Light Tackle Adventure Tarpon Fishing Puerto Rico,Light Tackle Adventure


Fishing in Puerto Rico, Tarpon Fishing Puerto Rico,Puerto Rico Fishing guide ,Puerto Rico Fishing charter,Fly Fishing Puerto Rico ,Light Tackle Adventure,Tarponhombre,Boqueron bay Fishing...



In 1999 born a new guide service(Puerto Rico Fishing Charter)
Light Tackle Adventure Tarpon Fishing
in Puerto Rico West Coast.

We provide fishing guide services to the following towns of the west coast of Puerto Rico.
Rincon, Aguadilla, Isabela, Anasco, Mayaguez, Lajas, Guanica and Ponce.

We deparute from the ramp close to the Culb Nautico and Mona Acuatic dive center in Poblado de Boquerón, Cabo Rojo.

From Northwest (Isabela, Aguadilla, Rincón, Añasco) take road # 2 to south. When pass Mayaguez (you'll see Mayaguez Mall at the left and Walgreens pharmacy at the right),turn to the right to take road #100 to Cabo Rojo. Then count 7 lights and turn to the right to road #101. At the end you'll find the ramp close to the Culb Nautico and Mona Acuatic dive center in Poblado de Boquerón, Cabo Rojo.
From South(Ponce,Guanica)-Take road #2 to west When pass
Hormigueros,you'll see the exit to Cabo Rojo by road #100.
Count 7 lights and turn to the right to road#101.
At the end you'll find the ramp close to the Culb Nautico and Mona Acuatic dive center in Poblado de Boquerón, Cabo Rojo.
Distance times:(Aproximate)
San Juan to Boqueron 2.30 hours
Rincon to Boqueron 35min
Isabela to Boqueron 45min
Ponce to Boqueron 45min
Guanica to Boqueron 45min
Capt.Pochy ,the pioneer developer of Boqueron Bay Inshore Tarpon fishery .
In 1999 after getting his U.S.C.G license, he decides to start his own business as Inshore Fishing Services. He offered Fly
Fishing and Light Tackle trips for tarpon, snook, jacks, mangrove snapper and barracudas.
He has a 17’ customized Falt boat skiff for a spectacular Tarpon fishing in Puerto Rico. The boat has marine
radio, livewell with bait pump, 14 rod holder ,deep finder,
19 gal. Gas tank, 2006 85 hp Yamaha endure,6 life jackets USCG approved, 3 bait net, 4 dry storage, nav. Lights, push pole, flear kit and fire extinguisher.
Capt. Francisco "Pochy" Rosario
U.S.C.G Certified Captain License
Certified Guide by Puerto Rico Tourism Company (GT2001018)
Endorsed by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Endorsed by Public Service Commission
(S-03-06-Feb-518)
We guarantee a Professional Service
WE SUPPORT CATCH AND RELEASE
Fishing Equipment
Spinning: Silstar Pinaccle Power Tip Pro fishing rods, Penn spinning reels
Fly Fishing: Temple Fork and Redington fly rods, Billy Pate and Temple Fork fly fishing reels
Hooks: Mustad circle hooks
Flies: Custom made flies
Line: Mustad Ultra Line Pro Plus(8,12,20 lb.)
Fly line :monic and Rio
Push pole: LOOP

New List of Price for 2014
1/2 day trips

2Person 4 hours = $340.00
3Person 4 hours = $390.00

3/4 day trips

2Person 6 hours = $450.00
3Person 6 hours = $500.00



Tel.787-547-7380
Address to send the check
Capt.Francisco Rosario
P.O.BOX. 355
Hormigueros,00660 Puerto Rico


Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tarpon on fly...


Tarpon on fly...

By Mr Larry petersen Port Ludlow,Washington Captain Francisco Rosario: Thanks For one of the best guided fishing trips that I have ever had.Your excellent knowledge of the tarpons and the local fishing waters made all the difference.we were blessed with great weather,beautiful scenery and not another fisherman in sight. It was an exciting event to watch my son battle a large Tarpon for over 3 hours on a 9 weight fly rod, which you estimated to be over 150 pounds before we release it. Looking forward to booking again with you on my next visit to Puerto Rico.

Sincerely, Larry Petersen Port Ludlow

Lady anglers have all the luck!


