The Best Fishing Destinations In Mexico
From the legendary Blue Marlin along Mexico’s deep Pacific Coasts, to Kingfish and Bonito in the warmer Caribbean waters, Mexico is the perfect destination for a fishing trip.
Not only are there a variety of different fishing destinations and experiences depending on what types of species you’re looking to reel in, here in Mexico every season offers something unique. This means that both in the dry and wet seasons, there’s most likely a place which will meet your own goals for your dream fishing trip here.
In this guide, we’ll explore 6 of Mexico’s most fine fishing destinations. This includes top classics like Cabo San Lucas and Cancún, to the more authentic Mazatlán and beyond. We’ll also explore the advantages of each place too, which will hopefully make it easier to choose where you’re heading for your next trip.
The Best 6 Fishing Destinations In Mexico
Let’s now take a look at some of Mexico’s hottest fishing destinations, and why each one is worth heading to.
Cabo San Lucas
Commonly known as the Blue Marlin capital of the World, Cabo is arguably one of the most popular fishing destinations on this list. This is because Blue Marlin and Striped Marlin are abundant in these waters, as well as the great year-round climate we can experience here. The wet season months from July until September are especially popular to head on a Cabo fishing charter, where top catches like Blue Marlin, Dorado and Wahoo are more likely. You’ll also benefit from both calmer shallow and deeper ocean fishing here too, given Cabo is the meeting point for both the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.
Puerto Vallarta
Sandwiched between the lush Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is mostly known for its luxury resorts – however it’s also a perfect place for fishing. Anglers who head here during the warmer wet season (June until November) can expect to catch Dorado, Sailfish and Yellowfin Tuna. The nearby Banderas Bay offers calmer conditions than many of the more open-sea spots along Mexico’s Pacific Coast – making it a great choice for both beginners and seasoned sport fishers alike. So not only can you enjoy incredible tropical landscapes and food, you can also do some really good fishing in Puerto Vallarta too.
Cancún
This time we head over to the Caribbean coast, which stretches all along Mexico’s famous Yucatán Península. Cancun is tucked right at the top of this popular vacation region, and is also one of the country’s most famous fishing spots. Between March and August we’ll have a great chance at catching White Marlin and Sailfish, and its overall calmer conditions make it a great spot for tackle fishing enthusiasts. Further offshore we can find larger game fish such as Dorado and Wahoo most months, whilst those who want more scenic Caribbean fishing can easily reach both Isla Mujeres and Cozumel from Cancún.
Mazatlán
While Cabo is well-known as the Marlin capital of the world, Mazatlán, which is just across the Gulf of Mexico on the country’s Pacific Coast, is also known as the Sailfish capital of the world. Perfect to fish from spring until autumn, as well as Sailfish we can also find Blue Marlin, Mahi-Mahi and Tuna during fishing charters here. What makes Mazatlán a stand-out spot is actually what you can do between fishing trips. This includes walking along the world’s longest malecón, enjoying incredible local cuisine and ceviche, as well as heading out on day trips to islands like the Isla de la Piedra and Isla de los Pájaros.
La Paz
Set along the Sea of Cortes in the Baja Peninsula, La Paz is only a few hours driving from the sportfishing hotspot of Cabo San Lucas – however its geographical positioning means we can enjoy a much different fishing setting and experience. Often described as an angler’s paradise, these waters are teeming with Dorado, Roosterfish and even Marlin (with the latter most likely during the summer months). Due to La Paz being sheltered from the more wild Pacific waves, it’s a perfect place for more tranquil fishing – as well as for enjoying the more scenic desert landscapes and turquoise waters.
Isla Holbox
Returning back over to Mexico’s idyllic Caribbean coast, Isla Holbox is the ultimate destination for those looking for peace and quiet during their vacation. Between walking along the island’s quiet palm-fringed beaches, the surrounding shallow flats are perfect for those after a light tackle trip. Here we can find lots of Tarpon, Bonefish and Snook, and if heading between April and October then you’ll have the best chance of catching Giant Tarpon which come closer to the island. So whilst other fishing destinations on this list can get quite busy, Isla Holbox on the other hand offers a much more remote and nature-focused trip.
Overview Of Fishing In Mexico
And that’s all for this guide on the very best fishing destinations in Mexico.
From the more relaxed Caribbean waters of Isla Holbox to the epic Blue Marlin encounters along Baja’s coast – Mexico is full of incredible and diverse fishing spots. And as we’ve seen in this article, this country is great for fishing no matter the time of the year – given every destination has their own unique climate, fishing calendar and advantages for a fishing trip.