoo

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar

Yellowfin Tuna

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar

Bottom Fishing Species

Lionfish

Peak: Year-round
Charter Guide

Fishing Charter Types in Portsmouth

Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.

INSHORE

Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.

View Inshore Charters

NEARSHORE

Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.

View Nearshore Charters

DEEP SEA FISHING

Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.

View Deep Sea Fishing Charters

TROLLING

Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.

View Trolling Charters

BOTTOM FISHING

Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.

View Bottom Fishing Charters

FLY FISHING

Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.

View Fly Fishing Charters

SURF FISHING

Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.

View Surf Fishing Charters

KAYAK FISHING

Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.

View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides

Portsmouth Fishing Blog

Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Portsmouth.

View All Articles
Guest Reviews

Portsmouth Fishing Reviews

5 based on 3 reviews

Blue marlin off Prince Rupert Bay

Trolled the deep water north of Portsmouth past the Cabrits and raised two blue marlin in the morning. Released a beautiful fish around 300 pounds after an epic fight with the lush mountains of Dominica as our backdrop. Portsmouth sits right on the edge of incredibly deep water and the marlin fishing is exceptional.

C
Captain Gabriel
February 2025
Deep Sea
Blue Marlin Blackfin Tuna

Snapper fishing in Prince Rupert Bay was incredible

Anchored inside Prince Rupert Bay and dropped live baits and cut fish to the bottom. The mangrove snapper and lane snapper were thick on the structure. We caught over 15 nice snapper and the captain's assistant prepared a fresh fish lunch on the beach at the Indian River mouth. Authentic Dominican fishing experience.

C
Captain Yolande
September 2025
Inshore
Mangrove Snapper Lane Snapper Yellowtail Snapper

Yellowfin tuna at the FADs were biting nonstop

Ran to the FADs northwest of Portsmouth and found yellowfin tuna schooling around the buoys. We chunked with fresh bait and jigged with butterfly jigs and the tuna were eating everything. Landed seven yellowfin between 25 and 55 pounds. Portsmouth is Dominica's northern fishing hub and the tuna action here is reliable year-round.

C
Captain Roosevelt
May 2025
Deep Sea
Yellowfin Tuna Skipjack Tuna
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