Fishing and Charters in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean

When vacationing in Cancun, it is hard to ignore the waters of the Caribbean as they lap against the soft sand, calling out to all who will listen. Luckily, visitors don't have to stand by the seaside wishing they could set sail.  Despite being overshadowed by the resort industry, fishing in Cancun and the surrounding areas is a popular past time.

Fishing

Anglers hoping to spend some time fishing in Cancun will be glad to learn that the warm waters, surrounding reefs, and currents bring an abundance of fish to the Mexican Caribbean.  Sports fishing in deep waters can begin just moments after leaving the shore because of an underwater trench, which causes and deep dip in depth, preventing wasted travel time aboard a fishing boat.  The numerous bays and shallow fishing grounds allow for fly and light tackle fishing as well.

Fly and Light Tackle Fishing

Fly fishing is done in shallow areas (usually about a foot deep), where the water is clear enough to see to the bottom.  Fly fisherman use boats specifically built to navigate flats, or pull on their wading boots and hop right into the water.  Ascension Bay and Boca Paila Bay are two of the most popular fly fishing spots in the region, where it is not uncommon to catch tarpon, barracuda, permit, and bonefish in one day. 

It is also possible to do some fly and spin tackle fishing during your Cancun vacation, and this can likewise be done in Ascension Bay and Boca Paila Bay (as well as other rivers, lakes, and lagoons).  Light tackle fishing, as opposed to fly fishing, requires waters to be about 9 feet deep. Permit, tarpon, barracuda, snook, Spanish mackerels, and jacks are common light tackle caught in Cancun.

If you're interested in doing some fly or light tackle fishing during your Cancun vacation, there are a number of chartering companies that offer fishing trips to do just that. Check out Cancun Deep Sea Fishing, Cancun Fishing Charters, Cancun Fishing Trips, Cancun Fly Fishing, Cozumel Fly Fishing, Fishing Tours Cancun, Marina Barracuda, Scuba Cancun, and Uno Mas Sport Fishing.

Bottom and Deep Sea Fishing

Bottom fishing occurs when anglers take a boat out into the sea, anchor, and drop weighted lines down into the water.  Patience is required when bottom fishing, but it usually pays off with catches that anglers can take home and cook for dinner, such as grouper, trigger fish, and red snapper.

Cancun is an excellent location for big game fishing all year long, due to a deep water channel that runs between Cozumel and the Yucatan coast. As the gulf stream waters from this channel flow past Cancun, an abundance of fish flow with it. Blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dorado, tuna, kingfish, barracuda, and grouper take residence in these waters.

Cancun's bottom and deep sea fishing charters include AquaWorld, Cancun Deep Sea Fishing, Cancun Fishing Charters Deep Sea, Fishing Tours Cancun, Cancun Kianah's Sportfishing, Lagoonview Marina and Fishing Club, Marina Barracuda, Scuba Cancun, Cancun Fishing Charters, Cancun Fishing Trips, Cancun Tarpon Fishing Adventures, Fishing Charters Cancun, Keen M International Sport Fishing, and Sport Fishing Charters.

Seasonal Catches

If you're planning a fishing trip to Cancun and there is a particular catch you're after, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the fishing seasons in the Mexican Caribbean.  Listed below is Cancun's seasonal fishing calendar.

Cancun Caught by Time of Year

Season	Fish
Year round	Barracuda Bonefish Bonito Mackerel Mahi Mahi Roosterfish Snapper Tuna
Winter	Amberjack Grouper Kingfish Shark Snook Tarpon
Spring	Marlin Permit Snook Tarpon Wahoo
Summer	Marlin Permit Salmon Snook Tarpon Trout Wahoo
Fall	Amberjack Kingfish Marlin Grouper Permit Sailfish Wahoo

Fishing Charters

There are dozens of fishing tours and charters available in Cancun. Most trips cost between $400 and $1000 for a three to eight hour trip to known fishing hot spots. Typically included in the cost is an experienced captain and crew, bait, tackle, snacks, beverages, port fees, taxes, and a fishing license. Some charters include a designated snorkeling time, and will even prepare the fish you catch for you to eat at your next meal. For the extra adventurous, many of these tour companies also offer night fishing tours, which include many of the same amenities as day fishing trips, as well as a dinner buffet.

