Colourful open water
Mahi-mahi
Coryphaena hippurusBlue, green and gold: a pelagic fish often found near floating objects and sargassum lines. Respect the local minimum size of 56 cm.
← Back to KANOAThe thrill.
THE KANOA FISHING GUIDE
The thrill.
Respect for the sea.
Fish, good habits and the areas to know before heading out in Martinique.
GOOD HABITS
A great trip starts
before departure.
01
Trolling
A line worked by the moving boat, a suitable lure and a watchful crew. Set speed, spacing between lines and tackle with your fishing professional.
02
Rod and line
Choose a technique suited to the area, conditions and your experience. Beautiful seabeds are not necessarily open to fishing.
03
The right crew
Newcomer or enthusiast, discuss guidance and equipment with KANOA. Keep hooks stowed, the deck clear and hands away from teeth and bills.
KNOW YOUR FISH
Meet the fish
of the deep blue.
A selection of species found in Martinique’s waters. Their presence does not guarantee a catch or permission to fish.
Open-water power
Yellowfin tuna
Thunnus albacaresYellow fins and a powerful body make it a strong open-water swimmer. Suitable tackle and experience are essential.
Speed and precision
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandriA streamlined predator with vertical bars. Its very sharp teeth call for careful handling by someone experienced.
Ciguatera caution
Crevalle jack
Caranx hipposA silvery body, forked tail and dark spot near the gill cover. Appearance or size cannot guarantee it is safe to eat.
Ciguatera caution
Great barracuda
Sphyraena barracudaA long silhouette and powerful jaws. A species associated with ciguatera risk: do not eat it if in doubt.
Specific professional rules
Blue marlin
Makaira nigricansOrdinary recreational fishing for this species is prohibited in Martinique. The exception covers professional sport fishing or authorised competitions, with mandatory release. A self-drive boat rental is not sufficient.
Identification photos from NOAA and Wikimedia Commons; they do not depict KANOA catches or trips. Credits in the footer.
RECREATIONAL FISHING
A few rules
that matter.
Summary of the local order of 8 April 2019. Check the full text and local area orders before every trip.
Open the official guide- 01
Catches are for family consumption only: selling them is prohibited.
- 02
Trolling or bottom lines: no more than 12 hooks in the water at once.
- 03
Mahi-mahi, wahoo/mackerels, tunas, bonitos, jacks and great barracudas: a combined limit of 3 fish per day per person for this group, not 3 of each species.
- 04
Observe minimum sizes, required catch marking and protected species rules. Fishing around a FAD requires permission from the Direction de la Mer.
KNOW WHERE YOU ARE
Beautiful waters.
Boundaries to respect.
This Caribbean coast selection does not replace the regulatory map for all of Martinique. Check exact boundaries and updates before every trip.
Case-Pilote · Vetiver
Recreational fishing prohibitedBetween Pointe Fond Bourlet / Trois Sœurs and Pointe Fond Bellemare, within the official polygon. Recreational fishing and spearfishing are prohibited. Order of 2 October 2025, for two years: check its exact boundaries.
See boundaries and official rules ↗Le Prêcheur reserve · Albert Falco
No recreational fishing from motorboatsRecreational fishing from a motorboat and spearfishing are prohibited within the reserve. Limited exceptions for non-motorised fishing do not apply to MIYO.
See boundaries and official rules ↗Inner Fort-de-France bay
Sanitary exclusion areaFishing for all species is prohibited in the Annex 5 area bounded by Pointe du Bout, red buoy no. 3 on Banc de Grande Sèche, Fort Saint-Louis and the shoreline. This does not cover the entire bay.
See boundaries and official rules ↗Le Carbet · Pothuau / Raisiniers
Protected underwater areasFishing and anchoring are prohibited within these designated underwater activity areas. Mooring buoys are available at Pothuau. These restrictions do not cover the whole Le Carbet coast.
See boundaries and official rules ↗Les Anses-d’Arlet
Respect markers and mooring zonesCheck swimming and mooring zones. Passive fishing gear is prohibited in organised mooring areas (ZMEL) under Article 13 of the 2015 rules. This is not a blanket fishing ban for Les Anses-d’Arlet.
See boundaries and official rules ↗ONE LAST CHECK
Ready to
head out?
Tick off your preparations. This checklist helps you plan; it is not a fishing permit.
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KANOA · MARTINIQUE