Belize Tarpon Diet: Do They Eat Worms?

Belize is a popular destination for anglers looking to catch the elusive tarpon, a challenging and acrobatic game fish. Tarpon are found in warm coastal waters and have a varied diet, including crabs, shrimp, sardines, mullet, and smaller fish. With their large mouths, tarpon can be tricky to hook, and even more difficult to land. Belize is a prime habitat for tarpon, with its mangrove-lined coastline, lagoons, and shallow flats. While tarpon can be found year-round in Belize, the migratory season is typically from April to September, with the biggest adult tarpon passing through during these months.

So, do Belize tarpon eat worms? Yes, they do. Worms are among the variety of prey that tarpon feed on, along with crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Anglers often use artificial lures or live bait, such as sardines or crabs, to attract tarpon. The diet of tarpon varies depending on their location and the availability of prey. In the flats and channels, adult tarpon feed on prey like crabs and worms, while juvenile tarpon mostly feed in the shelter of the mangroves.

Do Belize tarpon have a varied diet?

Belize tarpon have a varied diet, eating crabs, worms, shrimp, and baitfish. They have a bucket-style mouth, which allows them to suck in their prey. Tarpon are one of the most unique and beloved game fish across the globe. They are also the biggest and strongest inshore species in Belize.

Tarpon are found in warm coastal waters, but they can also survive in freshwater or brackish water. They have a primitive lung that allows them to breathe air, and they often surface for air when swimming. Tarpon are migratory and cover huge distances in their annual migrations in search of food and certain water temperatures (around 78 degrees).

The diet of juvenile tarpon differs from that of adult tarpon. Juvenile tarpon mostly feed in the shelter of the mangroves, while adult tarpon find their prey in the flats and channels. The best time to fish for migratory tarpon in Belize is from April to September. During this time, anglers have the chance to catch tarpon weighing 80 to more than 150 pounds.

Fly fishing for tarpon in Belize is a popular activity, and anglers need to be equipped with the correct gear. A large arbor, corrosion-resistant saltwater reel that can hold a fly line plus approximately 200 yards of 20-pound backing is recommended. In terms of flies, a basic selection of tarpon flies in a variety of colors and materials is suggested. Sizes 2/0 and 3/0 are typically suitable for most tarpon situations in Belize.

Belize is a special tarpon fishery due to its perfect habitat for tarpon of all sizes and different venues for fishing. Anglers can find tarpon in the shallow waters off the Placencia Peninsula in Southern Belize, the Turneffe Atoll, Ambergris Caye, and Punta Gorda.

What is the best bait for Belize tarpon?

Belize is a special place for tarpon fishing as it offers the perfect habitat for tarpon of all sizes. Tarpon are one of the most unique and beloved game fish across the globe. They are the biggest and strongest inshore species in Belize and are also the most acrobatic when hooked.

Tarpon have a varied diet, eating crabs, worms, shrimp, and baitfish. They have a bucket-style mouth that allows them to suck in their prey.

When fishing for tarpon in Belize, it is recommended to use a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook with live bait, such as sardines or crabs. If live bait is not available, artificial lures such as Rapala CD 11-18, Yo Zuri-Crystal Minnows, and Mirrolures 52m-77M in reds, white, orange, yellow, or chartreuse are also effective. Bucktail jigs in whites, greens, and yellows are another popular choice.

For fly fishing, effective fly patterns include the cockroach, tarpon toad, black death, and various deceivers. The size of the fly will depend on the size of the tarpon you are targeting, ranging from 1/0 to 4/0.

The best time for tarpon fishing in Belize is during the migratory season from April to September when the largest tarpon are present. However, tarpon can be found in Belize year-round, with resident tarpon available throughout the year.

What is the best location for fly fishing for Belize tarpon?

Belize is a great location for fly fishing for tarpon, with the country offering year-round fishing opportunities. The best months for fly fishing for tarpon in Belize are April to September, when migratory tarpon are present. These migratory tarpon can weigh between 80 and 150 pounds, while resident tarpon are present all year round and weigh between 30 and 75 pounds.

The best locations for fly fishing for tarpon in Belize include:

