Megalops atlanticus
Massive, elongated body covered in enormous, thick silver scales. The back is dark blue-green, sides are brilliant silver, and belly is white. The mouth is enormous and upturned — the lower jaw protrudes significantly. A single, elongated dorsal fin ray (called a "tag") trails from the dorsal fin. Eyes are large and prominent.
Females grow significantly larger than males. Most tarpon over 100 lbs are female. Males rarely exceed 100 lbs. Tarpon can live 80+ years — they are among the longest-lived sportfish.
Juvenile tarpon (baby tarpon, 5-20 lbs) are found in backwater canals and are excellent sport on light tackle. Adult fish commonly range 60-150 lbs. Trophy tarpon exceed 150 lbs and 6+ feet in length. The world record is 286 lbs 9 oz, caught in Guinea-Bissau, Africa in 2003. Florida fish regularly exceed 200 lbs.
Live crabs (blue crabs or pass crabs) drifted in passes and channels during the spring migration is the classic technique. Live mullet, pinfish, and threadfin herring are also top baits. Artificial lures like DOA Baitbusters, large soft plastic swimbaits, and heavy jigs worked near bridges and passes at night produce trophy fish. Fly fishing for rolling tarpon on the flats using large Tarpon Toads, EP baitfish patterns, and Black Death flies (2/0-4/0 hooks) is considered the ultimate fly fishing challenge.
Heavy spinning: 7'6" heavy rod, 6000-8000 reel, 50-65 lb braid, 60-80 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 12-weight rod, large arbor reel with 200+ yards of backing. Circle hooks (5/0-7/0) are required in many areas.
Tarpon are strictly catch-and-release in Florida (a special $50 tag is required to keep one, primarily for potential world records). Most states treat tarpon as no-harvest gamefish. Handle with care in the water and release quickly.
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.
Florida · Northeast
The Bahamas · Central Bahamas
South Carolina · Lowcountry
The Bahamas · Northern Bahamas
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Nature Coast
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Florida · Tampa Bay
Florida · Space Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Florida · Nature Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Panhandle
Puerto Rico · San Juan Metro
Florida · Northeast
Florida · Southeast
Florida · Southwest
Florida · Panhandle
The Bahamas · Southern Bahamas
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Florida · Nature Coast
Florida · Keys
Florida · Northeast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Keys
Florida · Keys
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Florida · Keys
Florida · Southwest
Saint-Martin · Saint-Martin Coast
The Bahamas · Northern Bahamas
Florida · Space Coast
Florida · Southeast
Florida · Southwest
Florida · Space Coast
Florida · Panhandle
Florida · Panhandle
Sint Maarten · Sint Maarten Coast
Texas · Mid Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Puerto Rico · West Coast
Puerto Rico · San Juan Metro
Florida · Southwest
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Space Coast
Sint Maarten · Sint Maarten Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Florida · Northeast
Florida · Tampa Bay
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Nature Coast
Florida · Southeast
Florida · Tampa Bay
Florida · Tampa Bay
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Southeast
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