Puerto Rico Tarpon Fishing Charters
Puerto Rico Tarpon Fishing Charters
Top Puerto Rico Tarpon Fishing Destinations
Top Puerto Rico Tarpon Fishing Destinations
Best Tarpon Fishing Charters in Puerto Rico
Best Tarpon Fishing Charters in Puerto Rico
Tarpon Fishing in Puerto Rico
Tarpon Fishing in Puerto Rico
- Size 25 to 80lbs
- Food Value None
- Game Qualities Excellent
- Habitats Inshore, Flats, Backcountry
(Megalops atlanticus)
If you’re looking for world-class fishing just a stone’s throw from town, Tarpon fishing Puerto Rico has to be on your bucket list. The “Silver King” rivals even the mighty Blue Marlin in the hearts of local charter captains and it’s easy to see why. These scaly freight trains can be caught year-round in the island’s murky lagoons. Time your trip right, and fish over 150 lbs are a real possibility!
What to Expect from a Tarpon Trip
The great thing about Tarpon in Puerto Rico is that you don’t need to travel far to find monsters. San Juan Bay is the island’s biggest and best Tarpon hotspot, and it’s right in the middle of town!
You will usually be fishing in the Torrecilla and San Jose Lagoons, hitting deep holes left over from dredging in the ‘60s. These are Tarpon magnets. And if the first spot isn’t hot, you just hop over to the next one and try again.
There are two main seasons for Tarpon fishing in Puerto Rico. Smaller, schooling Tarpon flood the lagoons October through December. By January, the big boys show up, starting a solid 5 months of epic battles against some of the toughest fish you’ll ever fight.
Tarpon Fishing Techniques
Live baits and lures are both popular on local Tarpon charters. The top bait fish are sardines, mullet, threadfin herring, and anchovies. Live baiting work great in the morning, but dead baits fished on the bottom can be just as effective as the water warms up.
Different guides will swear by a literal boatload of different lures, from hard-bodied jerkbaits like Yo-Zuri Sashimis and Jointed Crystal Minnows to soft plastics like D.O.As and Slug-Gos. Fly Fishing is an obvious must for many Tarpon lovers. Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, the infamous Black Death––the waters are almost always cloudy, so dark colors are key, but other than that you can take your pick.
You can find fish from 15 lbs to 150 lbs swimming around next to each other, so advising on rods and reels isn’t easy. Most specialist guides (and there are quite a few of them) stock a variety of weights which they will employ throughout the day.
Puerto Rico’s urban lagoons are something every servant of the Silver King has to experience. The fish are bigger than you can believe, and pack into the holes that seem custom-built for incredible angling. You’ll have the whole of San Juan as your backdrop, and a lifelong Tarpon fanatic for a guide. If you somehow manage to not enjoy it, we’d love to hear how!
Puerto Rico Tarpon Fishing Seasons
Puerto Rico Tarpon Fishing Seasons
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Seasonality
Tarpon fishing in Puerto Rico varies moderately throughout the year. High season is January to May. Low season is July to September. There is no closed season.
Puerto Rico
4.4
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5
Based on 26,574 reviews by FishingBooker anglers
What anglers said about Tarpon Fishing in Puerto Rico
What anglers said about Tarpon Fishing in Puerto Rico
You have to work for these fish and you may only boat a few out of several hookups so tamper your expectations.
5.0
/
5
You have to work for these fish and you may only boat a few out of several hookups so tamper your expectations.
Scott R.
Belmont, NH
Bring sunscreen, fishing/sun shirts, hats and good polarized glasses. If you are not a seasoned or experienced offshore fisher donโt be afraid to take some Dramamine the night before your trip. The seas will get bumpy even on the calmest day. Oh, and be ready to reel hard, fast and often!
5.0
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5
Bring sunscreen, fishing/sun shirts, hats and good polarized glasses. If you are not a seasoned or experienced offshore fisher donโt be afraid to take some Dramamine the night before your trip. The seas will get bumpy even on the calmest day. Oh, and be ready to reel hard, fast and often!
Patrick B.
Fort Myers, FL
Listen to the advice of your captain. He is there to help, it makes a good trip for him when you have a great trip.
5.0
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5
Listen to the advice of your captain. He is there to help, it makes a good trip for him when you have a great trip.
Doug S.
Guthrie, OK
Prepare to have a great time. You never know what youโll end up catching.
5.0
/
5
Prepare to have a great time. You never know what youโll end up catching.
Merrill K. P.
Powhatan, Virginia
Bring sunscreen and a positive attitude. You're going to have a blast fishing with CPT Jose and the view is amazing.
