Panga 23
Cozumel, Riviera Maya (MX)
You’ve heard of the beaches, the gorgeous water, the luxurious resorts, but did you know that there is amazing ...
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You’ve heard of the beaches, the gorgeous water, the luxurious resorts, but did you know that there is amazing sport fishing in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya? The Yucatán Peninsula is a unique geographic zone which has access to both the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, creating the perfect conditions for non-stop deep water sport fishing AND out-of-this-world flats fishing.
Along the Riviera Maya, from Isla Mujeres down to Cozumel, fishing opportunities abound. The Yucatán Channel between the Yucatán Peninsula and Cuba is 120 miles wide and 2800 ft deep, and it is a major highway for pelagic fish species migrating to and from the Gulf of Mexico throughout the year.
Another channel, this one between the island of Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, is also a major thoroughfare for game fish species. The entire coast lies along the edge of a large underwater valley, which provides easy, quick access to offshore fishing.
The migratory route from the Caribbean to the Gulf, where many fish species mate and spawn before returning to the Atlantic, runs right through the Yucatán Channel, and right where the channel narrows to a funnel at Cabo Catoche Playa del Carmen fishing is always good.
In February anglers flock to Isla Mujeres, Cancún, and Cozumel for white marlin, until late spring. From the months of March through July, Sailfish and marlin are abundant off of Playa del Carmen as they migrate in spring and summer. This is one of the rare places in the world where you can catch a Grand Slam of billfish all in the same day!
But, billfish are only one of the area’s many draws; truth is that anywhere along the coast fish are certain to be biting, unless a cold thermal has driven them south to warmer water. October is prime time for swordfish in the Yucatán Channel, and off of Chinchorro and the offshore banks farther south in Quintana Roo. Then in December and January migrating Atlantic Sailfish gather in the Yucatán Channel off of Isla Mujeres, chasing schools of baitfish heading into the area— and the bite increases as spring approaches!
Playa del Carmen fishing is not known for its flats or shore fishing, but you can definitely toss a line out from the beach, as long as you stay south of the hotels, and 250-feet away from swimmers.
The waters south of Playa del Carmen towards the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, all the way to Asención Bay are a haven for fly fishermen and inshore fishing. This area boasts of several world famous fly fishing resorts, perfect for that special vacation you’ve always dreamed of— days full of chasing bonefish, permit, tarpon, yellowtail, trout, barracuda, and jack crevalle. Some resorts cater to specific areas and specific fish such as tarpon and permit— so if fly fishing on the Yucatán Peninsula is your dream, there are many places to make that happen. As in other parts of Mexico, bring your own fly fishing gear, although there are shops and gear available in some of the larger resorts.
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.
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.
Famous for its runs, - which is why they're also called the torpedo of the flats - bonefish (Albula vulpes) are the fly fishing favorite. They inhabit inshore tropical waters in Florida, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Riviera Maya in Mexico, Belize, Venezuela and the Seychelles, for example. Bonefish can weigh up to 19 lb (8.6 kg) and measure up to 105 cm (41 in) long.
The permit (Trachinotus falcatus) is a sought after fly fishing game fish. They are usually found in shallow tropical waters such as flats and channels of the Atlantic Ocean. Permit also frequent offshore wrecks. This species is distributed from Florida, Riviera Maya in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua all the way down to the Carribean Islands and Brazil. Permit can grow to about 4ft (1,2m) in length and weigh up to 27kg (60lbs).
Sailfish (Istiophorus) are one the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. Often described as the fastest fish in the sea, sailfish can weigh up to 90 kg (200 pounds) and grow up to 3 m (9.7 ft) in length.
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+).
The Crevalle Jack or Jack Crevalle (Caranx hippos) is a very popular sport fish that belongs to the Carangidae fish species. Horse mackerel, amberjack and giant trevally also belong to this family. Jack Crevalle can grow to a length of 120 cm and a weight of 30 kg.
The snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a great sportfish widespread throughout in western atlantic coastal waters. They are found in creeks, mangroves and shallow waters from North Carolina to Brazil. Snook can grow over 50 inch (1,4m) and weigh over 20kg (50lb)!
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).
The king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) or kingfish is a common fish species of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. King Mackerel can grow to up to 40kg (90lb) and have razor sharp teeth.
The northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is a popular fish often caught reef fishing in the Atlantic waters of Florida, Gulf of Mexico and also the Caribbean. This sought-after game fish can reach 1 m and weight up to 50lb.
The tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a silver coloured predator who loves hunting for fish and crustaceans in lagoons, rivers, ports, estuaries and other shallow waters. They inhabit the coastal waters in the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Argentina. Tarpon can grow up to 2,5m and weigh over 150 kg (350 lb).
The Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is probably the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. The magnificent fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. Blue Marlin is mainly caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
The White Marlin (Kajikia albida) is a very nice predator which can be caught off shore in warmer waters. This powerful fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. They can be caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
The Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) has large eyes and long pectoral fins. This is why this species is also known as longfin tuna. The largest Albacore can reach up to 140 cm (4.6ft) and weigh up to 40 kg (90lb).
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.
Grouper is common name for all the bass-looking-fish from the Epinephelinae Family. This family also includes sea bass by the way. Grouper are colorful predators who like to live in rocky areas, reefs, wrecks where they can hide.
The common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) is a type of snapper, common in the Meditarranea Sea, but is also present in the eastern Atlantic coastal areas from Cape Verde to Scandinavia. The biggest pandora can grow up to 50cm (20 inch).
January: Yellowtail (Amberjack), Grouper, King Mackerel, Snook, Tarpon, Tuna, Wahoo, Snapper
Playa del Carmen fishing in 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: Deep sea fishing Playa del Carmen in September will produce fish including Sailfish, Tuna, Yellowtail, Wahoo, Barracuda and King Mackerel. Inshore there's 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 (deep sea fishing)
December: Fishing Playa del Carmen in December will produce species such as Snook, Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Yellowtail, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Tuna
Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya are a Caribbean beach paradise, and one of the best places to enjoy the beach and water sports! Take advantage of the crystal clear turquoise waters and go paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and plenty of other fun adventures!
Visit an Underground River— Rio Secreto (or Secret River) is an underground river and collection of caves with turquoise-blue water winding through rock formations within the caves, which include stalactites and stalagmites. Visitors can swim in the river, climb through the caves, learn about local Mayan culture, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Bonus: it’s a great rainy day activity.
Golfing is a popular in Playa del Carmen, it boasts three premiere golf courses, and many tourists come down from Cancún to golf here. The most popular courses are Golf Club Playacar, Grand Coral Golf Riviera Maya and El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Club— the former is considered a gem of a PGA course.
Explore Mexican and Mayan Culture in Tulum— it would be a shame to travel to this part of the world and not see some of the best preserved Mayan ruins, and the natural beauty of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Just south of Tulum, the reserve contains more than 1.2 million acres of estuaries, reefs, cenotes and wetlands. Within the park, you can take tours of the local wildlife, take part in a diving or snorkeling tour or simply just walk around the beautiful and expansive park. Also on the south side of Tulum are the Pre-Colombian Mayan ruins, which feature temple and castle ruins and beautiful scenery.
Fishing and Snorkeling in Puerto Aventuras.
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 through 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. The Playa del Carmen fishing charters sometimes include the lincense in the price of the trip.