Belize Tarpon And Squid: A Tasty Treat?

Belize is a prime destination for anglers looking to catch the elusive 'silver king' tarpon. With year-round fishing and a variety of habitats, Belize offers a unique opportunity to catch tarpon of all sizes, from the spirited juveniles in mangroves to the full-grown adult behemoths. While tarpon don't have teeth, their powerful, boney jaws and complex mouth structure make them a challenging catch. They feed on crabs, worms, shrimp, and baitfish, and their migratory patterns bring them to the northern part of Belize from April to September. As they can grow to over 200 pounds, they are a highly sought-after game fish.

Belize's year-round tarpon fishing

Belize is a year-round destination for anglers looking to catch tarpon, with the country's unique geography and climate providing the perfect habitat for tarpon of all sizes. The country's 240-mile coastline is lined with mangroves, river mouths, and lagoons, which are ideal for juvenile tarpon to grow before they move on to the open ocean. The warm shallow waters are full of bait and provide easy access to deeper waters for spawning and migration, attracting larger adult tarpon.

Belize offers a range of venues for anglers to fish for tarpon, from the flats and sandy cayes to deeper waters near river mouths and lagoons. The country's diverse fishery includes skinny, white sand flats, shallow-water lagoons, and large "classic-style" tarpon fisheries. The best spots for tarpon fishing in Belize include Placencia, Turneffe Atoll, Ambergris Caye, and Punta Gorda.

Tarpon can be fished with flies, jigs, trolling lures, or live bait, and anglers can target both baby tarpon and mature adults. The fish are known for their impressive aerial displays and challenging fight, testing the skill and patience of even the most experienced anglers. The key to landing a tarpon is to do it quickly and with minimal stress to the fish.

The best time to fish for tarpon in Belize is during the "tarpon season" from April to September when the largest migratory tarpon are present. However, resident and juvenile tarpon can be found in the waters year-round, providing fishing opportunities even outside of the peak season.

When preparing for a tarpon fishing trip to Belize, anglers should bring the correct equipment, including a large arbor, corrosion-resistant saltwater reel and a weight-forward floating line or an intermediate sinking line. A variety of fly patterns can be effective, including the cockroach, tarpon toad, black death, and various deceivers, with sizes ranging from 1/0 to 4/0 depending on the size of the target fish.

Tarpon diet and seasonality

Tarpon are saltwater fish that can also survive in freshwater or brackish water. They have a bucket-style mouth and a primitive lung that allows them to breathe air. They are powerful predators with muscular bodies, and they use their speed to capture prey, swallowing it whole.

Tarpon Diet

Tarpon eat crabs, worms, shrimp, and baitfish. Juvenile tarpon feed on zooplankton, crustaceans, insects, and fish larvae, while adults hunt for small fish such as sardines and anchovies, as well as larger crustaceans.

Seasonality

Belize offers year-round fishing for tarpon, but certain times of year are better for catching larger migratory tarpon. The seasons are:

• April to September: This is the prime time for silver kings, with sizes ranging from 80 to over 150 pounds.
• December to February: While not ideal for fishing in the north, this is still a good time to fish in Belize. It's a great season for bonefish and permit, and there's a chance to chase resident tarpon on less windy days.
• March to May: This is an excellent period for permit fishermen as the waters warm and winds settle, causing larger permit to school in extensive flats. Tarpon fishing also improves steadily during these months.
• June to mid-August: This is the tarpon migration season, when large tarpon consistently show up in good numbers, with some exceeding 100 pounds. Light winds make it easier to find and cast a fly accurately.
• Mid-August to mid-October: This is the heart of the tropical storm season, but when the weather cooperates, the fishing can be fantastic for tarpon, bonefish, and permit. Blind casting in finger flats leading to the reef can be productive for big tarpon when it's too rainy for sight fishing.

Tarpon flies for Belize

Tarpon flies are an essential part of any fly fisher's toolkit when travelling to Belize. The country's fishery is rich and diverse, with a range of fishing grounds, from backcountry lagoon systems to white sand flats and deeper reefs. This means that having the right fly patterns is crucial for a successful outing.

