Fishing in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Written by: Captain Alberto Jimenez

Fajardo, nestled on Puerto Rico's eastern tip, represents one of the Caribbean's premier fishing destinations with its strategic location where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. As an experienced fishing captain with Curate Fishing, I've guided countless anglers through these productive waters, which offer an extraordinary diversity of fishing opportunities within short distances of shore. What distinguishes Fajardo from other Puerto Rican fishing destinations is the remarkable variety of environments accessible within minimal travel time—from protected bays and lagoons to offshore seamounts that drop into thousands of feet of water just miles from the marina. We provide comprehensive fishing experiences in this region—from targeting tarpon in the luminous lagoons, pursuing permit and bonefish along coastal flats, battling reef species around the nearby islands, and accessing world-class offshore fishing for billfish and tuna. Let me guide you through the exceptional fishing opportunities that make Fajardo a must-visit destination for serious anglers.

Best Fajardo Fishing Regions

Las Croabas Lagoons

The protected lagoon system of Las Croabas offers some of Puerto Rico's most consistent inshore fishing opportunities. These brackish waters feature an intricate network of channels, mangrove edges, and submerged structure that harbor impressive populations of tarpon, snook, and jacks year-round. The protected nature of these waters makes them fishable even during periods of strong winds when offshore options become limited.

When targeting these lagoons, I typically employ a combination of artificial lures during early morning hours and live bait presentations as the sun rises higher. For tarpon, 6-8 inch swim baits in white or chartreuse produce explosive strikes around channel edges, while live pilchards suspended beneath floats excel when fish become more selective. The key to success lies in understanding the tidal movements that influence predator positioning—outgoing tides concentrate feeding fish at channel mouths, while incoming tides push them toward the interior mangrove systems.

The northern section of the lagoon system consistently produces the largest tarpon, with specimens exceeding 80 pounds not uncommon, particularly during spring and fall migrations. The southern reaches feature shallower waters that harbor resident populations of smaller 10-30 pound tarpon and snook that provide exceptional light tackle opportunities year-round.

Eastern Islands and Cays

Fajardo's eastern coastline is dotted with numerous small islands and cays that create an archipelago of fishing opportunities. This region, known locally as "La Cordillera," includes Icacos, Palominos, and Palominitos islands, each surrounded by extensive reef systems in relatively shallow water. These protected areas offer exceptional opportunities for targeting reef species while enjoying the stunning natural beauty of these uninhabited or minimally developed islands.

When fishing these areas, we typically employ a drift fishing approach, allowing the boat to move slowly across productive structure while presenting baits at various depths. Light conventional tackle rigged with fresh cut bait produces consistent action for yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, and various grouper species. The eastern edges of these islands, where coral formations drop into deeper water, consistently produce the largest specimens as they provide access to both shallow reef environments and deeper feeding areas.

The channels between islands create natural current funnels that concentrate baitfish and the predators that pursue them. These areas excel during tidal movements, particularly in the passages between Icacos and Palominos islands, where permit, jacks, and occasional cobia patrol the edges of the current seams.

Fajardo Coastal Flats

While less extensive than those found in southwestern Puerto Rico, Fajardo's coastal flats offer quality sight fishing opportunities for bonefish, permit, and various other shallow-water species. These areas feature a mix of turtle grass, sandy basins, and scattered coral patches that create ideal habitat for these highly prized gamefish.

The most productive flats lie to the southeast of the Las Croabas peninsula, where several protective coves create sheltered wading opportunities even on days with moderate wind. For bonefish, small shrimp patterns and crab imitations in sizes 4-6 produce consistently when presented ahead of cruising fish. The key to success on these flats lies in stealth and observation—polarized sunglasses are essential for spotting the subtle movements and shadows that reveal the presence of these camouflaged predators.

These flats fish best during lower tidal stages when decreased water levels concentrate fish in predictable channels and depressions. Morning sessions typically outproduce afternoon periods, though the hour before sunset can deliver exceptional sight casting opportunities as fish move shallower to feed before nightfall.

