- Alaska
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
"Bow to the Tarpon"...
Mexico Tarpon fly fishing is at its best here off Holbox Island. In addition to being home to one of the world's truly great beaches (listed on a number of "top ten" lists for just that) Holbox Island boasts one of the planet's truly great sport fisheries for fly fishing Tarpon. At the very point of the Mexico's amazing Yucatan Peninsula, an incredible variety of fish travel from the open waters of the Caribbean Sea to the protected waters of the Gulf of Mexico, including the mighty Silver King.
During this migration, exceptionally large trophy Tarpon, up to 200 pounds, feed on the prolific baitfish located just offshore, making them prime targets for our fly and spin fishing enthusiasts. A short run from the lodge, two fishermen their guide will run along the shoreline while feeding fish and birds mark your passing. When the time is right, your guide will stop the boat and it's time to cast! Working the schools, adjusting to the slow drift of the ocean, line maintenance and spotting your cast will be key to success. At other times when conditions are right, you may find yourself casting to groups of literally hundred of one of the world's truly great game fish, and then it's simply a matter of "get it out there and hang on!
During this migration, exceptionally large trophy Tarpon, up to 200 pounds, feed on the prolific baitfish located just offshore, making them prime targets for our fly and spin fishing enthusiasts. A short run from the lodge, two fishermen their guide will run along the shoreline while feeding fish and birds mark your passing. When the time is right, your guide will stop the boat and it's time to cast! Working the schools, adjusting to the slow drift of the ocean, line maintenance and spotting your cast will be key to success. At other times when conditions are right, you may find yourself casting to groups of literally hundred of one of the world's truly great game fish, and then it's simply a matter of "get it out there and hang on!
Seasons of the Tarpon
Baby Tarpon (and many other species) are available year round, while the Trophy Tarpon are generally found May through September, when the calmer seas allow for delivering your fly to the fish. The Silver King can put on quite a show for anglers, spending most of the fight in the air rather than the water. Tarpon are able to live in both salt and fresh water with small waters making the chance of landing fish quite low, but it is truly a "high risk/high reward" scenario. Every tarpon landed (and of course released) is a trophy, regardless of size. These amazing creatures have the strength of Atlas, the courage of Hercules and simply refuse to give in. Only those who are prepared to give their all will be successful! The fish are able to destroy most tackle and battles of over an hour are the norm not an exception. While most of our guests target the great fish with flies, spinning tackle is also an effective method.Fly Equipment and Tackle
The reel must be a high quality affair, as the stress is enormous. A well chosen fly rod needs power to set the hook, but be able to cast comfortably (ie higher modulus graphite versions). Choose a 12 or 13-weight, but make sure the rod has enough oomph! Tarpon can be stalked with a floating or intermediate sinking line. To take Baby Tarpon on fly tackle, just scale down to an 8 or 9-weight outfit and use correspondingly smaller flies, including shrimp and crab patterns.Ask for our in depth equipment list for fly fishing
Conventional & Spinning tackle
For baby tarpon, a freshwater bass equivalent works well. For the adult fish, a fast action, graphite rod with a quick tip and a butt that “just won’t quit” is called for. Look for rods that are no longer than 7 feet and have a minimum of 7 guides not counting the tip-top. The reel should hold over 200 yards of 20-lb test new generation style braid. The Shimano saltwater casting and spinning reels are perfect. Ask for our in depth spinning tackle list.
Released to fight another day...
This is a very special fishery, and just as in Costa Rica, we release all Tarpon to fight another day. A few of the smaller species may be occasionally retained to create Luciano's famous Ceviche, but other than that catch and release is the order of the day.
