Bucket List Fishing Trips

Making a bucket list fishing trips selection isn’t easy. There are so many great destinations, but we can’t mention all fishing trips in one article. So we decided to come up with our favourite inshore fishing, off shore fishing and freshwater fishing bucket listers. Here we go!

Inshore bucket list fishing trips

The Andaman Islands, India

The Andaman Islands, an archipelago Indian archipelago off the Bay of Bengal, about midway between India and Thailand, are home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The archipelago boasts some of the world’s best fishing spots, too, in addition to being an incredible wildlife haven and a good base from which to explore the nearby Indian Ocean and East Indies. Most fishing charters in the archipelago depart from Port Blair in southern India and take tourists up the Andamans’ gentle, south-westerly trade winds. The Andaman Islands offers excellent opportunities for deep-sea fishing, as well as for sports fishing and chartering. The archipelago is world famous for its spectacular fish species including Giant Trevally, Dogtooth tuna and Humphead wrasse.

Maldives

The Maldives, ultimate fishing destination in the Indian Ocean

Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is a small tropical archipelago located south of India and southeast of Sri Lanka, about 700 miles from the southern tip of the Asian continent. Tourism in Maldives comprises honeymoons, scuba diving and snorkelling, but the Maldives is also renowned for its thriving marine life and magnificent fishing. Coral reefs are becoming more abundant in many areas around the Maldives and the marine parks of Male, Hikkaduwa and Ewila are among the most popular tourist destinations in the Maldives. The coral reefs around the island are home to a variety of sea life – from sponges, corals, squids and sharks to whales, dolphins and turtles. They provide a stunning backdrop to the beaches and islands, making the island famous for its marine wildlife. Find the best fishing charters in the Maldives here.

Madagascar

Catch and Release of a Giant Trevally in Madagascar

Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an extremely beautiful island country in the Indian Ocean, about 400km off the west coast of East Africa. At 592,000 square kilometres Madagascar is the second-biggest island nation. Madagascar’s geography is divided into two main islands, with the central plateau bordering the Indian Ocean and the south plateau bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The rainy season in Madagascar starts from May and finishes in November, with the north-eastern cape having the wintry monsoon. For fishing in Madagascar, you can head to the northern part of Madagascar where there is abundance of small boat fish.

Panama

Big Yellowfin Tuna caught trolling in Panama

Panama is a country on the Caribbean Isthmus connecting South and Central America. The Panama Canal, an impressive feat of human infrastructure, cuts across its centre, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean to make an important shipping channel. Fishing is a favourite pastime for travellers to Panama. From May to October, anglers can take advantage of some great catches in the area. In Buenaventura and its neighbouring islands, anglers will find the same great catches available year-round. You’ll find lodges and guides offering great fishing vacation packages in Panama, including VIP transfers from Panama City to the lodge, food, drinks and of course guided fishing trips with ‘top-of-the-line’ tackle & boats.

Big game bucket list fishing trips

Big game fishing can be done all over the world. The most sought after species are bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, swordfish and shark. These enormous fish can be caught trolling, deep sea fishing or drifting (chumming) for example. Here’s our selection of big game bucket list fishing destinations.

Baja California Sur

Baja California Sur (BCS) is not simply a surfing holiday destination. For anyone with a keen interest in the oceans there are some outstanding fishing spots in Baja California Sur. Some of these include the Torre Del Este (which are the most northern of the three major islands of the BCS), Playa Condesa, and the aforementioned whale watching attraction at La Paz. There are also a number of dive centres in various towns and cities in the region, making it easy to get into the marine life without having to go too far out of your hotel.

Cape Verde

Blue Marlin fishing in Cape Verde

Cape Verde is an island and archipelago in the northern central Pacific Ocean, consisting of ten independent islands with a total land mass of about 4,013 square kilometres. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, visited by tourists from all over the world. The scenic islands are surrounded by the azure sea on three sides, each of which has a romantic setting suitable for a variety of sea-related activities, as well as golf courses and holiday homes. There is also a port there, attracting lots of fishing-related visitors, who take advantage of the opportunities for deep-sea fishing and fishing charters in Cape Verde.

Queensland, Australia

Black Ops Business, Fishing charter in Queensland, Australia

Queensland is an Australian state that covers the southwestern part of Australia, an inland sea extending more than 7,500km along its coastline. Its numerous offshore islands, including Great Barrier Reef in the south, the Sunshine Coast in the north and the Moreton Bay Forests in the southwest corner, are home to a variety of marine life and some amazing fishing opportunities. The coastal city of Cairns is the gateway to this marvellous tropical paradise and the golden beaches of its beaches. The second largest city, Brisbane, is also flanked by the fabulous surfing beaches of its Gold and Sunshine Coast. Queensland fishing also offers great inland fishing opportunities with many lakes and rivers. The rivers stretches from the Moreton Bay and Boulia to the rivers of Oxley, Palm Valley, Maroochydore, Lorne and Innamincka.

