Now under new management – The beautiful, tropical destination of Costa Rica is home to some of the world’s most famous and fabulous fishing lodges. The warm blue waters around its coastline are home to an abundance of different species, one of which is the Tarpon. We’ve teamed up with our partners, affectionately known as Tarponville Lodge, to offer travelling rods the chance to exclusively fish for these impressive sportfish on the fly.
Nestled within the lush jungle of southern Costa Rica, within the breathtaking Manzanillo Gandoca Nature Reserve, on the Caribbean coast just above the border of Panama, Tarponville offers anglers the opportunity to experience some of the best Tarpon fishing in the world, regarding numbers of fish and those with a fantastic average size. As Tarponville is the only lodge servicing their water, the fish and fishery have remained unchanged for over twenty-five years and are an unparalleled paradise for Tarpon fishing enthusiasts.
Specialising in fly fishing for Tarpon, the lodge boasts one of the world’s richest Tarpon fisheries. It is home to abundant numbers of big fish, averaging around 80 to 90lbs, with specimens frequently reaching over a massive 150lbs. If landing a Silver King into triple digits is your dream, Tarponville Lodge is your best bet, offering you a high chance of turning your dreams into a reality.
In the angler’s paradise of Costa Rica, fishing isn’t just a pastime; it’s a legendary pursuit, and at Tarponville Lodge, this is no different. Anglers chase record-breaking catches along its Pacific and Caribbean shores, wetting a fly for Tarpon to record-breaking sizes and the likes of a variety of Jacks, Triggerfish, Kingfish and Dorado (Mahi Mahi).
A typical fishing day begins with breakfast at 6:30am and then a short walk back to the creek to meet the boat captain and to prepare for the 7.00am departure. Fishing days are a total of eight hours per day, and the boat ride to the fishing grounds of the Sixoala River is around thirty minutes, depending on where the fish are.
A Typical Day At Tarponville:
Breakfast- 6:30am
Depart for fishing grounds – 7:00am
Lunch At The Lodge – 12:00pm
Depart for fishing grounds – 2:00pm
Fish until dark then return for dinner and happy hour, with appetizers/beer/rum
Tarponville welcomes anglers of all ages and abilities to their diverse fishing destination. With stunning scenery, abundant marine life, and year-round angling opportunities, this tropical haven promises an unforgettable adventure. Embark on the ultimate fishing experience in Costa Rica and reel in memories that last a lifetime.
Note: Although Tarpon fishing is the main event, other species are available, and some will be more obliging than others depending on the weather and tides. So, if there is another species of fish you’d like to try and catch, please let the lodge manager or head guide know before your fishing day; that way, they can prepare accordingly.
To learn more about the Tarpon fishing in Costa Rica at Tarponville Lodge, visit our YouTube channel.
Tarpon, or Silver Kings as they’re also known, are a much loved sportfish, especially amongst the fly fishing community, providing travelling anglers with a true challenge. They’re hard to connect with because of their bony mouths, tough to keep on the hook due to their acrobatic gill-rattling leaps, and challenging to land because of their increased stamina and ability to breathe air. In short, they are hands-down one of the most acrobatic, angry, tackle-wrecking, violent fish you could ever get hooked up to. But all of these things combined make them a terrific gamefish and a worthy adversary.
If you’ve never fished for Tarpon, you should do. Once you feel the pure power of these fish as they inhale your fly and immediately explode out of the water, instantly peeling fly line and backing from the reel at blistering speeds, you’ll want more.
At Tarponville, they specialise in fishing for and catching this beautiful silver leviathan and offer travelling anglers the chance to fish for some of the most significant specimens in the world. Very few places will give you as much chance of landing a fish of over 200lb; a giant Tarpon of a lifetime, one of record-breaking proportions, is only one cast away.
We understand that purchasing all the necessary fly fishing tackle for a trip like this can be very expensive, especially for first-timers. But we’re excited to announce that at Tarponville, you can hire all the tackle you need at no extra cost. Just bring yourself and your passion. However, if you wish to take your fishing tackle we suggest the following:
Rod wise, we recommend using 12-14 weight rods for catching adult Tarpon, as when dealing with a fish of over 100lb, you’ll need a stiff action rod to set the hook and battle the beast. For smaller fish, a 10-11 weight is fine. In both cases, these need to be matched with a strong reel with a reliable drag and one which is capable of holding 250+ yards of backing.
