Top 20 most popular coastal towns for best fishing tournaments in the world

Coastal towns around the world are famous for hosting thrilling fishing competitions, attracting anglers from all over to compete in various categories, including big game fishing, fly fishing, and more. These events often offer substantial prize money, incredible camaraderie, and the chance to catch some truly impressive fish. Here are the top 20 most popular coastal towns for the best fishing competitions in the world:

1. Key West, Florida, USA

• Why It’s Great: Key West is famous for its world-class fishing tournaments like the Key West Marlin Tournament and the World Sailfish Championship. The waters around the Florida Keys are rich in big game fish, including marlin, sailfish, and tuna.

2. Cairns, Queensland, Australia

• Why It’s Great: Known as the “Black Marlin Capital of the World,” Cairns hosts the prestigious Cairns Blue Marlin Classic, where anglers compete for record-breaking marlin catches in the Coral Sea.

3. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

• Why It’s Great: Cabo is a hotspot for big game fishing, especially with tournaments like the Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament and the Cabo Tuna Jackpot Tournament. The waters of the Sea of Cortez are home to abundant marlin and tuna.

4. Hatteras, North Carolina, USA

• Why It’s Great: Hatteras, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, is a mecca for billfish tournaments, such as the Hatteras Village Offshore Open. It’s known for incredible blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi fishing.

5. Lima, Peru

• Why It’s Great: Lima offers some of the best sport fishing in the world, particularly for yellowtail tuna and swordfish. The Peruvian National Sport Fishing Championship is a major event attracting international anglers.

6. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

• Why It’s Great: Vancouver is known for its salmon fishing tournaments, especially the Vancouver Salmon Classic. The waters of the Strait of Georgia and Haida Gwaii are abundant with salmon, halibut, and other species.

7. Kona, Hawaii, USA

• Why It’s Great: Kona is famous for hosting the prestigious Kona World Cup Marlin Tournament. It’s one of the best places to fish for blue marlin, with the deep waters off the coast offering incredible fishing opportunities.

8. The Bahamas

• Why It’s Great: The Bahamas host multiple fishing competitions throughout the year, including the Bahamas Billfish Championship and the Wyndham Grand Bahamas Fishing Tournament, making it a top destination for sport fishing.

9. Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

• Why It’s Great: Madeira, an island off the coast of Portugal, is famous for its big game fishing tournaments, particularly the Madeira Big Game Fishing Tournament, where anglers compete for prized marlin and tuna catches.

10. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

• Why It’s Great: The waters off Fort Lauderdale are a prime location for billfish and tuna fishing. The city is home to the Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament, one of the longest-running fishing tournaments in the USA.

11. Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA

• Why It’s Great: Portsmouth hosts the famous Portsmouth Harbor Fishing Tournament, where anglers compete for various species of fish, including striped bass and bluefish. The tournament is part of the New England Saltwater Fishing Series.

12. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

• Why It’s Great: Punta Cana is known for its sport fishing events, such as the Punta Cana Fishing Classic, where anglers compete for catches like marlin, tuna, and mahi-mahi in the rich waters of the Caribbean Sea.

13. St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

• Why It’s Great: St. Thomas is known for its incredible fishing competitions, including the St. Thomas International Billfish Tournament, where anglers compete for marlin, sailfish, and tuna.

14. Fiji Islands

• Why It’s Great: The Fiji International Game Fishing Tournament attracts anglers from around the world to fish for marlin, tuna, and swordfish in the rich waters of the South Pacific.

15. Punta Mita, Mexico

• Why It’s Great: Punta Mita is a popular spot for sport fishing tournaments, including the Riviera Nayarit Fishing Tournament. With abundant catches of marlin, sailfish, and tuna, it’s an angler’s paradise.

16. Cape Town, South Africa

• Why It’s Great: Cape Town hosts the Cape Town International Fishing Tournament, focusing on species like tuna, yellowtail, and marlin. The waters around the Cape Peninsula offer some of the best fishing in the world.

17. Destin, Florida, USA

• Why It’s Great: Known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin is home to the Destin Fishing Rodeo, one of the largest and longest-running fishing tournaments in the world, offering categories for various fish species.

18. Bristol Bay, Alaska, USA

• Why It’s Great: For salmon enthusiasts, Bristol Bay is famous for its annual Bristol Bay Salmon Run Tournament, where anglers compete to catch massive king and sockeye salmon in the pristine waters of Alaska.

19. Auckland, New Zealand

• Why It’s Great: New Zealand’s Auckland region hosts the Auckland Game Fishing Club tournaments, where anglers chase species like marlin, tuna, and snapper in the rich waters of the Hauraki Gulf.

20. Port Vila, Vanuatu

• Why It’s Great: Port Vila in Vanuatu offers fantastic opportunities for big game fishing with events like the Vanuatu Game Fishing Tournament, which attracts anglers looking to reel in marlin, sailfish, and tuna.

These coastal towns are home to some of the best fishing competitions in the world, providing incredible opportunities to fish for various species while enjoying stunning waters and vibrant coastal cultures. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, these destinations offer unforgettable experiences for all types of anglers.