Galveston Island, Texas is known for its abundance of outdoor and water sports. There are many ways to fish in the waters of Galveston. One method is pier or rock fishing directly from the Galveston Island Seawall. Another is breakwater fishing. Aside from being quite fun, another benefit of fishing from the Galveston Seawall is that it happens to be free. Just don't forget to purchase a fishing license; it's required to fish in Texas for anyone between the ages of 17 and 65. Where applicable, be sure to get the three-day license.

A variety of fish can be caught along the Seawall. Some of those include Sheepshead, Sand Trout, Bull Reds, Gafftop Sail, Flounder, and more. Some may choose fishing off the rocks or pier, while others may instead go wade fishing in the breakwaters. The breakwaters of Galveston are calm much of the time. Galveston has plenty of different beaches and areas to fish from. Some are family-oriented, while others are better suited to the adult crowd. Galveston Island Sate Park boasts great breakwaters for fishing.

When some people think of Texas, they may automatically picture a place that is dry and hot. While that may be true for some parts of Texas, Galveston does not fit that bill completely. Dry it is definitely not. How well would that work for fishing?

For wade fishing and perhaps even rock fishing and pier fishing in Galveston, you may want a good pair of waterproof fishing boots. Not only can they protect the feet from getting too wet, but they can be good for walking on wet or muddy terrain. Another important thing to remember about fishing is to check the fishing schedules to be sure winds and other weather will be favorable. Remember that Galveston is an island, so it can be prone to hurricane weather.

Parts of Galveston are still recovering from a hurricane that occurred in 2008. Despite the devastating effects of Hurricane Ike, fishing in Galveston remains strong. Many travel to Galveston just for the fishing, and the 2008 storm that caused so much destruction has not seemed to destroy the love of fishing in Galveston.

Sources:
http://www.galveston.com/islandfishing/
http://outdoor.zappos.com/n/p/dp/45176513/c/128.html

To a sport fisherman, going after the big ones means coming back with a good trophy, the makings of a fantastic meal or one heck of a story. For those who make their living at sea, however, fishing literally can mean the difference between life and death. The rewards are great, as are the dangers, when working on a commercial fishing boat in rough waters.

The Perfect Storm, an adventure that's set on the high seas, tells the painfully true story of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat with a home port in Gloucester, Mass. After coming back with a disappointing load of fish, Skipper Billy Tyne (George Clooney) decides to head back out to the North Atlantic to make more money. He convinces his best crew members, including a young novice named Bobby (Mark Wahlberg) to join him on this trip.

The Skipper's instincts prove to be correct, and it looks as if the crew will get fat paychecks this time around back in Gloucester. Unfortunately, their on board ice machine breaks down before the hold is completely full. To make sure their cargo stays fresh, the Andrea Gail turns back towards home, but this puts them straight in the path of some really bad weather. Three different storm systems are converging into what meteorologists call a "perfect storm."

George Clooney turns in an outstanding performance in The Perfect Storm, one of the best films ever made about making a living from the sea. Most of the action takes place on the boat, as the crew prepares the nets and traps before dropping anchor. When the storm hits, though, the crew gets knocked around the cabin and the deck without mercy.

The Perfect Storm proves that there really isn't much glamor in the commercial fishing industry. As portrayed onscreen, the Andrea Gail was equipped with a galley, a television and a VCR. The crew wears basic work clothes and some rubberized gear when working on deck.

Beautifully shot, The Perfect Storm puts the sea in the spotlight, showing that it can be the taker or giver of life.

Just a few years ago, Forks, Washington, of the Olympic Peninsula, was just your average tiny American town, a hub for fishing and logging but otherwise unnoticed by the rest of the world. Then, in 2005, a writer named Stephenie Meyer published the first of four books in the Twilight series, each of which takes place in Forks.

Suddenly, little Forks, Washington, became the object of much scrutiny and fascination. Although it is still a small town with a relatively tiny population, the tourism in this city has grown exponentially, along with the outdoorsy activities offered to visitors.

Fishing, for example, is no longer simply a commercial pursuit. Thousands of fishermen travel to Forks every year to try their hand at catching as many steelhead trout and king salmon as possible. Guided fishing expeditions are available for the Quillayute river system, which encompasses four major rivers.

