Tarpon Fishing Rio Chico

While some fishermen search the world's waters for giant Tarpon, those that weigh well over 100 pounds-perhaps even more anglers look for areas where schools of small Tarpon are found. Their reason is sound. First of all, it is not as tiring to land a small Tarpon as it is to land a giant. Secondly, the sporting challenge is preserved by using light tackle.

The Tacarigua Lagoon, called Rio Chico, harbors a remarkable Tarpon fishery and houses thousands of scarlet ibis and other bird species; so, each day begins and ends in an unforgettable rookery. This breathtaking nesting area is near the exit of the lagoon and the small harbor where native guides launch their skiffs. Protected from commercial fishing since the turn of the century and separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a strip-shaped beach and larger lakes. Its because of its richness in small bait fish and other foods, makes this an ideal habitat for small Tarpon and Snook. Most of the Tarpon range from five to ten pounds, so bass-type tackle works well and light fly rods. There are also bigger Tarpon, from ten to thirty pounds and occasionally a person hooks a trophy fish of over fifty pounds on light tackle, which turns the challenge from exciting into spectacular.

All of the above makes this area and ideal destination for the beginner, presenting you each and everyday the opportunities not just to cast to fish, but to hook and even land them. If you have never fished for Tarpon or Snook this is an excellent training ground before moving on to other destinations where you may only get 2 or 3 shots at bigger fish each day.

New sixteen-feet boats powered by outboard motors, casting platforms, swivel chairs and rod holders, skippered by native guides who will take you to the Tarpon grounds. You typically begin casting the mangrove pockets with a fly or plug. Surface lures will often work, and a strike on top water is a great thrill.

What our customers have to say: "Always wanted to try tarpon fishing on the fly, but was always worried if my skills where up to the job. No need to worry with the guides help we were all in to baby Tarpon on our very first day. Wow what power how the hell do you guy's land the big ones." Frank Moore" "I dream from start to finish just a big thank you " Tom Walker" "We just loved the lure fishing, in fact we loved the whole trip would not change a thing. See you next year ." Ant & Mark Hammond

Tortuga Lodge

F/B

We are pleased to introduce a new option for lodging our clients at Rio Chico: Tortuga Lodge, which is the only lodge allowed within "Laguna de Tacarigua National Park", advantageously close to the best spots for tarpon fishing (just five minutes away). Tortuga Lodge offers 9 comfortable new villas right in front of the sea, each one divided in two atmospheres with private baths and a total capacity for 6 anglers.

Tortuga also have a great churuata ( Indian pabillion) that works as bar - restaurant that offers to our guests delicious meals with fish of the zone,. As well as awnings and chairs of extension. Our facilities are integrated perfectly to the natural surroundings.

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggest itinerary which can be changed if you so wished to suit your requirements personally

10 - Days 6 - Days Fishing

Day	Activity
1	Depart LHR With British Airways AM Arrive MIAMI (MIA) PM Depart MIAMI (MIA) With American Airways PM Arrive CARACAS (CCS) airport PM On arrival you will be escorted to your hotel for the first night. Accommodation Euro building Hotel B/B
2	Transfer to the international airport, fly at 08.30 to Rio Chico. Full days guided fishing. Accommodation Tortuga Lodge F/B
3 to 7	Full days guided fishing. Accommodation Tortuga Lodge F/B
8	Depart Rio Chico to Caracas and transfer to hotel Accommodation Euro building Hotel B /B
9	Transfer to airport for return journey home. Depart CARACAS (CCS) airport With American Airways AM Arrive MIAMI (MIA) PM Depart MIAMI (MIA) With British Airways PM Arrive CARACAS (CCS) airport PM
10	Arrive LHR airport AM

Departure Dates & Prices

10 - Days 6 - Days Fishing

Dates	Venezuela
All Year	From £2,100 pp

Note: The above prices are per person and are based on two people sharing, accommodation, transfers and fishing. Please be advised these prices may fluctuate due to changes in flights and exchange rates.

What's Included & Excluded

Options Business Class Flight Upgrades

What's Included International return flights Internal Flights 2 nights Euro Building B/B 6 nights Tortuga Lodge F/B Full days fishing as indicated on itinerary. Board as indicated on itinerary

What's Excluded Holiday insurance Personal items Local Tips (Non Compulsory) Airport Transfers

Enquiries & Bookings

Once you have an idea of what destinations and duration of the holiday you would like, contact one of our consultants on 01603 407596 who will be pleased to assist you with any questions and additional literature you may require to help you finalise your holidays itinerary, availability and prices.

