Gabon, West Africa
Officially known as the Gabonese Republic, Gabon offers the most intrepid fly anglers an unparalleled adventure into the heart of West Africa’s most pristine and prolific coastal waters. With a backdrop of virgin tropical rainforests, angler fish barefoot in the surf, often into darkness, and also venture inland by boat to fish for some of the world’s largest tarpon. While Gabon is a hotspot for giant tarpon, it is equally if not more famous for a host of additional super-sized species including cubera snapper, threadfin, barracuda, and jack crevalle. This trip is for the most adventurous anglers willing to travel, seemingly back in time, to rough-it in an ecological Eden. Few of our offerings can compare to Setta Cama.
Jungle Tarpon Reserve, Costa Rica
Northern Costa Rica’s Jungle Tarpon Reserve is a vast inland system of freshwater rivers, creeks and flooded lagoons surrounded by verdant rainforest and swampland. During the dry season the lagoons and creeks are reduced to nearly a trickle, but come August, the area literally springs to life. Runoff from surrounding volcanoes fills the creeks, rivers, and lagoons creating a vast inland sea teaming with migratory baitfish, monkeys, wading birds, and caiman. Somehow the primal tarpon of the Pacific sense this and journey over a hundred miles inland to feed on the bounty of the jungle’s flooded interior.
Florida Keys Fly Fishing School
Interested in fishing for giant tarpon but want some instruction before you take a destination trip? Consider attending the Florida Keys Fly Fishing School - the longest-running and most sought-after saltwater fly fishing school available. Run by the Keys legend Sandy Moret, these schools teach anglers of all skill levels the most important aspects of targeting the grand slam species: tarpon, bonefish, permit and snook. You will leave the school prepared for giant tarpon - with the skills, knowledge and confidence that would take months or even years of trial and error to overcome.
Fly Water Travel's Favorite Giant Tarpon Setup:
•Rod: 9' 12-weight Sage SALT HD
•Reel: Sage SPECTRUM MAX 11/12
•Line 1: RIO Products DirectCore Tarpon WF12F (floating)
•Line 2: RIO Products DirectCore Flats Pro Intermediate WF12I (intermediate sink)
•Line 3: RIO Products Leviathan 26ft Sink Tip - 400 gr (fast sink)
•Leader Material: RIO Products Saltwater Mono 20 - 100 lbs & Fluoroflex Saltwater 80 - 100 lbs
Fish Globally and Shop Locally - Find Your Local Fly Shop
Fly Water Travel encourages our clients to support their local fly shop. To find a shop near you, click the link below or give us a call for a recommendation at (800) 552-2729.