5.0
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5
Bring sunscreen and a positive attitude. You're going to have a blast fishing with CPT Jose and the view is amazing.
Erik H.
Columbia, SC
Absolutely recommend. Beautiful time and plenty of opportunity to catch fish. Literally jumping out of the water!
5.0
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5
Absolutely recommend. Beautiful time and plenty of opportunity to catch fish. Literally jumping out of the water!
Frances A.
Not much the captain had everything we needed from cold non alcoholic drinks to gear and even sun block
5.0
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5
Not much the captain had everything we needed from cold non alcoholic drinks to gear and even sun block
Paco F.
Fresno, California
It's all about the weather, unfortunately you can't control it but try to go out when it's not so windy. We stayed on the Carribean side and not the Atlantic side to stay in calmer waters.
5.0
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5
It's all about the weather, unfortunately you can't control it but try to go out when it's not so windy. We stayed on the Carribean side and not the Atlantic side to stay in calmer waters.
Chulmin L.
Middleton, MA
Just sit back and relax and enjoy the calm waters and let the captains do their jobs!
5.0
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5
Just sit back and relax and enjoy the calm waters and let the captains do their jobs!
Vicki M.
San Jose, California
Yes. Without going too far away from the Marina, we were able to catch many species of fish
5.0
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5
Yes. Without going too far away from the Marina, we were able to catch many species of fish
Blaine W.
Ponce
Listen to your captain and trust their judgement! If the bass arenโt biting, consider Tarpon fishing instead.
5.0
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5
Listen to your captain and trust their judgement! If the bass arenโt biting, consider Tarpon fishing instead.
Sierra R.
Valley Center, CA
This was our first trip.
Captain rated sea roughness at 4. For us it was a 9 almost 10.
Check Sea Condition don't forget your motion sickness meds.
Do it.
5.0
/
5
This was our first trip.
Captain rated sea roughness at 4. For us it was a 9 almost 10.
Check Sea Condition don't forget your motion sickness meds.
Do it.
Pedro J.
Caguas
If you go in not expecting to catch any fish it will let you enjoy the fishing trip better. You get a really cool view of old San Juan
4.7
/
5
If you go in not expecting to catch any fish it will let you enjoy the fishing trip better. You get a really cool view of old San Juan
David O.
United States
Bring sunscreen/sun shirt, the sun is hot in the morning on the east side of the island.
5.0
/
5
Bring sunscreen/sun shirt, the sun is hot in the morning on the east side of the island.
Jonathon B.
Pittsburgh, PA
Every day is different, if you are not an avid fisherman please do the reasercb.
5.0
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5
Every day is different, if you are not an avid fisherman please do the reasercb.
Vanessa W.
Dallas, TX
Bring a cooler if you want to keep your catch. Leave the little ones at home - these are substantial fish that I would recommend for teenagers and above. Pick a charter like Captain Jose with the larger boat to make the trip smoother than on a smaller boat and invest in the 3/4 or full day trip to insure value and catch potential.
5.0
/
5
Bring a cooler if you want to keep your catch. Leave the little ones at home - these are substantial fish that I would recommend for teenagers and above. Pick a charter like Captain Jose with the larger boat to make the trip smoother than on a smaller boat and invest in the 3/4 or full day trip to insure value and catch potential.
Vincent W.
St. Petersburg, FL
Keep in mind that covid regulations are in affect. So the experience might be a little different than you would normally expect. Bait shops are closed and you have to catch your own bait.
5.0
/
5
Keep in mind that covid regulations are in affect. So the experience might be a little different than you would normally expect. Bait shops are closed and you have to catch your own bait.
Alister K.
Grapevine, TX
If you are looking for a Captain who's passion is putting his customers on fish than Captain Carlos is your man. My experience with Carlos was the high point of my trip to this beautiful paradise. I look forward to returning next year to put in some more time in fishing these productive waters. Fish on Captain, Fish on. Peace
5.0
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5
If you are looking for a Captain who's passion is putting his customers on fish than Captain Carlos is your man. My experience with Carlos was the high point of my trip to this beautiful paradise. I look forward to returning next year to put in some more time in fishing these productive waters. Fish on Captain, Fish on. Peace
Peter F.
West Roxbury, MA
I personally didnโt fish the n Loรญza, but did fish in El Naranjito resovoir.
5.0
/
5
I personally didnโt fish the n Loรญza, but did fish in El Naranjito resovoir.
Al R.
San Juan
Beginners stay in shore.
Off shore is for experienced anglers with patience to hope for a hit on a big sports fish.
5.0
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5
Beginners stay in shore.
Off shore is for experienced anglers with patience to hope for a hit on a big sports fish.
Andrew H.
Wolcott, CT