Skip to content
Reel Vacations
Angler holding a pike over the side of a boat before releasing it

Fish species

Plan a trip around the fish

Pick what you want to catch. Each guide covers where to go, which months the fish are commonly targeted, and what the trips look like.

Saltwater

Silver bonefish swimming over a rocky bottom

Bonefish

Plan a bonefish trip: the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, when to go, how guided flats fishing works, why careful release matters, and what to ask a flats guide.

  • 4 destinations
Anglers holding up large halibut outside a cabin

Halibut

Plan a Pacific halibut trip: Alaska's Homer, Anchor Point and Seward charter ports, the summer season, how a halibut charter works, salmon combos and what to ask before you book.

  • 2 destinations
Bright green and gold mahi-mahi leaping beside a boat on blue water

Mahi-mahi

Plan a mahi-mahi (dolphin, dorado) trip: summer in the Florida Keys and Outer Banks, dorado season in Cabo, Gulf trips off Louisiana, how the charters work and what to ask.

  • 9 destinations
Atlantic blue marlin leaping from the ocean surface

Marlin

Where and when to plan a marlin trip: blue, black, striped and white marlin by region, how offshore charters and tournaments work, release norms, and what to ask before you book.

  • 7 destinations
Fishing captain holding a redfish on a boat in Jacksonville

Redfish

Plan a redfish (red drum) trip: year-round marsh fishing in Louisiana, fall bull reds on the Outer Banks, Florida Keys backcountry, how guided trips work and what to ask before you book.

  • 5 destinations
Anglers carrying a sailfish ashore from a small boat in shallow tropical water

Sailfish

How to plan a sailfish trip: Florida Keys winters, Outer Banks summers, Cabo and Costa Rica billfish seasons, how kite and trolling charters work, release norms and booking questions.

  • 7 destinations
Silver Atlantic tarpon swimming in blue water

Tarpon

Plan a tarpon trip: spring and early summer in the Florida Keys, summer fish on the move along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, how guided flats and bridge trips work, and release norms.

  • 6 destinations
School of yellowfin tuna swimming underwater beside a seine net

Tuna

Plan a tuna fishing trip: yellowfin, bluefin, blackfin and bigeye by region and season, how offshore charters and permits work, and what to ask before you book.

  • 8 destinations

Freshwater

Biologist holding a large largemouth bass at night during a fish survey

Bass

Plan a bass fishing trip for largemouth and smallmouth: Lake of the Ozarks, Ozark streams, northern Michigan, Minnesota and Ontario, with seasonal patterns, trip styles and booking tips.

  • 8 destinations
Spotted muskellunge with a lure in its jaw laid on winter ice

Muskie

Plan a muskie (muskellunge) trip: Minnesota and Wisconsin lake country, Michigan, and Ontario's big waters, with seasonal patterns, guided trip basics, release care and booking questions.

  • 2 destinations
Angler kneeling with a large northern pike caught on a lure

Northern pike

Plan a northern pike trip: Minnesota and Michigan lake country, Ontario's drive-to and fly-in lodges, Alaska's interior, and winter ice fishing, with seasonal patterns and booking tips.

  • 5 destinations
Wildlife biologist holding a rainbow trout above the water at Gechiak Creek

Trout

Plan a trout fishing trip: Montana and Yellowstone rivers, Kenai River rainbows in Alaska, Michigan fly water and Ozark trout parks, with seasonal patterns, trip styles and booking tips.

  • 5 destinations
Smiling angler holding a walleye aboard a boat

Walleye

Plan a walleye trip: Minnesota lake country and Lake of the Woods, Michigan's Great Lakes ports, Ontario lodges and winter ice fishing, with seasonal patterns, trip styles and booking tips.

  • 10 destinations

Fresh and salt

Sockeye salmon leaping up a waterfall on their way upriver to spawn

Salmon

Plan a salmon fishing trip: Alaska's Kenai Peninsula runs of king, sockeye, silver and pink salmon, Great Lakes charter fishing in Michigan, timing by region and what to ask before you book.

  • 6 destinations

Not sure where to start? See every species by month in the species calendar, or narrow it down with the Trip Finder.