Best Tarpon Fly Fishing Destinations in the World

It’s March. If you’re like me, you’re locked in one of the many ‘polar vortices’ that is gripping the country. I don’t know what it is about snow. It’s white after all, but every time it falls I find myself dreaming of silver.

As an angler there’s nothing quite like the ear-to-ear trance induced by the leaps, the head-shakes, and that signature silver shine of jumping a tarpon. Every year thousands of anglers head south in search of those giants of the shallows, but deciding where to take that next trip can be as challenging as landing a monster tarpon. I’m going to make it even more difficult.

If you read the title of this article and instantly thought about a crowded Boca Grande Pass, a Florida Keys flat, or even a river in Costa Rica, think again. Sure, those places have good tarpon fishing. Great, even. And if you’re looking for a 150lb behemoth for your trophy case, then you should probably go there instead. You’ll get your shot at the fish of a lifetime, and if you’re lucky, land him an hour or two later. But what if you could land 10 tarpon in a day instead of 1 or 2?

If that sounds like your idea of fun, then there’s a new destination to consider: Mahahual, Mexico. Mahahual is situated on what is known as the “Riviera Maya” hundreds of miles pristine beaches that stretches roughly from Cancun to Belize. Once a sleepy fishing village, a newly constructed cruise ship port has transformed Mahahual into a bustling town. While this may not be everyone’s idea of a fly fishing destination, it comes with some great perks like easy access to high speed internet and some great restaurants.

How’s the fishing? While you will certainly have shots a grand slam while you’re there, it’s the tarpon fishing that really shines. Mahahual is surrounded by dozens of saltwater lakes ranging from small ponds to the several square mile Mosquitero. These lakes are interconnected, and connected to the ocean through a series of caves known locally as cenotes. It’s through these caves that juvenile tarpon and snook enter and stay until adulthood… or later. This means that these lakes are literally teeming with tarpon – most of which have never seen a hook, let alone a fly.

This creates the perfect spot to chase the silver kings. Sure, they average 10-15 lbs instead of 100 (though the big boys are there too), but the jump is just as thrilling. Better yet, on an average day, we jumped 30 fish. That’s right, 30. Accounting for the time it takes to reel each one in, the action was nearly non-stop.

If that wasn’t enough to draw you to Mahahual, there’s Nick Denbow. Nick is not only one of the finest guides I’ve ever fished with, but he’s an incredibly nice guy as well. It gets even better:Nick’s first language is English (of the Queen’s variety, no less). That means you’ll be fishing a remote destination while being guided just as you would be back home.

Gear Up:

Your favorite saltwater outfit will work perfectly. With smaller tarpon as well as the potential for some bonefish and permit, we recommend an 8-weight fly rod for fishing in Mexico, but a 9- or 10-weight can be useful for the bigger fish. As always, we recommend a reel with a strong and sealed drag – our favorite is the Hatch 7 Plus. Load it with your favorite tropical line and bring plenty of 60lb test for the tarpon.

Book a trip by contacting Nick on his Website or on Facebook.