Mexican Caribbean Fishing Charters

Company	Rates	Location	Contact
Aqua World	Contact for pricing	Cancun Cozumel Riviera Maya	Phone: 998-848-8327 E-mail: info@aquaworld.com.mx
Cancun Deep Sea Fishing	4 Hours: $650(USD) 6 Hours: $800(USD) 8 Hours: $1050(USD)	Cancun Puerto Adventuras Cozumel	Phone: 800-860-5917
Cancun Fishing Charters	Contact for pricing	Cancun	Phone: 866-930-3391
Cancun Fishing Charters Deep Sea	Contact for pricing	Cancun	Phone: 877-482-3758 E-mail: reservations@cancunfishingcharters.com
Cancun Fishing Trips	Contact for pricing	Cancun	Phone: 800-681-1506 US Phone: 321-251-8849 Toll Free Phone: 866-357-4187
Cancun Fly Fishing	Cancun 4 Hours: $250(USD) 6 Hours: $325(USD) 8 Hours: $400(USD) Isla Blanca 8 Hours: $375(USD) Ascension Bay 8 Hours with Transportation: $540(USD) 8 Hours without Transportation: $430(USD)	Cancun Isla Blanca	Phone: 800-681-1506 Toll Free Phone: 866-357-4187 E-mail: info@cancunflyfishing.com
Cancun Tarpon Fishing Adventures	Contact for pricing	Cancun	Phone: 998-126-6640 Toll Free Phone: 866-607-2246 E-mail: info@cancuntarponfishing.com
Cozumel Fly Fishing	8 Hours: $375(USD)	Cozumel	Phone: 713-529-8078 E-mail: pescamexicana@gmail.com
Fishing Charters Cancun	Contact for Pricing	Cancun Puerto Morelos Playa del Carmen Puerto Adventuras Riviera Maya	Phone: 998-883-2517 US Phone: 954-283-8621 E-mail: info@fishingcharterscancun.com
Fishing Tours Cancun	Top Gun 4 Hours: $600(USD) Yogui/Serenidad/Carmen 4 Hours: $325(USD) 5 Hours: $375(USD) 6 Hours: $450(USD) 8 Hours: $650(USD) Aissa 4 Hours: $550(USD) 5 Hours: $575(USD) 6 Hours: $650(USD) 8 Hours: $800(USD) Loreire 4 Hours: $550(USD) 5 Hours: $635(USD) 6 Hours: $750(USD) 8 Hours: $850(USD)	Cancun	Phone: 866-277-5347 800-836-4592
Keen M International Sport Fishing	Keen M December through March: $1,300(USD) April through November: $1,100(USD) Lilly M December through March: $1,100(USD) April through November: $900(USD)	Cancun Isla Mujeres	Phone: 998-877-0759 E-mail: fishkinm@cancun.com.mx
Kianah's Sportfishing Cancun	December through May 6 Hours: $680(USD) 8 Hours: $780(USD) 12 Hours: $980(USD) June through November 4 Hours: $490(USD) 6 Hours: $590(USD) 8 Hours: $780(USD) 12 Hours: $980(USD)	Cancun	Phone: 888-825-2644 Cell Phone: 417-576-6155 E-mail: kianahssportfishing@hotmail.com
Lagoonview Marina & Fishing Club	4 Hours: $450(USD) 6 Hours: $675(USD) 8 Hours: $795(USD)	Cancun	Phone: 998-845-0749
Marina Barracuda	Big Game Fishing: Bertram 31' 4 Hours: $440(USD) 6 Hours: $540(USD) 8 Hours: $640(USD Big Game Fishing: Bertram 35' 4 Hours: $550(USD) 6 Hours: $650(USD) 8 Hours: $750(USD) Bottom Fishing: $80(USD) per hour	Cancun	Phone: 998-885-2444
Scuba Cancun	Big Game Fishing: Bertram 31' & 33' 4 Hours: $450(USD) 6 Hours: $550(USD) 8 Hours: $650(USD Big Game Fishing: Bertram 38' 4 Hours: $549(USD) 6 Hours: $649(USD) 8 Hours: $800(USD)	Cancun	Phone: 988-849-7508
Sport Fishing Charters	Contact for pricing	Cancun	Phone: 998-883-2517 US Phone: 954-283-8621 Toll Free Phone: 866-632-1969
Uno Mas Sport Fishing	4 Hours: $250(USD) 6 Hours: $350(USD)	Cancun	Phone: 998-888-2245 Cell Phone: 998-103-5277 E-mail: kimlo22@hotmail.com

The waters off the coast of Cancun are perfect for fishing, and precocious vacationers who have the time may even want to catch their next meal. Whether you are searching for the biggest catch or just want to have a little fun fishing in an unfamiliar area, the possibility is there in Cancun.