Skip to content

Tarpon Fishing in Curaçao – Hunt the Silver King

Fishing for tarpon in Curaçao is not just fishing — it’s an adrenaline-packed experience.

In the shallow bays and lagoons, tarpon and barracuda roam the waters. The tarpon, known as the “Silver King,” is one of the most exciting and challenging sportfish you can catch.

Hook one, and you’ll understand why. Explosive runs, violent head shakes, and spectacular jumps — this is next-level fishing.

 

Best times & season

Timing makes all the difference.

Tarpon Fishing Curacao

  • Best times:
    • Early morning
    • Late afternoon / sunset
  • Best months:
    July through January

This is when tarpon are most active and feeding close to shore.

 

Where to fish?

No need for deep offshore trips.

Tarpon are commonly found:

  • In shallow bays like Pier Caracasbay
  • Lagoons and inshore waters like inlet Piscaderia
  • Sometimes visible just a few meters from you

Hotspot Zeelandia:

https://www.google.com/maps/@12.108662,-68.9148523,17z?entry=ttu

and 12°06’31.2″N 68°54’44.2″W

Big tarpon spot (evenings, harder access):
12°07’21.3″N 68°54’45.8″W

 Look for water connections (pipes, channels). These attract baitfish — and where there’s bait, there’s tarpon.

 

Gear – don’t go light

Tarpon are powerful. Be ready.

  • Rod: strong spinning rod (pike-style)
  • Reel: 5000 size or bigger
  • Line: around 30 lb

You need serious backbone to handle big fish.

Fly fishing

  • 8-weight to 10-weight rod
  • Strong reel (Loop 6Nine class or similar)

As mentioned, you can catch tarpon from the shore. However, for fly fishers who bring their own belly boat, it’s also possible to target them from the water. There are several spots in the Zeelandia area where you can enter the water with your belly boat, allowing you to cast more precisely into the hidden areas where tarpon like to stay.

Just like rods and reels, belly boats are not available for rent on the island, so you’ll need to bring your own.

 

Bait & techniques

Dead bait (secret weapon!)

Yes — raw chicken fillet works incredibly well.

  • Chicken fillet or masbango
  • Circle hook size 3/0
  • Fluorocarbon leader
  • No weights

How to fish:

  • Cast it out
  • Let it sit naturally on the bottom
  • Be patient

Tarpon here often behave like carp — cruising and picking up food.

Be ready: The strike is explosive.

 

Live bait

  • Pinfish (silver-gray with black stripes)
  • Mullet (best caught with cast net)

Catch bait:

  • Small hooks + chicken

Use:

  • Under a bobber
  • Not too deep
  • Let it drift naturally

Lures (less succesfull)

  • Casting spoons
  • Poppers
  • Shallow-running hardbaits

Perfect for Curaçao’s shallow inshore waters.

 

The experience

The hit.
The run.
The jump.

That’s tarpon fishing.

If you’re looking for a real challenge in Curaçao — this is it.

Grab your gear, hit the water, and chase the Silver King.

 

Good luck & tight lines!