Hewes Redfisher
3
18,50 ft
Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)
From
$ 350
Deposit non-refundable
Fishing in Cancun
Cancun is in the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Not only is it renowned for its all-inclusive five star resorts, stunning white sand beaches and extr...
Read more..Cancun is in the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Not only is it renowned for its all-inclusive five star resorts, stunning white sand beaches and extravagant nightlife, it also offers a great fishing destination with outstanding inshore and offshore conditions.
That’s why thousands of tourists head to Mexico to go fishing in Cancun: for offshore fishing it is one of the best places for Billfish, tuna, wahoo and Mahi Mahi. Whilst Bonefish, Jack Crevalle, Tarpon, Permit and Snook are the top species when inshore fishing.
SEE AVAILABILITY FROM FISHING CHARTER
Most popular fishing boats charters in Cancun
13 boats for charter near by Cancun
Tips & Tricks, bait and more
This abundance of fish species is due to the deep water channel just off the Yucatan coast, which narrows into a gulf stream as it passes by on its journey Northward. This, therefore creates a ‘funneling’ effect that causes an upwelling, with the baitfish and their predators close behind!
Offshore Big Game Fishing Cancun
Most charter boats will begin trolling shortly after leaving the marina area, before heading off to visit the best spots, depending on the season, for Dorado, sailfish, Wahoo or Marlin.
Bottom fishing can also be very productive, often becoming the fishing technique of choice in the winter.
The best offshore fishing often takes place around 15 to 35 miles off coast. Meaning that longer charter trips are highly recommended, especially for those who have their sights set on the likes of the Billfish! Most deep sea fishing charters in the Riviera Maya troll with live bait such as Bonito or Blue Runners. Although dead Ballyhoos, cut bait and artificial lures with skirts and teasers are also very popular.
Deep sea fishing Cancun
Inshore, Isla Mujeres and the Isla Blanca pride themselves with some of the best fishing in the world, mostly for Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, and Snook.The Isla Blanca Lagoon is a twelve mile stretch of grassy, mud and sand flats that create the perfect condition for light tackle and fly fishing, whilst closer to home, the Nichupté Lagoon has great conditions for big Permit and is a hotspot for Cancun flats fishing.
Anglers who want to try some surf fishing should invest in shrimp and squid for the best bite from the local Snappers and Permit. Isla Mujeres, Isla Blanca and the Nichupté Lagoon are the best spots to attract all kinds of inshore predators with artificials like Poppers, stickbait, jigs and spinners. The mud and sand flats of Cancun are also ideal places for fly fishing. Fans can target Tarpon, Jack Crevalle, Permit and Bonefish in these stunning crystal clear waters.
Top sport fishing species in Cancun
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The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), often referred to as barracuda, is a long predator that can be found in tropical and subtropical waters where they like to patroll mangroves, reefs and drop-offs. Record barracuda can grow to 1,5m and weigh over 45kg (100lb+).
MORE INFO >Barracuda
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Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are also commonly referred to as dorado, dolphin or dolphinfish. They are recognizable by their bluntly shaped heads, long dorsal fin and their bright colouring, dark blue and green on their dorsal side and yellow on their sides and underside.
MORE INFO >Dorado
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Yellowfin tuna grow fast, up to 400 pounds (180kg) in about a 7-year lifespan, and they range in length from 59 inches to 88 inches long. They’re known for their torpedo shape, with a pointed nose and a sickle-shaped tail, and have dark blue backs with yellow sides (thus their name) with a silver underside.
MORE INFO >Yellowfin Tuna
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Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), also known as Ono (meaning “delicious” in Hawaiian), are found in many subtropical and tropical waters. They’re identifiable by their blue-green upper body which shifts into silver towards their belly. They also have blue vertical striping along their sides. These predators are torpedo-shaped and have long and largemouths with teeth.
MORE INFO >Wahoo
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The Amberjack species are a game fish that are found both in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Jigging and live bait fishing are the best techniques to target these magnificent fighters. Greater Amberjack can weigh up to 170 lb (80 kg).
MORE INFO >Amberjack
FISHING SEASON IN Cancun
The Cancun fishing seasons depend on many factors (winds, currents, moon phases, seasons...) but no worries: fishing these Mexican Caribbean waters is a year round sport. Baby Tarpon and Snook can be found year round in the Cancun and the Isla Blanca area. The best time to target bigger Tarpon the summer months in Cancun and Isla Blanca.
If you're looking for Cancun Bonefish, the summer months are the most productive. Snook fishing in Cancun is great from February to August, being November, December & January the peak season for Cancun Snook fishing.
Isla Blanca is the hot spot for Permit fishing. You will hook them between May and August.
Barracuda, Snapper, Jack, Sea Trout and Ladyfish are present all year round.
January: Yellowtail (Amberjack), Grouper, King Mackerel, Snook, Tarpon, Tuna, Wahoo, Snapper
February: Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Snook, Jack Crevalle
March: Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Snook, Jack Crevalle
April: Marlin, Permit, Snook, Tarpon, Wahoo, Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Great Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Jack Crevalle
May: Blue & White Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle
June: Marlin, Sailfish, Permit, Snook, Tarpon, Trout, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.
July: White & Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.
August: Sailfish, Tuna, Mackerel, Wahoo, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.
September: Sailfish, Tuna, Yellowtail, Wahoo, Barracuda, King Mackerel, Grouper, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.
October: Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Tarpon, Jack Crevalle
November: Snook, Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Yellowtail, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Tuna
TOP FISHING TECHNIQUES IN Cancun
TOURISM & OTHER ACTIVITIES
The range of options for tourists of all ages that Cancun offers, go beyond your imagination. There's more than fishing in Cancun. Ranging from diving & its underwater museum, exploring the ruins of Cozumel or the El Rey Ruins in Cancun, its trendy nightlife to golf, shopping, the premier spa destinations and much much more. Draw up an action-packed itinerary for your vacation in this intriguing city.
Book your hotel in the Zona Hotelera, this is a narrow strip between the Nichupté lagoon and the Caribbean Sea. Your kids will love visiting the Acuario Interactivo where they can swim with the fish. Don't miss great beaches like Playa del Carmen, Playa Tortugas and Playa Delfines with plenty of restaurants.
LEGISLATION / REGULATIONS
If you are fishing from the shore, you will not need a fishing license. However, Mexico has strict fishing regulations for fishing from boats. Essentially, every person aboard a boat that has fishing equipment on board is required to have a license.
You can purchase a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly fishing license via CONAPESCA.
You can find more information on their website, Conapesca
If you plan on using a fishing charter, most charter boats include fishing licenses in the cost of the charter, but to be sure it is best to ask when booking your trip.
How much does it cost to rent a boat to fish in Cancun?
Depending on the charter fishing boat and on the duration of your fishing tour, you’ll pay more or less for the tour. The price for a private 4 hour Cancun fishing trip with a smaller boat is $350. A half day trip with a 40ft charter costs around $800, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you $1000.
What does the price include?
The price usually includes the captain, fishing tackle and fuel. On every listing we indicate whether drinks and food are included.
Make sure you know if bait, fishing licenses and the local tax (16%) is included in the price or not as this can make quite a difference in the final price.
Some fishing charters also offer (free) pick-up and transportation from and to the hotel. If the hotel is far away from the port, there can be an extra charge for the transportation.
Once you’ve made a booking, the captain will contact you to arrange the meeting point and the departure time. Also, we recommend you contact the captain a couple of days before the tour to confirm the weather forecast.