Lady anglers have all the luck! While I cast my fanny off for tarpon on the shallow flats of Puerto Rico Pam Sherwood hooked a world record class tarpon on 8 pound test line dangling a live sardine. I wanted to try fishing for big tarpon as part of a cruise ship vacation. Since we departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico it was the logical place to try and book a light tackle/flyfishing trip for tarpon. Most of the light tackle and flyfishing guides advertising work out of the harbor area. I wanted to see more of the Puerto Rico coastline than San Juan Harbor where our cruise ship docked. To find a guide outside of the harbor areas I rented a car and made a two hour drive to the west side of the island and started asking around marinas for light tackle and flyfishing guides. Most of the local charter captains referred us back to San Juan while local anglers jokingly referred us to psychiatrists. We tracked down light tackle specialist Francisco (Pochy) Rosario in the small town of Boqueron. He pioneered light tackle guiding on the west side of the island. Eight years ago he started chasing tarpon on the local flats after moving over from running deep sea charters. He has an impressive list of avid fly and light tackle anglers from Oregon to England for a guide so hard to find. Pam Sherwood enjoys light tackle spin fishing but does not saltwater flyfish. Pochy said that he could accommodate both our wishes with me casting flies off the front of the boat and Pam fishing bait out of the back. He felt that both of us would hook tarpon with most of the action coming of live sardines and Clouser flies patterned after them. Climbing on board his 17 foot skiff I was impressed with the quality of his gear. He carried a complement of five quality fly rods and five light spinning rods. His live well was filled with silvery sardines he caught with a cast net hours before we arrived at 7 a.m. and he had an assortment of other baits. His selection of flies ranged from traditional Clousers Minnow imitations to a home tied floater. We boated three miles of crystal clear flats to Cabo Rojo Pass and pulled in behind several local fishing boats cleaning their night catch. A school of 60- 80 pound tarpon lazed along the surface down current of the fishermen cleaning their catch. We anchored and waited for the schooling fish to move into casting range. As the tarpon worked their way past us I stepped up on the casting platform and started to cast. The fish spooked and bolted before my fly hit the water. So much for laying the fly out in front of the fish. Pochy baited up two rigs, one with a live sardine and the other with belly meat from a small tuna and cast them out for Pam. He chummed with live sardines and handed me a second fly rod with a silver Clouser Deep Water Minnow fly on it. The tarpon responded to the live bait and moved back towards us. Almost immediately a tarpon lunged at my fly but missed sucking it in. Pam had a hit on one of the bait rods but the tarpon shook the hook with the first jump. Then one crushed a bait and streaked off with spinning reel spoon singing. Suddenly the line slacked. The hook was flattened. The tarpon lingered just out of fly casting range on the clear flats. We watched them fining and cruising around. I picked up one of the Penn International Spinning rod and heaved out a live sardine on a circle hook. Immediately a tarpon struck my bait and streaked away jumping at 100 yards. Pochy cautioned me not to put too much pressure on the fish since the line was only 8 pound test. A half hour later and three jumps the hook pulled loose. We got a very good look at a 120-130 pound silvery fish. My adrenaline was pumping. Over the next five hours we changed locations three times fishing mangrove bays, dock structures and flats. We jumped two more medium size tarpon and I brought a small 5-7 pound baby tarpon to the boat for release in a steamy mangrove estuary. Pochy tenacity impressed me. He continually changed locations, stalked fish, changed bait and flies. He was working trying to get us each a big fish. Pam had kicked back and relaxing when a tarpon hit her 8 pound test offering. It ripped the line off the spinning reel headed seaward. The drag was just tight enough to imbed the circle hook but not tight enough to break the line. Pochy continually checked the drag. Our jaws dropped when the fish cleared the water on its first jump. It was not one of the 15-30 pound tarpon we were casting to on top of the water. It was in the 80 pound class. The fish reduced a full spool of line to a quarter spool and Pochy started the motor and we followed the fish. Pam first solid hook up on a tarpon came on the lightest line on board only 8 pound test. Over the next hour the fish led us through an obstacle course punctuated by acrobatic leaps. It swam towards buoys, boats and docks. Pochy skillfully maneuvered the boat to keep the line from tangling while keeping side pressure on the big fish gradually wearing it down. When Pochy reached down and grabbed the tarpon mouth we realized how big the fish was. Did we want to keep it? As a catch and release guide he did not want to kill the fish and neither did we. After Pochy released the fish we decided to call it a day. Pam was drained and we headed in for a cold beer. What a way to top off a cruise vacation. If you are going to Puerto Rico and want to add in topnotch light tackle fishing give Pochy Rosario a call at 787-547-7380 or visit his website at http://www.lighttackleadventure.8k.com./ He is Coast Guard Certified and endorsed by the official Puerto Rico Tourism Company. He fishes out of Boqueron a two plus hour drive on good highways from San Juan or a short 20 minute hop flight to Mayaguez. He can help arrange travel and accommodations.

