Puerto Rico Tarpon trip. Any advice?

[wittich]

I am going to Puerto Rico in early January to fish for tarpon. I have booked one day with Capt Till in San Juan and another day with Capt Rosario in Cabo Rojo. Any advice on which lines/ Flies to bring? The guided trip are only half day so if anyone has some DIY info I would appreciate it. thanks, JWW
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[bluebass]

I am going to Puerto Rico in early January to fish for tarpon. I have booked one day with Capt Till in San Juan and another day with Capt Rosario in Cabo Rojo. Any advice on which lines/ Flies to bring? The guided trip are only half day so if anyone has some DIY info I would appreciate it. thanks, JWW
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I fished San Juan in May. Caught my first Tarpon(about 25lb) with a guide on a half day morning trip. The line I used for tarpon was a 9wt floating line. For the fly, I tied and brought bunch of toads but those Tarpon were not interested in them. They were chasing bait fish looked like bunkers you see in NE in 3 to 5 inch range. I caught mine on a traditional Tarpon fly tied by my guide. Missed several on a large fly with dumbbells. Then I fished myself a few hours in the afternoon right before sunset. I caught a lazer fish, small snapper and a lady fish on a chartreuse clouser with a 8wt intermediate line from the beach on the west of Isla verde. Your guide should give you some specific spots if you ask. Have fun!

[johnyeye]

I'm also going down to San Juan at the end of the month with my wife,she is going on business and I get to go along for the ride. Are there places to fish from the beach since my hotel is on the beach? I think its the Hilton. Any problems bringing rod reel and flies on the plane in a carry on bag ( continental airlines)?

[Capt. John]

Repy to both of you going to PR.

On the main island of PR the fishing is scattered in different places for tarpon. San Juan lagoons have alot of tarpon in them BUT it's really not a fly fishery with great success, most of the tarpon there are caught are live bait. I'm pretty sure the baitfish you described are sardines (could be pilchards) as there are both around and the tarpon love them. I tie up a pattern that has worked there (although I don't bother with the SJ lagoons much) and it's a basic wide body deceiver type all white with a purple back 4-5 inches long. Have caught a ton of tarpon on it in PR.

You can fish most of the beaches there but there are limited species off the beaches (jacks and small snappers and some reef fish) very rare to catch tarpon from the beach. Also remember on the north side of the island (San Juan area) the beaches have a pretty rough surf all the time and it can make fishing difficult.

Capt Rosario is awesome and that is where I would go on the main island to tarpon fish. Or if time allows go over to one of the small islands to fish - Culebra or Vieques for bones, permit and tarpon.

The other one suggestion if booking with Capt. Till B is make sure HE is guiding you and he does not send one of his "learning" guides to take you out.

[pllwft]

last march i fished puerto with little success on the mainland. a trip to culebra island was well worth every penny. we rented kayaks from a bike/moped/kayak shop on culebra and had a fantastic time with bones, tarpon, jacks and permit...such good fishing we found a place on culebra for the night ($25 for a room!) and fished all of the next day as well-give that great little island a shot-it's amazing!