San Juan: Light Tackle Tarpon & Snook Fishing Charter

The Silver King Waits Three Miles From Your Hotel

You'll fish the brackish lagoons just minutes from San Juan's hotels, targeting tarpon, jacks, and snook with light tackle under Captain Clery's guidance. All rods, reels, and tackle are provided. You bring sunglasses and sunscreen. The charter covers the 3–5 mile run from Cangrejos Yacht Club marina and includes beverages, so you're ready to cast as soon as the boat leaves the dock.

Step-by-step itinerary

Light tackle tarpon fishing in San Juan

• Meet captain at marina
• Receive fishing rods and tackle
• Fish Laguna San Jose and Laguna Torrecilla
• Target tarpon, jacks, and snook
• Enjoy scenic red mangroves
• Return to marina

The experience

"You see that mangrove line? That's where they're sitting." Captain Clery points across the water as the boat cuts through the brackish lagoon, and suddenly the endless red mangroves aren't just scenery. They're the reason you're here. San Juan's tarpon fishing happens in Laguna San Jose and Laguna Torrecilla, two shallow systems that sit so close to the hotel district you can run from the Cangrejos Yacht Club marina in three to five miles. The fish (tarpon ranging from 20 pounds to 150, plus jacks and snook) live year-round in these waters because the lagoons stay stocked with bait. Light tackle is the whole point. You're not wrestling something on heavy gear. You're feeling the fight.

Captain Clery handles the rods, reels, and terminal tackle, so you show up with polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, and the willingness to actually set the hook when something hits. The water is clear enough that you'll spot the tarpon before they take: that moment when you see the fish and then feel it is why people fly in from everywhere to fish San Juan. The mangroves create a maze of channels and pockets where the Silver King hunts, and the boat stays shallow enough to reach them. It's not a long run from Isla Verde, Condado, or Old San Juan, which means you're not spending half the day in transit. You're on the water, casting, within an hour of leaving your hotel.

Soda and pop are included, and the charter works for all fitness levels. You don't need to be an athlete to hold a rod and wait for the take. If you've never fished tarpon before, the moment one runs will change how you think about the ocean. If you have, you already know why people come back to San Juan.

Options for this experience

4 options

Up to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish9 departure times, from 06:00 to 16:00

Up to 2 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish07:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00

Up to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish07:00, 13:30, 14:00 and 17:30

Up to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish17:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

What’s included

Your charter includes all rods, reels, and terminal tackle provided by Captain Clery, soda and pop throughout the day, and the boat run from Cangrejos Yacht Club marina to the lagoons. You'll fish Laguna San Jose and Laguna Torrecilla for tarpon, jacks, and snook in the shallow brackish waters just 3–5 miles from the hotel district.

Days and timesDaily · 10 departure times, from 06:00 to 17:30

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it starts

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Backwater Tarpon Fishing Charters Puerto Rico

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to fish tarpon without arranging your own boat, tackle, or knowledge of where the fish are holding: the charter puts you on the water within hours of your hotel and handles everything except showing up with sunglasses and the will to set the hook.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How far is the marina from the hotels?

Cangrejos Yacht Club marina is a 3–5 mile run from Isla Verde, Condado, and Old San Juan.

What size tarpon are in these lagoons?

Tarpon in Laguna San Jose and Laguna Torrecilla range from 20 pounds to 150 pounds.

What do I need to bring?

Bring polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, and a willingness to fish. All rods, reels, and tackle are provided by Captain Clery.

What other fish are in the lagoons besides tarpon?

Jacks and snook are also present and targeted on light tackle.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes, the charter is suitable for all fitness levels and works for anglers new to tarpon fishing.

What's included in the charter?

All fishing gear, rods, reels, terminal tackle, and beverages (soda and pop) are included.