By Mr.Harry Morse angler and writer from Idaho http://www.wildlifeadventur.com/

Sweeney Family


About two weeks ago, I was in western Puerto Rico. I had set up a charter with Captain Francisco Rosario. My wife joined me. We had a great time. I caught my first tarpon on fly. It was not a big tarpon, but it was a tarpon...by the way, caught it on a clouser. You know that I have chartered a lot of guides over the past 7-8 years. Captain Rosario is one of the top three guides I have ever hired. First, he is the only guide I have ever engaged who caught bait before going out on the charter. How uniqe..instead of wasting an hour catching bait, he was ready to go at the dock. While he is very accomplished with fly fishing, he does a lot of light tackle with bait. Since my wife was with me and I do the light tackle thing as well, I was glad we were using everything available. Second, he always had at least two poles out with bait. He was aggressively creating opportunities to catch fish. Thats what I wanted, on vacation. My wife came along for her first charter. She caught two fish, including a small tarpon. She had a great trip...which bodes well for future charters, budget or no. Third, he moved around. We fished open water off a point for tarpon, followed up with fisherman he knew who were changing bait, fished the mangroves of a national park for snook and tarpon, and finished with some docks where the tarpon and snook hung out. Fourth, he had a great personality. Finally, rates were very reasonable. Captain Rosario operates Light Tackle Adventures, Boqueron Bay and Cabo Rojo's in Southwest Puerto Rico. His phone number is 787-547-7380 and his email is tarponhombre@yahoo.com . I get him by just putting his name in google. He has a nice web site.www.lighttackleadventure.8k.com

Happy Costumers


Pochy, Here is a picture of the fish we caught on our Jan trip. Again, Let me thank you for one of the best fishing trip of my life. Not only was it a beautiful day with calm waters but by far one of the most exciting fish trip I have ever taken. Tarpon are a pretty special trophy fish and you need to catch one to understand the thrill that comes with the fight. Again thanks for your expertise in getting us on several Tarpon on that day. I look forward to my next trip with you, Pochy can be sure that I will be back to do it again.

The Gang Michael Plourde, Don Applegarth, Joe Morin

Tarpon Adventure


Tarpon Adventure

It was a Friday morning when my friend Jose Vega invited me to go fishing with his son Gabo and two of my kids, Eduardo and Diego. Next day we were in the water at 7:00 am with Captain Pochy and his 17 feet fishing boat. The kids were very exited when Pochy, from Light Tackle Adventure, caught around 100 sardines for bait with his net. Then we moved between Mayaguez and Añasco bay and immediately the three kids caught Tarpons, Snooks and Robalos. Mi oldest, Eduardo, caught a Robalo of approximately 10 pounds. Diego caught an 8 pounds Snook and Gabo caught a Tarpon and a Snook of about 8 pounds each. They kept bringing in Robalos and Tarpons. We got distracted and saw the three of them fighting a fish for a while until we decided to help and they had a 12 pounds Sierra. While Pochy and Jose were busy helping the kids one of the rods was hit by something big. Pochy told me to grab it and when the fish jumped out the water he said, ok guys this tarpon is above 100 pounds, lets open some space for Duky. After a fight of approximately 50 minutes I brought in the 150 pounds and 51/2 feet long Tarpon on board. We took pictures and sent it back to the water. That was the biggest fish I ever caught. It was great to fight such a big fish with a spinning rod and a 20 pounds line. Around 10:30 am we were heading back and the kids could not believe the experience.

Thanks Jose Vega and the kids.

Dear captain Rosario, I would like to take this opportunity to nominate you as the most knowledgeable, friendly and skilled charter captain I have ever been with. Our trip on Tuesday July, 26th with my son Ryan was a huge success and we owe that to you. To those who might read this you have not experienced fishing until you catch a 40lb Tarpon on light tackle using 12lb test line. Or, a 11lb Red Snapper on 8lb test line like my son did. What a great fish and what a great time!