• Placencia: The shallow waters off the Placencia Peninsula in Southern Belize offer some of the best flats fishing in the world. This area is dotted with sandy cays and shallow saltwater flats that stretch nearly 30 miles from Dangriga down to Placencia. Placencia is also known for its lagoon, which is a great spot for juvenile tarpon.
• Turneffe Atoll: This remote fishing destination offers great tarpon fishing throughout the year. The atoll measures 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, and the middle is a massive lagoon lined with mangroves, home to many resident tarpon. The larger migratory tarpon also pass through the atoll between April and September.
• Ambergris Caye: This is the most popular vacation destination in Belize and offers a 400-square-mile fishery. The Mesoamerican Reef is just half a mile away, giving tarpon easy access to deeper water. Protected lagoons and mangroves are also found on the other side.
• Punta Gorda: This southern town in Belize is known for its soft mud bottom lagoons and schools of permit on the pancake flats. It is also an excellent spot for tarpon fishing, with the Rio Grande river mouth being a regular spot for tarpon.
• El Pescador: This fishing lodge is located on one of the largest tarpon flats in the world, where tarpon average 20 to 80 pounds and cruise the flats year-round. Larger migratory tarpon in the 100 to 200-pound range also begin showing up in the late spring and early summer months.
• Tarpon Sands: This lodge is located in one of the most productive fisheries in Belize, where tarpon range in size from 20 to 60 pounds. Larger migratory tarpon in the 100 to 150-pound range show up in the summer months. The lodge gets its name from the fact that tarpon can be found moving over sand flats, providing an extremely visual fishing experience.
• Long Caye Outpost: This lodge offers access to an expansive and productive fishery, with a solid number of resident tarpon that range in size from 20 to over 150 pounds.
• Belize River Lodge: This lodge offers a unique fishery that is comprised of a system of river mouths, creeks, lagoons, flats, mangrove islands, and the Barrier Reef. Anglers can find both smaller resident tarpon and larger migratory tarpon that show up between March and July, and again from September to November.

What is the best time of year for fly fishing for Belize tarpon?

Belize is a great destination for fly fishing, with consistent fishing 365 days a year. The country's tropical climate means temperatures vary by only about 10 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, and its location in the Northern Hemisphere means it experiences only micro-climate changes rather than distinct seasons. The rainy season in Belize is from June to November, but this doesn't mean rain every day—instead, the country experiences small monsoon cycle systems that move through quickly.

Belize is home to three popular sport fishing species: bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Tarpon is a migratory species, so the best time of year for fly fishing for tarpon in Belize is during the late spring and summer months when their numbers are highest. Tarpon numbers begin to increase in April and May and drop off in September or October, with June, July, and August being the peak months for tarpon fishing. These months are considered the best overall fishing months in Belize, as all three species are available in good numbers.

If you're specifically interested in catching a large migratory tarpon, the season for these true silver kings is from April to September. Resident and juvenile tarpon can be found year-round, with better opportunities during the calmer weather days of January and from March to November.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that December to April is the tourist season in Belize, so you can expect full hotels and more fishing pressure. From May to November, there are fewer tourists and some discounted specials due to the offseason.

What is the best technique for fly fishing for Belize tarpon?

Fly fishing for tarpon in Belize is a challenging and rewarding experience. Here is a guide to help you prepare for this unique fishing adventure:

Techniques for Fly Fishing for Belize Tarpon:

• Sight Fishing: Look for cruising tarpon in the flats or blue water and cast your fly ahead of them. Get ahead of them and lead them with your cast. Use quick strips to mimic fleeing baitfish or crab to trigger a reaction.
• Blind Casting: In channels, river mouths, and lagoons, use intermediate lines that sink quicker. Blind casting is often used in these areas as tarpon feed on shrimp or baitfish. Match your fly pattern and colours to the local prey.
• Fly Selection: Choose flies that imitate the local prey of tarpon, such as crabs, worms, shrimp, and baitfish. Effective fly patterns include the Black Death, Green Hornet, Cockroach, and Tarpon Toad. Vary the colours and sizes of your flies to find what works best.
• Rod and Reel Selection: For juvenile tarpon (30-75 lbs), a 10-weight rod is suitable. For larger migratory tarpon (100-150 lbs), use an 11 or 12-weight rod. Choose a large arbor, corrosion-resistant saltwater reel that can hold a fly line and 200-300 yards of 20-30 lb backing.
• Lines and Leaders: Use a weight-forward floating line for most saltwater flats fishing. For tarpon, an intermediate sinking line is recommended. Use a tarpon leader with a 60-100 lb shock tippet and a 16-20 lb class tippet.
• Setting the Hook: Tarpon have hard, bony jaws, so use strong, sharp hooks. Set the hook hard, and be prepared for a challenging fight. Keep the line tight and apply pressure to reset the hook during the jumps.
• Fighting the Fish: "Bow to the king" by pointing the rod tip towards the fish to avoid a taut line when the tarpon jumps. Hold the rod against your lower abdomen with the tip pointed straight at the fish to increase pressure. Use angles to your advantage when the fish runs.
• Landing the Fish: Aim for a quick landing to minimise stress on the fish. Stay in the water with the fish if you want to take a picture.

Best Times and Places for Belize Tarpon Fishing:

• Season: Tarpon can be found in Belize year-round, but the peak season for migratory tarpon is from April to September.
• Locations: Placencia, Turneffe Atoll, Ambergris Caye, and Punta Gorda are some of the best spots for tarpon fishing in Belize. These areas offer a combination of shallow flats, lagoons, river mouths, and access to the open ocean.

Remember to follow local regulations, such as the catch-and-release law for tarpon, and practise sustainable fishing practices. Good luck on your fly fishing adventure in Belize!

Frequently asked questions