Best Times & Seasons to Catch Tarpon in Belize (Full Guide)

Tarpon is one of the most targeted in Belize’s inshore fisheries. Knowing the best times and seasons to target tarpon in Belize is crucial to the success of a fishing trip. 

The best times to catch tarpon in Belize are from May to August when the weather is warm and waters heat up.

Belize offers awesome tarpon fishing. Tarpon can be found in bays, creeks, shallows, estuaries, river mouths, channels, lagoons, near the reefs and on flats. Anglers often land a big tarpon in the southern inshore waters of Belize. Glover’s Reef also attracts a lot of tarpon. 

Tarpon Fishing in Belize (Best Times)

Tarpon fishing is good in Belize year-round. However, the tarpon fishing season starts in February and ends in October. Tarpon is a migratory fish. Tarpon appears in the local waters in April – May. Tarpon fishing is less productive in September – October. 

The best months to fish for tarpon in the region are May-August. The worst months to catch tarpon in the local waters are November, December, and January. 

Tarpon bites well either early in the morning or late in the evening. It’s also possible to target tarpon at night. An outgoing tide is the best tide to fish for tarpon in Belize waters. Tarpon gets active when the water temperature is 68 – 85°F. The best water temperature for tarpon fishing is 79°F.    

Seasonal Breakdown of Tarpon Fishing in Belize

Winter

Winter is not the best time of the year to fish for tarpon in Belize. However, it’s still possible to catch tarpon in the local waters during the winter months.

Tarpon is more active in Belize in the late winter. In winter, it makes sense to fish for tarpon around the mouths of tributary rivers. Shrimp is the best bait to catch tarpon during the winter months.    

Spring

Tarpon fishing can be successful in Belize during calmer days in the early spring. Tarpon numbers in Belize waters increase in April – May. Waters are clear during spring months. That’s why tarpon sees baits and bites well.

Tarpon fishing is excellent in May. It makes a lot of sense to target tarpon on Belize’s flats and reefs in the late spring. Crabs are the best bait to use for tarpon in the local waters during springtime.      

Summer

Summer is the peak tarpon fishing season in Belize. It’s the time of the year when tarpon travels through Turneffe Atoll. The weather is warm and water temperatures are high.

That’s why tarpon bite well during summertime. Tarpon can be caught in inshore waters, on flats, and near reefs during the summer months. Mullet is the best bait for tarpon fishing in Belize waters in summer.     

Fall

Fishing for tarpon is still great in Belize in the early fall. However, tarpon numbers decrease in the local waters in September – October. That’s why tarpon fishing is less productive in the late fall.

It’s a great idea to search for tarpon in Belize’s shallow waters during the fall months. Hard-suspending twitch baits that mimic natural prey work well in Belize in the fall.     

Recommended Tarpon Fishing Charters in Belize

These Belize-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Nano Guerrero Fishing Charters	San Pedro, Belize
Placencia Fishing Charters – Capt. Edlin	Placencia, Belize
Reel, Grill & Chill Belize	San Pedro, Belize
Uprising Tours Fishing	San Pedro, Belize
Captain Rogel Sanchez	San Pedro, Belize
Esley Usher Fishing – Agua Mala	Caye Caulker, Belize
Freedom Tours – Trolling Passion	San Pedro, Belize
Freedom Tours – Lucky Strike	San Pedro, Belize
Get To Know Belize – Fishing & Snorkeling	Hopkins, Belize
Get To Know Belize – Reef Fishing	Hopkins, Belize
Belizean Deep Sea Fishing	San Pedro, Belize
Palapa Fishing Tours	San Pedro, Belize
GoFish Belize – Capt. Abner Marin	San Pedro, Belize

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.

Night Fishing Tarpon in Belize

Tarpon searches for food sources at night. Tarpon also feeds actively during low light hours. So, the chance to get a tarpon is high in the early morning or late afternoon. That means that it makes a lot of sense to go fishing for tarpon in Belize waters during nighttime.  

Summer is the best time of the year to target tarpon at night. It’s possible to avoid summer heat as well as sunburns when fishing for tarpon during night hours. But most importantly, anglers get good results when targeting tarpon in the local waters during the summer months.    

There are many night fishing spots in Belize and its surrounding areas. Lighted docks, piers as well as beaches attract those anglers, who would like to fish for tarpon at night. 

Moon has an impact on tarpon fishing in Belize. Tarpon fishing is getting better during new and full moons. It would be great to go fishing for tarpon in Belize waters 5 days before and 5 days after the new and full moons.  

Best Tidal Conditions for Tarpon in Belize

Tarpon gets active when the tide is falling. The best tide phase for targeting tarpon in Belize waters is a high tide when the water level is lowering. Belize tarpon fishing is the most productive within the first 2 hours of the outgoing tide. On the other hand, tarpon don’t bite well during an ongoing tide. 

Surf Fishing in Belize

Surf anglers prefer to fish from the beach in Belize. The surf fishing season in the region starts in the early spring and ends in the late fall. Surf fishing is the most productive in the region in May – September. On the other hand, fishing is less productive in December, January – March. 

It would be great to fish from shore during morning and evening hours. The beaches are empty and it’s not hot in the morning and evening. But most importantly, fishing is best at this time of day. 

Night surf fishing has gained popularity in Belize. Tarpon is the main target. Fishermen can also catch other species including jacks, snappers, and sharks when fishing in Belize waters at night. Oftentimes, anglers catch a trophy-sized tarpon during night hours.    

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in Texas, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in the Florida Keys, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in Florida, check out this helpful guide. Click here to see a breakdown of the best weather for tarpon fishing.