Report Issues Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Go Outdoors Florida! Fossil research shows that tarpon have been swimming in our oceans since prehistoric times.
Tarpon can reach sizes up to 8 feet and can weigh up to pounds. The life span of a tarpon can be in excess of 50 years. Tarpon are prized for their fight but not their flesh by sport fishers, but they are protected by significant regulations. The silver king is the most common pseudonym given to the tarpon by anglers, descriptive of the bright flash that reflects from its large silver scales when it jumps into the air.
In Florida, the commercial sale of tarpon is prohibited. Recreationally, the tarpon provides a huge industry for charter captains. In the Florida Keys, many of these guides make the bulk of their earnings from April through June, the prime months for tarpon migrations.
Recreational anglers must obtain a tarpon tag purchased prior to catching in order to possess a tarpon. However, most tarpon guides and anglers esteem the tarpon and nearly always release the fish unharmed.
Though conscientious anglers attempt to break the line to release the tarpon from restraint, sharks occasionally leave the angler with only half of the fish. Although this is considered an important game fish, the flesh is not highly prized in the United States, though the natives of Panama, the West Indies, and Africa consider the tarpon a delicacy and sell it on a small scale.
Though tarpon usually spook easily and show extreme wariness when around humans, they occasionally, and usually accidentally, injure humans. Most injuries occur when anglers try to release tarpon after a fight, whereby tarpon have reportedly killed the angler in its violent thrashing. To avoid this situation, one should not attempt to boat a tarpon that is still green i.
Let the fish thoroughly tire out before attempting to either gaff or bring the tarpon close for release. Occasionally a tarpon will rush toward and inadvertently leap into the boat. Several tarpon guides have reported having such a fish destroy rods, electronics, and other equipment. Although tarpon may not be harvested commercially, debate looms over the recovery of fish caught and released.
Though released, a tired tarpon that is not adequately resuscitated may die from oxygen deprivation or may more easily fall prey to predators such as sharks. In order to assess the hook-and-release survival of tarpon, the Florida Marine Research Institute is in the process of designing a study in order to track released individuals and determine their rate of post-release survival.
While any angler may practice catch-and-release in pursuing tarpon, beginning in anglers must obtain a tarpon tag in order to possess and deliberately kill them. According to data obtained since this permit was instituted, the number of tarpon killed has steadily dropped from in to 70 in The IUCN is a global union of states, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations in a partnership that assesses the conservation status of species.
Tarpon inhabit a large range on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The range in the Eastern Atlantic extends from Senegal to the Congo. In the Western Atlantic, the fish primarily inhabit warmer coastal waters concentrating around the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and the West Indies. However, tarpon are not uncommon as far north as Cape Hatteras, and the extreme range extends from Nova Scotia in the north, Bermuda, and to Argentina to the south.
The normal habitat depth extends to 98 feet 30 m. Although a marine fish, tarpon can tolerate euryhaline environments parts per thousand and often enter river mouths and bays and travel upstream into fresh water. In addition, tarpon can also tolerate oxygen-poor environments due to a modified air bladder that allows them to inhale atmospheric oxygen.
The only variable that seems to limit their choice of habitat is temperature, and research shows tarpon to be thermophilic. Rapid decreases in temperature have been known to cause large tarpon kills. During such temperature drops, tarpon usually take refuge in warmer deeper waters.
Distinctive Features Externally, the almost vertical, silvery sides made up of large scales are the most distinctive feature of the tarpon. The tarpon has a superior mouth with the lower mandible extending far beyond the gape. The fins contain no spines, but are all composed of softrays.
The dorsal fin appears high anteriorly and contains softrays with the last ray greatly elongated into a heavy filament. The caudal is deeply forked, and the lobes appear equal in length. The anterior portion of the anal fin is deep and triangular. The bonefish tournament exemption permit is eliminated. Transport or shipment of tarpon is limited to one fish per person. Tarpon can breathe air.
Their gills are the major respiratory organ. A tarpon can gulp air on the surface because they have a swim bladder that has a direct connection from the specialized bladder to its esophagus throat. Yes, they do. They have an enormous mouth, often exaggerated by anglers as being the size of a five-gallon bucket, tarpon have extremely small villiform i. You can use casting, drifting, still fishing and trolling to catch a Tarpon. Live bait mainly small crabs and small fish in the passes and inlets are used by Drift-fishermen.
Dead baits, such as a Mullet head or half Mullet, fished patiently on bottom will entice all Tarpon. For trolling or surfcasting with heavier gear, large jigs, spoons and lipped plugs will work. Tarpon roll at the surface during an extended flight on a fishing line because they are trying to get oxygen. Once the air reaches the swim bladder, oxygen is removed by lung-like tissue called alveolar. Yes, sharks will eat Tarpon.
In Boca Grande Pass, big bull and hammerhead sharks show up in the pass to eat tarpon. Looking for a fun and exciting day on the water? Book your fishing charter today or call at
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