Variety is the name of the game at the series of openings connecting the protected bays of Las Salinas with the open ocean — known locally as “Las Bocas” (the mouths). That’s where a number of reef and pelagic species, including mutton, cubera, mangrove, school-master and yellowtail snapper, Spanish mackerel, various jacks and groupers, and big sharks and barracuda, converge on several deep, narrow channels to feed during certain stages of the tides.
Small mangrove islands adjacent to said channels host schools of juvenile tarpon, ranging from 8 to 20 pounds. Deep pools between some of the islands often harbor more than 100 of these tarpon, which give themselves away by suspending near the surface and rolling periodically to gulp air. Cast a small popper or slider in front of them, and watch mayhem unfold.
As if that weren’t enough, sandy oceanside shorelines and shallow shoals nearby also afford shots at larger bonefish, mutton snapper, as well as permit.
Hatiguanico River
Tarpon up to 100 pounds and large snook are found on this spring fed coastal river.
Las Bocas
“Las Bocas” (the mouths) are home to a number of reef and pelagic species such as snapper, jacks, grouper, and shark.
La Salinas
Multitudes of Bonefish and plentiful snapper and permit are the highlights of this massive mangrove bordered flats.