There are also activities for Twilight fans who want to see the Forks depicted in Meyer's quadrilogy. You might want to visit La Push, where Bella Swan meets her Quillayute friend Jacob Black, or the Forks hospital, where a parking space is reserved for Dr. Cullen, Edward's "father" in the series.

Also on the Twilight tour are stand-ins for Edward's and Bella's homes, restaurants, the Forks High School and other notable institutions in the quadrilogy.

Of course, the outdoorsy vacation isn't complete without some fun in the sun, which is why many people visit La Push. Here, swimming, water-skiing, surfing and other oceanic activities are all part-and-parcel of the Forks experience.

If you're going to visit Forks, you should know that rainfall is more common here than in any other area of the United States. Make sure to bring an umbrella and a trusty waterproof jacket.

Even with the rain, however, Forks can be a fun outdoorsy adventure, particularly if you enjoy the weather in the Olympic Peninsula and are a fan of the Twilight series.

Many of us are looking for the biggest and the boldest in our vacations, something that our friends haven't done or that will make for great stories when we get home. One option is Lake Okeechobee in Florida, which is the largest lake in the U.S. after Lake Michigan.

Lake Okeechobee is 750 square miles of beautiful water and sandy beaches. With nine islands and divided into five counties, you could spend three weeks here and never do everything available in the area. In fact, many Florida families (and people from all over the U.S.) spend their summers here.

One of the most attractive things about Lake Okeechobee is the wildlife. If you suffer from a debilitating fear of alligators, for example, this probably isn't the vacation spot for you. It is also home to a wide range of birds, fish, insects, plants and rodents. If you enjoy taking pictures of animals, you'd better bring your favorite camera.

Called the "Big O" by locals, Lake Okeechobee serves several small towns and villages where fishing is the largest attraction for tourists. From speckled perch to catfish, there is always something on the end of the fishing line, and camp grounds offer numerous outdoor fire pits on which to grill your catch.

You should also take time to visit the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which celebrates the Seminole American Indian tribe through ancient artifacts and finds. They have plenty of hands-on events, including a nature walk through the swamp, and kids will enjoy it just as much as their parents.

When you visit Lake Okeechobee, make sure to pack a pair of high-quality hiking shoes, such as the Timberland Sandowns, which come with Gore-Tex membranes for dry, comfortable feet while walking. You'll also want to bring jeans or long pants for hiking through tall grasses.

Make sure that your visit to Lake Okeechobee includes plenty of boat rides across the water, a few hours of lounging by the shore with a good book, and at least a day of antique shopping in Clewiston, one of the most popular lakeside towns. The best times to visit are in fall and spring, when the weather is mild, though many of the villages surrounding Lake Okeechobee have beautiful Christmas decorations in December.

When talking about Africa, most people immediately think of safaris which involve hunters going after lions, tigers and other big game animals. That doesn't mean, however, that those who live for sport fishing should pass up a chance to visit this beautiful continent, especially the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.

Part of the United Republic of Tanzania, the waters between Zanzibar and Pemba present anglers with a variety of year-round fishing opportunities, including the barracuda, the speedy Wahoo and the giant Travally. Catching any one of these beauties means a great trophy to hang on your wall back home.

If you schedule a vacation between August and October, that's the perfect time to drop a line and catch some Yellowfin Tuna. If you are fortunate enough to hook one of these strong fish, they make excellent trophies and an even better meal.

You can't make the long journey to Africa without trying to land some of the billfish that hang around Pemba Island. If you schedule your fishing expedition for the months between November and March, test your skills against the Black, Blue and Striped Marlins.

Many fishing enthusiasts agree that the Broadbill requires quite a bit of strength and skill once you have one on the line. Although they bear little resemblance to Australian actor Russell Crowe, this fighting fish has earned the nickname "Gladiator of the Sea." When going up against this "Gladiator," make sure to wear a durable pair of Sperry Top-Siders.

Zanzibar also attracts many undersea divers each year, and if you head below the surface, you may catch a glimpse of whales, humpback dolphins and other marine life.

Getting to Zanzibar requires a little coordination, however. One recommended method is booking an international flight into the Dar es Salaam region and a connecting flight to the islands. You also can catch a ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar after you land.

With tropical scenery and sea creatures that put up a real fight, pack your passport and gear and head to Zanzibar. It's one place where you won't mind picking up the bill, especially if it's attached to a fish.

