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Top 10 Fishing Destinations Around the World in 2026 — and What Lures to Pack
2026-09-09 | GD Angling Tackle
If you ask ten lure anglers to name their dream trip, you will get ten different answers — and that is exactly the point. There has never been a better time to fish far from home: rods travel in tubes, guides and charters can be booked in minutes online, and hard baits that were niche a decade ago are now standard kit on every continent.
Below are ten destinations we keep hearing about from customers, guides and OEM partners — a mix of freshwater and saltwater across four continents. For each one you get the target species, the best season, and what to tie on when you get there. If Asia is on your list instead, we covered that separately in our freshwater guide to Asia.
1. Florida Keys, USA — Tarpon, Permit & Snook
Why go: The most famous shallow-water fishery in the world. Bridges, channels and flats stack up tarpon, permit and snook within a short run from Key West — and plenty of it can be done on lures rather than live bait.
Best season: April–June for the tarpon run; winter for snook and barracuda around the bridges.
What to throw: A soft swimbait on a jig head worked along channel edges for tarpon; small suspending jerkbaits around dock pilings for snook.
GD Pick: Paddle Tail Swimbait on a 10–14g jig head, natural baitfish.
2. Lake St. Clair, USA / Canada — Smallmouth Bass
Why go: The shallow big-water smallmouth fishery between Michigan and Ontario is arguably the best on the planet. Clear water, hard-fighting fish, and schools big enough to keep a boat busy all day.
Best season: June–October, with late summer the peak.
What to throw: Suspending jerkbaits over open-water schools, small crankbaits along weed lines, and soft plastics on the deeper edges.
GD Pick: 9cm suspending jerkbait in a ghost shad finish.
3. Kenai Peninsula, Alaska — Salmon & Trophy Trout
Why go: Road-accessible wilderness: salmon runs in big glacial rivers, plus resident rainbow trout that most visiting anglers underestimate. September is quieter than peak summer.
Best season: July–September for coho salmon and post-run trout fishing.
What to throw: Casting spoons and spinner-style spoons for coho in the lower river stretches. Rules vary a lot by river — some waters are fly-only or bait-free, so check local regulations before you pack.
GD Pick: 14g casting spoon, silver/blue.
4. Baja California Sur, Mexico — Roosterfish & Yellowtail
Why go: Beach-rodding for roosterfish is one of the most visual fishing experiences anywhere — you watch the fish chase your lure in the shore break. Winter flips the script with yellowtail on the jig.
Best season: May–October for roosterfish; December–March for yellowtail.
What to throw: 12–15cm surface poppers and stickbaits along the first breaker line for roosters; heavy metal jigs fished fast ("yo-yo" style) for yellowtail.
GD Pick: 13cm popper, sardine pattern.
5. Rio Negro Basin, Brazil — Peacock Bass
Why go: Arguably the most aggressive freshwater topwater fish on earth. In low water the fish concentrate in lagoons and creek mouths, and a well-walked pencil bait gets flattened on almost every pass.
Best season: October–February, when river levels drop (exact timing varies by river system).
What to throw: Walking pencil baits over the lagoons; deep-running crankbaits along drop-offs when the topwater bite pauses.
GD Pick: 11cm pencil bait, fire tiger.
6. Sweden — Pike & Perch
Why go: Big pike within easy reach of Stockholm and the Baltic coast, plus monster perch in the same water. Boat and cabin rentals are straightforward, which makes this one of the easiest "big fish" DIY trips in Europe.
Best season: April–May and September–November.
What to throw: Large jerkbaits and soft shads over shallow bays; spinnerbaits when the wind chops up the water.
GD Pick: 15cm slow-sinking jerkbait, perch pattern.
7. Lofoten & Northern Norway — Cod, Coalfish & Halibut
Why go: Fishing under the midnight sun among fjords and dramatic peaks. Coalfish and cod are plentiful and hit hard, and every trip carries a genuine halibut chance.
