Looking for fishing inspiration in the Caribbean is hard. Not because there are no fish in these waters. No, it’s because every port and country are so beautiful you will want to visit them all! Fishing in these waters almost guarantees a catch and a nice home cooked meal. With good weather year-round and warm tropical waters, so many fish are down here and all of them are waiting to be reeled up. You will have no problems finding whatever size charter you are hoping to use—from private boats to party boats with a couple dozen people. And you won’t have to worry about equipment or bait since these companies provide them for you. And they know the best places to go fishing so you take something home with you!
So, what type of fish can you try to catch down in the Caribbean Sea? Where should you plan your next tropical destination that has a little bit of everything and activities on and off the water? Keep reading to find out!
What Type of Fish can be Caught in the Caribbean
Fishing down in the Caribbean is really a great time for plenty of reasons. Not only is there access to all different fishing methods that will make you successful—whether it be pier, inshore, or boat—but you also have tons of options for what fish you want to be searching for. With all of these fish options waiting for you below, all skill levels and people of all ages get put a rod in their hand and have a great day fishing for their dinner. Here are some of the most popular fish people fish for down in the Caribbean:
Billfish
A category used to describe the world’s best game fish—all of which have long bills—you can find marlin, sailfish, and even swordfish in these waters. You won’t necessarily find the largest game fish here, but they will still put up a good fight for you.
Tuna
Another fish that is going to put up a fun and dirty fight, there are yellowfin and blackfin tuna in these waters. Due to the popularity and fun times had catching these fish, you will find many charters around the Caribbean that do half and full day trips for anglers.
Mahi-Mahi
With its distinct green coloring, you will have no problem catching one of these beautiful fish. They are so popular in these waters that charter captains will normally clean and cook the meat for you. Who knows, you may even set a record catching a Mahi-Mahi down in the Caribbean.
Barracuda
Known around the world for its extremely sharp teeth, barracuda are easy to catch because they will anything that is put in front of them—lures, bait, both, doesn’t matter! Just make sure you have some heavy duty gloves on when you are unhooking them from the line.
Wahoo
You’ll be cheering and screaming “wahoo” as you reel in a large wahoo! Known of the fun fight they give anglers as they are being reeled in, these fish are found all over the Caribbean. Just work on your jigging and you’ll be reeling one in in no time.
Snook
Along the coast of Costa Rica, you will be able to enjoy some great sportfishing for snook. This fish can be caught from piers and is a great addition to any dinner time plans.
Grouper
A fish that is easy to catch without going too far from shore, Caribbean grouper don’t grow too large but they have a booming population, so there are plenty to go around. If you want to catch something guaranteed, this is just the fish to go after.
Mackerel
You won’t have a hard time at all going for Mackerel. No matter where you are fishing from, you will catch one of these fish. They may not be the most impressive, but they are fun to reel in.
Snapper
You may have an idea of what a snapper is wherever you’re from, but the snapper down in the Caribbean are something special! It’s very easy to find a charter boat going out for these yummy fish.
Where to go Fishing in the Caribbean
Now that you have an idea of what fish you can go for in the Caribbean, you have to pick where you are going to go! With picturesque resort towns and exciting new places to visit, you cannot go wrong with any of the spots for both a fun trip and a good time on a fishing boat:
Bahamas
The Bahamas is known as one of the world’s top fishing destinations. There are 16 islands that make up this country, all of which have their own fishing opportunities. Over 50 world records have been reeled in in the Bahamas. From gamefish to bone fish, you will find exactly what you are looking for. Mostly known for its deep sea fishing opportunities, you can easily catch a thousand pound fish in the deep waters here, or bring your family to a reef and have a hilarious time reeling in your dinner.
Dominican Republic
In the heart of the Caribbean, with more than 800 miles of beautiful coastline, you will be in an anglers paradise in the Dominican Republic. Thousands of fishers come to the island every year and hire professional guides to show them where they can reel up the next world record. Blue and white marlin are the top prizes that many come here for. If you want to stay closer in-shore, you can go to the flat or reefs and catch snook, bonefish, and tarpon. The reefs are great for fishing during the winter months, between November and May.
Turks and Caicos
Not only will you find exceptional snapper and grouper in these waters, but you will also be able to go lobster catching and searching for queen conch in the shallow Caicos Banks! The Turks and Caicos are an international fish exporter, and once you catch a fish you will understand why the rest of the world wants a taste too! These islands are great for family friendly fishing opportunities. And after you can all hang out in the pool!
Mexico
Mexico has calm waters and a lot of fish in them. You can go fishing for snapper, barracuda, marlin, bonito, and so much more. Whether you’ve been fishing for ages or this is your first time on a boat with a rod and reel in your hand, you will certainly have fun trying your luck and seeing what you can bring onto the boat.
Grenada
Grenada has it all—reefs, shoals, and more deep water than you could ever imagine, in the deepest shades of blue. You will be able to catch all of the sportfish that you could want. The best way to go on a fishing adventure in Grenada is to join a local fishing charter. There is also an annual tournament held in January where competitive fishers from all around fish in these waters and try their luck!
Honduras
You may not think that going to the Caribbean to fish means you’ll be doing fly fishing. But in Honduras, you will see anglers all over using this technique to bring in some beautiful fish. Of course, you will want to try to catch a classic bonefish while casting from the shoreline. But just head out a bit into the water on a boat and you will also see the incredible aquatic life that calls Honduras Bay home—sponges, sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, and more fish in vibrant colors than you can imagine.
Antigua
Antigua is a great port to go deep sea fishing while on a vacation. You will be able to find big game fish in the deep waters near the island, like tuna, sailfish, marlin, and mahi-mahi. You can also go fishing for bone fish like snook and barracuda. If you are looking to have some fun and catch the big fish, or just want to see what kind of big fish other people have reeled in, visit the island during the annual Antigua and Barbuda Sport Fishing Tournament.
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
The capital of the US Virgin Islands, this tiny island is full of mountains with some natural harbors and lagoons that give visitors great opportunities for fishing from land. There is also an off-shore reef system that you can take a boat out to and spend an afternoon fishing or snorkeling and looking at the life below.
Cayman Islands
Surrounding the Cayman Islands are reefs and flats and deep, deep waters that give you plenty of options for the type of fish you want to go for! The Cayman Islands are good for those who are looking for a thrill and serious fishers, but also for those who just want a day on the water and to see what happens when they drop a line in. You will be able to catch snapper and grouper or try your hand at Caribbean fly-fishing or tarpon fishing! You can also head about 10 miles off the island to the Cayman Trench, where the water reaches depths of 20,000 feet, where plenty of marlin, wahoo, mahi-mahi, and more live.
No matter which of the many islands you decide to go to, a fishing trip in the Caribbean is just the trip you need to refresh and reconnect with nature and your family. Spend your days on the water and your evenings exploring the town on your next Caribbean fishing adventure!
