Edward Medard Reservoir. Tarpon are catch and release only in the state of Florida. In addition to the saltwater Tampa Bay fishing hot spots mentioned, don't … The Boca Grande Pass is located on the Florida West Coast, just at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor. The shallow grass and sand flats off Homosassa are known for big tarpon and the dedicated fly rodders who follow these silver kings with near religious devotion. Red drum, cobia, and Spanish mackerel are just a few species in good supply. Tarpon’s preferred water temperature is in the 74-88 degrees Fahrenheit range. There is also some sight fishing for resident tarpon in the back bays that go for live bait, fly or artificial. May through late July are the best months here, with the exception of Key West Harbor which is full of feeding Tarpon January through March. All roads lead to Tarpon fishing they are big, jump and have an unmatched will to fight. These lakes are interconnected, and connected to the ocean through a series of caves known locally as cenotes. St. Augustine, Florida The Turner River at Chokoloskee is also a good location famous for big Tarpon. Tarpon fishing remains good all through the Middle Keys until the end of July. The river mouths of West Africa and Central America are home to some of the world’s largest tarpon. For fly fishermen, big Boca Grande Tarpon are a bucket list item known the world over. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Tarpon can reach sizes of up to 200lbs and can fight for hours on light tackle before being successfully caught. Lots of excellent accommodations and restaurants can be found in and around St. Augustine. All rights reserved. Tarpon Fishing in the Florida Keys. If you want to experience some of the best marlin fishing on the planet, come to Virginia. Sign up to receive news right to your inbox every day, All You Need to Know About Tarpon Fishing in Florida, Betty White Marks 99th Birthday Sunday; Up Late As She Wants, Link Between Sunscreen Ingredient, Diet, And Cancer Risk Investigated. Ric Burnley A tarpon rolls at the surface as the fight winds down and it nears the boat. He fishes from Anna Maria Island south to Boca Grande, offering a variety of fishing experiences. Florida tarpon fishing receives one of the highest marks for its abundance of tarpon and locations to choose from. The set-up: Located near Cargill Creek, at the end of a mile-long track, four ocean-front cottages sit just 50 feet from the Atlantic, and within casting distance of some great DIY bonefishing. Virginia Tarpon . The best locations are Key West Harbor, Bahia Honda Bridge and Marquesas Keys. A Bonnier Corporation Company. Anything that is used to catch panfish will work on them. The catch-of-the-week goes to Annapolis resident John Loe who landed and released an 85-pound tarpon while fly fishing … Ken Neill. There are flats right out the front, the White Bight to the north, and all around are some of those famous BIG Andros bonefish. However, as long as you play by the rules, you’re in for a world of fun. Welcome to South Florida Reporter, your go-to source for news and information for the Sunshine State. Here's a look at some of the best spots to catch tarpon in the U.S. Few fish are more game than tarpon. Fish are caught all year, with peak season from March to July, during the receding tide. It’s well known for its acrobatics on the end of a line and capable of jumping up to ten feet out of the water while rattling its gills like an angry diamondback snake. Boca Grande Fly Fishing for Tarpon. Our world-class customer support is available 7 days a week, and will make sure that planning your next fishing trip is quick, fun and hassle-free. Doug Olander / Sport Fishing. While they are edible, people rarely eat Tarpon because their flesh is filled with small, hard to clean bones. Top hotels, motels, resorts and restaurants can be found on Sea, St. Simons and Jekyll islands. Historically, May and June are tops. At 83 years old, he has almost 50 years of tarpon fishing experience and still fishes hard for them all summer. In shallow bay waters behind Key West, a tarpon shows its stamina after hitting a live bait. The Bahia Honda Bridge is a disused bridge that used to connect Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor. The best guides can book up a year in advance, especially during tournament season. One of the best tarpon fishing spots in Marathon (and in all the Florida Keys) is the world-famous Seven Mile Bridge. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. © Copyright 2015-2020 - South Florida Reporter. The Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is among the most popular game fish in Florida. Copyright © 2021 Outdoor Life. There’s nothing else like catching a tarpon there. First, I’ll show you where to look for them, and at what time of year. My next stop was local guide and legendary tarpon angler Capt. The areas just above and below the waterfalls are best here. "Capt Chris searched for great fishing spots while TJ was awesome helping to get fish off the lines so we could catch more!" Also, Tarpon fishing gear is limited to hook and line only. Banana Bay Resort (bananabay.com) is a relaxing family spot, with boat rentals, a marina at Marathon and close proximity to great tarpon action. At a top cruising speed of 53 knots, you will be handling your first catch before anyone else has left the dock. There is a large population of Tarpon around the Channel Bridges, Tom’s Harbor, Seven Mile Bridge and Long Key. Mahahual is surrounded by dozens of saltwater lakes ranging from small ponds to the several square mile Mosquitero. Tarpon swarm around the bridge connecting Bahia