Jigging
The classic Caribbean tarpon method: drop a heavy jig near rolling fish and work it up through the water. Strikes are often felt as a heavy thump.
Fish Costa Rica · Caribbean how-to guide
How to Catch Tarpon
& Snook in Costa Rica
Tackle, lures, fighting and releasing fish, and what to pack for a Caribbean tarpon and snook trip, with tips from the guides who fish it every day.
Heavy tackleFor tarpon of 50–150 lbs
Light tackleFor snook & rainbow bass
Fly or conventionalBoth work on the Caribbean
Release with careKeep tarpon in the water
Before you start
Two very different fish.
Tarpon are big, powerful and acrobatic, with hard, bony mouths that make hooks hard to set. Most hooked tarpon are lost on the first jumps, which is part of the fun.
Snook are smaller but strong and sneaky. They hit hard around structure and run for cover, so they test your drag and your reflexes.
This guide is about how to fish for them. For where and when, see our tarpon fishing guide, snook fishing guide and the fishing calendar.
The gear
Tarpon vs snook tackle
Your guides provide quality tackle. If you bring your own, here’s what typically works, and check the domestic flight luggage limits first.
| Tarpon | Snook | |
|---|---|---|
| Rod & reel | Heavy spinning or conventional with a strong, smooth drag | Medium spinning or baitcasting |
| Line | Heavy braid | Medium braid |
| Leader | Heavy mono or fluorocarbon to resist their rough mouths | Fluorocarbon, heavy enough for sharp gill plates |
| Lures | Heavy jigs, large plugs and swimbaits | Bucktail and soft-plastic jigs, plugs, surface lures |
| Bait | Live or dead bait on circle hooks | Live bait around river mouths |
| Fly fishing | 12-weight rod, sinking or intermediate line | 8–10-weight rod |
Hooks matter most.
Keep every hook needle-sharp. A tarpon’s mouth is like bone, and a dull hook is the most common reason fish come off.
How the guides fish
Four ways to target them
Slow trolling
Pulling plugs or baits slowly along river mouths and channels covers water when the fish are spread out.
Casting
Casting plugs and jigs to rolling tarpon, or along banks and structure for snook. The most exciting way to get a strike.
Fly fishing
Hard, but very rewarding. Best when fish are visible and the water is clear enough. Ask for a guide experienced with fly anglers.
Reading the conditions
The sea decides where you fish.
Outside the river mouths
Boats run out to fish just off the beach, where tarpon gather and roll. This is where the biggest fish are often found.
Inside the rivers & lagoons
When waves close the river mouths, fishing moves inside, where tarpon and snook hold in the deeper bends and lagoons.
Look for clean water
Muddy runoff pushes fish around. Guides look for the edges where clean and dirty water meet.
When to go
Tarpon are in the rivers all year. The peak season is September to January, with a second good run in April and May. More on the season in our tarpon fishing guide and the fishing calendar.
Hooking, fighting, releasing
Bow to the king.
- Set the hook hard, more than once, to get through the bony mouth. With circle hooks, just keep reeling as the line comes tight.
- Bow when it jumps: push the rod tip toward the fish to give slack so the tarpon doesn’t land on a tight line and throw the hook.
- Fight from low angles and keep steady pressure. Long fights tire the fish too much.
- Keep tarpon in the water for photos and release. Hold it upright and let water flow over the gills until it swims off strongly.
- Snook: keep them away from structure early, and watch your hands on the sharp gill plates.
What to bring
Pack for the jungle and the water.
Essentials
- Polarized sunglasses
- Light rain jacket, as it can rain any time on the Caribbean
- Sunscreen, a hat and a buff
- Insect repellent
- Quick-dry long sleeves and pants
- Non-slip boat shoes
Good to know
- A Costa Rica fishing license is required. We can help you get it.
- Small planes have strict luggage weight limits, so pack light.
- Bring rods in a hard travel tube if you bring your own.
- A waterproof bag for your phone and camera.
- Gloves help when handling leaders on big tarpon.
Keep planning
Ready to put it into practice?
Book a tripTortuguero fishing tripsLodge, flights and guided fishing with Captain Eddie Brown.See the trip →
Species guideTarpon fishing in Costa RicaWhere to find them, the best season and trip options.Read the guide →
Regional guideCaribbean Costa Rica fishingCompare the coast and see how it differs from the Pacific.Explore the Caribbean →
Tarpon & snook questions
Quick answers.
Have a tackle question? Ask us before your trip.
What tackle do I need for tarpon in Costa Rica?
Heavy spinning or conventional gear with a strong drag, heavy braid and a heavy leader. Your guides provide tackle, so you don’t need to bring your own.
What lures work best for tarpon?
Heavy jigs are the classic Caribbean method, along with large plugs and swimbaits. Live or dead bait on circle hooks also works.
Can I fly fish for tarpon and snook?
Yes. Use about a 12-weight for tarpon and 8–10-weight for snook. It’s challenging, so let us know in advance and we’ll arrange a guide who works with fly anglers.
Why do so many tarpon come off?
Their mouths are hard and bony, and they jump hard. Sharp hooks, strong hook sets and bowing to the fish when it jumps keep more of them on.
When is the best time for tarpon and snook on the Caribbean?
Peak tarpon season is September to January, with a second run in April and May. Tarpon and snook are in the rivers and lagoons all year, and calm seas let you fish outside the river mouths.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes, a Costa Rica fishing license is required, and we can help you get one before your trip.
Plan your trip
Questions about tackle
or your trip?
Tell us your experience, whether you’d like to fly fish, and your travel dates. We’ll match you with the right guide.
USA & Canada: 1-800-986-6980
Costa Rica / WhatsApp: +506 8888 4723