The most popular fly line is an intermediate sinking, which will generally fish 2-4ft in the water column, depending on the drift. However, floating intermediates or intermediate shooting heads will all work. Backing should be at least 50lb gel spun, and you’ll require 300-400 yards of it. We recommend packing extra spools in case of damage. The guides at the lodge like to use straight 100lb fluorocarbon leaders, but 60-80lb is ok.
A host of flies will catch fish, and it’s worth taking all the traditional Tarpon and Baitfish patterns in light and dark colours. However, when choosing your flies, you must check the hooks to ensure they are of good quality and up to the job – you can’t leave any stone unturned.
Tarponville Lodge is set amongst the tranquil backdrop of the lush Costa Rican jungle, just metres from the sea. The accommodations are simple but exude warmth and comfort, and the staff are exceptionally attentive and caring.
The lodge boasts cosy beachfront accommodation, with each room featuring an array of modern amenities, including comfortable beds, private bathrooms, ceiling fans, air conditioning, and some stunning views. They have been designed to provide a sense of calm and tranquillity and are the perfect sanctuary for relaxation after a busy day on the water battling giant Tarpon.
Tarponville prides itself on offering guests the chance to experience the full flavours of the Caribbean. From succulent Snapper to rich aromatic dishes that define Caribbean cuisine to a vibrant array of local fruits and vegetables, the menu showcases the best of the region’s culinary delights and is expertly prepared by local chefs.
If you have any dietary requirements or particular food requests, just let the lodge know, and they will do everything to fulfil your expectations.
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Miami Depart Miami
Arrive San Jose
Taxi to your overnight hotel. (Taxi not included)
Overnight accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott (Twin room) R/O
Early morning, after breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to Tarponville Lodge. The journey takes around 5 hours, depending on traffic.
Once you arrive at Tarponville, you can unpack, enjoy a nice meal and some drinks, and prepare for your first fishing day.
Overnight accommodation: Tarponville Lodge (Twin room) F/B
In the morning, at a pre-arranged time, you’ll meet your boat captain and head out for your first day of Tarpon fishing, where you’ll be wetting a fly for Silver Kings topping 100lb. A typical day at Tarponville looks like this...
Breakfast- 6:30am
Depart for fishing grounds – 7:00am
Lunch At The Lodge – 12:00pm
Depart for fishing grounds – 2:00pm
Fish until dark then return for dinner and happy hour, with appetizers/Beer/Rum
Overnight accommodation: Tarponville Lodge (Twin room) F/B
In the morning after breakfast you will be picked up and transferred back to San Jose. The journey takes around 5 hours, depending on traffic. Once you arrive you’ll be free to enjoy the rest of your day, before getting a good nights sleep ready for your journey home.
Overnight accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott (Twin room) R/O
In the morning you’ll need to catch a taxi from your overnight hotel to the airport. (Taxi not included)
Depart San Jose
Arrive Miami Depart Miami
Arrive Home
The season runs from March to May & August to October.
Season: March to May & August to October
Peak: August
Weight: 40lb to 200lb
Average Weight: 70lb
Season: March to May & August to October
Peak: August
Weight: 5lb to 15lb
Average Weight: 8lb
Season: March to May & August to October
Peak: August
Weight: 5lb to 30lb
Average Weight: 10lb
Season: March to May & August to October
Peak: August
Weight: 3lb to 10lb
Average Weight: 6lb
If your group size is smaller than the standard two people travelling or there is only going to be one person fishing and a non angler travelling, then please contact a member of the Sportquest Holidays team who will be more than happy to assist.
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/10/2024 | 31/10/2024 | 10 | £6,154 | Enquire Now |
| 01/03/2025 | 31/03/2025 | 10 | £6,154 | Enquire Now |
| 01/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | 10 | £6,154 | Enquire Now |
| 01/05/2025 | 31/05/2025 | 10 | £6,154 | Enquire Now |
| 01/08/2025 | 31/08/2025 | 10 | £6,154 | Enquire Now |
| 01/09/2025 | 30/09/2025 | 10 | £6,154 | Enquire Now |
| 01/10/2025 | 31/10/2025 | 10 | £6,154 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on two adults sharing transfers, fishing and accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharge.
It's my third time down to Tarponville. Twice in spring and once in fall. Both have been incredible, I landed tarpon (140lb) biggest, along with some massive Jacks. I also managed to land 7 other species to check off my bucket list - Chubs, Snapper, Trigger, Bonefish, Permit, Cuda and a Shark! The lodge manager and staff are very attentive and the new air conditioned rooms are a delight when coming back from a long day fishing. The food was also excellent.
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