Looking for Tarpon

TerryMCEWEN · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 11:54 PM

Iâ€™m starting to think about my next years fishing schedule, and along with that comes the question of what will be the main billfish I want to chase. This year I want to concentrate on Blue Marlin, and Iâ€™ll be looking all over for her.
When ever Iâ€™m starting to think about traveling I always keep my eyes open for a species I have not caught and that would be fun to fight. That brings me to my question on Tarpon. I understand they are a great fighting fish, fare size with lots of aerobatics.
Iâ€™m pretty sure I will make it down to Central America this year (on my hunt for that big, bigger and biggest Blue). The Caribbean side of Costa Rica I have been told is a good place for Tarpon. I have fished only on the Pacific side of Costa Rica and Panama, and have no experience on that side. I am hoping that someone on here has fish there and can give me there insight as to where and what time of year would be best to look for them (or maybe somewhere else). I would probably want to spend at least 2 days fishing for them.
Good Fishing
Terry

RavellingTangler · #2 (**permalink**) 12-19-2006, 01:33 AM

Although the Caribbean side is still better (so far), there are Tarpon on the South (Pacific) side of Panama. Worth bearing in mind if you are already headed that way, anyway.

Contact capt Tom Yust if you want to know more, or "Panama Jack" on here can tell you a bit about them.

BigMike · #3 (**permalink**) 12-19-2006, 07:32 AM

Try Capt. Mike Jennings of Cowboy Charters in Houston.
Captainmike@cowboycharters.com. I was talking to some guys that went out on a evening charter and caught and relesed a bunch.
He's a real good guy too.
BigMike

Robby · #4 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 09:20 AM

Terry

Nicaragua offers good Tarpon fishing on the Rio San Juan. If you want me to try and find a guide I can. That way you can do a Central American tour, El Salvador for Blue Marlin and Nicaragua for Tarpon !

Let me know.

TerryMCEWEN · #5 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 02:01 PM

Roger
BigMike
Robby
Thanks for the contacts and general info. I am sure Iâ€™ll be getting back to you when I get really serious and start making reservations etc. I need to do a lot of research on the Tarpon subject. It would only be a side trip, inbetween Marlin hunts.
My wife and I are leaving for a short vacation (just over Christmas) in Kona on Friday. Iâ€™m not suppose to do any fishing (my wife has me grounded, if it wasnâ€™t for going to Hawaii (which she loves), she would never let me even near any saltwater, ha ha) but maybe I can get out for a quickie.
Thanks again for the info.
Good Fishing
Terry

WahooKing · #6 (**permalink**) 12-21-2006, 01:44 AM

Terry

Here is some good info on Tarpon fishing out of CR.

http://www.ticotravel.com/fishing/fishtarpon.htm

I've only fished the Pacific side of CR...mostly offshore...Big Tarpon and Snook are common on the Caribbean side...South Fla has some big guys too...Tarpon and Snook are my favorite inshore species to target...They've got some brute force and almost always put on an aerial display.

There's a brackish water canal system the runs by my house...The Tarpon stack up in the winter time by the damn...I use 8 lb test and catch them off land...the fish run between 10-50 lbs...It's my little escape close to home...It cures my offshore itch. :+

Anthony

La Rana · #7 (**permalink**) 12-21-2006, 08:31 PM

Terry,
I read you want to make it to Central America this coming year. I'm from Guatemala and you have probably heard it excellent for Sailfishing. Everybody here in Gautemala have focused in sailfishing but I haven't heard anybody dedicated to marlin fishing, but I have been fishing for Marlin for the past 3 months I have done pretty well as an amateur. Only two or 3 times I have come back without a marlin strike for the past 3 months (I only fisht on Sundays)... So if you are planning on going to Costa Rica or Panama, give it a try and come to Guatemala also and if you don't get to fish the marlin at least you will have a lot of fun with the sails... The best time for sailfishing here is from November to the first days of June...
Regards and good luck with your marlin and tarpon!!
Rene

Robby · #8 (**permalink**) 12-22-2006, 04:20 PM

Sounds good Terry. Hawaii, lucky you!! I went to Kona in 2002. Loved it !!

All the best for 2007 Amigo.

TJUNK · #9 (**permalink**) 12-22-2006, 06:18 PM

Man, if you want to do tarpon fishing come to Trinidad. There is so much here during the summer months. I actually dont fish them much anymore because i find it to easy with a lack of challenge. however i entered the Annual Tarpon Bash here hosted by Dan Jacobs and we came 3rd with 12 releases 3 of which were around 100 lbs