Thanks again

Joe & Ryan Morin

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico: Tarpon from the Beach


I had a great trip to Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico with my brother last week. We fished with Capt Francisco “Pochy” Rosario. We learned a ton of information by fishing with this guy. The transition from trout to tarpon is not easy, & there are several freshwater habits that become Tarpon losing mistakes. Mistake #1): the trout high stick #2) forgetting the strip set #3) palming the reel on Tarpon. Although we were warned, I think my brother and I managed make all 3 mistakes, but we still caught some fish. If you want to catch a Tarpon, Puerto Rico is the place to go. They are all over the place and are not transitory.
The Fishing in Cabo Rojo was very good and in a beautiful area. We fished for baby tarpon along mangrove lined lagoons, & cast to fish cruising in the shadows of boats and docks, and poled and drifted over a couple beautiful flats.
The highlight of the trip was sight casting to a couple of tarpon from the beach about 10 feet from the boat. These guys had their face in the sand and tails sticking out of the water like a couple of tailing redfish. We hooked 4 Tarpon in about an hour and grabbed the leader on 2. I lost one about 50 feet from the beach after palming the reel causing the shock tippet to abrade. Yeah, I won’t make that mistake again. We had an awesome trip. Puerto Rico is a beautiful island, the people are great and the Tarpon are always there.
Here is a link to a short video I made about the the trip: http://gallery.mac.com/jww269#100080
www.lighttackleadventure.8k.com
tarponhombre@yahoo.com
tel:1-787-849-1430home cel 1-787-547-7380
Fish Species: Tarpon
Bait Used: Clouser
Tackle Used 10wt fly rod
Method Used: Fly Fishing
Water Depth: 2 to 12 feet
Water Temperature: 80
Wind Direction: souht east
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 n

Return from Puerto Rico/report


I've returned successful from PR. My trip wasn't as successful as the report that i read that someone else has posted but Capt. Rosario is Class. I fished one day with Capt. Pochy Rosario and I landed my first Tarpon . We saw tons of tarpon and one monster barracuda! I had four eats and landed two, one of around 80lbs and a baby tarpon. One of the fish I have to admit I trout set on after he ate it stupid, stupid, stupid. After all I have been a trout guide for 15 years.
I have to agree with one of the replies to my first thread to not fish San Juan. I know some people have had success there but after fishing in Cabo Rojo in crystal clear water as apposed to the murky lagoons of San Juan i'll take Boqueron any day. I didn't get a chance to get to culebra or vieques though i was able to catch some barracuda in some spots on the north shore in vega baja.
Well for now I'll be here in Utah the BWO's are popping like crazy here so the fishing is going off. My next salt adventure will be on Cape Cod for two weeks in June. I can hardly sleep, stripers and now Tarpon have taken over my brain.
On a seperate side note I have had a lot of experience fishing and guiding in Patagonia if any one ever needs info, I was there traveling for three weeks this past winter.
Cheers everyone thanks for the info all
Sincerely,
Erik Hufnagle
www.lighttackleadventure.8k.com
tarponhombre@yahoo.com
tel:1-787-849-1430 home cel:1-787-547-73870
Fish Species: Tarpon
Bait Used: Clouser
Tackle Used 10wt and 9 wt fly rods
Method Used: Fly Fishing
Water Depth: 2 to 12 feet
Water Temperature: 80
Wind Direction: souht east
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 n

Thanks for an awsome time


Capt. Rosario,
Cory and I had such an awsome time fishing with you. Thanks so much for the encouragement to catch the big ones. Cant wait for next year or sooner to come fish. For anyone wondering Capt. Rosario (Pochy) is one of the best you can get for awesome fishing and a great experience. The man knows what he is doing. Thanks again.
Thanks again
Cory & Steve Carlson from idaho
Puerto Rico is the "secret" hot fishing spot just a few hours from any major airport in the US mainland.
Beautiful Weather and Awesome Fishing, "Life is Good!"
Come and call to book your fishing adventure now...
We have started booking for the winter and Spring 2009 don't wait too long,for book your fishing adventure .
no passport required for u.s. citizens
We continue to book for this upcoming season 2009.
For booking yours Fishing trips Call.Capt.Pochy to: 1-787-547-7380 cel or
home 1-787-849-1430 we have few days open call soon.
www.lighttackleadventure.8k.com
tarponhombre@yahoo.com
we Guarantee the best service and prices.
Tarpon Memories and a great day of Fishing Guarantee applies any Trips.

