The sun is shining. The drinks are cold. The fish are jumping. A little time off is the perfect excuse to head down to the water and catch a trophy. Whether you’re going fly fishing or ice fishing, few experiences are more relaxing than nabbing a big one and boasting to your friends. But did you ever wonder what else is out there? Head south and you might find beautiful redfish. Travel to the Dakotas for massive Walleye.
Hit the East Coast for King Mackerel or the West for Pacific Halibut. It’s easy to spend a fortune chasing your white whale — or whitefish — but there is an inexpensive option for capturing a prize: packing your fishing rods and heading to an underrated area. While those with deep pockets can shell out for deep-sea expeditions or Alaskan adventures, most people are just looking for a quiet spot to reel in their next wall mount. If a giant is what you’re truly after, grab a few bucks for gas and hit one of these little-known spots.
Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, Louisiana
If you’ve ever traveled to the South, you know it’s a different country. Cuisine, customs, and celebrations are derived from the traditions of generations past. From Mardi Gras to the Mississippi River, Louisiana may feature the wildest culture swings. But the Pelican State might also have the best fishing. Almost 40 miles from the Big Easy you’ll find the Mississippi Gulf River Outlet. A former canal that was dammed up after Hurricane Katrina, the 76-mile channel offers an angler’s paradise.
Between the 40 ft. depth and jagged shorelines, conditions are ripe for pulling a beautiful Sheepshead. Bait is abundant thanks to the natural hiding spots offered to baitfish. Shrimp and pogies are numerous enough for a never-ending depository of smaller species. Many intrusions such as oyster grass, rock jetties, and even a dead gas platform serve as perfect areas to catch your trophy. Redfish and Speckled Trout also populate the waters, so prep the boat or get your inshore rig ready to clean up in the Deep South. Most crowds will opt for fishing in the Gulf or at the bayous, but the MRGO is actually the hottest spot in the state.
Hood River, Oregon
At the opposite end of the map is a river running cold with glacier water. A spring run for some of the best Chinook fishing in the entire country is well worth the trip. With the Deschutes River just down the highway, few fishermen populate the shores of this Oregon stream. Easy access points, a rich confluence, and powerful falls combine to make this spot one of the most successful in the country.
Bronze-backed smallies and Bonneville Bass Steelheads also populate the river, so if salmon isn’t what you’re after, take solace in the fact that there’s still a great catch out there. Perhaps the best news is that when you’re done for the day, you can retire to the big city. Portland offers beautiful nature, a thriving sub-culture, and amazing food — some of which was caught in the same river you just came from. And in the rare event that you haven’t snatched a prize from the open waters of the Hood River, you can just head down to the Deschutes the next day for incredible Redside Rainbow Trout fishing.
Port Mansfield, Texas
It’s back to the Panhandle for another adventure. Laguna Madre is a Trout lover’s heaven. Thanks to lower limits than in previous years, the hot spot near San Antonio produces loads of seven- to 10-pound fish. Redfish and Flounder prosper in the clear saltwater as well. No matter what type of angling you enjoy, Port Mansfield is the place for you. Dust off the old johnboat or find one of the many places to wade if you’re an expert fly fisher.
Charleston, South Carolina
An abundance of streams, inshore fishing, and access to the Atlantic mean one thing for Chucktown: great fishing. Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Marlins, and Barracuda surround the historic city for the best fishing on the East Coast. And, much like Portland, when you’re done for the day, you can enjoy one of the premier culinary destinations in the country.
Bozeman, Montana
Roaring river? Close to Yellowstone? Enthralling city scene? Check, check, and check. This formerly sleepy town in the middle of cowboy country is a prime fishing destination. From Rainbow Trout to whitefish, every bit of the 12-mile stretch delivers.
I don’t know how underrated Hood River is – at least to Oregonians – but still a solid list. It’s my dream to fish Montana so Bozeman is pretty high up on my list as well.