Abiyael
4
26,00 ft
Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya (MX)
From
292,87 €
Fishing in Playa del Carmen
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.
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9 Charter in Playa del Carmen
Tips & Tricks, bait and more
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 the catch 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 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.
Top sport fishing species in Playa del Carmen
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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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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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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.
MORE INFO >Bonefish
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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).
MORE INFO >Permit
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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.
MORE INFO >Sailfish
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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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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.
MORE INFO >Jack Crevalle
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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)!
MORE INFO >Snook
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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
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This fish is of the Balistidae family. There are about 40 species of triggerfish. The largest trigger triggerfish can grow up to 75 cm (30 inch).
MORE INFO >Triggerfish
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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.
MORE INFO >Red Snapper
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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.
MORE INFO >Grouper
FISHING SEASON IN Playa del Carmen
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 (deep sea fishing)
December: Snook, Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Yellowtail, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Tuna
TOP FISHING TECHNIQUES IN Playa del Carmen
OUR USERS IN Playa del Carmen
TOURISM & OTHER ACTIVITIES
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.
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 through the CONAPESCA’s office in San Diego, California or on-line.
You can find more information on their website, www.sportfishinginmexico.com
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.
