For many anglers, the official start of Spring, combined with longer, warmer days seems to get the mind wandering to babbling rivers, delicate mayflies, and rising trout. But there is another season coming on like a big, prehistoric, silver train. The giant tarpon are beginning to move around in the Caribbean, showing up in known hotspots like Ascension Bay and the Florida Keys as they have done for thousands of years. Luckily for you, you are alive in the tiny sliver of history where people travel to these destinations, enjoy a great meal and a comfortable night’s sleep, and then chase them around the shallow waters with a fly rod! If you have ever watched one of these fish appear behind your fly, suck it in along with gallons of sea water, and then leap 5 ft or more into the air before crashing back into the oceans surface, then you already know. If you have not, then you owe it to yourself to experience the silver king. Below are three destinations, in no particular order (OK, maybe the Keys are first for a reason) to find some of the very best tarpon fishing over the next few months, with a special deal or two mixed in.

Bahia Honda, Lower Florida Keys

This is a large, luxury villa that transforms into a lodge for the peak months of the tarpon migration. The property is beautiful and quiet, with guides departing and returning to the private dock. This is a fully inclusive stay, with a private chef preparing all meals on-site. Access is easy via Key West. Fishing-wise, in the last few years during this time of May the guides see the fish push the big oceanside flats in large schools, anywhere from 20-50 fish in a school, or huge schools of 100-300 fish. Free use of lodge tackle and all flies included.  Free massages after fishing. Other dates may be available in May and June at standard rates.

Available Dates: May 5-11 Enjoy 20% off regular rates on a 6night/5 day stay. (promo only applicable for May 5-11th, and new reservations only)

Contact Joe Linscott for more information, or to book.

Casa Blanca Lodge, Mexico

Throughout May and June the Ascension Bay area has been enjoying large numbers of big, migratory fish in recent years. Casa Blanca Lodge has been operating out of Ascension Bay for over 20 years. They are fishing out of skiffs, and the Ascension Bay lodges provide an extra guide in the boat, so one guide poling while the junior guide assists with spotting fish, line management, fly changes, etc. This is also helpful when one angler gets out to fish on foot the other angler can stay in boat and continue fishing. June is the month to target migratory tarpon but there are also great populations of permit in the water at the same time.

Available Dates: May 24-31 (New Moon)

June 21-28 (New Moon)

Contact Ben Hoffman for more information, or to book.

No Name Lodge, Boqueron, Puerto Rico

This one is a bit different, as the lodge is not fishing to migratory tarpon, but instead focusing on the immense population of resident fish in the waters off Southwestern Puerto Rico. No Name Lodge is based out of a waterfront townhome where guests enjoy a continental style breakfast before trailering to the ramp for the start of the fishing day. the tarpon here range in size from 10-100lbs, but most will be in the 10-50 lb range, making them the perfect size for those new to tarpon fishing, but also for those who have enough experience to recognize the “fun factor” in these juvenile fish.

Available Dates: June 8-14- Travel Creel week, private Michelin-star chef, elevated cuisine, and all the tarpon fishing at no added cost! 2 Rods available.

July 6-12- space for 4 anglers.

Contact Joe Koziara for more information, or to book.