Top 5 Fishing Destinations For July 4Th

July 4th Fishing Trips

Independence Day is coming up, and for many, that means heading to the water to take part in the festivities. The 4th of July is full of celebration and for a lot of anglers, spending time on the water doing some summer fishing.

Trying to find the perfect place to celebrate the holiday, do some fishing, and have a great vacation can be tough, but we're here to help. If you are looking to make the most of your July 4th holiday, here are our top five spots to do some fishing this Independence Day weekend.

The Best Freshwater Trip - Lake Fork, TX

For decades, Lake Fork has been a prominent bass fishing lake for both recreational and professional anglers. Located an hour and a half east of Dallas on the Sabine River, anglers from the large metropolitan area are a big part of the lake's economy, which is centered around fishing. Lake Fork is a frequent host of Bassmasters tournaments, which never fail to turn up giant bass at the weigh-ins.

Lake fork has tons of cover and fairly clear water with an abundance of vegetation that holds tons of food resources. The combination of great habitat, dense populations of baitfish, and clean water with low fluctuations creates the perfect environment for bass to get huge. Lake Fork has produced the current state record, and over 65% of the 50 biggest largemouth bass caught in Texas. Largemouth bass are nothing less than excellent all year round in Lake Fork, which was named the Number One Bass Fishery in the United States by Bassmaster Magazine.

When it comes to celebrating Independence Day, Lake Fork is a popular destination for people in the DFW area, so there are always plenty of fireworks and other celebratory events going on.

Best Inshore & Nearshore Trips - Port Aransas, TX

If you want to hit one of the best spots in the gulf for inshore and nearshore action, then Port Aransas is the place to be. Everyone has a good time in Port Aransas, and the town gets plenty crowded during the 4th of July. Port A has the perfect balance between being a popular coastal town and and ideal fishing location. Port Aransas fishing guides target both inshore and offshore saltwater species, and there are even popular jetties that hold a variety of fish. Much of the town is open to golf cart driving, which instantly provides a fun-loving, vacation town vibe. With a solid mix of beach and bay activities, Port A is a terrific town for any fishing or family trip to the coast.

Best Deep Sea Fishing Charters - Charleston, SC

Charleston is a charming, historic city that happens to have some of the best sportfishing in the country. The incredible fishing, charming architecture, excellent food, and laid back culture attracts visitors from across the country for the 4th. With easy access to the Gulf Stream and other prime fishing spots, deep sea fishing in Charleston gives you the unique opportunity to catch the biggest, fastest, and most delicious fish the Atlantic has to offer.

Within the Gulf Stream, blue water holes, reefs, and banks are the best spots to find big fish. With hundreds or maybe thousands of reefs and wrecks, the bottom fishing is hard to beat. Every captain has their favorite spots, but when it comes to fishing the Gulf Stream, It’s hard to go wrong when the fish are everywhere.

Trolling the edge of deep reefs and ledges will bring on bites from sailfish, wahoo, mahi mahi, kingfish, tuna, and marlin. Yellowfin tuna used to dominate Charleston offshore fishing, but they have become less common in recent years, with blackfin now being the most common tuna caught. Wahoo have filled the void and are regularly caught in the area, giving anglers the chance to catch the fastest fish in the sea. While the smaller white marlin bite throughout the year, the bigger blue marlin hit their peak in the warmer months. Charleston is a great place to hook up with a formidable predator and celebrate out country’s independence.

Best Spot for Fishing & Festivities - Destin, FL

The Emerald Coast of Florida (along with the small coastline of Alabama) is located in an advantageous position because of its proximity to the Continental Shelf. Destin is closer to deep water than any other point in the Gulf, and for anglers, fishing the emerald coast this means easy access to giant deep-sea fish. Since Destin is one of the top vacation spots in the U.S., it makes sense that is also a popular place for people on the 4th of July.

Destin is a major hotspot for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, and during the short red snapper season, this is one of the best places to book a charter. Other common reef fish include grouper and amberjack. Cobia are super popular, and while they can be found near any structure, they are also known to wander near the 100 Fathom Curve.

Billfish can be great in the late afternoon, and if you stick around on an overnight charter, the swordfishing can be excellent after dark if you’re willing to burn the midnight oil and crack a few glowsticks. Blue marlin are a treat when going past the shelf for pelagic species. Destin offshore is known as a haven for big blue marlin and the trophy opportunities, which draw in a ton of anglers starting around the 4th of July.

Destin is known as the "world's luckiest fishing village," so if you're looking for some of the best fishing in the world, get in on the action this Independence Day with a Destin fishing charter.

Best Fishing Spot without the Crowd - Venice, LA

Venice is a small town at the end of the Mississippi River, making it a more laid back place to beat the crowd and experience some incredible fishing. Over the years, Venice has gained a reputation for producing giant fish which has made it one of the top destinations for anglers. The Mississippi River created the landmass that Venice sits on and also cut the deep channel in the seafloor that creates some of the best fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Also known as the Tuna Capital of the Gulf, Venice is a bucket list location for any angler that loves to chase deep sea giants.

Venice is 70 miles south of New Orleans, making it the closest location in the Gulf to deep water capable of holding big fish. Warm water pouring into the Gulf where the seafloor drops away quickly means the bite is hot year round. If the tuna and marlin weren’t enough, the fishing for wahoo, mahi-mahi, and kingfish also happens to be top notch. Whether you want to troll or drop live bait, these fish will crush anything that looks like food and peel line off the reel. These fish are some of the fastest fish in the ocean, and if you hook into a big one, long runs are to be expected.

Surrounded by a maze of marsh, channels, and other structure, the inshore fishing is also incredible. Venice has also been dubbed "The Redfish Capital of the World", and for good reason. In the summertime, Tarpon stop by the bays and bayous around Venice on their yearly migration around the gulf. Hooking into "The Silver King" on the bayou is an experience no angler will forget. For the ultimate challenge, hit the backcountry with a fly rod. Tarpon are never a guarantee, but you'll have your hands full with massive Redfish and Speckled Trout.

If you're looking to book a day (or night) out on the water this 4th of July, check out our fishing charters here.