saltwater fishing

6 Saltwater Game Fish That Fight

Saltwater fishing is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people. If you are lucky enough to have that opportunity, chances are you will have memories for a lifetime. With the cost to go out for the day being so high, you want to make sure you are targeting your dream fish.

There are many types of deep sea fishing in different price ranges, but today we are going to cover some big fish fighting game. I say, if your going to do it, go big! If your lucky enough to hook into one of the below, you are guaranteed to come home tired and satisfied.

Credit: Slippy Slappy

Wahoo

If there is one thing you can say about Wahoo, is that they are very fast. These fish can get up to 60 miles per hour. When they hit your bait, they hit hard and run. There are a couple different fishing strategies but the most common is fast trolling. You will find Wahoo in tropical to subtropical waters year round.

Not only will Wahoo give you a fierce fight, they are also highly sought after for taste. Wahoo normal size is between 40″-65″ with the heaviest recorded at 158 pounds. Here is more information on the Wahoo.

Credit: Nic Taylor

Tarpon

Tarpon is one of the most sought after big game fish for saltwater anglers. People travel the world for their chance to hook into one of these beauties. The Tarpon is a beautiful fish and the fight is wonderful thing to watch. These fish can launch themselves 10 feet out of the water during your battle. Besides the fight, another cool thing about tarpon is that you can spot fish them in shallow water.

Tarpon can be found in warm water. One of the most popular place is Boca. These fish have been recorded up to 8 feet long and weighing as much as 355 pounds. You can check out tips specifically for Boca Grande Tarpon fishing that gives more information on fishing this beast.

Credit: Luyen Chou

Bonefish

A fish with a restaurant named after it (Bonefish Grill). Like the Tarpon, Bonefish are on the top of many anglers list to fish. People will plan a whole vacation around fishing these oddly named fish. Not nearly as big as the other fish on this list, some may not think they are worth the time and may pass over the chance. If you ever get the chance to fish for Bonefish, DON”T PASS IT UP! They may only reach 20 or so pounds, but the fight they give is priceless.

The best way to fish these type of fish it by sight fishing with a fly rod. When they hot, you will know it and the these rockets take off, so hold on tight. If you want a good fight on smaller gear, Bonefish may just be what your looking for.

Credit: Kim

Marlin

Marlin of course is probably the fist thing you think of when thinking bog game saltwater fishing. And of course it is going to be on our list. If you think of the movie fast and furious, you will know what to expect when you hook into a Marlin.

These are smart, stealthy, big and violent fish. If you get the pleasure of going a round with one, you will remember it for the rest of your life.

There are many types of Marlin and they can be found by trolling off shore in tropical seas.  Believe it or not, female Marlin are much bigger than males. They can reach up to 14 feet in length and over 1,800 pounds!

Credit: Jonathan Vail

Sailfish

Like Marlin, the Sailfish is a worthy opponent for anyone wanting a fight of a lifetime. They are huge, fight hard and jump as good as any other. On top of all of that, they are fast, being clocked at up to 56 miles per hour! Your gear along with your body will be begging for for mercy. Though Sailfish are  smaller in size than Marlin, they give you a run for your money.

Sailfish average in size around 9-10 feet on the large size, weighing roughly  170-200 pounds. They can be found in most open water. There are many types of Sailfish and are known to migrate.

Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife

Amberjack

Greater Amberjack is the last on our list of saltwater game fish that fight. They hit violently and fight with an enduring livelihood. Amberjack hang out around cover like wrecks and reefs. Something to keep in mind is that they will head for that cover when they feel a threat.

Amberjack are found in warm waters with heavier cover. The average weight is a tough fighting 40 pounds. Not as big as some of the others on the list but they give one heck of a fight. You can plan on a hour or so to get the fighter in and they are runners!

In conclusion

There are many worthy fish in the sea that will give you a fight of a lifetime, above is a list of our “bucket list” fish to catch. For the everyday angler, checking one of these off their list may be the trip of a lifetime. Checking them all off…well, a guy can dream.

If you have had the pleasure of tangling with of of these beasts or another, we would love for you to contact us to share your story.

Fishing | Venezuela Fishing Holidays

From Bonefish to Tarpon, Permit, Jacks, Tuna and Barracuda fishing- Venezuela has it all. Combined with some of the most spectacular landscapes you will ever see, a fishing trip to Venezuela is not to be missed.

