Fishing Destinations Worth Travelling For
Five of our Favourite Fishing Destinations in the World
There are places you fish, and there are places that leave a mark. The ones you daydream about on slow mornings or talk about around the fire after a few beers. After years chasing fish across continents, from gin-clear flats to deep river jungles, a few regions stand out above the rest. Not just because of the fish, but because of the full picture: the water, the environment, the species, the way it all just comes together.
These are five of my all-time favorite fishing destinations on the planet. If you’re serious about your angling, you should get to know them.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
What makes it special: Massive reef system, crystal-clear water, and brutal fish that know how to break gear and hearts
Trophy species: Giant trevally, coral trout, Spanish mackerel, black marlin
The first time I fished the outer reefs off Queensland, I thought I had a good idea what I was in for. I didn’t. The Great Barrier Reef is on another level. You’ve got coral flats, deep drop-offs, and everything in between, each zone crawling with life and serious predators. The reef system runs over 1,400 miles, so it’s not like you’re bumping elbows with other boats either.
GTs are the headline act here. Big ones. You’ll find them patrolling reef edges, lurking around bommies, or smashing bait on the surface like they’re late for something. They’ll break rods if you’re undergunned and pop split rings like popcorn. Coral trout are the finesse side of the reef, powerful in their own right but a great light tackle target around structure. Then there’s the Spanish mackerel, which hit like a truck and scream off on blistering runs. Offshore, black marlin roam the bluewater. Hooking into one is a full-contact sport.
Fishing here is raw and it demands good prep. The gear takes a beating. The sun is relentless. And if you lose focus for five seconds, a reef shark will beat you to your fish. But if you’re into the kind of fishing that makes you sweat and swear, there’s nothing like it.
Florida Keys and Everglades, USA
What makes it special: Inshore meets offshore with endless opportunity. You can cast flies to tailing bonefish in the morning and troll for sails in the afternoon
Trophy species: Tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook, redfish, sailfish, mahi-mahi
The Keys are the kind of place where you’ll run out of energy before you run out of options. From Key Largo to Key West, this chain of islands offers miles of skinny water flats, reef lines, and easy access to the Gulf Stream. Then just inland, you’ve got the Everglades, a maze of mangroves, creeks, and backcountry sloughs. If you’re into technical sight fishing, this is about as good as it gets.
There’s something deeply satisfying about chasing tarpon on the flats. When they roll in close, you’ll see their backs out of the water before the cast. And when they eat? It’s violent. Bonefish here are fast and skittish. They’ll make you earn it. Permit, the fish that haunt flats anglers, will test your patience and your casting. In the Everglades, snook and redfish feed along mangrove edges and oyster bars. It’s a different kind of challenge, sneaking in quietly, reading the tides, reacting fast.
Offshore’s no joke either. Sailfish show up when conditions line up, and mahi-mahi school around floating debris and weed lines. You can be poling for a tailing permit in knee-deep water in the morning and fighting a 30-pound mahi in the blue by lunchtime.
What keeps me coming back is the variety. The complexity. The fish density. It’s one of the few places where you can truly design your own style of fishing and dial it in.
Sea of Cortez, Mexico
What makes it special: Remote feel with big fish and big landscapes. Warm water, desert cliffs, and saltwater species that hit like they mean it
Trophy species: Roosterfish, dorado, yellowtail, snapper, striped marlin
The Sea of Cortez is one of those places that feels both wide open and tight with action. You’ve got desert on one side, open ocean on the other, and in between, some of the most productive inshore and offshore waters you’ll find anywhere.
Fishing out of Baja towns like La Paz or Loreto, you don’t have to go far to find dorado feeding under weed lines or roosterfish busting bait in the surf. Roosters are one of my favorite species anywhere, aggressive, fast, and unpredictable. They’ll chase a popper right to the boat before peeling off and circling back like they’re toying with you. Dorado are electric. Their colors look painted on and they’ll smash surface lures with zero hesitation.
Inshore structure holds yellowtail and snapper, both of which are no joke on medium gear. Out deeper, striped marlin and the occasional sailfish can be found if you want to troll. The beauty of the Sea of Cortez is that you can fish light and close to shore or go heavy and wide. It gives you options and that’s gold when conditions shift.
The best window here is May through October. The water’s warm, the bait is thick, and everything from roosters to billfish is in play.
Ontario’s Lakes and Rivers, Canada
What makes it special: Remote, raw, and endless. True wilderness fishing that offers both solitude and serious action
Trophy species: Smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, walleye, lake trout
If you’ve never fished in Ontario, you’re missing out on one of North America’s most underrated fisheries. I’m talking endless water. Shield lakes. Flowing rivers. Glassy mornings and shoreline structure that screams ambush point.
Smallmouth bass are everywhere and punch way above their weight. They love rocky points, mid-lake humps, and craw-style jigs. Northern pike are the bullies of the shallows, especially in spring when they’re stacked in bays post-spawn. Then there’s muskie, the fish of 10,000 casts. They aren’t just big, they’re smart. You’ll find them around weed beds, drop-offs, and current seams. Catching a big one is a legit feat.
Walleye fishing is solid too, especially early and late in the season when the water’s cool. And if you’re targeting something deeper, lake trout are a good target in the colder, bigger lakes.
The magic of Ontario is the feeling of being alone in wild water. Whether you’re casting from a canoe at sunrise or drifting a river channel with a jig, there’s this stillness, broken only when your line tightens.
Amazon River Basin, South America
What makes it special: A different world. Untamed jungle, prehistoric fish, and remote waters that test your skills and stamina
Trophy species: Peacock bass, arapaima, payara, red-bellied piranha
Fishing the Amazon is an experience. You’re deep in the rainforest, running narrow river channels in long wooden boats, casting into waters that look like they haven’t changed in a thousand years. It’s not about comfort. It’s about adventure. This is high-reward, high-intensity fishing.
Peacock bass are the headline act. They hit topwater flies and big lures like missiles and then bulldog into cover. You’ll hear them before you see them, slamming baitfish in the shallows. The bigger ones will shred your leader and wreck your gear if you’re not ready.
Then there’s arapaima, a true river monster. These fish can grow over 8 feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds. You often hear them before you hook them, gulping air in the still water like a gulp from a sleeping dragon. They’re mostly caught on bait or heavy gear and are incredibly powerful.
You’ll also find payara, with vampire-like fangs and aggressive personalities, and plenty of piranhas which are more annoying than dangerous to anglers but definitely part of the story.
The best season is during low water, typically July through December, when the fish are concentrated in lagoons and smaller channels. It’s hot, humid, and wild. But for a freshwater angler looking for something that feels truly remote and raw, there’s nothing quite like it.
If you’re looking to plan a fishing trip anywhere in the world, get in touch. This is what we do. Whether you’re chasing peacocks in the Amazon or permit in the Keys, we’ll help you find the right place, right season, and right setup. Hopefully this article sparks a few ideas. The water’s waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why are these considered the bucket list fishing destinations?
These destinations combine world-class fisheries with breathtaking scenery, expert local guides, and strong conservation practices. They’re places where anglers can chase bucket list species in pristine, often remote environments.
2. When is the best time of year to visit these top fishing destinations?
The season depends on the species and region. Timing your trip around peak seasons is key for success. Our team will ensure your trip is planned around the best times and tides.
3. How do I plan a fishing trip to these destinations?
The easiest way is to get in touch with our team to organizes itineraries, the best guides, and lodges. We also handle logistics like permits, transfers, and gear recommendations so you can focus on fishing.