Sport fishing, also known as recreational fishing, is a big part of the Venezuelan tourism industry. People travel to Venezuela to fish for the extremely diverse population of aquatic species. Venezuela's warm climate allows for sport fishing year round and the species are similar to those fished for in Florida, the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. There are both salt and freshwater species highly prized by anglers from all over the world.
Freshwater: Peacock Bass and Payara (Vampire Fish) are the two most sought after freshwater sport fish in Venezuela. Both of these species can be caught in the Orinoco River Basin which covers most of Venezuela. The Payara was featured in Jeremy Wade's tv show "River Monsters." In an episode Jeremy Wade catches a large Payara and shows off its large teeth.
Freshwater: Peacock Bass and Payara (Vampire Fish) are the two most sought after freshwater sport fish in Venezuela. Both of these species can be caught in the Orinoco River Basin which covers most of Venezuela. The Payara was featured in Jeremy Wade's tv show "River Monsters." In an episode Jeremy Wade catches a large Payara and shows off its large teeth.
Saltwater: Saltwater sport fishing in Venezuela is much more popular among tourists when compared to freshwater. In the isolated saltwater flats along the coast of Venezuela anglers can target large bonefish and tarpon using light tackle. In deeper waters in the open ocean, anglers can target large blue and white marlin, sailfish, swordfish, yellowfin tuna, and many more prized salt water fish. Venezuela is considered the "bill fish capital of the world" due to the large number of billfish that come along the coastal fishing waters in the summer.
http://www.fishipedia.com/destinations/venezuela/
http://aquaticcommons.org/14062/1/gcfi_35-27.pdf
http://aquaticcommons.org/14062/1/gcfi_35-27.pdf