From ensuring survival to angling for sport, saltwater fishing has always been an integral activity for humans. It’s what’s provided us with much-needed sustenance throughout history, along with plenty of fun along the way. And while the methods and reasons to hit to waters have somewhat changed in modern times, the seas still call to many even today.
In this article, we’ll outline all the basic information you need to know about saltwater fishing. We’ll focus on the sporting aspect of it, looking at some of the top species to add to your bucket list, the top destinations to visit, and the most effective ways to reel in that prized catch. When you’re ready, let’s dive in!
Top Saltwater Fish Species
The seas are vast and the fish swimming in them are many. So the species you’ll read about here are far from all you’ll get to hook into. However, the fish on our list definitely fall among the most popular target species, especially in the US.
Inshore
Coastal waters can be treasure trove of fish. And it’s not just small stuff you’ll get to catch – there are some seriously exciting species to reel in only a stone’s throw from shore!
- Snook. Present from South Carolina to Brazil, Snook are a staple game fish in the Americas. They’re especially widespread in Florida, where you can catch them in mangrove forests, inlets, flats, and bays. Snook are easily identified by the thin line that runs along the entire length of their bodies. They can grow to weights exceeding 40 pounds, and they’ll fight hard when hooked.
- Redfish. Sharing a lot of their habitat with Snook, Redfish are found in coastal waters from Massachusetts down to Northern Mexico. Capable of reaching over 40 inches in length, Redfish are both excellent game fish and delicious table fare. You can generally target them year-round, but fall is often the best season to catch trophy-sized specimens.
- Tarpon. With large silvery scales and powerful bodies capable of leaping several feet into the air, Tarpon are the premier inshore game fish. They put up an immensely difficult fight, often making anglers double over in effort to reel them in. You can find these silvery dinosaurs across the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, but also as far as Africa.
- Bonefish. Elusive and blindingly fast, Bonefish represent one of the most exciting inshore fishing challenges. Their shimmering scales meld with the water, making it hard to spot them, and if you don’t land your cast just right, they’ll rarely bite. These traits make them favorites among fly fishers in particular. Bonefish are present from Florida to the Caribbean, though some species are also found in the Pacific Ocean.
- Permit. Together with Tarpon and Bonefish, Permit form the Caribbean fly fishing Grand Slam trio. And like the previous two entries on this list, they’re absolutely fantastic fighters. Permit inhabit coastal waters and they’re most abundant in Florida, various Caribbean islands, as well as Belize.
The five fish we named so far are mostly present in the Americas. But you’ll find many other exciting species in other parts of the world. Australia’s Barramundi is a great example, as well as Giant Trevally that you’ll find in places such as the Seychelles, Oman, and the Maldives. There’s also Roosterfish, which is a staple saltwater game fish in Costa Rica and the Pacific shores of Mexico.
Nearshore
Nearshore fishing is a loose term, but it generally refers to casting your line in waters up to around 10 miles offshore. Within this range, you’ll find an incredible variety of species, especially if you’re looking for fish to reel in to eat.
- Grouper. There are numerous species of Grouper swimming in the seas across the globe, but a common trait among almost all of them is that they’re delicious to eat. Groupers like to lurk near reefs, wrecks, and similar underwater structures. Gag, Black, Red, Dusky, and – the largest among them – Goliath Grouper are a few species you’ll frequently see anglers target.
- Snapper. Numbering over 100 species, Snappers are a family of fish saltwater anglers love seeing at the end of their lines. The reason is simple – these fish are absolutely delicious. Whether it’s Mangrove, Lane, Mutton, or the famed Red Snapper, they all make for excellent table fare. They’re widespread throughout the oceans, and you’ll often catch them fishing near reefs.
- Rockfish. Depending on where you cast your line, the term “Rockfish” will refer to a different species. Here, however, we’re primarily talking about the fish belonging to the Sebastidae family. These Rockfish inhabit the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, but the hottest angling usually takes place off America’s West Coast. But what makes them so appealing to anglers? Their taste, of course!
- Mackerel. Found everywhere from Iceland down to Australia, Mackerel are beloved both by anglers and foodies worldwide. There are over 30 different species of these fish, but most of them follow a similar pattern where they’ll move in the nearshore range during their seasonal migrations. King Mackerel is arguably the most popular member of the family among anglers, along with Wahoo that are found in offshore waters.
- Cobia. A brown, Shark-like fish that seems to be entirely made of muscle, Cobia is one of the finest fighters you can find within a few miles of the shoreline. They’re present throughout the Atlantic and the Caribbean, but you’ll also find them in the Indian Ocean, Japan, and Australia. Cobia are notably hard to locate but easy to hook. And once you have them biting, they’ll give you a thrilling battle.
Granted, the nearshore grounds are home to many other species besides the few we named here. In particular, you’ll different kinds of Sharks lurking everywhere from coastal waters to the various reefs and wrecks. If you’ve never had a chance to wrestle a Shark, we highly recommend giving it a try!
Offshore
Fishing offshore takes the most time, skill, and effort, but it also holds the biggest prizes. The deep waters are a playground for all kinds of amazing fish, and provide a setting for anglers to create their own legends. Have a look at these popular offshore target species:
- Amberjack. Stubborn and immensely strong, Amberjack are notoriously difficult to handle, especially if you hook into a big one. The pull almost feels as if there’s a truck underwater trying to get away from you. It’s this tenaciousness that has earned Amberjack respect from anglers worldwide. They’re reef fish so you’ll sometimes find them fairly close to shore. However, larger “reef donkeys” typically lurk in the deep seas.
