Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing
Catch Tarpon in the Florida Keys! Information on the Florida Keys Tarpon Run and Florida Keys Tarpon Guides.
It's springtime in the Florida Keys and the large migratory tarpon have finally arrived.
You've booked a trip with one of the Keys best fishing guides using the charter request form, and now you're anxiously anticipating doing battle with one of fishing's most highly sought after prizes- the 100-plus pound silver king.
The captain takes you to Bahia Honda Bridge in the Lower Keys- one of the most popular places to target these prehistoric creatures. The worm hatch is underway.
He anchors the boat near one of the pilings and you admire the view of the old abandoned Henry Flagler train bridge- a standing reminder of the Florida Keys of yesteryear.
In the fast rippling current you see a monster tarpon roll on the surface... then another.
You hook a silver-dollar blue crab below its front claw and let it drift slowly back to the hungry fish. In an instant the line shoots from the reel and you close the bail to set the hook. The drag screams and the rod bends. You scream inside with excitement.
The captain unties the anchor rope from the mooring ball and you pursue after the fish- you can feel the tarpon's raw power as it continues pulling against the drag.
You reel hard to catch up to it and you bow as its silver body soars from the water- shaking to free itself from the hook's grasp.
After several minutes your arms ache and you wonder who is winning this fight. Then you see the splice of the leader, and the fish's long scaled side reflects below the surface.
The captain reaches down with all his might and grabs the tarpon by the mouth. You pose for a photo with your once-in-a-lifetime catch.
You've just experienced one of the greatest thrills an angler can have...Tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys.
HOW IT'S DONE: Florida Keys tarpon fishing can be accomplished using fly fishing gear (generally done in the shallow cuts and on the edges of flats), or with spinning tackle (at the bridges and deeper channels). Florida Keys tarpon can be caught on a variety of live bait; including shrimp, mullet, crabs or baitfish, as well as on a number of artificial lures and fly patterns. During the spring, most tarpon trips are fished during the strong tide phases of the early morning or evening.
WHERE YOU'LL FISH: Florida Keys tarpon can be caught throughout the shallow waters of the Florida Keys. During tarpon season the Florida Keys bridges are one of the most popular places to target these hard-fighting species.
WHAT YOU'LL CATCH: Tarpon! Resident tarpon are available year-round in the Florida Keys, and the larger, migratory fish are most prevalent in the spring and summer months.
THE BOAT(S): Tarpon fishing can be done on a variety of different vessels. Flats skiffs are popular for targeting the shallow water fish, while center console and bay boats are commonly used to fish the bridges and deeper channels.
NUMBER OF ANGLERS: Tarpon boats can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 6 anglers depending on the vessel. Please tell us the number of anglers you have in your party, and we'll be sure to find a boat for your entire group.
PRICE: Florida Keys tarpon tide trips generally cost between $300 to $600 depending on the length of the trip and the number of anglers.
