Destination: Atlantic Ocean

If you’re ready for the ultimate level of sportfishing, meaning traveling, plan now to see what the fishing world has to offer. Chances are it entails traveling to the Pacific and Central America. Before you go, we remind you of the Western Atlantic. The proximity of the fishing grounds between the U.S., Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico, and their respective seasons, creates a great annual migration for sportfishermen.

Winter and Spring

Treasure Coast: Ft. Pierce & Stuart, Florida

Both areas offer many occasions to target pelagics while trolling dead bait. Dead bait is preferred in this region, while live bait fishing is more popular further south. Historically, sailfish migrate through the region as cold fronts push south. Several sailfish tournaments happen in January and February. It easy to track the bite as boats tally scores and fly flags each day. Note that when strong cold fronts pass through, there are strong north winds, and the ocean gets rough fast. Generally, this rough weather window passes quickly. A day or two can make a big difference in the conditions.

In March, the yellowfin tuna arrives off Cape Canaveral on the east side of the Gulf Stream. It worth the trip to see the birds, the bait balls and your spread coming tight. Mutton snapper also begins off the Florida coast in March.

South Florida: West Palm Beach to Miami

The offshore scene here in the winter is primarily live-bait kite fishing. Most boats run double kites with two or three baits attached to each one. If youre new to this, hire a good deckhand who is proficient in kite fishing. It can be tricky to get the kites flying just right. There a modest learning curve to mastering this technique. You can always learn with one kite and freeline a couple of baits off the transom. Regardless, the sight of a dozen sailfish surfacing around your baits will create a lifelong memory. Blackfin tuna, mahi, wahoo, tuna and kingfish can also fall prey to your live baits. Another option is trying your luck with daytime swordfishing. Dropping a bait down to the bottom in 1,300-1,700 feet is highly effective for a swordfish.

The Florida Keys

There a smorgasbord of fishing prospects whether you choose the upper, middle or lower Keys to home base. The sailfish migration can produce multiple numbers in a day. Like South Florida, sailfishing is weather dependent. Sight fishing is preferred, and the action gets fun as you watch for ballyhoo showering on the surface to elude attacking sailfish. Then, it time to cast a live bait at the sailfish silhouettes underneath the surface. Dont be alarmed if other boats see the same thing and join in. Usually, everyone works together. Be forewarned; other boats can get very close. It a fun and unique fishery when it comes together. Besides sailfish, there are other pelagics to catch, plus a shot at swordfishing.

Bahamas Winter Travel

West End: When the weather permits, the Bahamas offers plenty of sportfish prospects. The easiest access is the 60-mile run from Palm Beach to West End. Then, troll the edge off the Little Bahamas Bank for wahoo, marlin, and tuna. It common to have multiple billfish bites in good conditions.

Chub Cay, The Pocket

In January, when there is a southeast breeze, the Pocket can produce an excellent marlin bite. Be on high alert for the right southeast breeze conditions and take advantage of a generally small weather window. In other words, drop everything and go when the forecast is favorable. Chub Cay, which recently held its third annual tournament, is the best marina for access. Multiple marlin bites per day are possible as the fish get funneled into the Pocket.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico: February & March

To increase angling skills in your early years of sportfishing, travel to Isla Mujeres. The 360-mile crossing from Key West is possible in a day, plus there a short one-hour flight from Miami to Cancun. These are among the best sailfish grounds in the Atlantic Ocean. When the bite is on, slow trolling small ballyhoo will have you dropping back to feeding sailfish 20 to 30 or more times a day. Multiple hook-ups are the norm and good coaching can take your angling skills to the next level. Youll have a small fleet of American boats to communicate with this time of year. Isla Mujeres is a must-do if you are serious about sportfishing.

Spring and Early Summer

Following your winter sailfish fix in Florida, bounce around the Bahamas. One recommendation is the Abacos. The tournament scene happens in April and May, with many boats based in Marsh Harbour and the Abaco Beach Resort. Marsh Harbour Airport is conveniently a few minutes from the marina. Another recommendation is to head to the new Walkers Cay Marina to the north, and then navigate south to islands like Treasure Cay Green Turtle and Elbow Cay. There are excellent deep-dropping opportunities. Exploring other islands and sampling the local bars and restaurants makes up for any slow fishing.

Dominican Republic (DR)

Catch blue and white marlin and lots of them on light (30-pound) stand-up tackle in the DR. The scene is all about trolling around FADS, deployed by Dominican commercial fishermen, and picking off the marlin feeding around them. Be prepared for a visit from one of these local outboard panga boats who will ask for your marlin. It their culture, and any fish harvested helps feed the locals. Good communication with your dock partners will have you dialed into the bite.

Marina Casa de Campo, located on the island southeastern side, is popular due to the good blue marlin bite in February and March. On the island east side is Cap Cana Marina, off which is a good white marlin bite from late spring into summer. Blue marlin mix in the bite too.

U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) & British Virgin Islands (BVI)

June through October are the peak months for the famed North Drop blue marlin bite. Plan to fish five days before and five days after the full moon. Clearing customs in and out of the BVI from the USVI to the North Drop fishing grounds is mandatory and enforced. Let hope this changes soon. You can also base out of Scrub Island in the BVI to eliminate clearing customs when fishing the North Drop. In August, the annual San Juan International Billfish Tournament takes place in Puerto Rico. With only 60-70 miles between the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, some boats will visit and enjoy the long-running tournament. The marlin fishing here is one of the most consistent fisheries in the Atlantic.

Summer

Most summer travel entails heading north up the eastern seaboard. Geographically, North Carolina Outer Banks are closest to the Gulf Stream. For a new sportfishing boat owner, one summer fishing on the Outer Banks provides a full spectrum of experiences, from big blue marlin to getting covered with packs of white marlin or schools of yellowfin tuna, mahi and wahoo. Hatteras and Oregon Inlet are the two main Outer Banks hubs.

The Big Rock Tournament held in Moorhead City, North Carolina in June jump starts the summer. In Manteo, North Carolina, Pirate Cove Marina hosts several long-running fishing tournaments. The summer season runs well into September if the bluewater conditions remain favorable.

Fishing in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic region often requires 60-plus mile runs to the fishing grounds, but the canyons can be productive. Several marlin and tuna tournaments happen in the summer. The White Marlin Open is a bucket list must. It a spectacle to witness 400-plus boats vying for huge prize money. Ocean City, Maryland, shows tremendous support for this tournament, which is one of the biggest in our sport.

Bermuda

This isolated, yet pristine and magical, island is some 600 miles off the East Coast and home to spectacular blue marlin fishing. Find these on the Challenger and Argus Banks, located 14 and 31 miles off Bermuda, respectively. Be prepared with heavy tackle because Bermuda is known for its big blue marlin. The local hospitality is big too. Bermudians are super friendly and exceptionally helpful.

Late Summer and Early Fall

With peak hurricane season in late August through September, having a storm plan is important for a new boat owner peace of mind. Many boats stay up north until late September, while some like to haul out during these months for annual boat yard maintenance.

Winter Travel

For most East Coast traveling sportfishermen, it time to return to Florida or make plans to ship the boat over to the Pacific. Sportfishing lends itself to traveling and the limitless experiences which go along with it. Take time to plan and see for yourself the incredible places which make up our sport. The fish have tails for a reason!