This past May and June, I hosted five incredible weeks of fishing in Campeche, Mexico, chasing 5–20 lb. baby Tarpon with the talented guides of Tarpon Town Anglers. Raul Castenda is our host, along with his staff, Alicia and Victor. The three long-time fishing guides, Juan, Fernado, and Roberto, do their best to put us on Tarpon every day.

2025 marks our third-year welcoming guests to the new Tarpon Town Colonial Lodge in the heart of the Historic District. Once Raul’s family home, he began its renovation before the pandemic, and despite a few delays, completed the project in May 2023. That same month, my hosted group had the honor of being the Lodge’s very first guests.

The Lodge has three bedrooms, each accommodating two anglers. When we have a group of six, I stay in the office on a hide-a-bed. I don’t fish during the week; instead, I accompany our guests on the boats, assisting with casting and Tarpon fishing techniques as needed. I also take photos and videos to capture memories of their trips for years to come. The Lodge is comfortable and clean, and the swimming pool is a popular spot for relaxation after a day of fishing. The package includes beer, wine, and alcohol at the Lodge, as well as sodas and bottled water.

The program begins with a flight into Mérida, a vibrant city of over a million people. From there, a driver will take you to the Lodge in Campeche, a trip of less than two hours. Some of our guests choose to arrive a day early to explore the spectacular Mayan ruins at Edzná. Our hosted weeks are for six-nights and five-days. Longer and shorter packages are available.

Tide Phases:  I’ve found the tide phases in Campeche to be fascinating. In 2024, I spent four weeks there; this year, five weeks—and both years the fishing remained very consistent, regardless of high or low tides. The best action seems to come with water movement, though during the full moon phase this past May, when we expected extreme movement, it didn’t happen as predicted. Many factors influence water height.

A couple of weeks were extremely hot, so we wrapped up fishing at noon instead of our usual 2:00 p.m. We’re typically in the boats by 5:15-5:30 a.m., giving us plenty of time to target tarpon. Sometimes it’s just a 15 to 20-minute run to the fish; other days, it can be up to 1½ hours.

As a steelhead guide on the lower Deschutes River in Oregon, I never second-guess a guide’s decision on where to start fishing—it’s part of the game. Some days the plan works perfectly, other days less so, but overall, everyone caught good numbers of Tarpon during their stay in Campeche.

Most of our guests fly fish, using eight- or nine-weight rods with floating lines. During our hosted trips, I supply all the flies. If you prefer to tie your own, I can send you samples of the patterns we use. Spinning gear with soft plastic jigs is also effective, and I can provide rods, reels, and lures. Loaner fly-fishing and spinning equipment is available if needed.

It’s very important to practice your fly-fishing skills before arriving in Campeche—you’ll have a much better experience. Long casts aren’t necessary, but you do need to load the rod and deliver a quick cast, as tarpon are constantly on the move. I’m happy to help with casting once you’re here, but it’s best to arrive with some recent practice.

Meals:  Breakfast is served at the lodge, and a cooler lunch with cold beverages is provided on the boats. In the evenings, we walk to one of the many excellent restaurants in the city, just 1/8 to 1/2 mile from the Lodge. Campeche is one of my favorite places that I am fortunate to experience every year. The people are very friendly, the architecture in the Historical City is fascinating. (Campeche was founded in 1540. The historic center, including the walls, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.) And over the years, we’ve discovered a variety of great local dining spots. We request separate checks, and most places accept credit cards—often easier than juggling pesos. (Dinners are not included in the package.)

Each year, I typically host several trips in April, May and June. For 2026, my first group—scheduled for the first week of April—is already full. The week of May 10–16 is also booked, while a couple of spots remain for May 17–23. The May 24–30 week has room for two anglers. These trips are extremely popular with repeat guests, and we’re always happy to welcome new participants eager to experience the thrill of fishing for baby tarpon, which typically range from 5 to 20 pounds.

I’m always happy to talk with you about this fishing adventure—or any of our other destinations. Guy Schoenborn has also fished at Campeche. Whether you’re ready to reserve your spot or simply want to explore the possibilities, we are here to help you plan a trip you’ll remember for years to come.

Fly Fishing or Light Tackle
Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve
Downtown Colonial Tarpon Lodge

6-nights and 5-days guided fishing
$4,550.00 per person

For my hosted weeks, I supply all flies and loan fly-fishing and spinning equipment if needed. If you enjoy tying your own flies, I can mail samples.

2026 Hosted Weeks with Host Brad Staples

2027 Hosted Weeks with Host Brad Staples