Best season: May–September.
What to throw: Heavy metal jigs and long soft shads on sturdy jig heads, worked over the deep edges close to shore.
GD Pick: Metal jig worked in combination with a paddle tail for the halibut windows.
8. Top End, Australia — Barramundi
Why go: Australia's most iconic sportfish, caught among billabongs, tidal creeks and some of the wildest scenery you will ever fish — crocodiles included, which keeps you honest on the retrieve.
Best season: The "run-off" after the wet season (roughly February–April) and the build-up (September–December). Check seasonal closures before booking.
What to throw: Suspending minnows slow-rolled along snags, soft vibes across drained flats, pencil walkers at first light.
GD Pick: 10cm suspending minnow, natural mullet.
9. Hauraki Gulf & Coromandel, New Zealand — Kingfish & Snapper
Why go: World-class kingfishing within sight of Auckland. On good days the kingfish crash bait on the surface and a well-placed stickbait draws instant fireworks; snapper on soft plastics fill in the quieter hours.
Best season: October–May.
What to throw: Heavy stickbaits and poppers for kings on the surface; jigs when they drop deep; soft jerk shads for snapper.
GD Pick: 12cm stickbait for kings, 12cm soft jerk shad for snapper.
More on this region: our guides to tuna and sailfish & GT fishing in Australia and New Zealand.
10. Dalmatian Coast, Croatia — Sea Bass & Bluefish
Why go: The most affordable saltwater lure fishing in Europe. Rock points and harbour lights hold sea bass that respond beautifully to a minnow at first light, and summer brings mahi-mahi and amberjack within small-boat range.
Best season: April–June and September–November.
What to throw: 7–9cm sinking minnows at dawn, pencil poppers through bluefish bust-ups, and jig head + soft bait combinations for bottom species.
GD Pick: 7cm sinking minnow, silver flash.
Quick-Reference Table
| Destination | Target species | Best months | Core lures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Keys, USA | Tarpon, permit, snook | Apr–Jun | Swimbait + jig head, suspending jerkbait |
| Lake St. Clair, US/CA | Smallmouth bass | Jun–Oct | Jerkbait, small crankbait, soft plastics |
| Kenai, Alaska | Coho salmon, rainbow trout | Jul–Sep | Casting spoon |
| Baja California Sur, MX | Roosterfish, yellowtail | May–Oct / Dec–Mar | Popper, stickbait, metal jig |
| Rio Negro Basin, BR | Peacock bass | Oct–Feb | Pencil bait, deep crankbait |
| Sweden | Pike, perch | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | Jerkbait, soft shad, spinnerbait |
| Northern Norway | Cod, coalfish, halibut | May–Sep | Metal jig, long soft shad |
| Top End, Australia | Barramundi | Feb–Apr, Sep–Dec | Suspending minnow, soft vibe, pencil |
| Hauraki Gulf, NZ | Kingfish, snapper | Oct–May | Stickbait, popper, jig, soft jerk shad |
| Dalmatian Coast, HR | Sea bass, bluefish | Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov | Sinking minnow, pencil popper, jig head + soft bait |
Before You Fly: Five Quick Tips
- Carry rods in a hard tube and pack lures in a compact waterproof box — customs and airlines both prefer it.
- Check licence requirements and closed seasons for every water on your route; they change year to year.
- Pack two of every lure you would hate to lose. In most of these places, losing one is a matter of when, not if.
- Rinse rods, reels and lures in fresh water after every saltwater session — hardware that lasts years at home can die in a week if you skip this.
- Book one day with a local guide even on a DIY trip. A single day of local knowledge saves the rest of the week.
Not sure which lures to pack for the trip you pick? Read our practical selection guide: Fishing Lure Selection Explained: How to Pick the Right Lure for Any Water.
GD Angling Tackle manufactures ABS hard baits and soft baits and ships wholesale and OEM orders worldwide. Contact us for bulk pricing and custom lure programs.