Offshore Seamounts

Fajardo's greatest fishing asset may be its proximity to exceptional offshore grounds. Unlike many destinations requiring lengthy runs to reach productive waters, Fajardo's location adjacent to the Puerto Rico Trench means depths exceeding 500 feet can be reached within 3-5 miles of the marina. This accessibility puts world-class pelagic fishing within reach of half-day charters.

The most productive area, known locally as "El Pichincho," is a seamount rising from 2,000 to about 250 feet below the surface approximately 8 miles northeast of Fajardo. This structure creates upwellings that concentrate baitfish and consequently attract substantial numbers of blue and white marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo depending on the season.

When targeting these offshore grounds, we employ various techniques including traditional trolling with ballyhoo/lure combinations, high-speed wahoo presentations, and live baiting when conditions allow. The deep water immediately accessible from Fajardo also provides exceptional opportunities for daytime swordfishing—a specialized technique targeting one of the ocean's most challenging and rewarding gamefish in depths of 1,200-1,800 feet.

Best Fish to Target in Fajardo

Tarpon and Snook (Inshore)

Fajardo's protected lagoons and mangrove systems support some of Puerto Rico's most reliable tarpon fishing. These silver-sided acrobats range from juvenile specimens of 10-15 pounds in backwater areas to massive migrants exceeding 150 pounds that frequent deeper channels during seasonal movements.

Peak tarpon fishing occurs from April through June during their primary spawning migration, though resident fish provide action year-round. The Las Croabas lagoon system and channels near El Conquistador resort consistently produce quality fish, particularly during outgoing tides when predators position to ambush baitfish being swept from interior waters.

Snook, while less numerous than in some other regions of Puerto Rico, reach impressive sizes in Fajardo's waters. These ambush predators typically hold tight to mangrove roots and submerged structure, with specimens exceeding 20 pounds encountered several times each season, particularly around new and full moon periods when stronger tidal movements trigger more aggressive feeding behavior.

Reef Species (Nearshore Islands)

The expansive reef systems surrounding Fajardo's eastern islands support diverse populations of snapper and grouper. Yellowtail snapper are particularly abundant around the shallower reefs surrounding Icacos Island, while deeper structures hold mutton, cubera, and dog snapper that can exceed 20 pounds.

Grouper species include red hind and coney in shallower areas, with larger black, red, and tiger grouper found along deeper reef edges. These structure-oriented predators respond well to live baits and vertical jigging presentations, particularly during cooler winter months when they tend to concentrate in predictable areas.

The reef edges also support substantial populations of cero and king mackerel, particularly along the eastern perimeters where reefs meet deeper water. High-speed trolling with small tuna feathers and spoons produces consistent action for these toothy predators during morning and evening feeding periods.

Permit and Bonefish (Flats)

Fajardo's coastal flats support healthy populations of both permit and bonefish, though in slightly lower numbers than found in southwestern locations like La Parguera. What these flats lack in fish density they compensate for with fish size—the average bonefish encountered exceeds 5 pounds, with specimens over 8 pounds not uncommon.

Permit frequent the deeper edges of these flats, particularly where they meet channel edges or transition to rocky structure. These wary giants typically travel in small groups of 2-5 fish and respond best to crab presentations delivered with precision ahead of their travel path. The areas around Cabezas de San Juan consistently produce quality permit, particularly during incoming tides when these selective feeders move onto flats to forage.

Billfish, Tuna and Wahoo (Offshore)

Fajardo has earned a reputation as Puerto Rico's premier blue marlin destination, with consistent action available from late spring through early fall. The offshore grounds northeast of Fajardo produce quality blues averaging 200-350 pounds, with specimens exceeding 500 pounds encountered multiple times each season.

White marlin and sailfish provide additional billfish opportunities, particularly during transitional periods in spring and fall when water temperatures are in flux. These smaller billfish species are often found in shallower water than their larger blue marlin cousins, making them accessible even to anglers on smaller vessels.