Honda Key with West Summerland Key. Best of all, you don't need a passport to enjoy great tarpon fishing, since much of the world's best silver king angling is right in the U.S. Boca Grande, Florida Located at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor near Fort Myers, Boca Grande has the largest known concentration of tarpon in the world. The waters surrounding it are full of Tarpon. Many gifted tarpon guides work the Middle Keys. Last August, 41 anglers in 11 tournament boats hooked an estimated 195 tarpon, and caught and released 61 fish weighing 40 to 180 pounds. Big tarpon prowl these waters on the northeast Florida coast from June through September. SEPTEMBER – Tarpon fishing is much the same as august. Inside the Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve all fishing is … Let’s take a look at when and where you can hook these monsters. Given that the fish can grow to over 200 pounds makes it one of the most sought-after game fish on the planet. Best of all, you don't need a passport to enjoy great tarpon fishing, since much of the world's best silver king angling is right in the U.S. Boca Grande, Florida Three of the best are Lenny Moffo (lennymoffo.com), Jake Jordan (jakejordan.com), and Bus Bergman (305-743-7021). Greg Hildreth (georgiacharter During springtime, Tarpon are mostly on the Florida Bay side, but as the year progresses, they start moving to the Atlantic side. The shore off Southwest Florida has shallow and slowly sloping bottoms, which makes the Gulf of Mexico a perfect haven for tarpon. For tarpon enthusiasts, the Yucatan offers the best of both worlds: trophy-size fish migrating through in deeper water around Holbox Island and resident tarpon prowling the shallow flats and mangroves around Isla Blanca. Almost all line-class and fly-tippet world records for tarpon caught in U.S. waters come from the Florida Keys (usually referred to simply as the Keys). There’s plenty of great fly fishing in West Virginia – home to New River … They grow to massive size, with the current IGFA world record at 286 lbs 9 oz. World-Class Fly Fishing in Belize For Tarpon For many anglers, it’s an addiction chasing tarpon on the flats and channels of Belize. A Legend’s Advice. One of the most beautiful places to headquarter is Cabbage Key (cabbagekey.com). Boca Grande Pass which offers the best tarpon fishing in the world is just a few short miles from here. While you will certainly have shots a grand slam while you’re there, it’s the tarpon fishing that really shines. Make some fishing boat charter plans and follow our Florida tarpon fishing guide to maximize your Sanibel Island offshore fishing … One of the best is the Beachview Club (beachviewclub.com), on Jekyll Island. Located at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor near Fort Myers, Boca Grande has the largest known concentration of tarpon in the world. Charlotte Harbor is even renowned for being one of the nation’s largest underdeveloped estuaries. Apalachicola Bay is a good spot, from June and throughout the entire summer. Although found throughout Florida’s Atlantic coast, ports and inlets south of Biscayne Bay offer the best Tarpon fishing. Popular with anglers looking for Tarpon fishing charters in Manasota Key Step aboard a Sea Born FX25, originally built in 2017 and powered by a 300 HP Yamaha engine. Whether sight casting the shallows and backcountry for smaller resident Tarpon or rolling out tippet amongst the massive groups during the migration – battling a Tarpon on a fly rod is a truly unique experience. Bonefish may be the perfect fly-fishing species and they are found in many places. For this reason, setting … Continued Boca Grand, Ft Myers, Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor, Naples, Flamingo & Tampa are some of the main areas of large concentrations of tarpon. In this short guide, I’ll teach you the basics of Tarpon fishing in Florida. FishingBooker is the world’s largest online service that enables you to find and book fishing trips. Fishing is done within a couple of miles of shore; the tarpon show in early June and offer consistent fishing through September, and often well into October. The isolated pools are too shallow to fish from. Gauley River, West Virginia. The key part of this location is referred to here is Boca Grande Pass. The bulk of the fishing is done with bait--usually dead menhaden soaked in chum lines--within a couple of miles of the beach. Each spring as temperatures begin to warm the waters of South Florida we begin to see one of natures greatest migrations. Captain Jason Wightman is a full-time fishing guide at Grande Tarpon Charters on Florida’s west coast. Best fishing s in the world taught me best fishing s in the world taught me tarpon fishing secrets from one of the panama fly fishing r to catch monster tarpon fishing5 Best Places In The World To Catch Monster Tarpon Fishing CingBest Tarpon Fishing Locations Salt Water SportsmanTarpon Pictures Largest Ever Caught Sport FishingNicaragua … The Best Bait for a Tarpon Fishing Trip Tarpon migrate and when they are here in the Keys, they are in the mood to eat. fishing.com) knows the tarpon waters in the St. Simons Island area well. fishing with cut bait; surfcasting with artificial lures Chesapeake Bay, coastal ocean waters, ocean surf, inlets May — October 1 – 5 pounds Blueline Tilefish Squid, cut fish, metal jigs Bottom fishing, generally over rough bot-tom in 300 feet of water or greater Offshore ocean waters January — December; 4 – 8 pounds 20 pounds, 4 ounces; US Winter Fishing Destinations: Our Top Picks for 2021, 3 Tips That Will Help You Prepare for Retirement. 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