Tarpon Fishing Guide

The tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is the 'silver king' of saltwater game fishing — a massive, prehistoric-looking fish in the herring family that can exceed 8 feet in length and 280 pounds, and whose spectacular acrobatics when hooked have made it the most iconic gamefish in saltwater fly fishing. Tarpon are ancient fish with a lineage extending 100 million years, and they have changed little since then — they retain a modified swim bladder that allows them to breathe atmospheric air, enabling survival in oxygen-depleted water. Most tarpon are released — they are a 'sportfish only' species in Florida, where a tag is required to keep one. The Florida Keys offers some of the finest tarpon fishing in the world, particularly during the spring migration when schools of large fish 'daisy chain' in predictable locations.

Tarpon is a saltwater species.

Habitat

Warm coastal and estuarine waters of the Western Atlantic from Virginia to Brazil; most abundant in South Florida, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Enter freshwater rivers and some inland lakes; found from shallow mangrove bays and beach fronts to offshore waters to 100 feet. Particularly concentrate in Florida passes and bridges on tidal movements.

Diet

Mullet, pinfish, crabs, and any available schooling baitfish; also shrimp. Primarily night and low-light feeders that use passes and bridges to ambush baitfish moving with tidal current — large live crabs, pilchards, and D.O.A. Terror Eyz under lighted bridges are classic approaches.

Fishing Techniques

Best Seasons

Spring, Summer

Size & Records

Average weight: 80 lbs. World record: 286.6 lbs (Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela (1956)).