Around 70% of the world is covered by oceans, so planning where to go for your deep sea fishing outing can be overwhelming. Even if you narrow it down to one country. It’s no secret that location is everything when it comes to deep sea fishing. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best locations every deep sea fishing enthusiast should visit.
Islamorada, Florida
Florida offers some of the best deep sea fishing in the U.S. In fact, this beautiful Florida Keys area is known as the sport fishing capital of the world.
Islamorada is located between the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay. Best of all, you can target just about any species you want.
If you go in late fall, you can chase grouper or yellowtail. It makes for a truly unforgettable deep sea fishing experience.
Read more about deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys here.
Maui, Hawaii
Hawaii is on the bucket list for most vacationers. After all, the scenery during a summer or winter trip can be breathtaking.
Muai is a great location for both experienced and inexperienced anglers. There are also plenty of other activities for family members choosing to stay onshore.
Mahi-mahi are an incredibly sought after species to target at this location, but there is an extremely divers fishery around Maui. The incredible scenery mixed with incredible fishing makes this one of the best locations in the world.
Read more about fishing Maui here.
Venice, Louisiana
Louisiana offers some of the most unique fisheries in the U.S.
If you’re looking to make your trip a lucrative one, consider targeting red snapper and grouper off of oil rigs. Some of these are located just a couple hundred yards off the coast, so you won’t have to sail miles out into the ocean.
A lot of New Orleans charters launch in Venice, so it’s easy to couple the trip with evenings on Bourbon Street (just remember you likely have to wake up at 5am!).
Read more about charter fishing in Louisiana here.
Seattle, Washington
A fisherman in the Puget Sound in Washington, USA.
Seattle is another destination with unbelievable views. However, the climate can be harsher than what you might expect.
Luckily, there are fishing apps that can help mitigate some of the weather risks.
Puget Sound has water as deep as 900 feet, and it’s only about a 15-minute trip. This is an awesome location to target halibut or salmon while experiencing the unique culture the city has to offer.
Read more about fishing in Seattle here.
Destin, Florida
Another Florida destination made the list (but rightfully so!).
Destin has some of the most beautiful water and weather you can experience year-round.
There’s no shortage of deep sea fishing options here, but anglers enjoy trolling for big game species like wahoo or king mackerel.
There are countless charters and plenty of nightlife choices.
Read more about fishing Destin here.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
North Carolina is a yearly vacation goal for thousands on the east coast of the U.S. North Carolina has beautiful mountains, great cities and towns for food, rivers, liakes, and great fishing off shore. The outer banks are an extremely sought after destination and are known as the billfish capital of the world for good reason.
In August or September, you can target sailfish while enjoying the amazing weather. It’s a must-have experience for any passionate angler.
If you’re looking to get out of the big cities and embrace the outdoors, this may be the perfect spot for you.
See more about fishing the outer banks here.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is a great location to visit in late spring. While there, you can go after bluefish and striped bass.
The Nantucket Shoals can provide thousands of pounds of bluefish in a full-day trip. This is because they begin to move in, chasing the porgy run.
In addition to bluefish, Cape Cod offers an array of other incredible fish that includes but is not limited to, cod, striped bass, haddock, bluefin tuna, and more.
Read more about fishing Cape Cod here.
Conclusion
The U.S. has endless opportunities for deep sea fishing any time of year. We’ve listed a few at just about every corner of the U.S. to help you find your next great adventure.
You can create memorable trips regardless of what coast you’re on or what species you prefer to target.
If you are looking to visit some of these sites without paying for a charter, we would encourage you to do your research, but charters are a great way to maximize your fishing success, and learn about a particular water as quickly as possible.
If you elect to go without a charter, you should be sure you have the right gear for fishing offshore and put together a clear plan for what locations you want to visit.
With a little bit of patience and experience, you can quickly become your own charter captain. Tight lines!
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about