Top Bucket List Fish to Catch Before You Die

Top Ten

These are the fish people plan entire trips around.

Some fish are just different. They’re the species anglers dream about, save for, and travel across the world to catch. This list highlights the ultimate bucket list fish—from powerful offshore giants to iconic freshwater legends and technical flats species. Whether it’s the fight, the setting, or the challenge, these fish represent the peak of what fishing can offer.

Bluefin Tuna

Verified

World Record 1,496 lb 0 oz
Ken Fraser / 1979
Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia

Signature Fact Bluefin run a built‑in furnace, keeping muscles, eyes, and brain up to 20°C warmer than seawater.

Click to Learn More About Bluefin Tuna

Giant Trevally

Coming Soon

Species Guide Coming Soon

Blue Marlin

Verified

World Record 1,402 lb 2 oz
Jay de Beaubien / 1970
Kona, Hawaii

Signature Fact Their eyes and brain run on built-in heaters, staying up to 14°C warmer than the water.

Click to Learn More About Blue Marlin

Sailfish

Learn More Here Verified Catch

World Record 221 lb 0 oz
Ted Teele / 1958
Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador

Signature Fact They superheat their eyes and brain up to 13°C above the water, keeping vision razor-sharp during high-speed chases.

Atlantic Tarpon

Species Guide Coming Soon

World Record —

Signature Fact More details coming soon.

Permit

Species Guide Coming Soon

World Record —

Signature Fact More details coming soon.

Golden Dorado

Species Guide Coming Soon

World Record —

Signature Fact More details coming soon.

FAQs

What are the top bucket list fish to catch?

Bluefin tuna, giant trevally, blue marlin, sailfish, Atlantic tarpon, permit, bonefish, muskellunge, peacock bass, and golden dorado are among the most sought-after bucket list species.

Why are these fish considered bucket list species?

They combine challenge, power, rarity, and unique fishing environments that make them unforgettable experiences for anglers.

Do you need to travel to catch these fish?

Often, yes. Many bucket list species are found in specific regions or require specialized trips to target effectively.

Are bucket list fish hard to catch?

Most are challenging due to their size, strength, behavior, or the conditions required to target them.

What makes a fish a bucket list catch?

It’s a combination of reputation, difficulty, uniqueness, and the overall experience of pursuing and landing the fish.