5.0(2 Reviews)Puerto Rico Private Morning Fishing Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour inshore fishing charter for two guestsTarget worldclass Tarpon and Snook in scenic lagoonsExpert captains provide personalized guidance and local knowledge
There's something special about hitting the water early morning in Puerto Rico's legendary lagoons. This 4-hour private charter takes you straight into Torrecilla and San Jose Lagoons, where world-class tarpon and snook action awaits. Captain Rafael knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with just 2 anglers max per trip, you're getting the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one. These lagoons aren't your typical tourist spots – they're working fishing grounds where serious anglers come to tangle with some of the Caribbean's most prized gamefish.
Your morning starts before the crowds hit the water, giving you prime time when the fish are most active. Captain Rafael will have the boat prepped and ready to roll, with all tackle rigged for the conditions. The beauty of fishing these lagoons is the variety – one cast you might be working a snook pocket along the mangroves, the next you're watching a 100-pound tarpon crash your topwater plug. The scenery here is stunning, but don't get too distracted by the tropical backdrop because the action can happen fast. These aren't massive open-water runs – we're talking technical inshore fishing where reading the water and making precise casts pays off big time. The lagoons offer protection from rough seas, so even if it's blowing outside, you'll still have fishable water.
This trip combines the best of both worlds – trolling the deeper channels and sight casting to structure. When we're trolling, we'll pull a spread of lures through the main lagoon areas where tarpon cruise and snook ambush baitfish. The captain will adjust speed and lure selection based on what he's seeing on the fish finder and what's happening topside. But the real excitement comes when we switch to casting mode. Working the mangrove edges with live bait or plugs, you'll be making targeted presentations to fish you can actually see. The gear is top-notch spinning and conventional setups, matched to handle everything from schoolie snook to triple-digit tarpon. Don't worry if you're not an expert caster – Captain Rafael will put you on fish and coach you through the fight.
"Capt Rafael was great , my Guests enjoyed every second of their fishing trip ." - Gina Hernandez
Snook are the bread and butter of these lagoons, and for good reason. These ambush predators love the structure-rich environment where mangroves meet open water. Puerto Rico snook run bigger than their Florida cousins – 10 to 15 pounders are common, with fish over 20 pounds always a possibility. They're most active during moving water, whether that's tidal flow or wind-driven current. What makes snook so addictive is their unpredictability – they'll smash a topwater plug at dawn, sip a live shrimp like a permit at midday, or crush a jig bounced along the bottom at dusk. The fight is pure power and attitude, with gill-rattling jumps and bulldogging runs toward the nearest snag. Peak season runs from spring through early fall, but these lagoons hold fish year-round.
Tarpon fishing in Puerto Rico's lagoons is something every serious angler needs to experience. These silver kings use the lagoons as nursery areas and feeding grounds, which means you'll encounter everything from 20-pound juveniles to 150-pound adults. The smaller fish are acrobatic maniacs – hooking one is like strapping a rocket to your rod. The big girls are different animals entirely, testing your drag, your back, and your patience in the best possible way. Tarpon season peaks from April through August, but the lagoons hold fish most of the year. What sets Puerto Rico tarpon apart is their willingness to eat artificials. While live bait works great, watching a tarpon explode on a surface plug or suspending jerkbait is fishing at its finest. They're catch-and-release only, but the memories of that first tarpon jumping in your face will last forever.
Morning trips book up fast, especially during peak tarpon season, so don't sleep on securing your dates. This private charter format means you're not sharing the boat with strangers or dealing with crowds – just you, your fishing partner, and some of the best inshore fishing the Caribbean has to offer. Captain Rafael's local knowledge and years of experience on these waters give you the edge you need to make the most of your 4 hours. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add Puerto Rico species to your list or someone wanting to experience world-class fishing in a stunning setting, this trip delivers. The lagoons are producing fish, the weather's cooperating, and the only thing missing is you with a rod in your hand.
Cast off aboard our 2007 22-foot Pathfinder center console, perfectly rigged for Puerto Rico's productive inshore waters. This reliable fishing machine runs on a smooth 150HP Yamaha FourStroke that'll get you to the hotspots in Torrecilla and San Jose Lagoons without burning through fuel. The spacious deck gives you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to work lures and fight fish, while the center console design keeps everything within easy reach. We've got her equipped with a fish finder to locate those trophy Tarpon and Snook, plus GPS to navigate the lagoon's channels and VHF radio for safety. The built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 4-hour adventure. Whether you're trolling the deeper channels or casting near the mangroves, this boat handles Puerto Rico's inshore conditions like a champ and gives you the stable platform needed to land that fish of a lifetime.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our favorite targets in the lagoons - sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line running down their side. Most run 1-3 feet, but the big females can push 4+ feet and really bend your rod. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and any structure in shallow water where they can ambush baitfish and shrimp. Year-round fishing here is solid, but they get especially active during the warmer months and around the full moon spawning periods. What makes them special is that explosive strike and the way they'll jump and make runs toward cover. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when you're working lures around mangroves, let your bait sink a bit before retrieving - snook often hit on the fall.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the true silver kings of our lagoons - massive, prehistoric fish that can reach 6+ feet and over 100 pounds, though most we see run 80-120 pounds. They cruise the deeper channels and edges of the flats, often rolling at the surface to gulp air. Peak season runs May through September when they're most active and feeding heavily. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - these fish will jump 8-10 feet out of the water when hooked, putting on a display you'll never forget. They're pure sport fish since the meat is full of bones, so it's all about the fight. The key here is patience and a smooth drag - when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip to keep tension off the line and prevent break-offs.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt Rafael was great , my Guests enjoyed every second of their fishing trip .
Puerto Rico