Tarpon Fishing in Puerto Rico
Written by: Captain Alberto Jimenez
Puerto Rico is renowned for its exceptional Tarpon Fishery. Trips normally run four hours and average about 5 bites. Tarpon in Puerto Rico tend to be a lot less picky at striking bait than those found in Florida. It is not uncommon to catch more than 5 on days when the bite is hot! Tarpon thrive in these waters and can be caught using a variety of techniques.
Puerto rico Tarpon fishing Regions
Tarpon fishing in Puerto Rico offers diverse options across various regions. Cangrejos, near the airport in Carolina, is renowned for its productive tarpon fishing, attracting both novice and experienced anglers. Cangrejos has various easily accessible lagoons where many tarpon and snook can be found. Various marinas around the island, including those in San Juan, also serve as prime spots for tarpon fishing. Tarpon tend to aggregate around marinas where fishermen clean fish and toss leftover fishing scraps for tarpon to eat. Some marinas may not permit fishing from the docks so it’s important to check regulations. Other notable areas for tarpon fishing include estuaries and lagoons along the coast, where the tarpon thrive in the brackish waters, providing exciting opportunities for anglers seeking this challenging and prized species.
tarpon fishing in san juan, puerto rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico is a world-renowned destination for tarpon fishing, with the Torrecilla and San Jose lagoons offering prime habitat for these powerful game fish. The lagoons feature deep holes and ledges that attract tarpon year-round, with the best action occurring from February to May and again in October when large migratory tarpon arrive. Live bait fishing with perch, pinfish, greenbacks, and herring is the most popular technique, but artificial lures such as large topwater plugs, minnow imitations, and soft plastics can also be effective. Fly fishing is another popular method, with dark-colored flies like Deceivers and Clousers producing strikes in the often-cloudy waters.
tarpon fishing in carolina, puerto rico
Carolina, Puerto Rico, located just east of San Juan, is another top destination for tarpon fishing. The nearby inlets, rivers, and shallow backwaters provide excellent habitat for tarpon, and the close proximity to San Juan allows for quick access to less-pressured waters. Several experienced captains offer guided tarpon trips in the area, utilizing a variety of techniques including live bait fishing, artificial lures, and fly fishing. The calm, protected waters around Carolina make it an ideal spot for anglers of all skill levels to target tarpon.
tarpon fishing near marinas across puerto rico
Tarpon can also be found near marinas throughout Puerto Rico, with the Cangrejos Yacht Club in San Juan being a particularly popular launching point for tarpon charters. The marina's location provides easy access to the productive waters of the Torrecilla and San Jose lagoons. In addition to San Juan, other marinas around the island, such as those in Fajardo and Cabo Rojo, serve as gateways to prime tarpon fishing grounds. Anglers can book charters or attempt to fishing inshore waters, mangrove-lined lagoons, and deeper channels in search of tarpon.
Tarpon Tackle equipment and techniques
Tarpon can be caught using live bait, dead bait, lures and flies. 400-6500 size reels are used and paired with 7-8 foot medium to heavy rods with 20-50 pound test line. Leaders can be anywhere from 25 lb-60 lbs depending on the size of fish around. Bigger fish have a sandpaper-like mouth that can chafe through smaller sized leaders if not perfectly hooked. Circle hooks are almost used exclusively for better chances of fish survival and hook up ratio
Live vs dead baiT for tarpon
Live bait such pilchars, mojarras, and greenies are tarpon favorites. Three lines are set out on a drift in promising areas near mangroves or changes in depths in the lagoon. Dead bait involves anchoring up and using chunks of mullet or sardines on the bottom with a weight as chum. This approach averages out to less bites but bigger fish. Once fish are hooked they like to jump and are incredibly acrobatic. When fighting a leaping tarpon, remember the classic phrase “bow to the king”. This refers to pointing the rod at the fish as it jumps, helping your odds of fighting against the fish shaking the hook off of its mouth.
Tarpon fishing Lures and fly rods
Fly fishing involves casting large, flashy flies in areas where tarpon are known to feed or travel. Tarpon have a tendency to follow the bait or fly for a while before striking, so patience and precision are key. It is an exciting option for anglers looking for a unique challenge or to check fly fishing a big tarpon off their bucket list. This method requires a higher level of skill and experience, and the right equipment. A 10 to 12 weight fly rod with a saltwater reel and tropical line is typically used. Lure fishing is a bit easier, topwater, or soft plastics are casted into the mangroves. A slow action is better for bites.
TARPON, SIZES & RECORDS
The average size of tarpon caught in Puerto Rico ranges from 10 to 30 pounds, with larger specimens reaching up to 150 pounds. It is not uncommon to fight and catch 100+ pounders that put up a fun fight.
Local records for tarpon fishing in Puerto Rico include a 180-pound specimen caught off the coast of San Juan and a 185-pound fish caught off the coast of Fajardo.
can you eat tarpon?
Despite their size and abundance, tarpon are not typically eaten. Tarpon have tough, bony flesh and many small bones throughout their body - this makes them nearly impossible to debone. Their meat has a strong, unpleasant taste that is not appealing to most people. Tarpon meat is considered very “fishy” with a really strong odor - this also makes people less likely to eat tarpon. Tarpon are primarily caught for sport and are usually released back into the water after being caught. They are a protected species and are illegal to keep in Puerto Rico.
That being said, in some countries outside of the United States, there are fishing industries that sell tarpon for consumption.