Tarpon Fishing

This is a feature of the Gulf, off the west coast of Florida. Tarpon fish arrive by the droves in or around early-to-mid-May on their way from warmer waters. This makes them not only a spectacle, but an attraction, especially for beach anglers who are looking to score with several big monsters to hang out in schools of 10 or 20 and sometimes 50s, in 3 feet of water or even deeper.

Tarpon fishing can be ideally enjoyed from a boat or by fly fishing from the shore. Early sunrise is the best time for anglers who are yearning for fly fishing Tarpon on the beach. Fishing for Tarpon is always very popular here. As a matter of fact, Florida Tarpon fishing is probably among the most favorable anywhere, and for these reasons.

Tarpon are even common farther south toward the Florida Keys. Tarpon fishing charters provide many opportunities earlier in the year, since Tarpon conduct a northerly migration and first hit the Florida Keys. A Tarpon fishing guide knows those waters and can lead anglers to areas where Tarpon are easiest to spot and catch, especially around Key West. A Tarpon fishing guide makes the experiences more exciting for those who aren’t from the area or Key West. Tarpon fishing charters are available and easy to find most of the year; Florida Key Tarpon fishing is virtually a constant activity, so it seems non-stop, and understandably so.

South Florida Tarpon fishing, however, doesn’t have the market cornered, as Tarpon fishing in Coast Rica is common as well. It’s not unusual for Tarpons to be found off the coast of Louisiana during this time. In fact, Tarpon fishing throughout the entire Gulf is likely to be a seasonal event.

Because of their size and weight (full-grown Tarpon typically heavy anywhere from 60 to 130 pounds), Tarpon offer a challenge for any angler. Heavy-Duty tackle is highly recommended, lest the fish easily get away. Tarpon fishing rods should be long and strong, with a 20-to-30lb spinning reel spewing out an 80-to-100 mono leader line. This gear allows anglers to maintain control of the struggler at all times. Creatures as big as this are likely to initiate a fast run.

Live bait is, of course, the preference with Tarpon, such as the 2-to-3-inch Carapace blue crab, which is like a delicacy to the Tarpon. Pinfish, sardine (pre-scaled), and Threadfin Herring are also nice choices to bring about great catches. Like sharks, Tarpon are attracted mostly to live bait rather than the artificial, although fly anglers use handmade “insect” bait that might work on occasion. Fishing for baby tarpon depends on regulation regarding acceptable size, which is the case in many places. Most anglers, though, are likely to be more interested in the larger Tarpon.

Videos for Tarpon fishing show just how it’s done (and, perhaps, how it’s not). One great way of getting the feel for Tarpon fishing before actually doing it is by watching it on video. Every inch can be studied that way.