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands – a beautiful Spanish archipelago located off the west coast of Africa, are volcanic, rugged, isles usually covered with white or black sand. Tenerife is the largest island, dominated by the giant dormant volcano Mt. Teide, which is a part of Teide National Park and hosts an annual carnival.

Tenerife fishing is great all year round and the Canary Islands is second only to Aruba in terms of total fishing catch annually. The abundance of fish makes fishing on these islands popular year round. It is a good place to start any fishing trip and offers plenty of fish for you to decide. It also offers more than just fishing, as it is also a popular tourist destination and has plenty to offer. There are lots of outdoor activities to do in the area and there are even some wonderful sandy beaches to enjoy.

Freshwater Bucket list fishing trips

The River Ebro, Spain

The Ebro is an ancient, broad river some 580 miles long through the northern region of Spain and of the eastern Iberian peninsula. It flows from Cantabria towards the Mediterranean Sea and forms a delta in Catalonia, in the province of Tarragona. The Ebro delta is crucial for the reproduction of many species of fish, especially carp and catfish. As far as fishing is concerned the river provides excellent opportunities with vast amounts of fish populating the river. There are huge numbers of carp in the 20-50lb range and catfish in excess of 200lb. The town of Mequinenza is one such hotspot for carp and cat fisherman. Fishing is mainly done from the banks but guided boat fishing charters can be arranged.

Catfish fishing in the river Ebro with Dream Fishing in Riba Roja can produce surprises like this albino catfish

The Ebro flows through many cities including Alfaro, Alagón, Amposta, Aldover, Benifallet, Calahorra, Flix, Frías, Haro, Logroño, Miranda de Ebro, Móra d’Ebre, Reinosa, Tivenys, Tudela, Tortosa, Utebo, Xerta and Zaragoza. Some great fishing for many species can be found in all these areas.

Fraser River, Canada

The Fraser River is Canada’s most popular natural resource. The beautiful Fraser River has excellent all-round waterway for fishing. The river flows the Strait of George, BC at Cape Breton and the mountain top of Fraser River flows to Vancouver. It is also the second longest freshwater river in Canada.

The Fraser River channels numerous salmon fishing streams and this is one of the best places in Canada to catch quality Salmon including: Silver Salmon, Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Sockeye Salmon and Rainbow Trout.

There are many beautiful fishing lodges, hotels, inns and camping sites with amazing views to hire along the river. Perfect for a fishing trip. You can go on a charter fishing trip or explore with canoes or kayaks with a guide who will take you to the best locations in the river.

The Mongolian Highlands

Mongolia is a country located in Central Asia. It is a landlocked country bordered by China on the west, Russia on the east, China to the south, and Iran to the north. It shares its border with China, also shares a sea with Russia.

Fishing in Mongolia in this breath taking landscape

Fishing in Mongolia is very popular. The rivers and lakes of this country are teeming with a variety of different fish species, including large predatory fish such as the legendary Taimen, the largest salmonid in the world that can weigh up to 40kg! Other species you’ll find in its rivers are the Lenok trout, the Altai Osman, the Burbot, the Amur Pike and the Grayling.

When planning a Mongolian Highlands fishing trip, it is best to plan well ahead. This is because there are many rivers and lakes in the country which are not accessible at certain times of the year. The best time to go fishing in Mongolia is from March to November. Other months may also be acceptable, but the timing will depend on how much of the year you can actually visit. To find out when the rivers and lakes are at their best consult a fishing guide.

Congo River, Central Africa

The Congo River, also referred to as the Zaire River or the Congo River, is the third longest river in the world, only shorter than the Nile. It is the third largest river by total volume, having measured depths of more than 220 feet. It drains most of eastern zone Africa, from the eastern side to the southern side. Used to travel by overloaded freight barges on 1,000-mile journeys, it drains an area of about five hundred and sixty thousand square kilometres, with about one fifth of this area in Zaire Republic. Fishing is one of the main businesses on the Congo River.

Hippos in the Congo River

Most people who go to the Congo River in Africa for fishing do so with the help of guide services. A large number of people do well due to the help of guides from the fishing lodges around the Dongo area. These guides can arrange trips for fishing, boats, tackle, transport and meals. They also ensure that all safety measures are in place, and that all necessary licenses are carried out.

The fishing is usually done between October and November, with the water levels receding between these months. For a while in May and June the water levels in Lake Makgadikgadi rise and fall dramatically. This is good news for those fishing for larger fish that can reach over forty kilos. However, the large fish migrate to the other lakes in that area and the competition for food becomes serious. This is when the fishing becomes tough. August to September are the peak months for African fish. Many people make their trip to Congo River in Africa only during these months.

The Congo River in Africa is an excellent place for people who love adventure. It provides many opportunities to watch an amazing variety of fish in their natural habitat. It also offers many opportunities to go mountain climbing, visit an archaeological site, or trek to the highest peaks in the country.

Where in the world is your ultimate fishing trip?