Do Fish Bite in the Afternoon? Busting the “Morning-Only” Fishing Myth
- Rico
- May 18
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
When most people think of fishing, they picture an early alarm, a thermos of coffee, and hitting the water before the sun rises. And for good reason — if you've ever lake-fished at dawn, you probably learned that by 9:00 AM, the bite tends to slow and it’s time to pack it up.
But here’s the thing: deep sea fishing is a whole different world — and the rules are not the same.
🌊 Deep Water, Different Rules
Unlike shallow freshwater lakes, offshore waters don’t respond the same way to sunlight or time of day. The deeper the water, the less impact the sun has on temperature or visibility, especially at the depths where our target species roam.
Here in the Gulf Stream, where Wasabi Loco Sportfishing runs our charters, the water is deep, the current is strong, and the fish are constantly on the move.
🐟 Migratory Sight-Feeders Rule the Sea
We're not chasing bass or crappie. We’re chasing the big ones:
Sailfish
Marlin
Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)
Tuna
Wahoo
These are pelagic predators, and none of them live here year-round. They're migratory, following bait schools and ocean currents as they move north through the Caribbean and along the coast.
What makes them unique is that they’re sight feeders — meaning if they see something that looks like food, they’ll attack. They don’t wait for a feeding window. If your bait crosses their path and triggers a reaction, they’ll hit — no matter what time it is.
🕒 The Morning Bite Myth
Clients ask me all the time:
“Do fish bite better in the morning or afternoon?”
And I always say: "If you want to know about Monday, ask me on Tuesday."
The truth is, your chances are about the same. It’s not whether the fish feel like biting — it’s whether you can track them down and present the right bait.
🎣 Story Time: An Afternoon That Changed Everything
I once ran an 8-hour trip from 9 AM to 5 PM. By 4:00 PM, we hadn’t had a single bite. I was tired, frustrated, and ready to head back.
Then, out of nowhere — chaos.
In the final hour of the trip, we hooked into four Sailfish and a massive Blue Marlin. Total mayhem. The kind of mayhem you hope for every time you fish. I even let my captain fight the Marlin — it was his first one. I don’t think he’s stopped talking about it since.
⚖️ What Really Matters
So does the bite shut down in the afternoon?
Not at all.
In offshore fishing:
The deeper the water, the less time matters
Gulf Stream fish are migratory, and always hunting
Sight feeders strike when they see the opportunity — regardless of the clock
🗓️ When Should You Book?
Morning or afternoon, it doesn’t make a big difference — unless you’re only happy if the fish jump in the boat on cue.
What matters is the crew, the technique, and being in the right spot.
And that’s where Wasabi Loco shines.
🎯 Final Word
If you’re wondering whether to book a morning or afternoon trip, don’t overthink it. Just book it.Let us worry about tracking the fish — you focus on making memories.
🚤 Book Your Deep Sea Charter with Wasabi Loco
Wasabi Loco departs daily from Puerto Aventuras Marina, just minutes from the Gulf Stream.Morning or afternoon — the bite’s on when the fish say it is.
📍 Puerto Aventuras, Riviera Maya
🛥️ Deep Sea Fishing Charters with Veteran-Owned Wasabi Loco🎣
