Tarpon are large fish of the genus Megalops. There are two species of Megalops, one native to the Atlantic, and the other to the Indo-Pacific oceans. They are the only members of the family Megalopidae.
There are two species of tarpons, the Megalops atlanticus (the Tarpon) and the Megalops cyprinoides (the Indo-Pacific tarpon). Megalops atlanticus is found on the western Atlantic coast from Virginia to Brazil, throughout the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, throughout the Caribbean. It is also found along the eastern Atlantic coast from Senegal to South Angola. Megalops cyprinoides is found along the eastern African coast, throughout southeast Asia, Japan, Tahiti, and Australia. Both species are found in both salt and freshwater habitats usually ascending rivers to access freshwater marshes. They are able to survive in brackish water, waters of varying pH, as well as habitats with low dissolved O2 content due to their swim bladders which they use primarily to breathe with. The habitat of the tarpon varies greatly with the developmental stage they are in. Stage one larvae are usually found in clear, warm, oceanic waters relatively close to the surface. Stage two and three larvae are found in salt marshes, tidal pools, creeks, and rivers. The habitats are characteristically warm, shallow, dark bodies of water with sandy mud bottoms. It is quite common for tarpon to ascend rivers into freshwater. As they progress from the juvenile stage to adulthood, they move back to the open waters of the ocean, though many remain in freshwater habitats.
Tarpons grow to about 5–8 ft. long and weigh 80-280 lbs. They have dorsal and anal soft rays and have a bluish or greenish back. Tarpons possess distinctive lateral lines and have shiny silvery scales that cover most of the organism except for the head. Tarpons have large eyes with adipose eyelids and a broad mouth with a prominent lower jaw that juts out farther than the rest of the face.
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Paradise Lodge
What was at first hailed as the lodge most consistently productive for tarpon and snook now includes outstanding permit fishing in the most scenic and remote flats of the Mexican Yucatan.
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| Belize |
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Belize River Lodge
Belize River Lodge is appropriately named as it sits right on the banks of the Belize River; a lazy and meandering tropical water- way, minutes from the International Airport.
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El Pescador
Situated on a private 40 acres on the Caribbean coast of this island is El Pescador Lodge, named by Forbes Traveler as one of the top ten luxury Eco-Resorts in the world.
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Turneffe Flats Lodge
On the seaward side of the largest and most biologically diverse atoll in the Caribbean Sea is built one of the most beautiful and complete lodges in Central America.
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Turneffe Island Lodge
Originally built by Vic Barothy for the more adventurous anglers and after 37 years, it still offers a fishing adventure but with the amenities and comforts of an upscale fishing/diving lodge.
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Whipray Caye Lodge
A very small private island located about 10 miles off the coast of Placencia, Belize, Central America. Whipray Caye Lodge is custom made for serious salt-water fishermen and the independent traveler.
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| Mexican Yucatan |
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Ascension Bay Bonefish Club
Ascension Bay Bonefish Club caters exclusively to flyfishermen, and particularly to anglers interested in Permit. Bonefishing is excellent in the shallow, clear flats of Acension Bay.
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Boca Paila
One of the oldest established fishing lodges in the Mexican Yucatan, founded in 1964 by the Gonzales family who has built a rock-solid reputation as a great destination for bonefish.
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Campeche
One of the oldest established fishing lodges in the Mexican Yucatan, founded in 1964 by the Gonzales family who has built a rock-solid reputation as a great destination for bonefish.
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Casa Blanca
If one were to dream up the perfect location for a saltwater flats fishing lodge, it would be hard to find one better than on the private island of Punta Pajaros. Directly between Ascension Bay and Espiritu Santo Bay.
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Grand Slam
As nice and even luxurious as the Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge is, it is first and foremost a fishing lodge. It gives anglers one of the best flats fisheries in the Yucatan and their non-angling guests a vacation worth writing home about.
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Isla Holbox
At the very northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula is a small island that was kind of overlooked when tourists took over the Cancun/Cozumel area. Beautiful sand beaches line the northern, Gulf of Mexico, side of the island.
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Palometa Club
About a 3 hour drive south of Cancun, on the oceanside beach of the little fishing village of Punta Allen. Its location is perfect for searching Ascension Bay for the fish it is famous for; Bonefish, Tarpon and the lodge's namesake, Permit.
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Paradise Lodge
What was at first hailed as the lodge most consistently productive for tarpon and snook now includes outstanding bonefishing in the most scenic and remote flats of the Mexican Yucatan.
>>read more |
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Pesca Maya
Started their operation in 1996 with their Fishing Lodge in Ascension Bay Quintana Roo Mexico outfitting anglers to catch bonefish, permit, tarpon and snook. Now offering you services for fishing and lodging all over the Yucatan peninsula.
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Playa Blanca
If one were to dream up the perfect location for a saltwater flats fishing lodge, it would be hard to find one better than on the private island of Punta Pajaros. Directly between Ascension Bay and Espiritu Santo Bay.
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| Los Roques |
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Los Roques Lodge
An off-shore national park located about 85 miles from the Venezuelan mainland. It was first "discovered" by the fly fishing community in the mid-1980's, and immediately was reported to be one of the great bonefisheries on Earth.
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