Tarpon are a unique and beloved game fish, found in warm coastal waters and freshwater habitats. They are known for their impressive aerial displays and powerful, muscular bodies. In Belize, tarpon can be found in various environments, including the mangrove-lined coastline, lagoons, and open ocean. The country's diverse habitats offer the perfect conditions for tarpon of all sizes, from smaller juvenile tarpon in the mangroves to migratory ocean tarpon that can reach upwards of 100 lbs.

When choosing tarpon flies for Belize, it is important to consider the specific areas you will be fishing and the size of the tarpon you are targeting. Here are some recommended tarpon flies for Belize:

• Black Death: This black and red fly is a classic choice for tarpon fishing in Belize. It is a staple for almost every Belize fly fishing guide and is known for its productivity. The recommended hook size for this pattern is between 3/0 and 4/0.
• Tarpon Toad: Developed by Gary Merriman, the Tarpon Toad is a lightweight, slow-sinking fly that works well in the backcountry lagoon systems and along the mangroves. It comes in various colour combinations, including chartreuse, white, purple/black, and black/red. The recommended hook size for this pattern is between 1/0 and 3/0.
• Cockroach: The Cockroach is another classic fly pattern that imitates a shrimp or baitfish. It is known for attracting big fish, especially with its grizzly hackle tail feathers. The recommended hook size for this pattern is between 1/0 and 3/0.
• EP Minnow: This fly comes in white, tan/white, and chartreuse/white colour combinations. It is a versatile pattern that can be used in a variety of fishing environments. The recommended hook size for this pattern is between 1/0 and 3/0.
• Tarpon Bunny: This fly comes in purple/black, black/red, and white colour combinations. It is a productive pattern for tarpon fishing in Belize, especially in the lagoon systems and along the mangroves. The recommended hook size for this pattern is between 1/0 and 3/0.
• Big Eye Orange/Grizzly: This large fly, designed by Bob Lemay, offers lots of action, making it irresistible to tarpon. It is recommended to carry this fly in sizes ranging from 1/0 to 3/0.
• Doug McKnight's Home Slice: This baitfish imitation, designed by Doug McKnight, is available in purple or black. It is recommended to use this fly in sizes 2/0 - 3/0.
• Enrico Puglisi’s Black and Purple Peanut Butter: This baitfish imitation is a must-have for fly fishers travelling to Belize. It is designed to imitate the local baitfish and attract tarpon. The recommended size for this fly is 3/0.

In addition to these flies, it is also important to consider the weight of your flies. Tarpon eyes are situated on the tops of their heads, so they feed on prey that is above them. Therefore, unweighted or lightly weighted flies are often preferred when targeting tarpon. Additionally, the "sink rate" of the fly is important to consider, depending on the depth of the water you are fishing.

Where to find tarpon in Belize

Belize is a special tarpon fishery because it offers the perfect habitat for tarpon of all sizes and different venues for fishing for them. Here are some of the best places to find tarpon in Belize:

Flats

This is more traditional sight fishing. You and a guide will most likely be in a boat searching for cruising fish. In this case, floating lines are preferred. Intercepting patrolling tarpon and quickly stripping is the strategy here. The bottom of the flats could be light-coloured sand or turtle grass, and matching the fly colour to the bottom colour is important.

Channels and River Mouths

More blind casting is used in these areas. You’re better off with intermediate lines that sink quicker. The large channels in the reefs are prime locations for tarpon feeding on smaller fish. Likewise, tarpon will be feeding at the mouths of rivers in hopes of a meal. In the early morning or late evening, anglers can target rolling tarpon in channels or in the rivers.

Placencia

The shallow waters off the Placencia Peninsula in Southern Belize offer some of the best flats fishing in the entire world. This area is dotted with sandy cayes and shallow saltwater flats that stretch nearly 30 miles from Dangriga down to Placencia. Located inside the Mesoamerican Reef and surrounded by deeper 50-100 ft water, tarpon can often be seen cruising the flats looking for a meal or crashing into sardines hiding in a shallow bay. There is even one island named “Tarpon Caye”, so that tells you tarpon have been there for quite some time! On the backside of the peninsula, you’ll find the Placencia Lagoon, which is 4 miles long and 2 miles wide at its widest point. This area can be great for juvenile tarpon who aren’t quite ready for the open ocean yet. Just a short run south is Monkey River and another big lagoon, and tarpon are often seen rolling here.

