ISLA HOLBOX
AN ISLAND SURROUNDED BY TARPON

seasons

There are baby tarpon (8 – 20 pounds) around Isla Holbox year around. They are found in the shallow mangrove bordered waters south of the island and all the way at the east side of the peninsula opening to the Caribbean at the lighthouse. There are also some snook found throughout the year. The thing about fishing Holbox is that even on windy days, you can usually find some baby tarpon to throw flies to. This is not necessarily true with the big fish. The baby tarpon fishing and for snook takes place mostly in clear shallow water. There are a few places where blind casting is called for and can save an otherwise tough day (cloudy, very windy weather).

Big tarpon are also present every day of the year, but there are months when they are available in larger numbers. They start to migrate into the area around April/May and start to leave in September/October.

The weather is the key to fishing the big tarpon and to a smaller extent for the babies. Heavier winds tend to put the big tarpon down. They are fished in waters of 15 – 30 feet deep. They are found by going to areas they frequent and slowly motor until schools are spotted doing one of three activities: 1. On the move 2. Feeding frenzy or 3. Logged up. In each of these situations it is then the guide’s job to put you into casting position. When casting to a moving school of tarpon it is important to realize that what you see on the surface is just the tip of the pyramid. Most fish of the school are swimming beneath the surface in some places, all the way to the bottom. For this reason, a line with a 24’ sinking head exposes the fly to more fish. A floating line will work, as will an intermediate, but the sinking head line is the preferred one. A calm to moderate wind day is best and these occur with greater frequency during the summer months of June, July and August. This same wind condition will provide good results in April, May and September. You can’t out-guess the weather but you can look at history and put the odds in your favor. One also has to be aware that this is hurricane season (June – November) and that there is a slight possibility of one during these prime fishing months. You have to work within your comfort range when it comes to hurricane season. Also, be sure to check your travel insurance about coverage.

In a nutshell, any time of the year can produce good fishing results at Holbox with fair weather for baby tarpon. If you target adult tarpon, concentrate on the late spring and summer months for your best chances of connecting with a possible tarpon of a lifetime.