Exploring the Best Saltwater Fishing Hotspots in North America

Saltwater fishing is one of the most popular hobbies among individuals living close to coastlines. Even those from distant places would travel far just to catch various species in coastal hotspots. Moreover, there are much larger fish in saltwater than freshwater, making the fishing trip more worthwhile for adventurers. 

Fishing enthusiasts have their own preferences, and if you ask which is preferable, saltwater or freshwater fishing, the answer will depend on who you ask. But if you enjoy fishing in the sea, here’s a list of the best coastal hotspots you can explore in North America. 

     1. Cape Cod

If you are looking for a coastal hotspot where you can enjoy fishing all year round, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is the place to be. For angling opportunities in canals, off the jetties, or along the shorelines, October and November are the best months to visit the spot. 

You may use different fishing lures like squid jigs, spinnerbaits, spoons, and crankbaits, among many others, to catch mackerel, squid, tuna, cod, flounder, striped bass, bluefish, and sea bass in the area.  Whether you are a sport or recreational angler, Cape Cod has a diverse ecosystem, making it a popular destination for anglers of different skill levels. 

     2. Chesapeake Bay

Popularly known as North America’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay, surrounded by Virginia and Maryland, offers an abundant source for bluefish, red drum, croaker, sea trout, and striped bass, among many others. Whether you are from Washington, DC, Virginia Beach, or Baltimore, the Chesapeake Bay is a must-visit saltwater fishing spot.

The four ways to fish in the area are through hopping aboard a fishing boat, renting a kayak, fishing from the shore, and throwing a line over the edge of a fishing pier. 

     3. Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona, on the west coast of Hawaii, is one of the top fishing spots in the Pacific Ocean. The top species you can catch in this place are Mahi Mahi, spearfish, striped marlin, Wahoo, black marlin, and tuna. 

Besides the abundant collection of species, the spot is also popular for anglers for the favorable Hawaiian weather and the steep shoreline, taking the deep waters closer to the shore.

     4. Kodiak

Alaska has many fishing spots, but Kodiak is the most popular place for fishing enthusiasts. It is a popular source for species like rockfish, Pacific cod, Tanner crab, lingcod, Chinook, and halibut, among many others.

Located on the very tip of the Alaskan peninsula, Kodiak is an ideal place for anglers who love to journey through the waters of the Alaskan Sea. 

     5.The Florida Keys

With a 200-km stretch, the Florida Keys in the Florida peninsula is abundant in species like swordfish, white marlin, snook, bonefish, redfish, permit, tarpon, and sailfish. The angler’s paradise boasts tropical weather, making it an ideal fishing spot all year round. 

In addition, it pulls fish from the two oceans, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and it’s located near the edge of the continental shift or the Florida platform, allowing access to gigantic fishes living in deep waters.

     6. Apalachicola

Florida isn’t named the Fishing Capital of the World for nothing. The Apalachicola Bay, located in Florida, is proof of this title. You can catch many fish species within this coastal area, like tripletails, jacks, trout, redfish, and many more. 

The water in Apalachicola is off-color because of the muddy water coming down the river streams. This muddy water carries the decayed plant matter that feeds the menhaden and the rest of the entire ecosystem. 

      7. Outer Banks

Known as the Billfish Capital of the World, the Outer Bank of North Carolina is every angler’s dream fishing destination. You can go boat fishing, pier and surf fishing, offshore and inshore charter fishing, fly fishing, and brackish fishing in this coastal hotspot. 

Throughout the summer, you can catch cobia, trout, shark, sea mullet, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel. You can aim to catch red rum in the Outer Banks through spring and fall. 

     8. Nantucket

This tiny island in Massachusetts contains bluefish, bonito, white marlin, swordfish, Mahi Mahi, black sea bass, flounder, false albacore, bluefin tuna, and sharks. There is something for every angler in Nantucket, whether you’re surfcasting, using fly rods, or fishing in water.

The ideal months to go fishing in Nantucket are from June to the middle of October when the waters are warmer. This is advice for those planning to fish on Nantucket’s shore. But, if you aim for bigger targets offshore, you can cast your line in the open waters all year round. 

Final Thoughts

Saltwater fishing is one of the most exciting outdoor activities you can try alone or with friends and family. Moreover, saltwater fishing allows you to catch a wide variety of fish in the open waters. Plus, there are different ways to catch fish: surf fishing, pier fishing, charter boat fishing, snorkel fishing, scuba fishing, or deep sea fishing! Just plan a visit to one of the coastal hotspots we have covered here and test your angling skills with confidence!