Fishing in the Mexican Caribbean

There is a great variety of fish species that inhabit the cool, clear waters of the Great Maya Reef-- the second largest coralline system in the planet, which stretches almost 1200 kilometers (750 m.) from the northeastern point of the Peninsula of Yucatan, in México, and ends at the Gulf of Honduras .

Sport fishing, a very popular sport worldwide is an experience not to be missed just off the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean, which offer the perfect conditions to give refuge to a great variety and abundance of fish. The Riviera Maya, Cancun, Isla Mujeres and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve are the ideal spots to practice different types of sport fishing throughout the whole year.

Different types of sport fishing can be practiced in the Mexican Caribbean, including fly-fishing, light-tackle fishing, bottom fishing, deep-sea fishing and trolling. Here are our recommendations.

Deep-sea fishing:

. Playa del Carmen: The deep waters that separate the capital of the Riviera Maya and the island of Cozumel are ideal for catching sailfish , marlin, barracuda, kingfish and mahi mahi .

. Puerto Aventuras: Just five minutes away from the dock you can catch grouper, yellowtail snapper, sailfish, marlin, wahoo, mahi mahi, snapper, tuna and barracuda.

. Akumal: This spot is where you can find marlin, swordfish, barracuda, mahi mahi, kingfish and sailfish between the months of Ap ril and September.

. Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: Here, you can find l arge species such as the barracuda, mahi mahi, wahoo and marlin.

. The Occidental Coast of Isla Mujeres park (right across Cancun's Hotel Zone): Great for fishing in search of grouper, swordfish, barracuda, sailfish, wahoo, marlin and mahi mahi. During nighttime tours, you can find snapper, shark, grouper and barracuda.

Light-tackle and Fly- Fishing:

. Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve : Many world records for size and quantity of caught bonefish, tarpon, snook and permit have been broken in the coastal lagoons and bays of the reserve.

. Punta Nizuc National Marine Park (south of Cancun), and the Nichupté lagoon: Ideal shallow waters for light tackle and fly-fishing for s nook, permit, bonefish, ladyfish, barracuda and snapper .