International travel fishing doesn’t have to be extensive or expensive. There are tons of great overseas destinations only a short flight from domestic airports that offer reasonable prices and bucket list experiences. Before summer is over, head to one of these epic getaways.
Billfish Fishing in Guatemala
Casa Vieja Lodge is located on the west coast of Guatemala in range of some of the Pacific’s best billfishing. Capt. Terry Brennan says, “The rainy season isn’t as intense, so the blue water stays close to shore.” This means shorter runs and more time fishing.
“Everything is available including mahi, tuna, blue marlin and sailfish,” Brennan says. Sailfish are always in season and late summer sees some of the biggest blue marlin of the year. Brennan trolls rigged ballyhoo, teasers and dredges for sailfish and keeps a pitch bait ready to drop to a blue one.
As for land-based activities, Brennan recommends visiting the turtle rescue center to see baby turtles raised from egg to release.
Inshore Fishing El Salvador
Many people travel to Casa del Golfo to fish offshore for marlin and tuna, but owner Mariano Quiros says not to sleep on the inshore fishing. “Fishing for roosterfish and snapper is really easy and a lot of fun,” he says.
The day starts catching live mullet and blue runners. Then anglers cast for roosterfish behind the surf break and around nearshore structure. “When the current slows down, we anchor for snapper,” he says.
For a unique adventure, Quiros recommends panga-supported kayak fishing. “The panga is there for safety and supplies, but the angler fishes on his or her own.” Quiros encourages guests to visit a working coffee farm and spend a night on the volcano. “Watch the sunrise 3,500 feet above the bay,” he says.
Vancouver Summer Salmon Fishing
Escape the summer heat and head to the Pacific Northwest. Colby Erickson at Gone Fishin’ in Port Alberni, Vancouver Island says Chinook and coho salmon return to Alberni Inlet in late summer. “Anglers slow troll flashers and white hoochies,” he says. The most popular hoochie color is Gibbs OA12R, purple haze ultraviolet pear.
“There is a lot going on in late summer,” Erickson says. In addition to the salmon bite, he points anglers to halibut, ling cod and rockfish along the west coast of the island. In late summer, native species return to the Pacific-side rivers. “Chinook and coho are available to shore fishermen who are fly fishing or using conventional gear,” he says.
Nova Scotia’s Giant Bluefin Tuna
Each summer, giant bluefin tuna return to Nova Scotia. “The little ones show up first,” Conrad Mac Neil of Eagle Eye Tours says. For Mac Neil, a “little” bluefin weighs between 200 and 400 pounds.
“The fish are on the surface feeding on mackerel, herring and sand lance,” he says. To get a bite, Mac Neil trolls artificial squid or dangles baits from a kite. “The big ones arrive in September,” he adds. Nova Scotia is famous for bluefin tuna up to 1,000 pounds, and Mac Neil says there is no shortage of giants.
“We have tons of bait and beautiful water and the fish seem happy.” Summer weather is nice and fishing is close to shore. “I often see bluefin tuna jumping out of the water from my kitchen window,” Mac Neil says.
