Best Fishing Vacations in December

December is when warm-water fishing trips come into their own. The official Atlantic and eastern Pacific hurricane seasons have ended, sailfish season is under way in the Florida Keys, and Costa Rica’s central and southern coast is in its billfish peak. Up north, a few hardy river anglers chase steelhead before full winter sets in.

Holiday weeks drive the planning. Christmas and New Year’s travel can fill flights, rooms and charters at warm destinations, so book early.

Where to go in December

Florida Keys. The Keys tourism office lists sailfish from November through March, redfish and snook as best from December through July, wahoo as mostly in April, May, November and December, and kingfish as active through March. A mix of offshore, reef and backcountry trips is possible on the same visit.

Costa Rica Pacific Coast. Sport Fishing magazine puts billfish peaks from November through April in the central and southern regions and from May through December in the north, so December falls within both. Some operators it lists on the central coast name November and December as a marlin peak.

Cabo San Lucas. Visit Los Cabos lists yellowfin tuna as hitting hard from September through January and calls fall and winter excellent for all-around action. Sharks are listed in winter and spring.

Louisiana Gulf Coast. Louisiana’s tourism office describes redfish as a year-round target in its coastal marshes, which makes a December marsh trip an option for anglers within driving distance.

Northern Michigan. Pure Michigan’s fall guide names steelhead as a late-fall target through December. Dress for cold.

Which December trip fits you

For a warm holiday trip with a range of fishing, the Keys. For billfish, Costa Rica. For a resort base with offshore options, Cabo. For a drive-to marsh trip, Louisiana. For cold-weather river fishing, Northern Michigan.

Planning notes for December

• Holidays: Book early for Christmas and New Year’s weeks, or consider the first half of the month.
• Weather: Hurricane season is over, but winter fronts bring wind on the coasts. Keep spare days. See safety and weather.
• Gift trips: A booked guide day or charter makes a good gift. Check cancellation and rebooking terms.
• Rules: Check current regulations and licenses. See fishing licenses.

Seasons are broad patterns. Water temperature, bait and weather shift every year, so check recent reports before you go.

More ideas: warm-weather winter fishing. The destinations below are those whose season data includes December.