First of several installments covering popular catches off the coast of the Riviera Maya:Barracuda
Often seen while snorkeling, hovering nearly motionless next to the reef, seemingly watching every move you make, the barracuda is one of the most feared of all ocean creatures. Given its muscle-packed body, large eyes, gaping mouth, and razor-sharp teeth, it’s easy to see why. Their fearless nature makes them great fighters, and they are commonly caught while drift fishing or bottom fishing, all across the shallows and deepwater cuts of the Mayan Riviera. Caught year-round.
Blue Marlin
The largest of the billfish, the blue marlin can reach up to 1,800 pounds in the deeper Atlantic waters, though they seldom grow to more than 500 pounds in the local region. Average catches are in the range of 80–120 pounds. Caught while trolling using artificial baits, the blue marlin will only be landed if the angler is strapped in tightly to the fighting chair and ready for an exhaustive struggle. Keeping tension on the line is the only way to keep the blues from spitting the hook while jumping into the air. Best months: May to September.
Bonefish
Noted for their exceptional fighting strength given their relatively small size, bonefish are taken with light tackle, generally fly-fishing, though spinning tackle can also be used. The angler normally casts when the fish breaks the surface or is swimming just below. The strike is hard and fast, requiring a high level of skill and making for a thoroughly entertaining day of fishing. One of the best spots in the world for finding bonefish is in
Grouper
A member of the sea bass family, the grouper is a strong fighting fish and is quite abundant in the warm