Yellowfin tuna frequent the same offshore structures that attract billfish, with specimens ranging from 30-100 pounds encountered throughout the year. Peak tuna fishing typically occurs from November through March, coinciding with the arrival of blackfin tuna schools that provide fast action on light tackle.

Wahoo, prized for both their spectacular runs and table qualities, are targeted primarily during winter months from December through March. The deep-water edges northeast of Fajardo consistently produce trophy specimens exceeding 50 pounds, with occasional monsters topping 80 pounds when conditions align perfectly.

Other Fishing Spots in Fajardo

Seven Seas Beach: This protected cove offers exceptional shore fishing opportunities, particularly for jacks, snapper, and occasional tarpon during early morning hours.

Cabezas de San Juan Reserve: While fishing regulations apply within the reserve boundaries, the peripheral areas offer exceptional flats fishing for permit and bonefish.

Laguna Grande: This bioluminescent lagoon harbors substantial populations of juvenile tarpon and snook, particularly around its narrow entrance channel.

Cayo Lobos: This small island approximately 4 miles offshore features dramatic underwater structure that consistently holds grouper, snapper, and pelagic species passing along its edges.

El Convento Reef: This extensive reef system located approximately 3 miles east of Fajardo provides exceptional bottom fishing for snapper and grouper in 60-120 feet of water.

Submarine Seamount: Located approximately 12 miles northeast of Fajardo, this deep structure rises from 2,000 to about 200 feet and consistently produces exceptional action for tuna and marlin.

Fishing Seasons in Fajardo

While Fajardo offers productive fishing year-round, understanding seasonal patterns maximizes success rates for specific target species:

Spring (March-May): Prime tarpon migration period with exceptional action in lagoons and channels. Offshore, mahi-mahi begin their seasonal appearance while yellowfin tuna action improves steadily. Bonefish become increasingly active on the flats as water temperatures rise.

Summer (June-August): Peak blue marlin season offshore, with consistent action for yellowfin tuna as well. Inshore, resident tarpon provide reliable action during early morning and evening periods. Permit fishing reaches its zenith on the flats during summer months.

Fall (September-November): Transitional period brings diverse opportunities as white marlin and sailfish numbers increase. Reef fishing improves dramatically as water temperatures moderate, with grouper moving to more accessible depths. Tarpon stage for their southward migration, creating concentrated feeding opportunities.

Winter (December-February): Prime wahoo season offshore, with the largest specimens typically encountered in January. Blackfin tuna provide consistent action around offshore structure, while reef fishing for grouper reaches its peak productivity. Bonefish gather in predictable winter holding areas, offering quality sight fishing on sunny days.

How to Get to Fajardo from Major Cities

Fajardo is approximately a 45-minute drive from San Juan, making it highly accessible for visitors flying into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). This convenient proximity allows anglers to maximize fishing time without sacrificing entire days to travel.

From San Juan: Take Highway 26 east to Highway 66 (toll road), which connects directly to Fajardo. This modern expressway makes the journey quick and straightforward.

From Ponce: Take Highway 52 north to Highway 30, then connect to Highway 53 eastbound which leads directly to Fajardo. This route takes approximately 1.5 hours.

From Aguadilla: Take Highway 2 east along the northern coast, then connect to Highway 22 eastbound followed by Highway 66 to Fajardo. This scenic route requires approximately 2 hours.

Fajardo's strategic eastern location places it closer to San Juan than many other premier fishing destinations on the island, making it particularly attractive for visitors with limited time who still want to experience world-class fishing. The town offers numerous accommodation options ranging from luxury resorts to more economical guesthouses, allowing anglers to customize their experience based on budget and preferences.

Whether you're targeting tarpon in the protected lagoons, sight casting to permit and bonefish on the flats, battling reef species around the picturesque eastern islands, or venturing offshore for billfish and tuna, Fajardo offers an exceptional diversity of fishing opportunities. The unique combination of accessibility, varied ecosystems within short distances, and year-round productivity makes it a standout destination for anglers of all experience levels. Join us at Curate Fishing for an unforgettable Fajardo fishing adventure that showcases the best of Puerto Rico's eastern coast.