Fish guide
Tarpon
Megalops atlanticus. Also called Silver king.
Showing the fish for Southwest Florida, Naples to Charlotte Harbor.
Season in Southwest Florida
Peak months: May, Jun.
Charlotte Harbor: tarpon arriving in April, May prime, holding in deep harbor water in July, staying until several chilly mornings in fall (Visit Punta Gorda). FWC: concentrate in south Florida in winter; spawn May to September. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Myrtle Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Georgia | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Space Coast | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Florida Keys | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southwest Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Tampa Bay | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Big Bend | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Mississippi | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Louisiana | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Boca Grande Pass, the Myakka River mouth, deep mid-harbor holes and bridges near Punta Gorda, and the beaches in spring (Visit Punta Gorda). FWC gear rules apply in Boca Grande Pass April to June.
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
Catch-and-release only in Florida, except a single tagged fish pursued for a record; large tarpon must stay in the water (FWC tarpon FAQ).
Typical: 40 to 60 in, 40 to 60 lb. Large: Over 100 lb. SC record 154 lb 10 oz (1987).
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
- Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach: April 2026 fishing forecast for Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf (Angler knowledge)
- Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach: July 2026 fishing forecast (Angler knowledge)
- Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach: October 2026 fishing forecast (Angler knowledge)
- Florida FWC species profile: tarpon (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)
- SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)
Is tarpon worth it today?
The planner rates it for your exact time with the live tide, weather and water temperature.
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