Tarpon Fishing

Tarpon nicknamed the Silver King is one of the most sought after game fish in the world. Tarpon fishing in Florida is all year round but the summer time is when they are most abundant.

Smaller fish can be found all year, close to land in the canals, basins and mangrove shorelines. Tarpon fishing is at its best in June and July. Larger fish mostly 4 feet and over 100 lbs move inshore and can be found oceanside, around bridges, flats, channels, mangrove creeks and canals. Skiff guides and back country guides stay busy during this time sometimes running up to three charter trips per day.

Fishermen can use spin, conventional or fly tackle. For most avid anglers light tackle or fly has been the preferred choice for catching the Silver King. Depending on where you are fishing and what tackle you are using, live bait works best. Tarpon like mullet, pilchards, crabs and pin fish. Fly fishing requires a little larger rod and reel, 12 and 16 pound tippet work best.

Fishermen and guides watch the tides to determine when to go. Early morning and early evening until dark are the best time during the summer. As the shallow water becomes warm through out the day, tarpon move out into deep water and afternoon fishing can be very slow.

Fly fishing has become an art. Tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys is world renowned for fly fishing most notably in Islamorada. Every summer Islamorada host the most prestigious fly tarpon tournaments found any where in the world. All tarpon are released and unharmed but must be measured. The measured fish must meet the minimum length of 4 feet to count. The tournaments have a 12lb tippet and 16lb tippet divison. The grand champion is determined by who released the most.

Night tarpon fishing in the larger shipping channels or inlets have been a long time favorite. It is an easy way for the novice angler to catch and release fish. Heavier spin tackle with 20-30lb test line is commonly used with live mullet or row from mahi mahi when it is available. The average size weight is 40-60 lbs with an occasional 100lb fish swimming by.

Flamingo and further up in the Everglades in the mangrove channels, creeks and lakes play home for small tarpon almost all year. It is very exciting to catch and release these small tarpon on light tackle, they put up quite a fight.

No matter where or how you choose to fish for tarpon, it is truly one of the most exciting fish you will ever catch. Tarpon have no food value, releasing is the enviromentally correct way to fish for the Silver King.