Sources:

http://www.rasnungwi.com/fishing/deep_sea_fishing/
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/species/pac_yellowfin_tuna.htm
http://www.zanzibar.net/

During the 1960s and '70s, Cocoa Beach became permanently associated with NASA and the United States Space Program, both in real life and fiction. The John F. Kennedy Space Center is just miles away from this Florida town, which also served as the television home for Astronaut Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman) on "I Dream of Jeannie."

Located on a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean that has become known as the "Space Coast," Cocoa Beach may not have beautiful blondes in harem pants, but it does offer plenty of fishing opportunities for mere mortals, many of which can be challenging.

Take, for instance, the redfish that like to hang out in the shallow water off the coast. For an inshore fish, these beauties do have plenty of fight in them and landing one is a real accomplishment.

If you love trout, Cocoa Beach has plenty to choose from, including the spotted and speckled trout. The appropriately named Gator Trout also has a mouth and teeth that make it resemble a small alligator. It definitely is not a real beauty, but the Gator Trout is a fun fish to find.

Though inshore fishing offers some real thrills, if you are in the mood for some serious fighting, head offshore in search of the amberjack. With an average weight of 142 pounds, you may want to strap yourself into the fighting chair before dropping a line, though.

With its ideal location on the Space Coast, Cocoa Beach also lets you combine your love for fishing with a family vacation. Some of Florida's most notable attractions, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, are within easy driving distance, but they also are far enough away from the good fishing spots.

Because this is a popular tourist destination, Cocoa Beach does have plenty of resorts and chain motels plus restaurants of all shapes and sizes. If you can't land the fish of your choice, you can take revenge by having one cooked up for dinner at a local eatery.

No matter if you head down to Florida to watch a space shuttle launch, hang out with Mickey Mouse or go man-to-fish with an aggressive amberjack, Cocoa Beach has plenty to keep you happy.

Resources:
http://www.cocoa-beach-fishing.com/fish-species.php
City of Cocoa Beach: http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/FlashHomePages/visitors_home.html
Florida's Space Coast: http://www.space-coast.com/

Best known for pineapples, hula dancers and gorgeous sandy beaches, Hawaii has been a popular vacation destination for decades, even for Greg Brady and the rest of polyester-wearing "Brady Bunch." Besides 1970's sitcom characters, this group of islands in the Pacific Ocean also offers some challenging fishing opportunities, especially near the village of Haleiwa.

Located in Oahu's North Shore, the blue waters off the coast of Haleiwa attract surfers plus truly challenging fish, including skipjack tuna, striped marlin and sailfish. To test your skills with a line, go out in search out the yellow fin tuna, a strong, aggressive fish that can put up one heck of a fight.

You can't go to Haleiwa, though, without trying to land one of Hawaii's famous blue marlin. These beauties can reach the 1,000 pound mark and tend to get more than a little irritated when they are on the line. It's always a good idea, therefore, to have a couple of helping hands when seeking the blue marlin. You also can skip a trip to the gym after spending some time in the fighting chair with a marlin on the line.

The waters off Haleiwa are filled with other notable creatures including the mahi-mahi, amberjack, snapper and barracudas. With so many choices, this North Shore destination is truly the ideal location for anglers, no matter what kind of undersea life you have your heart set on. Slip on your deck shoes, grab your gear and give it a shot.

Because Haleiwa is one of the more frequently visited travel destinations in Oahu, it's quite easy to find charter boats to help you those locate big game fish. In the evening, stow your gear, take a hot shower and relax at a luau or one of Haleiwa's fine restaurants.

It's relatively easy to reach Oahu from the continental United States, but the flight time can be 8 hours or more, depending on your starting point. Still, with the blue marlin and other gorgeous sport fish, Haleiwa is a year-round fishing paradise and one of the places that every angler should try.

Sources:
http://www.sport-fishing-hawaii.com/hawaiifishingnewsreport.html
http://www.gohawaii.com/

With plenty of places to stay plus the challenge of bighorn sheep, Bitterroot Valley is an excellent place to hunt.

Though "like leading lambs to the slaughter" is a widely-used expression, when hunting bighorn sheep, the opposite can be true. These elusive beauties tend to live in areas that, for one reason or another, put them just out of reach of the average hunter.

If bighorn rams and ewes are on your agenda, however, the Bitterroot Valley in Montana is an ideal place to go during hunting season. Nestled between the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountain ranges, it also is one of the most naturally beautiful hunting destinations in the United States. Bighorns congregate in the areas surrounding the Bitterroot Valley, which has some pretty rocky terrain in places.

