Heaven in Holbox

For those who have followed this blog over the years, our trips to Isla Holbox, Mexico are well documented. Perhaps the best juvenile tarpon fishery on planet earth (really not an exaggeration), this has continued to be our favorite international destination to chase the silver kings and princes that make this place home. Over the years, we have fished in Holbox several times in the early summer and winter (during breaks from school and work), but had never made it a point to visit in the late summer or early fall. In 2023, we decided to try Holbox out in late August, and man oh man did it deliver…

To keep it as short as I can, I saw more tarpon in our three days of fishing this year than I have ever seen before. The craziest part of it was not only was it the most tarpon I have ever seen, but they were the hungriest and most aggressive Holbox fish that we have ever come across. There were schools of fish by the hundreds, constant singles and double around almost every stretch of mangroves, and even large “roller” pods of bigger fish out in some of the deeper stretches of the bays. Really had never seen anything like it, and it led to an unreal three days on the water.

Day one really spoiled us from the jump. Upon the hour long boat ride to the flats, we ran across rolling fish just before we took off to the back mangroves, so took the time to stop and see if we could hook one of these fish. Upon rolling, you could tell that these fish were “larger” (30-50 pounds) and we were eager to see if the early morning light would have them feeling happy. Within 5 casts to the rolling group of fish, my line came tight and took off like a sky rocket. Fish on. Fishing in deeper water, not only was the fish doing its classic tarpon jumps and trying to shake the hook, but it was also making deep runs into the depths of the ocean making this fight even more excruciating. After about a 15-minute tug of war, we had the fish boatside and had the monkey quickly off our back for the week. A beautiful (dare I say perfect?) 40 pound fish in our hands, and we gave it a quick healthy release. After releasing this fish, our expectations for the day were high.

We continued to throw at the rolling fish for a bit, but ultimately decided to go back in the mangroves for the juvenile tarpon action. Fortunately for us, the fish were waiting and almost too aggressive as crazy as that might seem. We were hooking fish left and right, but were having a hell of a time getting them to the boat. I swear they were almost hitting the fly so quickly and taking off that we couldn’t get the right hook set, and quickly went 0-5 on hook ups to landed fish. Tarpon fishing, am I right? The good news though is we decided to suck less (and change flies to a different hook), and this immediately did the trick by landing the next handful of fish. Beautiful juvenile tarpon in hand with constant action throughout the day, what more can you ask for?

After seeing so many tarpon on Day 1, we decided to spend the morning going after permit on Day 2 (because we were playing with house money already). Permit had been making some appearances throughout the month, but in typical Permit fashion, were no where to be found this day. After a perfect throw to a passing bonefish (and it severely rejecting us), we took this as a sign that fate was leading us back to the baby tarpon. So we zipped over to some mangroves, and it was on again. What was special about this day was we were fishing in absolutely no more than 1-foot of water. Tarpon tails were out of the water, the sun was shining bright, and you needed to make the casts count. After going 3 for 3 on hook ups to landed fish this day, it was time to make the long boat ride back for a cold beer. A great day none-the-less.

As for the last day of fishing, this is where things got chaotic. My dad literally landed TEN (10) tarpon on this day. Unheard of really, especially considering there were easily another 10 that jumped off mid fight. The fish were schooling like crazy (in the hundreds), but it appeared that it was the single/double fish around the mangroves that were most aggressive. He absolutely made the most of his opportunity, and I think the word “legendary” is the only one that comes to mind when it comes to 10 tarpon on the day. As for me, it was an unreal day as well (and I fished with my uncle on this day). We ran into some difficult weather and rainstorms, but the fish did not seem to mind at all. I was able to land some fish on topwater gurglers early in the morning while they were smashing bait, and then consistently had success with our usual flies throughout the day. After landing 5-6 fish myself, it was a special day and a perfect way to end the trip.

To close this post, I do want to challenge anyone out there reading to make the time with those you love most on the water. I am beyond fortunate to have had my dad as my best friend and fishing partner for 30-years of my life, and although catching fish is special every single time they choose to cooperate, it’s the laughs and conversations over a margarita and taco that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Be grateful for what ya’ got and don’t take life/work/school/whatever too seriously during these moments.