Fish guide
Tarpon
Megalops atlanticus. Also called Silver king.
Showing the fish for Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay mouth, VA.
Season in Virginia Beach
Peak months: Jul.
VSWFT tarpon citations from the Eastern Shore ocean side: June 1, July 14, August 5 (2024 to 2025), from the barrier islands and seaside inlets by boat. (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
Eastern Shore barrier islands and seaside inlets in July, by boat.
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. Check VMRC rules.
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 VA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- VMRC Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament: 2024 Citations Year To Date (every trophy citation with species, catch date, area, technique) (Official source)
- VMRC Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament: 2025 Citations Year To Date (printed May 8 2026) (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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