Fishing in Winter? Top Destinations for All Budget Travelers
For some, fishing is nothing but an occasional activity related to holidays, camping, picnics, friends, and a cold six-pack. Others see fishing as a boring option for old people to spend time catching up with their friends. Finally, some people are passionate about this outdoor activity and never waste an opportunity to catch the biggest game and seek new adventures.
If you’re part of the last category, you most definitely are looking forward to the winter holidays to escape the crowded city and spend some quality time with your rod and reel.
Luckily for you, there are plenty of destinations that will allow you to improve your skills and even learn to provide for your family in the simplest possible way. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular fishing destinations designed to satisfy your passion for fishing and look after your budget.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas is another popular tourist destination, especially in the wintertime when temperatures here are more welcoming than on the mainland.
Deep-sea fishing and bonefishing are common sports in these Caribbean islands, so anglers will have plenty of chances to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity. Hire a small boat if you want to fish for wahoo, sailfish or marlin.
Mexico
Music and cuisine are only two of the things you will most likely fall in love with while in Mexico. Its beautiful beaches full of white sand and over 1,200 miles of Pacific coastline will lure you to spend more time in this paradise. You can head to one of the popular tourist resorts like Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco or choose to find a more secluded fish village, untouched by the modern world.
Sonora is only a few hours away from Texas and Cali and offers numerous fishing opportunities for professional anglers and newbies alike. Ask for a local fishing-trip cruise and you can perfect your skills of catching tuna.
Louisiana Bayou
If you’re looking for the Authentic Southern American experience, head to Louisiana, the heart of Dixieland. It welcomes you with warm weather throughout the year and countless possibilities of spending quality time outdoors.
The state counts for numerous bays, lakes, rivers, swamps, and natural reserves, all filled with hundreds of species of fish. Whether you’re opting for freshwater bass or saltwater redfish, Louisiana Bayou is a great place to practice your flyfishing or shore fishing techniques. Moreover, it is close to the Gulf of Mexico where you can target larger fish like tuna and tarpon.
Florida
Who wants to freeze in the cold winter mornings when you can get a tan and catch some of the most delicious fish in the country? Florida is one of the most popular destinations in the world, especially during the winter season. From Miami and Key West to Tampa and Tallahassee, there are thousands of perfect fishing spots to cast your reel.
Florida is best known for its largemouth bass and lakes like Toho or Okeechobee give you the chance to catch the biggest bass in your life. January and February are the usual spawning months for bass, so you’ll likely encounter many females full of eggs.
If you prefer saltwater, there are countless opportunities offshore and inshore, according to your level of expertise, tools used, and budget. Go to the Keys to catch deep-water fish like sailfish or marlin or stay in the shallows to spot bonefish and permit.
Missouri Ozarks
If mingling with the tourists and looking for the “Florida man” is not your idea of a fun holiday, maybe you are brave enough to face the cold for some real ice fishing. Put on the warmest pair of Merino hunting pants and head to Missouri for a true winter fishing experience.
Midwest may not be your first choice when it comes to fishing in low temperatures but the Ozark mountains located in Missouri are breathtaking in the wintertime. Bull Shoals and Table Rock are only two of the lakes that don’t freeze over, offering you the chance to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass.
