fly fishing in puerto rico

Written by: Captain Alberto Jimenez

Puerto Rico offers some of the best fly fishing opportunities in the Caribbean, with a variety of species to target and diverse environments to explore. From the challenging pursuit of tarpon in lagoons to the exciting offshore action for pelagic species, the island provides a unique fly fishing experience for anglers of all skill levels.

Puerto Rico as a Fly Fishing Destination

Puerto Rico stands out as a premier fly fishing destination due to its year-round fishing opportunities, diverse ecosystems, and the abundance of game fish. The island's proximity to the mainland U.S. and ease of travel make it an attractive option for anglers looking for a tropical fly fishing getaway.Fly fishing charters in Puerto Rico typically range from $450 to $1,000, depending on the duration of the trip, target species, and location. Half-day trips usually cost between $450 and $700, while full-day excursions can range from $800 to $1,000. At Curate Fishing, we offer competitive rates for our specialized fly fishing charters, with details available on our website.

Fly Fishing Techniques in Puerto Rico

Several fly fishing techniques are employed in Puerto Rico, depending on the target species and fishing environment:

Sight Casting: Used primarily for tarpon and snook in lagoons and flats.
Blind Casting: Effective in mangrove areas and deeper waters where fish aren't visible.
Stripping: A popular retrieve method for most inshore species.
Offshore Casting: Used when targeting pelagic species like mahi-mahi and tuna.

Top Fly Fishing Species in Puerto Rico

Tarpon Fishing

Tarpon are the main draw for fly fishing enthusiasts visiting Puerto Rico. These "Silver Kings" can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 100 pounds not uncommon. The best time to target tarpon is from January to May, when the big migratory fish arrive in the island's bays and lagoons, but they are available year-round. Our captain is also skilled in recommending certain flies to match the local baitfish and entice strikes from tarpon and other top gamefish. Some of the most productive tarpon fishing spots are found near San Juan, including the Torrecilla and San Jose Lagoons. These lagoons are home to a large concentration of juvenile tarpon in the 5-20 pound range, with the occasional monster over 40 pounds.

Best Season: January to May (peak season), available year-round
Locations: San Juan Lagoons (Torrecilla and San Jose), Fajardo, La Parguera

In addition to tarpon, Puerto Rico's inshore waters hold a variety of other game fish that are exciting to catch on fly. Snook, jack crevalle, barracuda, bonefish and snapper can all be found in the mangrove-lined lagoons and channels. For anglers looking to target permit, Puerto Rico has some excellent flats fishing opportunities. Permit can often be found tailing in shallow water, providing the ultimate challenge for fly anglers.

Snook Fishing

Puerto Rico's inshore waters offer excellent opportunities for fly fishing enthusiasts to target the elusive and hard-fighting snook. These powerful fish can be found lurking in the island's numerous mangrove-lined lagoons, channels, and river mouths. When fly fishing for snook in Puerto Rico, it's important to use the right gear and techniques. Opt for 8 to 10 weight rods with plenty of backbone to handle larger fish and cast bigger flies. Floating lines work well for most situations, allowing you to present flies like Deceivers, Clousers, and shrimp patterns along mangrove edges and over grass flats. Some of the best snook fishing spots in Puerto Rico include the San Jose Lagoon near San Juan, La Parguera Natural Reserve in the south, and the shallow flats of Vieques Island. These areas feature prime snook habitat with a mix of mangroves, grass beds, and sandy potholes.

Best Season: Year-round, with peak activity during summer spawning season
Locations: San Jose Lagoon, La Parguera Natural Reserve, Vieques Island flats

Bonefish Fishing

While not as abundant as in some other Caribbean destinations, Puerto Rico offers good opportunities for bonefish on the fly. These speedy, silver ghosts of the flats provide an exciting challenge for anglers.

Best Season: Year-round
Locations: Culebra Island, Vieques Island, select flats around the main island

Permit Fishing

For anglers looking for the ultimate fly fishing challenge, Puerto Rico has some excellent permit fishing opportunities. These wary fish are often found tailing in shallow water, requiring precise presentations and specialized flies.

Best Season: Year-round, with better chances in spring and fall
Locations: Culebra Island, select flats around the main island

fly fishing for other offshore Species

While Puerto Rico is best known for its inshore and flats fly fishing, the offshore waters also provide some exciting opportunities for adventurous anglers. Species like mahi mahi, tuna, and king mackerel can be targeted around floating debris and weed lines. Fly fishing for these pelagic species requires specialized equipment and techniques. Heavier 10 to 12 weight rods are needed to cast large flies and fight powerful fish. Our fishing tactic will often troll until fish are located, then anglers cast to feeding frenzies around the floating structure. The best time for offshore fly fishing is during the summer months when mahi mahi are abundant. Tuna and king mackerel can be caught year-round. While not as consistent as the inshore fishing, targeting these species on fly provides an exciting challenge with the chance for some impressive catches

Best Season: Summer months for mahi-mahi, year-round for tuna and king mackerel
Locations: Offshore waters accessible from major ports like San Juan, Fajardo, and Mayagüez

Fly Fishing Regions in Puerto Rico

North Coast (San Juan Area)

The north coast, particularly around San Juan, is renowned for its tarpon and snook fishing. The San Jose and Torrecilla Lagoons offer excellent opportunities for fly anglers to target these species in an urban setting.

East Coast (Fajardo)

Fajardo, on the eastern coast, provides access to both inshore and offshore fly fishing opportunities. The area is known for its tarpon fishing and serves as a jumping-off point for trips to Culebra and Vieques islands.

South Coast (La Parguera)

La Parguera, on the southwest coast, is famous for its diverse inshore fishing. The mangrove channels and flats in this area offer excellent opportunities for targeting snook, tarpon, and occasionally permit on fly.

Vieques and Culebra Islands

These smaller islands off the east coast of Puerto Rico offer some of the best flats fishing on the island. Clear waters and less fishing pressure make these destinations ideal for targeting bonefish and permit on fly.

Fly Fishing Rules and Regulations

Puerto Rico has specific regulations for fly fishing, particularly for catch-and-release practices with certain species like tarpon and bonefish. It's important to familiarize yourself with local regulations before your trip. When booking with Curate Fishing, we ensure all necessary licenses are covered and that our practices adhere to local conservation efforts.

Booking a fly fishing Charter

At Curate Fishing, we offer half-day and full-day fishing charters tailored to your skill level and target species. Our experienced captains will put you on the fish and provide expert instruction to help you make the most of your time on the water. Anglers are encouraged to bring their favorite fly fishing rods, flies, polarized sunglasses, sun protection, and appropriate clothing for a day on the water. Puerto Rico's close proximity to the U.S. mainland and ease of travel make it an attractive destination for a fly fishing getaway. With a little planning and the right guide, you can experience world-class tarpon fishing and so much more on this beautiful Caribbean island.