If there is one thing that tourism in Mexico has become famous for in recent years, it is sports fishing. And the reasons why are pretty obvious. The country has over 6,500 miles of fishable coastline that is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea on the east and the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez on the west. There are a diverse number of hot spots for sport fishing that draw enthusiasts, as well as professionals, from all over the world. And to make it even more exciting, there are a number of national and international competitions held yearly in the waters surrounding Mexico.

In Mexico you can fish for over 300 varieties of fish and that number is still growing. Because of this diversity, it may actually be very difficult to decide on just one destination to visit in order to try your hand at reeling in a big one. If fishing is all you plan on doing during your vacation then you would probably find the most challenging experiences on the Pacific coast. Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, or Mazatlan are all well known for sport fishing fleets that can be chartered. And the large sport fish like Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, and Swordfish are all prevalent in those waters.

Some locations are so abundant with fish that the locals have given many of the areas their own legends and some even have nicknames. The Sea of Cortez, for example is said to have so many fish in its waters that it is referred to as "The Fish Trap". Legend has it to be believed that the fish would come into this long, narrow gulf and would not be able to find their way out again. In fact, the Sea of Cortez does have an extremely large fish population of all varieties, but the reasons why are much more scientific. It is the combination of the water temperatures, the climate and the tide patterns that all contribute to making this area one of the richest fishing spots in the world.

If you would also like to partake in some tourist activities such as tour Mayan ruins or spend nighttime in the clubs, then Cancun or Cozumel might be more your speed. Whatever your focus you can bet that great fishing will be close by to wherever you decide to visit.

Maybe you don't necessarily want to go after the big boys, like Marlin or Tuna, but would like to do a little bass fishing. There are also many lakes dotting the landscape of Mexico and most offer great fishing. One of the most popular bass lakes is El Salto, which is just 50 miles from Mazatlan. Tour operators claim that this well-stocked lake will yield the biggest bass caught in a person's lifetime. Most tour companies can set up a bass fishing trip to an area that you would enjoy if you give them a list of your expectations, as far as accommodations and services.

Fishing can be a wonderful recreational and competitive activity that can combine your own skill and know-how with luck to catch the big one. If you love fishing, there probably isn't one location in Mexico that it wouldn't be enjoyable to participate in fishing.