Every year, thousands of tourists head to Mexico for some of the world’s best deep sea fishing. More than 600 species, including big trophies like black marlin, populate the country’s beautiful fishing grounds. Whether you’re a casual angler or a die-hard enthusiast, Mexico’s 6,000 plus miles of coastline offer plenty of dream locations to cast a line. Here are some of the top destinations for amazing sportfishing.
Los Cabos
Anglers from around the globe flock to Los Cabos, where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez host a bounty of sailfish and marlin (blue, black and striped). In fact, Cabo San Lucas has earned the honors of being nicknamed “the marlin capital of the world!” Other stand-out catches include mahi mahi, wahoo, yellowtail, roosterfish and corvina. The fishing in Cabo San Lucas is excellent year-round, but if you’re hoping to reel in a black marlin, plan your fishing vacation between May and October.
Puerto Vallarta
Celebrated for its balmy beaches and sublime scenery, Puerto Vallarta is another world-class fishing location, where charters offer unforgettable deep sea fishing expeditions into the fertile waters beyond the Bay of Banderas. Beyond billfish and marlin, anglers can expect to find bonito, tuna and monster red snapper (which make for a delicious dinner!)
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is another prime destination for both light tackle and deep sea fishing. Famed for its marlin-rich waters, this coastal hamlet is on every angler’s radar. Offshore fishing trips provide ample opportunity to land swordfish, wahoo and yellowfin tuna, as well as some of the biggest black marlin ever hooked! For family fun, consider a light tackle fishing trip, where experienced captains will help you catch grouper, snook, roosterfish, trigger fish, and mojarra.
Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa
The charming village of Zihuatanejo, located mid-way between Acapulco and Manzanillo, is a favorite among fishing devotees who come for the sailfish that run from March-February. Rumor has it that marlin can tip the scales at more than 500 pounds, and large schools of mahi mahi and tuna can be found just 10 miles offshore. Other prime catches include roosterfish, mackerel, bonito, snook and wahoo.
Riviera Maya
Cozumel and Cancun are two of Mexico’s most famous resort towns that also boast superb angling throughout the year. The high season for marlin fishing is April through August while sailfish numbers peak from March through June. Half and full-day charters depart from Isla Mujeres and the docks of Cozumel. Wahoo, barracuda and grouper are plentiful and large in the waters off Playa del Carmen, as are amberjack, shark and king fish.
Mexico Sport Fishing Resources:
- WideOpenSpaces, 5 DEEP SEA FISHING DESTINATIONS TO ADD TO YOUR BUCKET LIST http://www.wideopenspaces.com/5-deep-sea-fishing-charter-destinations-add-bucket-list-pics/
- FishFisheMe, TOP DEEP SEA FISHING DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD http://www.fishfishme.com/blog/top-deep-sea-fishing-destinations-world/
- MexPerience, Sportfishing in Mexico https://www.mexperience.com/travel/outdoors/sportsfishing-in-mexico/
