Fly fishing
Tarpon fishing: where and when to catch the silver king on the fly
A fish longer than you are tall that jumps clear of the water and gulps air at the surface. Tarpon are the dream of many saltwater fly anglers. Where and when your chances are best, and where to stay close to the fishing.
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The guide sees it first: a dark shape rolling at the surface a hundred yards off, then another. Tarpon come up to gulp air, and that is what gives the school away. You get one cast. If the fish eats, it is airborne before you have time to think.
The tarpon, or silver king, can grow beyond two metres and weigh more than 100 kilos. Its swim bladder works like a lung, which lets it survive in water low in oxygen. It is a different kind of fishing from a trout stream or a salmon river: you cast rarely, wait a long time and have very little margin for error.
In short
The best places for tarpon on the fly are the Florida Keys from April to June, Belize for much of the year and Puerto Rico year-round. Islamorada and Marathon in the Keys have the most guides and waterfront hotels. You need a heavy rod, an 11 or 12 weight, and a guide who knows the migration.
Our first choice: Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, where guides tie up at the beach before dawn.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Where and when
Florida Keys: April to June is the migration, peaking in May. Islamorada, Marathon and Key West have the most guides.
Boca Grande, Florida: May and June, when thousands of tarpon gather in the pass.
Belize: In lagoons and river mouths, especially from March to August.
Mexico: Holbox and Isla Blanca north of Cancún from May to September, often with smaller fish.
Puerto Rico: In the lagoons around San Juan all year, including at night.
Tackle and rules
Tarpon are heavy and powerful, so most anglers use an 11 or 12 weight rod and a strong reel with a smooth drag. Guides usually supply the flies. Bring polarised sunglasses and water-resistant sun cream.
In Florida, tarpon are catch and release, and fish over about a metre must stay in the water. Both Florida and Belize require a fishing licence, though guides often arrange it or cover you with their own.
Isla Bella Beach Resort
The beach in Marathon sits right beside the channels the tarpon swim through each spring. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Where to stay near the tarpon
Cheeca Lodge & Spa, Islamorada
Islamorada has more tarpon guides than anywhere else in the Keys, and Cheeca Lodge sits in the thick of it. With its own pier, you can walk from your room to the boat in the dark before sunrise.
The pick for the shortest commute to the fish and a fine hotel to come back to.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Isla Bella Beach Resort, Marathon
Isla Bella stands where the Seven Mile Bridge begins, and tarpon move through the channels beneath it every spring. The resort has its own beach and several pools.
A good choice if some of your group do not fish but want a beach and a pool while you are out.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Isla Bella Beach Resort
Alaia Belize, Ambergris Caye
On Ambergris Caye in Belize, tarpon hold in the lagoons on the island's western side, a short boat ride away. Alaia is a newer beachfront hotel in San Pedro, with pools and restaurants.
Choose it to try for tarpon, bonefish and permit on one trip.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for tarpon fishing?
The best time for tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys is from April to June, when the fish migrate through the channels. In Belize and Puerto Rico you can fish for tarpon much of the year. In Mexico the season runs from May to September.
How big do tarpon get?
An adult tarpon can exceed two metres in length and weigh more than 100 kilos. Most fish caught on the fly in the Florida Keys weigh between 30 and 70 kilos. Tarpon are long-lived and are thought to reach 50 years or more.
What fly rod do I need for tarpon?
Most anglers use an 11 or 12 weight fly rod for adult tarpon, with a strong reel and a floating or intermediate line. For the smaller tarpon in Mexico and Belize, a 9 or 10 weight is often enough.
Can you eat tarpon?
No, tarpon are almost always caught and released. The flesh is bony and poor eating, and Florida has strict rules on keeping the fish. Guides release them after a quick photo in the water.