When you are ready to book your holiday, our consultants will take down all particulars and take a deposit payment, please make sure that before making any booking that you have read our terms and conditions. At the time of the booking we will ask you to correctly spell the first and last name of each traveling member, as some flights will need to be ticketed at the time of booking and due to airline regulations no name changes can be made, once a ticket has been issued. On receipt of the deposit we will send the lead booker a “Booking Form” and a deposit receipt invoice which becomes the legal contract between Angling Direct Holidays and your party.

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Tarpon

Rods
For juvenile tarpon in the 20 to 50 pound class, a 9 or 10-weight rod will work nicely. Catching tarpon this size on a light fly rod is an absolute thrill. In fact, I much prefer to chase the smaller tarpon because they don’t wipe you out physically the way a large tarpon often will. When the larger tarpon (100+lbs) start to show up in the spring, you need a rod in the 11 to 12 weight class.

Reels
The small to medium sized tarpon require a smooth disk drag reel with a capacity of 300 yards of 30 pound backing. You can get away with a reel that holds less line but you then run the risk of losing a good sized tarpon that may show up and take your fly. For the larger fish in the 100 pound + category, you’ll need a reel with 400 yards of 30 pound backing. This may seem excessive, but when you consider that the Belizean record for tarpon on a fly was set last year, at just a hair under 200 pounds, it’s far better to be safe that sorry.

Fly Lines
Because tarpon can be found in a variety of situation and depths, it really pays to be prepared with a couple of different tarpon lines at the ready. For juvenile tarpon, you’ll need a weight forward floating tarpon line to match the rod. It’s also a good idea to have a type 6 fast sinking line for those tarpon in deeper water. Another way to get at these fish is to use sinking shooting heads. In this situation, I highly recommend over lining your rod with a 300 to 500 grain shooting head. For big tarpon, you’ll need to start out with a weight forward floating line to match the rod. Tropical fly lines are generally a little stiffer which is good because they help to turn over the heavier flies that big tarpon like to hammer. To get at tarpon in deeper water, it pays to use a type 6 fast sinking line or sinking shooting heads. Again, as with smaller tarpon, I recommend over lining the rod with a 300 to 700 grain shooting head.

Leaders
The tarpon’s mouth is comprised of cartilage and bone and is therefore very rough and abrasive. Even a relatively small tarpon in the 20 to 40 pound range can shred your leader or tippet in no time. All tarpon leaders should be tapered and can be either store bought or made by the angler. The actual leader does not need to be more than 9 feet in length. The leader for juvenile tarpon should consist of either 30 or 40 pound butt section, with each subsequent tapered section dropping by 10 pounds (30-20-10) Keep in mind that the butt section should always be exactly half of the overall length of the leader. When constructing a leader for big tarpon, the butt section should be 50 pounds with each following section dropping by 10 pounds (50-40-30)

Tippet
For juvenile tarpon, a 40 to 60 pound shock tippet is needed to hold the fish. Some anglers prefer to go lighter, but I don’t recommend it for the average angler. For big tarpon, a 100 pound shock tippet is required to have any chance of landing the fish. The shock tippet should be 12 to 16 inches in length.

Flies
There is a great debate amongst those who like to chase tarpon with a fly about which is the most effective size for tarpon flies. From what I’ve observed here in Belize, by far the most effective size for tarpon flies is a pattern tied on a 3/0 saltwater hook. Larger flies will work for bigger fish, especially in specific situations (like when the tarpon are motionless just under the water level) but overall it’s quite amazing how smaller flies will consistently take very large fish. For the smaller tarpon, hooks ranging in size from 2 to 2/0 are highly recommended.

• Stu Apte tarpon fly (size 2 to 3/0)
• Black Death (size 2 to 3/0)
• Cockroach (size 2 to 3/0)
• Boilermaker in: red and white (size 2 to 3/0)
• Lefty’s Big Eye Deceiver in: white, chartreuse, and blue (size 2 to 3/0)
• Moore’s Yellow and Grizzly (size 2 to 3/0)
• Sea Foam Popper in: yellow and white (size 2 to 3/0)
• Sea-Duce in: orange and white (size 2 to 3/0)

 

 

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