BONEFISHING: LOS ROQUES

Renowned as one of the best bonefishing destinations in the world, the Los Roques archipelago rises out of the deep blue Caribbean Sea 80 miles off the Venezuelan Coast. Famous for its pancake flats it offers exceptional sight fishing for large Bonefish. There is also a wide range of other sport fish available including Tarpon, Permit, Jacks, Tuna, Snook and Barracuda.

The Area

Los Roques archipelago is a collection of some 350 islands and cays covering several hundred square kilometers and offering some of the world’s finest saltwater fly-fishing. Lying 140km offshore and only a short hop of 40 minutes from the domestic airport at Caracas, the main island of Gran Roques is a surprisingly sophisticated settlement of 1500 or so souls.

The main island acts as a confluence spot for truly monstrous shoals of minnows stretching for kilometers along the beach and attracting the attention of some of the worlds most sought-after saltwater game fish. Los Roques has become known as one of the best fly opportunities in the Caribbean. The numbers of bonefish can be compared only to the Seychelles. Schools with thousands of fish are common and anglers are constantly stalking smaller groups of larger fish in the 30-80lb range.

By ranging far and wide, a roving fly fisher can have magnificent sport stalking big spooky bones on white sand flats, pitching to tailing permit and intercepting marauding Jacks. Enjoy the good fishing, friendly knowledgeable guides, superbly comfortable accommodation, great seafood and incredible cocktails all in a laid back Latin American beach atmosphere.

Posada Acuarela Lodge

Italian owned and run Acuarela is a medium sized posada, (guest house/hotel) which caters for both fishing and non-fishing parties. The atmosphere is very much that of a Caribbean hideaway as opposed to a dedicated fishing lodge and consequently it is as popular with both fishers and non fishing partners. Run by Angelo, an enigmatic Italian whose passion for food is matched only by his flair for art. The quality and variety of the cuisine is often vaunted by many a fishing lodge – at Acuarela this holds truer than most. Angelo is a celebrated chef in his own right and the mixture of Italian recipes and fresh seafood is without equal.

All the rooms have air-conditioning and private bathrooms and are typically a mix of both double and twin rooms. There is a comfortable roof terrace where guests can relax in the twilight after a days fishing and massages can be arranged for a very reasonable rate. Finally the posada is located a couple of minutes walk from the beachfront and the best of the local bars so you are in prime position for an early morning fish or an evening sundowner.

Non Fishing Options

Los Roques is in itself an extremely popular and exclusive destination and should be considered a perfect family Caribbean retreat that just happens to host some world-class salt-water fly-fishing. Powdery sand and sun rule and the options for an idyllic sunshine holiday beckon.

TARPON FISHING: CARAMBOLA LODGE

Accessible only by boat, Carambola in Venezuela represents one of the most exclusive and exciting Tarpon destinations in the world. This is a place where the sport will excite everyone from novice to expert and provide enough action in a single morning to make conventional fly fishing expeditions pale in comparison.

Located deep within one of Venezuela’s National Parks, Carambola consists of a unique contrast between on the one side, an unbelievably rich habitat, ideal for juvenile Tarpon, and on the other side, huge expanses of deserted white sand beaches where huge adult fish pursue the shoals of mullet and bait fish. Situated on a narrow shoal of land between the ocean and Carambola Lagoon, the lodge represents one of the most exclusive locations to either fish or stay in the entire Caribbean.

The Loopeco Lodge

Accommodation is in individual chalets, simple yet attractively designed inside and out. A king size bed provides the centre-piece to the room whilst those wishing to travel en famille will find 2 more beds in the balcony above. The high roofs ensure that the rooms are kept airy although power fans ensure that those more used to northern climates are kept cool and refreshed. Just 100m from the sea, even the most lethargic should find an excuse to make the early morning sunrise.

The dining room, bar and lounge area is in a beautifully crafted Caribbean hall. High beamed and palm fronded it has been designed to allow the soothing evening breeze from the trade winds to enter whilst protecting from the heat of the midday sun. And then of course the beach and sea, lined with palm huts and waiting sun chairs and for the better part of the week likely to be all to your own

Additional Travel Options in Venezuela

If you are interested in viewing the Angel Falls or seeing some of the sights and sounds on the mainland please let us know and we will be happy to suggest additional travel packages.

About the Author:

By: Justin Maxwell Stuart

Justin Maxwell Stuart has a decade of experience of organising saltwater fly fishing trips to the most inaccessible places on earth, and a wealth of experience in fly fishing for bonefish & tarpon in Venezuela. Ph: +44 (0)7711 519 857 – E: [email protected]