Giant Tarpon

The type of trophy that makes a trip to Tapam, Nicaragua, more than worthwhile. Photo: GetAway Tours

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 wet season, runoff from surrounding volcanoes fills the creeks, rivers, and lagoons, creating a vast inland sea teeming with migratory baitfish, monkeys, birds, and caiman. Amazingly, the tarpon of the Pacific sense this and journey over a hundred miles inland to feed in the jungle’s flooded interior. The bounty attracts tarpon of all sizes; most weigh 50 to 100 pounds, yet there are also behemoths in the 150-to 200-pound class. The most unique and dynamic fishery in the region is the river. Flowing through a mosaic of virgin rainforest and active farmlands, this mid-sized jungle river is among the most intense and intimate landscapes imaginable to pursue trophy tarpon. Guests stay in cabanas less than 100 yards from the pangas. Each cabana has two single beds, a private bath with a semi-warm shower, and a ceiling fan. Meals are taken at one of a number of very small, simple, local restaurants, providing anglers an unfiltered glimpse of this rural ranching settlement. Rate: $4,490 per person for a 6 night/6 day package

Setta Cama, Gabon NEW 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, anglers 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. For the most adventuresome anglers willing to rough-it in an ecological Eden, few of our offerings compare to Setta Cama. Rate: $5,200 per person for a 7 night/6 ½ day fishing package

Tapam, Nicaragua NEW Tapam is a remote jungle fishery that focuses on fishing for tarpon in the 50-to 200-pound class. The fishing grounds

include a large brackish bay, channels, and more distant inland lagoons which are the winter home and feeding ground to a great number of massive tarpon. Although a good portion of the day is spent blind casting for these beasts in 10 to 30 feet of water, guests can at times witness large tarpon slashing and crashing bait with reckless abandon in plain sight. In addition to tarpon, many guests get shots at snook up to 20 pounds. With a new rustic lodge featuring single rooms, custom fly fishing boats, and new management, Fly Water Travel is back in the game of sending guests to this unique and challenging trophy tarpon destination. Rate: $4,950 per person for an 8 night/6 ½ day fishing package