Saltwater Fishing Hot Spots

Saltwater fishing, also known as deep-sea fishing or sport fishing, is both an exciting recreational sport and commercial industry. Deep-sea fish are generally larger, faster and more powerful than freshwater fish, and many fishermen enjoy the thrill of reeling in an enormous marlin, tuna or halibut. Saltwater fishing can be done in any ocean or sea in the world, but there are a few places that offer more abundance and variety than others.

  1. Florida Gulf Coast

    • Fishermen flock to Florida throughout the year to take advantage of the sunshine state's phenomenal sport fishing industry. The best saltwater fishing can be found along the Gulf Coast, from the Florida Panhandle all the way to the Florida Keys. The variety of fish you can catch here is impressive; tuna, tarpon, kingfish, barracuda, Spanish mackerel, red snapper, permit, shark, grouper, mahi mahi, amberjack, shark, cobia and dolphin can all be found here, though the star of the show here is the Florida marlin, one of the most prized fish in the sea. Port cities like Sarasota, Tampa, Naples and Miami offer chartered fishing tours to suit a wide range of budgets.

    Hawaii

    • Hawaii is a top fishing destination that offers incredible diversity and abundance of fish. Each island in the Hawaii archipelago is home to its own fishing specialty, and the islands offer year-round fishing with generally favorable weather conditions. Many international fishing tournaments and other events take place in Hawaii as a result. Available species include skipjack tuna, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, billfish, blue marlin and striped marlin. Charter fishing boats depart from all the major ports throughout the Hawaiian islands including Honokohau, Kewalo Basin and Lahaina.

    Coast of Maine

    • Not every fishing hot spot is necessarily hot temperature-wise. The coast of Maine attracts many fishermen from the northeast and beyond. Here you’ll find a variety of Atlantic saltwater fish like striped bass, haddock, striper, mackerel, bluefin tuna and shark. The area also boasts a major cod fishing industry, which at one time was one of the largest fishing industries in North America. Portland, Bristol, Rockport and Kennebunkport are all major fishing centers where you can find chartered fishing tours and hook up with other fishermen.