Fish Species: Tarpon and others
Bait Used: rabbit sonker tail fly
Tackle Used fly
Method Used: fly fishing
Water Depth: 2 feet to 14 feet
Water Temperature: 80
Wind Direction: S E
Wind Speed: 15 n

Costumer Review


Costumer Review Capt. Francisco Rosario September 4, 2009 Boqueron Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report Capt.Pochy, I miss you Hope to get back to see you and fish with you soon. Thanks again for the best fishing experience of my life! Mike & Tracy Mike Loughrey http://www.movecorptx.com/ Tarpon Fishing Special you can't find better price in USA . only in Boqueron Bay Puerto Rico. Come and Booking 2 or more days of fishing and recive 20% off of the regular price 2 person 6 hours trip ($375.00) You recive a $75.00 dolars per trip discount special is for cash only. august to october 2009. LIMITED SPACES Now you can watch our Fishing Show A Pescar in USA on World Fishing Network . www.wfn.tv/wfntv/programs/show.php?showid=157 A Pescar http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/hooked/4257/Overview#tab-Photos/0 Puerto Rico is the secret hotspot just a few hours from any major airport in the US mainland. This is a fishery that makes for lifetime memories. The guides and hosts will certainly add their special touch. If you are interested in more travel details please contact : Capt.Pochy to: 1-787-547-7380 cel or home 1-787-849-1430 Beautiful Weather and Awesome Fishing, Life is Good! Come and call to book your fishing adventure now... We have started booking for the winter 2010 don't wait too long,for book your fishing adventure . no passport required for u.s. citizens For booking yours Fishing trips Call.Capt.Pochy to: 1-787-547-7380 cel we have few days open call soon. http://www.lighttackleadventure.8k.com/ tarponhombre@yahoo.com we Guarantee the best service and prices. Tarpon Memories and a great day of Fishing Guarantee applies any Trips.

National geographic in Boqueron PR To film Hooked: Monster Fish!


Hello Everyone,Capt.Francisco Pochy Rosario we guide the crew of National geographic in Boqueron PR To film Hooked: Monster Fish! we hook Monster Tarpon in Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico to recreate the release that we caught in january 7,2007 with mr. Greg Gibson from Idaho and we did it!, again. "Congratulations Greg, a lifetime fish..." We are excited to announce the world premiere of HOOKED: Flying Monsters on National Geographic Channel: Monday August 3rd at 7PM and 10PM (PST) / 10PM an 1AM (EST)With a second airing:Saturday, August 8th at 6PM and 9PM (PST) / 9PM and 12AM (EST)Thank you for all your help putting this show together. We hope you can watch the premiere.Cheers,The Hooked TeamElizabeth BuckleyAssociate Producer Hoff Productions


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Puerto Rico Fishing Opportunities


September 15, 2009 : Puerto Rico : Boqueron Bay
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
in Puerto RicoTarpon Fishing opportunities Capt. Francisco RosarioSeptember 15, 2009Boqueron Bay - Saltwater Fishing ReportHi Fishermans come to Boqueron Bay in this winter and enjoy the Action in one of the best spot to fish Tarpon in the Word... The client's anticipation builds with the rising sun and the buzz becomes a vibration. The angler's heartbeat can be felt on the bottom of my feet. The Sabalo surface for a gulp of air, and I position the flat boat. The angler's knees rattle. This is the moment he dreamed of, a chance of a lifetime, the opportunity to test his mettle against the silver KIng, the beast of all beasts,el Sabalo. Tarpon fishing has turned into an obsession with anglers who plan their whole year's schedule around the tarpon season and tarpon runs all over the world. It is easy to see why tarpon fishing is so addictive. Tarpon grow very large and are plentiful. Tarpon take a wide variety of baits, lures and flies. The fight of a hooked tarpon is one truly awesome experience in the world of sport fishing. Tarpon are known for their initial jumps and powerful runs. Even with modern gear tarpon are strong adversaries and are not easily taken. They are legendary for their ability to throw hooks because of their bony mouths make hook setting difficult. Hooking a tarpon is like trying to penetrate steel. Combine this with violent head thrashing jumps some as high as 8 feet. It becomes very clear why tarpon are able to not only throw hooks but break lines and leaders. A technique which is a lean toward the tarpon when it is ready to break surface known as "a bow to the king" creates a slack in the line to help keep the tarpon from throwing the hook. In spite of the many challenging traits tarpon have catching a world class tarpon still remains a highlight of many anglers. come to the right place Boqueron Bay Puerto Rico Our professional tarpon fishing charters offer a quality experience for all. no passport required for u.s. citizens For booking yours Fishing trips Call.Capt.Pochy to: 1-787-547-7380 cel or home 1-787-849-1430 we have few days open call soon. Beautiful Weather and spectacular Fishing, "Life is Good!" www.lighttackleadventure.8k.com tarponhombre@yahoo.com we Guarantee the best service and prices. Tarpon Memories and a great day of Fishing Guarantee applies any Trips. Target Species:tarpon and others Posted by: Capt.Francisco Rosario http://www.lighttackleadventure.8k.com/

