From the reef to the river
BigJoe Fishing
Fishing the World. Made simple.
For the love of water and fishing, where your troubles melt away and the fun begins.
Out on the bay, in the mangroves or on the open ocean, the everyday struggles get left behind at the dock. For those few hours, it’s just you, the smell of the sea and a feeling of peace, until the bite starts and it’s nothing but joy and excitement.
Reefs, mangroves, open ocean, rivers and lakes around the world — where to go, what's biting and what you can catch, in English and Spanish. Based in the Caribbean, built for anglers and captains everywhere.
Born in the Caribbean, built for anglers worldwide
I fish out of Boquerón, Puerto Rico, and this site started with the reefs and mangroves I know best. Puerto Rico is still home, but the site now covers fishing of every kind, on every continent: North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific. Here's what you'll find, free, in English and Spanish:
- Fishing Hot Spots maps for more than 110 areas: the Caribbean, the Gulf, both U.S. coasts, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. New areas are added almost every day.
- Not just saltwater: offshore, reefs, mangroves, flats, beaches and piers, plus lakes and rivers from the Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain trout rivers to Mexico's bass lakes and the Amazon.
- 782 species guides: what it is, where it lives, how to catch it and whether it's good to eat.
- Plan your day: weather, tides and moon phases, and the best times to fish.
- Learn: techniques, baits and lures, rigs, knots, gear and recipes.
- Charter directory: captains and guides anywhere in the world (offshore, inshore, lake, river or fly fishing) list free, and you book them directly.
I've been there: bills late, a stressful job, everything piling on. But once you're on the water, all of that melts away. The fishing takes over and you're not thinking about anything at all. It doesn't last forever, and you still have to go back. But for those few hours, everything goes away. That's why I built this site: to help more people find those hours, wherever their water is.— BigJoe
For the love of water and fishing, where your troubles melt away and the fun begins.
Tight lines!
A free fishing guide for every corner of the world
Built by Captain Big Joe for everyone who loves the water, from first-time anglers to seasoned pros. Free, in English and Spanish, with no ads and nothing to buy. Our roots are in the waters of Puerto Rico, but our 115 interactive hot-spot maps now cover the world, and our 36 month-by-month fishing calendars cover the Caribbean and the Americas.
Where our maps go
- The Caribbean and the Americas: every Caribbean island, Alaska's salmon rivers, Canada's coasts, every U.S. coast, the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Central America, the Amazon, Patagonia and the Galápagos.
- Europe and the United Kingdom: the UK and Ireland, Scandinavia and Iceland, northern Europe, France, Spain and Portugal, Italy, Greece and the Adriatic, Turkey and Cyprus.
- Africa and the Middle East: Morocco and West Africa (marlin and sailfish off Dakar, giant tarpon in the Bijagós), the Gulf of Guinea, East and southern Africa, the Nile and Africa's great lakes like Victoria and Tanganyika, and the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.
- Asia and the Pacific: Japan and South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
- Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands: the Great Barrier Reef, Western Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand's Lake Taupō trout and Kaikōura, Hawaii, Guam and the South Pacific.
Saltwater and freshwater
- Saltwater: offshore trolling, reefs and wrecks, flats, surf and pier fishing, and mangroves.
- Freshwater: big lakes, neighborhood ponds, rivers and mountain trout streams.
Every map comes with 782 fish species guides, step-by-step rigs and the best times to fish. Open the Hot Spots maps →
New on BigJoe
Fishing first, but like all fishermen, BigJoe also hunts and enjoys the outdoors.
What can I catch?
Pick a group to see every species, where it lives and how to catch it.
Plan your trip
Everything you need before you head out.
Fishing Hot Spots
Salt and fresh water, from Canada to Patagonia.
Weather & Tides
Wind, waves, tides and moon before you go.
Charters
Book a local captain.
Gear Shop
Rods, reels, tackle and sun gear BigJoe recommends.
Fishing Knots
12 knots, step by step with clear drawings.
Fishing Techniques
Mangroves, flats, reefs, jigging and trolling, step by step.
Rigs
How to set up your line for every kind of fishing.
Best Time to Catch
Tides, moon and season for each fish.
Dangerous Sea Life
What not to touch — spines, stings, toxins.
From the first cast to the kitchen
Short, practical guides for every step.
Watch BigJoe on YouTube
Fishing trips, field notes and Caribbean catches.
👨👩👧 BigJoe’s Family
Catches from friends and family who share the water with BigJoe — Outdoor Dog Supply out of Chesapeake, Virginia.
See all their photos and videos →
BigJoe’s Family
Good friends send good fish. Catch photos and videos from BigJoe's friends and family, like our friends at Outdoor Dog Supply in Chesapeake, Virginia: tuna, mahi-mahi and a sailfish from this year's trips in Virginia, North Carolina and the Bahamas.
