Tarpon Hunters

Tarpon Hunters owner: Steve Campbell

I'm Steve Campbell. I first learned of the baby tarpon fisheries on the Western Yucatan from a friend while on a steelhead fishing trip in 1994. Please believe me when I say that a fishing trip to the warm climes of Mexico sounded pretty good while standing knee deep in a Southeast Alaska river, in January. There was very little information available about fishing the Western Yucatan tarpon at that time, so I just headed south, blind. I fished the Rio Champoton in December 1994 and found enough baby tarpon to keep me interested. I returned in March 1995, and with information from local fishermen found the areas we fish today. Over the past 15 years, with Josque Mendez in tow, I have explored areas like Isla Holbox in the north, the endless fishing at Rio Lagartos, the secluded bays and channels at Isla Arena, the Los Petenes Biosphere near Campeche, a diverse fishery with its endless flats and mangrove lined streams and rivers, and the Rio Champoton, jam-packed with baby tarpon, to offshore near Terminos Bay at Cuidad Del Carmen. It's all good fishing and we've found some areas that are excellent fishing at specific times of year . These are the places I'm inviting you to fish with us. So please, enjoy the links on our website, then contact me to book your trip with Tarpon Hunters Western Yucatan.

Thank You

Tarpon Hunters head guide: Josque Mendez

Josque and Steve Campbell met on December 1994, the year Josque introduced Steve to the Rio Champoton. He was a commercial fisherman at the time, fishing on the river part of the year, dredging deep for Snook and selling them at the market in Champoton.

He has intimate knowledge of the river and was able to teach Steve the skills necessary to fish the Rio Champoton and its’ excellent Baby Tarpon fishery. Over the course of 16 years, Josque and Steve have fly fished everywhere along the gulf coast, from North at Isla Holbox, to the Rio Lagartos, Campeche and around Terminos Bay near Del Carmen.

His knowledge of the water and his ability to assess where the fish will be has brought us literally 100’s of days of excellent Tarpon fishing. He has worked extremely hard at learning the techniques and tricks of the trade to become the superb tarpon fishing guide he is today. He’s a good Captain, a good guy and a good friend. Tarpon Hunters is proud to have Josque as our head guide.

Baby Tarpon Fishing

Megalops Atlanticus, silver king, poons, sabalo real, whatever name you choose, you'll be sure to remember it after a fishing trip to the Western Yucatan.

Maybe you've never fished for baby tarpon, or like me, you can't seem to stay away from the king of aerial acrobatics, the vicious strike and the instant jump, clearing the water again and again, during the battle.

It's all about "the jump" in baby tarpon fishing, with only 30% of your "jumped fish" being landed.

And after you've jumped a baby tarpon, you'll want to cast again to experience the vicious strike and leaping ability of these hard fighting fish, and you'll know why baby tarpon are rated one of the top sport fish for light tackle fishermen.

Contact Us Book your trip now to go tarpon fishing with Steve and Josque