The silver treasures of the flats


-Cabo Rojo In the West Coast of Puerto Rico offers you an untapped resource for outstanding tarpon action. It’s a place where flyrodding and light tackle reign supreme.The area is home to a significant population of year-round resident tarpon. Plenty of larger fish also ply the regions bays, lagoon and estuaries throughout the year. The big Tarpon are present, presumably to take advantage of the warmer waters and plentiful forage. I had the good fortune to call the flats and bays my office for work . Cabo Rojo is a magnificent area to cast a streamer in front of hungry tarpon. I was presented with the options of casting to schools of feeding fish over vast shallow flats, working amongst entangled mangroves to pocket pools & tiny creeks with single fish, and working the magic of the river. There’s enough variety in this game to keep anyone engaged.A massive mangrove shoreline dominates the coastal habitat. Crystalline waters are the norm for the lower reaches as they empty into sweeping flats. On the other hand, rust-stained hues characterize the smaller quarters of the upper river and tiny creek habitats. The estuary habitat is superb; shallow sandy-bottomed grass beds, banks dominated by mangrove roots and green canopy. The entire region sports an average depth of two to Twenty feet overall. The dynamics provide you with a perfect window to sight-fish.The estuary’s open water affords fly fishers with 360 degrees of casting opportunity. Keep your eyes peeled – scan for dorsals & tails, breezing baitfish, or erupting water and instant mayhem. The flats are a casters dream situation. The longer you can cast a line, the better your chances of reaping the harvest. Everyone standing on the bow of the flat boat have the opportunity to cast your fly in front of the silver king. It’s an awesome place to explore. It’s darn productive for feeding fish. This place isn’t for the faint of heart however as you’ll be challenged in all aspects of your angling skills. You earn every fish that comes to hand. I love this game. Once the fly hit its mark a tarpon wouldn’t waste any time with their reaction.
Puerto Rico is the “secret” hotspot just a few hours from any major airport in the US mainland.This is a fishery that makes for lifetime memories. The guides and hosts will certainly add their special touch. If you’re interested in more travel details please contact :Capt. Francisco RosarioLight Tackle Adventure Fishing TripsPO BOX 355 Hormigueros, PR 00660(787) 849-1430/ (787) 547-7380

Capt.Pochy

Capt.Pochy
Capt.Francisco (POCHY) Rosario

Fly Fishing Information for winter anglers


Fly Fishing Information for winter anglers the island of Puerto Rico is located just a short 3 to 4 hour flight from any major city on the East coast of the United States. Unknown to many, Puerto Rico offers some of the most sensational fly fishing and light tackle opportunities in the Caribbean. The West coast waters offer to any angler a fishing paradise in the winter.

The area is home to a significant population of year-round resident tarpon. Plenty of larger fish also ply the regions bays, lagoon and estuaries throughout the year. The big Tarpon are present, presumably to take advantage of the warmer waters and plentiful forage.

I had the good fortune to call the flats and bays my office for work . Cabo Rojo is a magnificent area to cast a streamer in front of hungry tarpon. I was presented with the options of casting to schools of feeding fish over vast shallow flats, working amongst entangled mangroves to pocket pools & tiny creeks with single fish, and working the magic of the river. There’s enough variety in this game to keep anyone engaged.
A massive mangrove shoreline dominates the coastal habitat. Crystalline waters are the norm for the lower reaches as they empty into sweeping flats. On the other hand, rust-stained hues characterize the smaller quarters of the upper river and tiny creek habitats. The estuary habitat is superb; shallow sandy-bottomed grass beds, banks dominated by mangrove roots and green canopy. The entire region sports an average depth of two to Twenty feet overall. The dynamics provide you with a perfect window to sight-fish.

The Bay open water affords fly fishers with 360 degrees of casting opportunity. Keep your eyes peeled – scan for dorsals & tails, breezing baitfish, or erupting water and instant mayhem. The flats are a casters dream situation. The longer you can cast a line, the better your chances of reaping the harvest. Everyone standing on the bow of the flat boat have the opportunity to cast your fly in front of the silver king.
It’s an awesome place to explore. It’s darn productive for feeding fish. This place isn’t for the faint of heart however as you’ll be challenged in all aspects of your angling skills. You earn every fish that comes to hand. I love this game.
Once the fly hit its mark a tarpon wouldn’t waste any time with their reaction.

