Little Cayman Guide Cayman Adventure Guide Home - Little Cayman Introduction - Getting There Little Cayman Adventures - On Foot - Underwater - On The Water - On Wheels - Eco-Travel - Where to Stay - Where to Eat - Shopping The Islands - Grand Cayman      - George Town      - East of George Town      - Seven Mile Beach      - West Bay - Little Cayman - Cayman Brac Adventure Guide to The Cayman Islands From Hunter Publising Buy Now!

On the Water

Fishing

Fly and light tackle fishing attract anglers to the waters of Little Cayman, which offer excellent bonefishing in the shallow flats. Other anglers come to catch tarpon in the brackish Tarpon Lake or permit, a fish that weighs as much as 35 lbs and is also caught in the flats. Little Cayman is the top destination of the three Cayman Islands with those looking for light tackle and fly-fishing.

Bonefishing is a favorite activity and a challenge to anglers (although the sport here is not on a par with other islands in the Caribbean or the Florida Keys). These fish are seen in the shallow areas called muds, places where the sea is churned up by the bottom feeding fish.

Guides recommend baiting with fry. Bonefish can be caught all day although, like other types of fishing, the success rate depends on factors such as weather and tides. The best bonefishing around Little Cayman is usually found at the South Hole Sound.

Tarpon fishing is also popular on Little Cayman. Tarpon Pond, a brackish lake north of Blossom Village, is home to many 20-lb tarpon. Fly-fishermen will have best luck at this site in early morning and late afternoon.  Permit are also a favorite catch, ranging from 15 to 35 pounds. They’re found in schools on the southeast end of Little Cayman and on the northwest coast flats.

Whether you’re staying on the island or coming over on a day trip, you can enjoy some fishing with a local guide if you make advance arrangements.

MOLLY THE MANTA

A favorite resident of Little Cayman was Molly the Manta, a giant manta ray often seen on night dives in this region. With a 12-foot span, the manta was spotted along the north coast and on the south coast flats from 1991 through 1995. She was seen off Bloody Bay swooping through the water, scooping up plankton that were attracted by divers’ lights. Today Molly is no longer spotted on night dives, but is believed to have reached maturity and gone off in search of a mate.

Fishing Operators

Sam McCoy’s Fishing and Diving Lodge

(800) 626-0496

McCoy’s Lodge has guides on staff year-round. Sam McCoy has been leading fishing excursions on this island for 30 years and son Chip McCoy is widely considered the best light tackle fishing guide on the island. He also offers fly-fishing. Fishermen should bring their own fly-fishing equipment, but light tackle equipment is available. McCoy’s is also fully equipped for deep-sea fishing; ice, bait, and tackle are provided.

Southern Cross Club

( 345) 948-1099; fax (345) 948-1098

Three vessels, 16 to 24 feet in length, take groups of two, three or four deep-sea fishing. Full- and half-day reef fishing also available.