Cancun is worldwide known for being a year-round vacation destination that draws travelers from everywhere to see the marvelous colors of the Caribbean sea, to try our local’s delicious seafood, and not just to snorkel with the rich diversity of marine species, but anglers come excited in seek of the ultimate catch. Fishing in -Cancun is a very requested activity because here you can find the mesoamerican barrier reef, the second largest reef only after Australia, the main reason why there are so many marine species.
Some remain in their habitat all year, while others migrate or are seasonal, and anglers that come to enjoy this kind of search are known as sport fishing or big game fishing. Something that most anglers love about the fishing season in Cancun is that there is no bad time to cast a line here; there is always something to catch no matter what time of the year it is, really what will define your catch is if you have a certain target in mind, then you must check its specific fishing season, which is why we’ve assembled some facts about every fishing season in Cancun.
Summer
There is no doubt that summer is the finest period for fishing all sorts of fish. Objectively, June and July are the prime months for Cancun fishing, ideal for hooking the local big four: Sailfish, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, and White Marlin in a single trip, which locals call the “Billfish Grand Slam”. Is it really that simple to catch four different types of fish in one trip? Amazingly these deep blue seas are filled with Billfish.
To top it all off inshore fishing, which is just as good during these, months where you can capture not only different types of billfish, but also Tarpon, Bonefish, and Permit. Because of the abundance of flats and lagoons, this is an excellent choice for any angler who likes to meticulously plan every cast. Bear in mind that it gets blazing hot in August, so if you’re sensitive to high temps, we’d recommend a trip in early fall instead.
Spring
With pleasant temperatures and low humidity, spring is great for offshore fishing. Making a trip from March to July is a good idea for catching some Billfish, but its peak season is from June to July, so you’ll have a full plate when fishing offshore. The Cancun deep blue is magnificent because it only takes a 15 miles trip into the sea to reach some excellent fishing spots. Moving into May, Mahi Mahi will join the Billfish in numbers and bonefish and permits are nearing their peak, giving another reason to book a Cancun fishing charter.
Also, whale sharks arrive in the nearby waters during the summer and spring months, creating a season full of enthusiastic tourists seeking to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. So, combine morning fishing with a whale shark swimming afternoon, and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable Cancun experience.
Fall
The weather, particularly in September and October, impacts fishing opportunities in Cancun during the fall season due to the fact that it can be very rainy at this time of year, and it’s also the hurricane season, and although it can range from little showers to full-day storms, if you want to make a trip still, adaptability is essential.
Snook is a newcomer in November, they leap around Tarpon and are known for their long fast runs that will have you sweating profusely by the time you catch one, you don’t even need to go after them on purpose, they’ll go after everything that fits in their mouth, so you really just need a fly and let it do its job. That’s great news for sportfishing enthusiasts, but, if you want to try bottom fishing, your main goal should be Cubera Snapper, one of the largest and most delicious members of the Snapper family. They can weigh up to 40 pounds, so bring some braided tackle to prevent it from snapping.
Winter
Winter is the prime tourist season in Cancun, and for good reason: the average temperature does not get above the 80°F (26 °C). Bottom fishing is an idyllic activity during December and January; we already mentioned Cubera Snapper, but with the Gulf of Mexico just around the corner, you can also get lucky with Red Snapper; they’re not as big as their Cubera cousins, averaging 5-10 pounds, but the fun of fishing these is still worth a try.
The winter season in Cancun is also perfect for Amberjack fishing, like Snapper they also hang around the deep reefs and travel in schools, so don’t be surprised if your entire boat starts fighting Amberjack all of a sudden. For a more active day on the water, you can also do some trolling and try going after Great Barracuda and Kingfish. Also, we’ll leave you our Cancun fishing season chart, in case you’re interested in a specific species, you can check its particular season.
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