The Bite and the Fight

On the flats, you get no fight until you learn how to recognize and respond to a bite. Bites from some species are mysterious, seldom felt, and hard to read Bonefish tarpon, and permit, our glamour quarry, all eat best when the fly moves straight away from them. Important but somewhat lesser species, like ladyfish and snook do the same thing. Since they rush the fly head on, they often push the line toward you and eat on the end of a slack line. It's rare to feel the initial bite of a bonefish as they keep moving along with the school when they eat. Permit are often found alone and pin baits to the bottom. ladyfish and snook often stop to chew.

Tarpon often announce a bite with an easily read flashing side and occasional huge boil. Seeing a tarpon bite is a problem for most of us. There is no doubt when a fish responds, but a mouth offers little resistance if the fish are not properly pointed before we attempt to set the hook. Tarpon mouths hinge like the loading ramp of a cargo plane, the upper lip is much like the top of a tunnel. If you pull on the string while the fish is pointed at you, the fly usually pops right out of their mouth

You have to strip until you feel the weight of a tarpon in your hand or against the rod tip to make sure some of the fish is between you and the point of the hook Reaching for the sky before you feel the fish in your hand leads to failure most of the time, a trait called "snatching." Moving the rod to set the hook is a mistake with most flats species.

A lot has been written about leader systems for tarpon and I am sure that everyone has a favorite set-up. I tend to rig my tarpon fishing rods as big game rods, coming from my big game experience pelagic species. The leader system is very simple and allows the person that has to leader the tarpon some control, as these fish can be downright crazy and even dangerous on some occasions. I like to start with a 3 feet of double line knot to which I attach to my 20 pound on the reel, that section will be on 40 pound test. After that section I like to use a blood knot to attach 3 to 4 feet of 60 pond test fluorocarbon followed by another blood knot and 2 feet of 80 pound fluorocarbon leader.

The rough mouth of the tarpon along with the environment where I fish, with mangrove roots, and waterlogged trees with barnacles everywhere, trying to provide for protection from cut-offs is a number one priority. The main thing for the guides fishing in many parts of the world should be conservation; it is an unwritten rule here in Puerto Rico for all guides to preserve the fisheries for our future generations, so we encourage the use of circle hooks exclusively for bait fishing for tarpon. Gone are the days where the tarpon that were released after a fight would show up dead a couple of days later after being gut hooked and fought with a standard “J” hook, after adopting the use of circle hooks exclusively almost 10 years ago, very rarely do we see such a sight. With many types and brands of circle hooks available these days, I like to choose my hooks according to the size of the bait, and most importantly it’s physical characteristics. Many of the major hook manufacturers are making extremely sharp hooks suitable for tarpon and they come in sizes from 1/0 to 10/0. I happen to like light wire hooks on most occasion, specially fishing in daylight hours, although you have to be careful and try not to “horse” the tarpon in on the leader, as this can straighten or break the hook.

There are a few points that are important to remember when fighting these fish, number one rule among all tarpon anglers is “Bow to the King”, this simply means that when the tarpon’s head breaks the surface to jump, you lower the rod tip to perpendicular with the water’s surface, an action that looks very much as a knight’s chivalry act with a sword. Number two, “never give the tarpon any slack, simply said, never let the line go limp, on many occasions the hook will pop out of the hard mouth of the tarpon upon the line being slack. Number three, fight the fish from the bow of the boat, many anglers make the mistake of staying in the back of the boat, this hinders the anglers ability to react quickly to a surging fish tarpon have an amazing ability to seek places to break you off, and that includes the boat’s engine, trim tabs and hull, the angler in the front of the boat can compensate for the fishes behavior and can protect the fishing line from contact with the boat, on some occasions even having to put the tip of the rod in the water and swing the rod around the bow, after the fish dives quickly under the boat. One of the most important things to remember while fighting a tarpon is that if you want to end the fight quickly, the angler must modify his actions with the rod.