Turneffe Atoll

The most remote and unique fishing destination in Belize offers great tarpon fishing throughout the year. The Turneffe Atoll measures 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, and the middle is a massive lagoon lined with mangroves which many resident tarpon call home throughout the year. Due to the fact, it’s 20 miles out to sea, it also receives a lot of visits from large migratory tarpon between April and September as they come and go on their annual spawning rituals.

Ambergris Caye

The most popular vacation destination in Belize also offers a 400 sq mile fishery all the way to the Mexican border and over to mainland Belize. The Mesoamerican Reef is just half a mile away, which gives tarpon easy access to deeper water, and on the other side, there are protected lagoons and mangroves. This is a great spot for both resident juvenile tarpon and larger migratory adult fish.

Punta Gorda

The southern end of Belize may not receive much foot traffic, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of fish here! Here you’ll find several flats, a massive lagoon that can be fished in almost any weather, and the Rio Grande river mouth, which are all regular spots for the silver king. Located on the north side of Amatique Bay, which it shares with Guatemala; this spot is perfect for tarpon and snook.

Setting, fighting, and landing a tarpon

Tarpon are one of the most challenging fish to catch, but the excitement of landing one is a feeling like no other. Here is a guide to setting, fighting, and landing a tarpon:

Setting

Tarpon are found in warm coastal waters and are known to head offshore into the Gulf Stream to spawn during the summer months. They can also survive in freshwater. They feed on crabs, shrimp, sardines, mullet, and small fish, and their range extends from Virginia on the East Coast of the US down to Brazil and across the Atlantic to West Africa.

Belize is a popular destination for tarpon fishing as it offers the perfect habitat for tarpon of all sizes. The best time to fish for tarpon in Belize is during the dry season from December to May, with an uptick in migratory tarpon between March and May. The rainy season from June to November also sees good numbers of migratory tarpon.

When it comes to bait and lures, live crabs and mullet are popular choices, as well as artificial lures such as Rapala CD 11-18, Yo Zuri-Crystal Minnows, and Mirrolures 52m-77M in red, white, orange, yellow, or chartreuse. Bucktail jigs in whites, greens, and yellows are also effective.

Fighting

Tarpon are known for their impressive aerial displays and will put up a strong fight. When fighting a tarpon, the goal is to break their spirit so they give up and come to the boat more easily. Here are some tips for fighting a tarpon:

• "Bow to the king": Point the rod tip towards the fish when they jump to avoid putting too much tension on the line.
• Use the motor to chase the fish down and gain leverage.
• Wind down and lift up: Reel in the slack line when you bring the rod tip down, then lift the rod tip to pull the fish closer.
• Palm the spool when the fish isn't accelerating to turn them and break their spirit, but let off when they start to accelerate.
• Use heavy gear: Tarpon are big fish, so use stronger line and a larger reel to handle them effectively.
• Don't give the tarpon freedom: Keep constant pressure on the fish and pull in the opposite direction to wear them down.
• Go around the front of the boat: If the fish tries to go under or around the boat, avoid the back of the boat to prevent the line from being cut by the motor or other obstacles.

Landing

When landing a tarpon, it is important to act quickly to minimize exhaustion and increase their chances of survival upon release. Here are some additional tips:

• Use a net or a gaff to securely land the fish.
• Handle the fish carefully: Tarpon have a slimy coating that protects them from infection, so avoid touching them with bare hands and never lift them by their gills.
• Take photos quickly: Minimize the time the fish is out of the water to reduce stress and exhaustion.
• Release the fish safely: Tarpon are a protected species in many places, including Belize, so be sure to release them back into the water promptly.

By following these tips, you'll increase your chances of successfully landing a tarpon and have a more enjoyable and responsible fishing experience.

Frequently asked questions