Tarpon

Season in Florida Keys

Peak months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul.

Bud N' Mary's (Islamorada): best months April through July, fishing often starts around February once water holds in the mid-70s F, April and May peak, smaller resident fish in summer, a less consistent fall bait run in September and October, some tarpon year-round. FWC Where to Saltwater Fish: spring to early summer (Monroe). (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Bridges and channels between the islands (half-day trips) and the Everglades backcountry; live crabs and mullet, early morning and evening in season, some night fishing (Bud N' Mary's). In winter, tarpon lie in the gulf and bay basins (Keys Weekly).

Inlets, jetties and just past the breakers where menhaden and mullet schools are.

What to look for

Rolling fish at the surface, menhaden schools being pushed.

Bait

Live menhaden (pogies), Large live mullet. 8/0 non-offset, non-stainless circle hook (required in SC for natural bait at 4/0 and up) on 100 lb fluorocarbon leader, fished near bait schools.

Leader

80 to 100 lb fluorocarbon, 3 to 5 ft.

Common mistakes

• Fishing without bait schools around
• Pulling a big tarpon out of the water for a photo

Landing

Do not lift or beach a large tarpon. Keep it in the water, gills submerged; cut the line near the hook if it is gut-hooked.

Handling

• Very strong; jumps and thrashes
• Rough mouth

Keep big fish in the water (Florida requires it for fish over 40 in); support smaller fish horizontally under the belly with wet hands.

Keep or release

Release is the norm; keep big fish in the water. Florida rules apply; see the regulations file.

Recipes for tarpon

Typical: Summer residents often smaller males of about 20 to 60 lb. Large: Over 100 lb with the first real spring warmth.

Limits

FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Bud N' Mary's Marina, Islamorada: tarpon fishing (Angler knowledge)
• Florida FWC: Where to Saltwater Fish (species and seasons by county, Nassau to Monroe) (Official source)
• SCDNR species profile: tarpon (Official source)
• Carolina Sportsman: tarpon have arrived along the SC coastline (Angler knowledge)
• Carolina Sportsman: 100-pound tarpon landed from Apache Pier, Myrtle Beach (2019) (Angler knowledge)
• Florida Keys Weekly (Bill Horn, March 2015): winter skinny-water anglers target cuda, sharks (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Florida Keys