Top 10 Places to Fish in the World
When it comes to relaxation, nothing beats the tranquility of a day spent fishing. Whether you want to target striped marlin in the ocean or a huge northern pike in a lake, there are a variety of destinations offering superb angling opportunities both domestic and abroad.
From the beaches of Hawaii to the sand flats of Kiritimati, here are some top 10 places to fish in the world.
1. Kiritimati (Christmas Island)
Kiritimati, aka Christmas Island, is the largest coral atoll in the world. It’s located a few hours south of Hawaii and, thanks to its proximity to the equator, is the first inhabited place to begin each new day and year (and attracted a bit of Y2K tourism as a result).
Its vast lagoon and countless sand flats offer the best bonefishing in the Pacific. But it’s the surrounding reef that draws many fishermen, whose targets include giant trevally and sailfish.
The Kola Peninsula in northern Russia is about as far from civilization as you can get, but it’s also a fisherman’s paradise. Its ice-cold rivers are bursting at the seams with salmon, and an entire tourist movement has developed around them. It’s an unforgettable experience. You just have to know where to look.
2. Bissagos Islands
The Bissagos Islands are a Caribbean treasure trove, ruled by tribal tradition that reveres and respects the wild species that live there. One such creature is the legendary wahoo, a true trophy fish that can reach more than 100 pounds.
The archipelago’s lagoons teem with bluespotted ribbontail rays and guitarfish, while grey reef sharks, hammerheads and tigers stalk the deeper waters. And inshore, the flats abound with bonefish, permit and the elusive mutton snapper.
Islanders can explore a world of deserted beaches that change with the tides, palm groves and tropical forests. There are also port systems, rivers and coastal creeks to discover. There’s even a large hippopotamus colony in Orango. In addition, the islands are a biodiversity hotspot. This includes the world’s only known population of saltwater hippopotamus. Sadly, these creatures are at risk from poachers who target them for their meat and fat.
3. Kenya
Kenya’s coastline is world renowned for its deep sea fishing! Hemingway loved it and now you can too, casting to the sea for Sailfish and Marlin along with the feisty Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo. Light tackle opportunities are also excellent, with bait balls attended by birds above and speedy predators below, ideal for fly fishing on a variety of light tackle equipment.
The Aberdare National Park’s scores of wild little rivers and glacially formed lakes have a staggering beauty and fascinating ecology. The park’s peaks (including Mt Kenya) offer breathtaking views, but be aware that this is a high altitude and you need to be well acclimatized.
4. Watamu
As a host to countless ESPN, DSTV and SKY televised tournaments Hemingways Watamu is the focal point of billfish fishing in Kenya. The shallow waters off this stretch of the coast produce huge numbers of sailfish and a good number of Black Marlin.
Its calm surface conceals an underwater world bursting with colour, where filefish, lionfish and snappers are just some of the 450+ species that inhabit these UNESCO World Heritage -listed waters. Guests are also in for a treat as the seas around Watamu come alive with humpback whales during their annual migration through this region of the world.
Other activities at Watamu include a day or weekend safari, visiting the 420km2 Araboke Sakoke Forest with its watering hole where elephants drink, or taking a sunset dhow cruise on Mida creek. Alternatively, why not spend your time on the beach watching the sea turtles lay their eggs or visiting the local turtle rehabilitation centre and snake park.
5. Bissagos Islands
The pristine natural paradise of the Bissagos Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1996, is a sight to behold. Located off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, the archipelago features deserted beaches that change with the tides, mangrove forests and tropical rainforest.
In addition to being a bird-watcher’s paradise, it is also home to many seabird species that make their way here from all over the world. These birds include migratory species as well as those that stay year-round, such as the Madeiran Storm Petrel.
While most travelers visit this West African gem to flop on the beach or eat delicious fresh fish, the Bissagos Islands have an added appeal for sports fishermen. Popping, jigging (slow pitch + deep-sea speed jigging) and live/dead bait fishing are all popular techniques here. What’s more, the area is a haven for big-game fish like the notoriously challenging Taimen.
6. Amazon
The Amazon is a fisherman’s paradise with its rich variety of fauna and flora, as well as its tropical rainforest. It is also the world’s largest river and is home to many different species of fish. Peacock bass, piranha and tucan are just some of the fish you can catch in the waters of the Amazon.
Montauk, New York might not seem like a bucket list fishing destination at first glance, but this East Coast town is known as the striped bass capital of the world and has been drawing anglers from all over the country for years. You can charter a boat here to go after blue marlin and swordfish.
The Florida Keys are famous for their crystal clear beaches, adults-only resorts and beautiful beach towns but they are also one of the best places to fish in the US. This is where you can find tarpon, bonefish and permit.
7. Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains or the Rockies as they are affectionately known, mark a vast wilderness of wild national parks, Indigenous American communities and a vivant Old West heritage. The region is a haven for adventurers, particularly those in search of some serious outdoor activity.
The area boasts many of North America’s most renowned national parks from Yellowstone’s geysers to the glaciers in Montana’s Glacier National Park. It is also home to a multitude of iconic wildlife including bighorn sheep, moose and mule deer. The area is teeming with birdlife including eagles, hawks and owls.
For the freshwater fisherman there are plenty of rivers and lakes to explore. There is also Mongolia which may seem like an incredibly remote place but it’s home to the Taimen, one of the world’s largest and most violent fish. It’s a destination that can challenge even the most experienced angler.
8. Costa Rica
In a country that features both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, Costa Rica is an angler’s paradise. The Southern Caribbean, from Limon City to the Panama border, offers a unique blend of natural wonders and inviting culture.
The country’s most famous coastline, the Pacific Ocean, hosts a variety of international fishing tournaments and is the site of incredible inshore and offshore action. Sailfish are abundant here, and the region is known for producing some of the world’s biggest marlin.
The Guanacaste province’s beach towns of Tamarindo, Herradura and Quepos feature modern marinas, fantastic beaches with tons of hotels & private rentals to choose from, and both inshore and offshore fishing. Sailfish are bountiful in the waters near Quepos, while wahoo and big cubera are available. Roosterfish are excellent Jan-March and Oct – Dec, while mahi-mahi is best May-June and snook are at their peak September-November.
9. Kiritimati (Christmas Island)
Kiritimati (pronounced “k@r
Kiritimati’s proximity to the equator gives it optimal year-round weather. This allows anglers to fish for the legendary black marlin, which are caught from September to December. The island also offers an array of other target species such as trevally and tuna.
10. Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s most complex and diverse coral reef ecosystem, covering 2,300 kilometres of Queensland coastline. Its beauty and significance earned it the status of UNESCO World Heritage Area in 1981.
It’s a magnet for animals and humans. Its shallow marine areas support half the world’s mangrove species, and its waters are important feeding grounds for humpback whales and one of the six largest coral spawning areas. It is a key habitat for six species of marine turtle, and includes several regionally significant marine turtle rookeries.
Cairns is big game fishing capital Australia, where from September through December, anglers flock to the North Queensland coast in hopes of landing a coveted “Grander.” But this town has much more than giant Black Marlin to offer, with river systems and offshore waters teeming with spanish mackerel, queenfish, and giant trevally.
