Top 10 Fishing Vacation Destinations

Number 10 - Phuket, Thailand

While you can find many scuba diving boats in Phuket to see the wonders lying below the surface Phuket sport fishing is still gaining recognition but there are plenty of fish like trevally, jacks, sea bass, barracuda and other species waiting to be caught.

While I have never done this you can try your luck catching the largest species of catfish in the world, the Mekong Catfish, using a fishing guide or charter.

If you're tired of all the fun fishing or scuba diving provides then enjoy the night life of Phuket and trust me you will. There are great resorts all around but you can also rent some gorgeous vacation rentals by owner for just as much money and get more house for your vacation.

The island is served by Phuket International Airport located on the island.

Number 9 - Limón and Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Once you get to the end of my top ten you will realize I love Costa Rica fishing and really the country in general. The "rich coast" has some of the best sport fishing worldwide and they understand that the fishing industry needs to be protected.

Limón is a province of located in the eastern part of the country on the Atlantic Ocean. It borders from the south the country of Panama and the province Puntarenas. The capital city is Limon. You have a wide range of choices of species to target off the eastern province on the Caribbean. Your charter captain will probably target Jack Crevalle, Snook, Mackerel, Dorado, Tarpon, and Tripletail.

Puntarenas is located in the western part of Costa Rica covering most of the Pacific Coast. It borders on the provinces Limon, Guanacaste, San Jose, Alajuela and borders Panama. The charter a boat captain on the western coast of Puntarenas, and find Roosterfish, Tuna Dorado, Snook and Wahoo.

Number 8 - Venice Louisiana

Both the coastal and offshore waters have so many natural gas platforms it provides the waters with great cover for the big fish. The Mississippi River has created the bountiful Mississippi Canyon which has very deep waters close to the coast. I will go out on a limb here and say you can't catch more or bigger fish anywhere within the U.S. than off the coast of Louisiana.

You should charter a boat in Louisiana for big Yellow Fin Tuna, Wahoo, Blue Marlin, Mahi-Mahi, Blackfin Tuna, Big Sharks very soon or your doing yourself a disservice. Whether you're looking for a guide for redfish in the marshes of Louisiana or an off shore boat captain in search of the perfect fish Louisiana offers has it all waiting for you.

Number 7 - British Columbia

With 6,000 coastal islands and islets and 12,000 miles of water habitat in British Columbia a myriad of game fish await you including Pacific salmon, giant halibut, rockfish, and an enormous collection of shellfish. British Columbia has over 24,000 pristine lakes and rivers to keep the freshwater anglers happy. British Columbia has nearly two dozen species of freshwater sportfish, including the much large Rainbow Trout. Find the perfect fishing guide or charter boat for the best BC fishing experience possible.

Number 6 - Alaska

Alaska's oceans, lakes and rivers are packed with record breaking Salmon, Rainbow Trout, beautiful Arctic Char, barn door Halibut and many other sport fish. Fish all 5regions to get a taste of every kind of Alaska fishing possible.

Whether you are fishing off the coast on a charter boat for that monster Halibut we all have seen in pictures or find a Alaska fishing guide and fly fish one of the many rivers full of salmon a fishing vacation in Alaska is a must do. While I have not done this as of today I have had many people tell me that Alaska fishing is some of the best in the world. I look forward to the day I can charter a boat in Alaska and have my own picture with a world record halibut.

Number 5 - Boca Grande Florida

I have always wanted to catch that 200 pound tarpon and the place to do it is Boca Grande Florida. There are multiple tarpon charter captains that can help you maneuver through the masses so you to can land that monster tarpon. Boca Grande Pass is the tarpon fishing capital of the world. The tarpon gather in such large numbers to feed it is impossible not to catch a monster tarpon with the right fishing guide. If you get lucky maybe you will see one of the many great hammerhead sharks that try to steal your catch. It is a site to be seen. Use a reputable charter boat to ensure you get the best Charlotte Harbor fishing experience possible.

Boca Grande is located on the west coast of Florida at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor.

Number 4 - Marsh Harbor, Bahamas (Abaco)

This one is unique to me because you can go out and spend all day on some of the most beautiful yacht charters in the world to land that monster marlin, bull dolphin or Wahoo and then right before sunset you can go spear fishing for a nice snapper or two on a scuba diving charter.

Marsh Harbor is a quaint town with very nice shops, restaurants and hotels to choose from or you can pick a great vacation rental by owner from many websites. If your spear fishing for some hog nose or rooster tail be cautious of the reef sharks. I found them to like the snapper as much as I did. I love Marsh Harbor fishing experience and you will too.

Number 3 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Looking to land a bull Dolphin, Wahoo, Yellowfin, while hunting down the largest Marlin around? Then look no further than Cabo San Lucas Mexico where you can find some of the best yacht charters in the world to take you on a fishing trip you will never forget. Catch and release helps keep the Cabo waters full of large Marlin so come on down and find the perfect deep sea charter for you.

Number 2 - Islamorada, Florida

Just a couple of miles from Key Largo you will find the hot bed of Florida fishing in a little key called Islamorada. Right next to Holiday Isle you will find a fleet of Islamorada charter boats waiting for you. While you will catch multiple species of fish throughout the year you can land monster Mahi, Wahoo and occasionally a nice Yellowfin or two. I highly recommend fishing Islamorada if you get a chance. Then spend a little while having a beverage of choice while the boat is parked on a sand bar about a mile off the coast. Islamorada sport fishing is a great life experience you should try.

Number 1 - Quepos, Costa Rica

While I'm sure people will disagree with my number one choice for fishing vacations I have never had as much fun fishing as I did off the coast of Quepos Costa Rica. Quepos is a small city situated on the central Pacific coast. It is directly south of San Jose approximately a 3 hour drive by car or hop a 30 minute flight and land in the fields of Quepos. Quepos has a few nice restaurants, lounges, and moderately priced hotels or try a vacation rental in Manuel Antonio. It also has a post office, bank, pharmacy, a small medical clinic, several hardware stores, a bakery and numerous grocery stores and specialty shops. You can rent a car from Hertz located just inside the city limits.

The harbor in Quepos Costa Rica is lined with some of the best fishing charters and yacht charters in the country and I personally think the area is one of the best places in the world to catch that monster sailfish you have always dreamed of. The great thing about the boat charters in Quepos (really all of Costa Rica) is they practice catch and release and really work on releasing the fish without harm to ensure a great fishing experience. I would highly recommend Quepos to novices and experts alike. Quepos, Costa Rica has long held an international reputation as one of the hottest spots in the world for big game fish. Costa Rica offers first class boat charters for sailfish, Marlin , Roosters, Tuna, Dorados and many other species.