- Mahi Mahi. Colorful, fun to fight, and delicious to boot, Mahi Mahi are a staple game fish. They’re the fastest-growing species in the ocean, making them fairly sustainable targets to go for if you intend on keeping your catch. Mahi Mahi are usually caught offshore, near various floating debris and vegetation.
- Swordfish. Elusive, fierce, and capable of growing to weights of over 1,000 pounds, Swordfish fall among some of the toughest sport fish out there. They’re notoriously difficult to catch, as they’ll lurk at depths of over 1,000 feet, coming closer to the surface only during nighttime. You can catch them in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, but the grounds they prowl typically lie far from shore.
- Marlin. Famously recounted in Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea, many anglers consider Marlin as the ultimate sportfishing challenge. In fact, the entire Billfish family is stacked with great fighters. Whether it’s White, Black, Striped, or Blue Marlin, or even their cousins, Sailfish, they’ll all present you with a unique thrill. You’ll find them in temperate and tropical waters, but Hawaii, the Azores, Bermuda, and Cabo San Lucas are a few popular destinations.
- Tuna. While there are about 15 different species that vary in size, what most Tuna have in common is that they’ll put up an unforgettable fight once hooked. This is especially true if you hook into larger types of Tuna such as Yellowfin, Dogtooth, Bigeye, or monster Bluefin. These will provide you with battles that can sometimes last for hours on end, during which they’ll test every muscle in your body.
Best Saltwater Fishing Destinations
There are thousands of destinations across the world that offer amazing saltwater fishing. However, some still excel compared to others. We’ve written numerous articles on saltwater fishing destinations around the globe, so check out some of the top ones.
How to Go Saltwater Fishing
Depending on the fish you want to catch, there are a number of ways to go saltwater fishing. The simplest – and most frugal – approach to it is to simply fish from shore. All the amazing species we listed in the inshore section of the article can be caught from land, along with many others. Some people even fish for Sharks from land!
With this in mind, fishing on a boat will give you far more variety. Besides allowing you to go to the more distant offshore spots, a boat is useful even in coastal fisheries since it’ll give you the opportunity to move places and lock in on the bite faster.
Of course, it’s important to know where to go, so if you’re new to a fishery your best bet is to hop on a fishing charter. With an experienced captain leading the way, you’ll have your finger on the fish pulse wherever you go.
Saltwater Fishing Techniques
There are many ways to catch a fish, but some methods have proven to be effective in saltwater. If you’re an experienced angler, you’ll be no stranger to any of the techniques we’ll name. However, for beginners, these are some of the tricks you might employ when you’re on the water.
- Sight fishing. Sight fishing is a method that’s as old as time. See fish, make a cast, reel, reel, reel, and boom – you’re going home with dinner in tow. It’s especially popular among inshore anglers as, when the waters are clear, you can spot the fish outside of spook distance. At that point you just need to nail that cast, and you’re on.
- Bottom fishing. Many delicious fish, such as Grouper and Snapper, like to lurk near the ocean floor. And when you want to catch them, bottom fishing is the way to go. The technique itself is simple – position yourself above spots you think might hold fish and lower your baited hook all the way to the bottom. It’s a technique that’s suitable for anglers of all skill levels, and a great way to introduce your children to fishing.
- Jigging. A fun, versatile, and effective way to fish all at once, jigging involves moving your rod up and down in a rapid motion, making your lures jiggle vertically in the water column. The movement mimics wounded bait fish, drawing in the target species to strike. It’s a technique that’ll work for a variety of species, including Tuna, Snapper, Grouper, Mackerel, and more.
- Trolling. A staple saltwater fishing technique, trolling is an incredibly productive way to entice the bite. You simply rig a few rods, start driving the boat, and drag baited hooks behind you. This simulates swimming bait schools, luring in fish such as Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and many others.
- Fly fishing. A method dating back to the Roman Empire, fly fishing remains an obsession for many modern anglers. It’s a difficult technique to master, as it involves using specialized rods to cast light artificial flies, designed to resemble various insects. In saltwater, you can fly fish for a number of exciting species including Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, GT, Milkfish, and, if you have the skills, even big game such as Sailfish!
Saltwater Fishing Seasons
We’ll state the obvious – the best season to go saltwater fishing depends on where you go and what you want to catch. However, there are a few very loose patterns that you can adhere to as you plan your trip.
The first is if you plan on reef or bottom fishing. The fish that lurk along those kinds of angling grounds are typically there throughout the year. So if you’re looking to reel in something tasty for dinner, there’s almost always a chance to do so. The one thing to pay attention when you’re planning a bottom fishing trip is how the fish are regulated in the destination you want to visit.
A second broad pattern refers to pelagic fish. Species such as Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, and Billfish may or may not bite during the same season based on where you go. However, the summer season generally offers the most variety across the different parts of the world. Still, if you’re set on a particular species, it’s best to look up what the prime season for it is.
Lastly, inshore fishing is a year-round endeavor in most parts of the world. Unless you plan on fishing somewhere extreme, such as Alaska, very few places out there have a real “off-season” when barely anything bites. So if you find yourself travelling outside of peak fishing seasons, hitting the coastal waters should be a solid bet nonetheless.
How did you enjoy our piece on saltwater fishing? Was the information in the article useful for you? Let us know in the comments below!
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