Tarpon must be forced to work hard by pulling with the rod in the opposite direction of where the fish wants to swim; this hinders the tarpons ability to properly oxygenate and zaps his strength. You can put the rod in the water while applying pressure in this manner, a technique popularized by the legendary Florida guide Stu Apte, and is called the “Down and Dirty” way of fighting a tarpon. The tarpon will tire more quickly this way and eventually rolls over and gets confused, giving the Captain or mate the opportunity to hold him either the lower jaw for smaller fish and the jaws and gill plate for the larger individuals. This applies to spinning, casting and fly rod fishing and when one properly, this fish fighting technique works wonders on many other species as well. Tarpon fights swing in the fishes favor with every passing minute, so the angler must strive to apply the maximum amount of pressure in the shortest amount of time to be successful. If you want to fight the fish for a long time keep the rod in the normal position, pumping up and down during the fight.

Fly Fishing for Puerto Rico winter paradise fishing for tarpon of all sizes continues to be a sport in growing demand for the traveling angler, as more and more people realize it is easier to schedule a fishing trip to Puerto Rico than to a foreign country. Being a commonwealth of the United States, there is no passport and tourist visa required by US citizens to enter and leave Puerto Rico, also the local currency is the US Dollar further simplifying your travels. It is like going to Florida for the winter but with a Caribbean flair! I am the only fly fishing guide service in the west coast of Puerto Rico and we are booked months in advance during the winter tourism season, which coincides with the best tarpon fishing, with many opportunities for fly fishermen to experience tarpon on a fly.

An experienced angler should hire a guide to see where the fishing action is taking place, what is the technique employed and the choice of flies and equipment, once that is information has been passed on by the guide, the more adventuresome angler can then fish with confidence for the same species the guide fished with the customer. Unfortunately, the truly great fishing is available only from these knowledgeable guides, who monitor the moving schools of tarpon, and in reality these fish are accessible only by boat. Tarpon are indeed the favorite target for fly fishermen, with fish of every size available at all times of the year, from juveniles in the mangrove lined channels that run from 5 to 15 pounds to 150 pound or more giants that can be found anywhere in this water .

Fly fishermen can expect some chances to hook one of these fish, with success measured in the fish you “jump” rather than catch, mainly due to the hard mouth of the tarpon, which makes hooking and landing one of these fish very frustrating at times. As a guide, I have noticed that the main reason for tarpon to throw the fly is because most anglers will lift the rod on a strike, like in the act of hooking a trout, tarpon have a very hard mouth and must be struck very hard, I like to recommend the fishermen to practice fishing with the rod slightly lower than perpendicular to water’s surface, and practicing strip striking with the stripping hand, then lifting the rod and fighting the fish. The techniques that were mentioned work for the fly angler . Releasing a tarpon of any size on a fly rod is an awesome feeling, knowing that you have conquered one of the truly game fish species in the world. Fly fishing in saltwater is really a lot of work, casting heavy rods for hours waiting for the right time, it is worth the wait! The visiting fly fisherman that travels to Boqueron Bay in search of tarpon and snook will have to be equipped with at least 3 rods, an 8 wt, a 10 wt and a 11 wt; these will enable the angler to address most of the fishing conditions that arise.


The fly fisherman needs to be able to cast in different scenarios, short 20 foot roll casts in the mangrove channels and 60 to 70 feet long casts for open water fishing. It is important to practice the double haul at a park, football or soccer field. I am going to emphasize, Please practice your double haul ahead of time, I can not tell you how hard it is to learn this on the water, with tarpon rolling everywhere. And in the event of a spectacular tarpon feeding frenzy, you will hear your heart pounding through your chest. The waters in Boqueron Bay is cristal clear, and let me tell you folks, tarpon have the keenest eyes, make no mistake about it, when they want your bait or fly they will eat it!

Because of the cristal clear water , distance is more desirable an accuracy; the longer the fly is in the water (Strike Zone!), the better the chance for a strike. Many different types of flies work in Puerto Rico, most of the tarpon and snook are taken on the following: Tarpon Toad Purple/Black, Woolly Mullet, gray Grey/Silver/Black, a tarpon bunnys Back/Brown/Purple, Clouser Minnow,Olive/White/Black, Black paradise, and the innovative Gummi Minnow. Always have some Guglers in 2/0 on hand just in case a Tarpon and Snook feeding frenzy forms while you are in the water, an unforgettable sight for those fortunate to see the hundreds of fish working under the screaming seagulls and pelicans.


Puerto Rico is the “secret” hotspot just a few hours from any major airport in the US mainland.
This is a fishery that makes for lifetime memories. The guides and hosts will certainly add their special touch. If you’re interested in more travel details please contact :
Capt. Francisco "Pochy" Rosario
PO BOX 355
Hormigueros, PR 00660-0355
e-mail: tarponhombre@yahoo.com
www.lighttackleadventure.8k.com

(787) 547-7380