Tarpon
Megalops atlanticus
The Silver King — 100+ Pounds of Aerial Fury
- Average size
- 60–120 lb · trophies 150–200+ lb
- Peak season
- April–July (Atlantic flats) · June–September (Caribbean jungle)
- World record
- 286 lb 9 oz — Rubane, Guinea-Bissau (2003)
- Experiences
- 22
Tarpon are the most electric sight-fishing gamefish in saltwater. Cast to a pod of 100-pound fish pushing down a Keys flat, strip to trigger a take, and when it connects you'll get 8-foot jumps, 100-yard runs, and a 45-minute brawl. Landing a tarpon over 100 pounds on fly is among the defining accomplishments in saltwater angling.
The Florida Keys migratory fishery (May–June) is the head of the sport. Mexico's Ascension Bay holds resident baby tarpon (10–30 lb) year-round plus migratory adults in the spring. Costa Rica's Atlantic coast — Rio Colorado, Rio Parismina — produces Silver Kings in the 80–150 lb class feeding on migrating sardines June through September.
Best Methods
- ● Blind-casting mangrove edges for baby tarpon
- ● Sight-fishing migratory adults on Keys flats
- ● Guide-poled skiffs on Ascension Bay / Chetumal Bay
- ● Conventional casting with live bait on Costa Rica's Atlantic
Gear Notes
12-weight rod for adult migratory tarpon. 10-weight for baby tarpon in the mangroves. Heavy saltwater reel with 250+ yards of backing and a strong drag. 80–100 lb shock tippet connected to 16–20 lb fluoro class tippet.
Where to Catch Tarpon
22 vetted experiences across 6 countries.
Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge
Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge is The ultimate Barramundi, Sport, Fly Fishing, and Reef Fishing destination. The multi-award-winning Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge offers an amazing remote and exclusive sport-fishing adventures that brings repeat guests year after year.
Bairs Lodge, Bahamas
Bairs Lodge is located on the southern part of Andros Island in the Bahamas. A Nervous Waters property, Bairs exudes the style and comfort for which Nervous Waters has become known.
Boca Paila Lodge, Mexico
Boca Paila Lodge is a relaxing hideaway far from today´s busy world. It was founded by the Gonzalez family in 1964 and has earned a reputation as one of the finest fishing lodges in the world.
Casa Blanca, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Casa Blanca is on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and is as close to an angler paradise as you will find. The lodge sits on the northern tip of a small coastal island in the western Caribbean called Isla Punta Pajaros.
Costa De Cocos Lodge, Xcalak, Mexico
Costa De Cocos is set among Coconut Palms; there is a rich Mayan cultural charm. It is located at the 'end-of-the-road'.
Crooked Island Lodge, Bahamas
Crooked Island Lodge is Located on a beach at Crooked Island's extreme northwestern tip, this hotel is so isolated that you'll forget all about the world outside. For most of its early years, it was a well-guarded secret.
Deep Water Cay, Bahamas
Deep Water Cay Club is on a private island southeast of Grand Bahamas , seemingly created as a paradise just for truly AVID Anglers. With over a half century of tradition, this is where you can live the fishing life to the fullest.
Delphi Club, Abaco,The Bahamas
The Delphi Club opened in 2009 as a luxury bonefishing lodge and hotel located in Rolling Harbour on Great Abaco Island, Bahamas.
El Pescador, Ambergris Caye, Belize
El Pescador is for you, whether you’re dreaming of the angler’s Grand Slam, diving in and around our world famous barrier reef, or just relaxing in a tropical paradise. The atmosphere is congenial oriented to service for the guests in this family owned and operated lodge.
Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge, Mexico
Grand Slam Fly Fishing is located in Ascension Bay, one of the most pristine fisheries in this hemisphere. It is just a 1 1/2 hour drive south of Tulum, part of the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve UNESCO World Heritage Site.
H2O Bonefishing, Bahamas
H2O Bonefishing Lodge is a perfect destination whether you are an ardent angler seeking fine bonefishing on some of the productive flats in the Bahamas, or you wish to provide a good vacation for your non-angling companions.
Los Roques & El Chico, Venezuela
An angler's paradise for bonefish, tarpon, permit and snook among others — Venezuela's two premier fishing destinations with pristine flats and lagoons.
Machaca Hill Lodge, Belize
Machaca Hill Lodge in southern Belize is renowned for one of the healthiest permit fisheries in the world, offering luxury accommodations and the chance at a grand slam.
Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge, S.Andros, Bahamas
Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge offers accessible bonefishing on South Andros Island in the Bahamas with pristine flats teeming with unpressured bonefish.
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Outpost Expeditions, Bahamas, Florida Keys
Yacht-based fishing expeditions offering flats and off-shore fishing in the Bahamas and Florida Keys with luxury lodge-style accommodations aboard a 61-ft Hatteras.
Posada Acuarela
Posada Acuarela at Los Roques, Venezuela offers remarkable flats fishing for bonefish averaging 4 pounds with numerous fish in the 6 to 10 pound class. The lodge features 12 rooms with a Mediterranean feel and tasteful accommodations.
Rio Colorado Lodge, Costa Rica – Caribbean side
Rio Colorado Lodge is built on the banks of the Colorado River on Costa Rica's Caribbean side, right at its mouth where fishing is frequently the best. The average tarpon taken is around 80 pounds, with fish to 207 pounds recorded.
Rio Parismina, Costa Rica
Rio Parismina is a resort lodge built on 50 acres of lush jungle to beach on the banks of the famous Parismina River in Costa Rica. The Parismina River is where 4 World Record Snook have been caught.
Silver King Lodge, Costa Rica
Silver King Lodge is located in Barra del Colorado within Costa Rica's second largest rainforest preserve, specializing in tarpon (6+ feet, up to 350 lbs). All-inclusive with gourmet dining and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Three Amigos, Belize
Three Amigos Flyfishing explores remote, unpressured waters offering Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon fishing along Belize and Honduras coasts aboard a 50+ foot live-aboard vessel.
Turneffe Island Resort, Belize
After forty years, the private island Turneffe Island Resort is still recognized as one of the top saltwater flats and fly fishing lodges in Belize and the Western Caribbean.
Victoria House, Belize
Victoria House on Ambergris Caye, Belize is a gorgeous, small and exclusive resort offering excellent saltwater fly fishing in a top Caribbean location.
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