A tropical paradise where the tarpon are jumping
By Dan Kenney, GoFish Dan
When I left for Puerto Rico’s Boqueron Beach, I knew I was headed for clearwater, abundant snook and tarpon up to six feet long. Cabo Rojo, after all, had been on my bucket list for a long time.
What I didn’t expect was the fight those tarpon would put up—and that wrestling with them would be the best part of the trip.
It was late August and I was down there thanks to my new friend Francisco Rosario aka Captain Pochy, a Dexter Knives Pro Staff Member with more than 20 years’ experience fishing for Tarpon. And he really knows his stuff. Our day started with him preparing the perfect cut bait using the best tool in his arsenal, a Dexter – S151SC-GWE
We were up and running in no time and, even though it was hot with blazing sun, I knew I was going to stay cool thanks to my Coolibar UPF +50 fishing shirt and fishing hat with visor and neck guard, and glare wouldn’t be a problem with my Typhoon Polarized Sunglasses.
Tarpon like to stay close to the shore and the Captain took us straight to a spot where they were literally jumping. Our first catch of the day was a 65-pounder that leaped about six feet in the air seconds after I hooked him!
“What a beast!” I said. “It’s like hooking onto an 18-wheeler.”
But hooking him was just the beginning of an epic battle. I pulled him toward the boat through multiple runs, but he wasn’t having it, so the captain got in the water with him. He grabbed the leader while I held the line taught. At that moment the Tarpon chewed through the leader and the battle was over.
Luckily, we got many more and we perfected our tag team approach, with Captain Pochy grabbing the fish, removing the hook and sending them on their way!
“It’s like fighting a bull, taking it by the horns,” he said. “But you need to move slowly.”
After hooking another couple tarpon we switched gears. The Captain took us out into the bay, where there were so many snook that we both had one on the line in minutes.
We reeled in our snook and soon after that called it a day. And what a day it was. Fishing in Puerto Rico was one of the best experiences of my life, hands down. So if it’s on your bucket list, go straight to Boqueron Beach and look up Captain Pochy or visit lighttackleadventure.8k.com. If it’s not on your list, write it down today!
Until then, God Bless and Go Fish!
FORECAST BY: Dan is an avid angler and host of the television show “Go Fish with Dan Kenney.” The television program airs via the Charter Spectrum network and is seen on YouTube at youtube.com/gofishdanshow. Dan also runs the New England Fishing & Outdoor Expo. Dan wears Typhoon polarized sunglasses on all of his fishing adventures.
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