Obtaining a bighorn license or tag can be the biggest obstacle in bringing one of these trophies home. For Bitterroot Valley, a limited number of tags are available through special drawings that for 2008 cost the winners approximately $755. Most licenses limit you to just one bighorn sheep in a specified hunting district in Bitterroot, but other areas of Montana offer unlimited bighorn hunting.

For anyone lucky enough to get their hands on one of these rare tags, the physical challenges involved in hunting the bighorns can be daunting, especially when hunting in the mountains. Long before bighorn sheep season begins (September 15 through November 30), online resources such as Biggamehunt.net recommend getting in shape even if you haven't secured a license yet.

Even if you are a loner by nature, hunting the bighorn sheep should not be a solo undertaking because of the rough terrain. Before putting your name in the tag drawing, see if you can get one or two friends to join you on a hunting expedition.

Though the licenses are limited, there is no shortage of places to stay in and around the Bitterroot Valley area. You can choose a fairly basic hotel, a comfortable bed and breakfast or an upscale lodge, but it's also possible to camp outdoors and really rough it. No matter where you stay, make sure to bring along a good set of hunting boots.

Considered by some as the "holy grail" of big game hunting, a bighorn trophy is the dream of many a hunter and a trip to Bitterroot can turn that dream into reality.

Sources:

http://www.worldclassoutdoors.com/montanabighornsheepgoathunting.htm
http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Bighorn_Sheep/Planning_a_DoitYourself_Bighorn_Sheep_Hunt_12060412.html
http://www.explorethebitterroot.com/Activities/Bighorn_Sheep_Hunting.htm
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/planahunt/msg.html
http://www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com/

If you are the only person in the household that truly enjoys fishing, it's hard to find one vacation spot that will satisfy both the family and your desire to land those big fighting fish. To make everyone happy, take a trip down to Algarve, Portugal, which offers a something for everyone.

Located near the southernmost tip of Portugal, Algarve has some of the best fishing opportunities in the world all year round, with a few species that put up a whale of a fight:

Shark

The waters of Algarve are home to the blue shark plus the beautiful but deadly Mako shark, which can be caught year-round. The Mako arguably puts up the fiercest fight when hooked and can cause some real problems if boated.

Dorado

Small but tasty, the warm-weather dorado is a pretty fast-mover, which makes catching one a real trick. If you want to really test your fishing prowess, dorado season in Algarve starts in July.

Tuna

With weights approaching a full ton, the bluefin tuna ranks high amongst the most difficult fish to land. The skipjack tuna is much smaller and easier to catch, but in either case, tuna season in Algarve runs from June through December.

Blue Marlin

Because the blue marlins off the Algarve coast can weigh as much as a half-ton, fishing from a fighting chair is recommended. The best time to catch one of these big beauties is between August and October.

White Marlin

With weights as high as 140 pounds, the white marlin is quite a catch and, because this fish swims in packs, it is possible to land more than one at a time. As is the case with the blue marlin, it is easier to catch one of these acrobatic marlins between August and October.

Fishing charters in Algarve are as plentiful as the fish swimming off the coast, many of which feature shark and dolphin watching cruises plus fishing tours for the whole family. Reef fishing for bass, grouper and other fish also is available from some of the charter companies.

For anyone in your group that would prefer non-fishing activities, Algarve has such pleasant diversions as casinos and wonderfully fresh seafood for dinner. After a hard day in the fighting chair, make sure to take some time to enjoy one of the many Algarve golf courses.

To reach Algarve, you will have to fly into Faro Airport, which is serviced by American Airlines, US Airways, United and Continental Airlines. Bus, train and taxi services are available at the airport, but renting a car is a great way to enjoy the Portuguese scenery.

A little slice of fishing heaven, Algarve, Portugal can satisfy your desire for the big fish 12 months out of the year.

Sources:

Virtual Portugal: href=[http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/algarve/index.html

Reefcat Fishing: http://www.reefcatfishing.com/

Algarve Fishing Charters:http://www.cruzeiros-da-oura.com/algarve-fishing-charters.html

Premier Direct Holidays :http://www.premier-direct.com/fishing_algarve.html

Algarve Golf Courses: http://www.algarvegolf.net/

Portugal Airports: http://www.ana.pt/portal/page/portal/ANA/AEROPORTO_FARO/