Tarpon

Tarpon: Megalops atlanticus

Florida Regulations:  

Gear Requirements:

• Legal Gear: hook and line, seine, cast net
• Snagging, snatch hooking and spearing is prohibited

State Waters Harvest Seasons:   Gulf of Mexico      Atlantic

Habitat and Fishing Tips: 

Tarpon are found throughout Florida’s coastal environment during the summer months. During the winter months, coastal water temperatures in much of the state drop significantly and cause tarpon to concentrate in South Florida. Tarpon, which feed primarily on fish and crabs, are powerful, explosive and acrobatic. Tarpon also have great stamina, making them one of Florida’s most challenging and exciting nearshore sportfish. Tarpon can be caught on flies, streamers, floating and diving lures, jigs, live bait and dead bait. The tackle to be used depends largely on the type of bait used, the location and the size of fish being targeted. While tarpon are not a toothy predator, a long, heavy monofilament leader is very important to protect your line from being cut by the gill plate or tail. Tarpon have poor food value and are almost exclusively a catch and release fishery. If you intend to keep a tarpon, you must purchase a tarpon tag in advance.         

State Record:

243 lb, caught near Key West

Florida Rule 

Tarpon in Boca Grande  (574KB)

Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study  (Video)

Image Credit:Diane Rome Peebles