Species
Tarpon Fishing Charters
Tarpon are large, acrobatic fish of warm coastal water, caught in passes, bridges, beaches and backcountry. Most are released. 211 captains and guides in 31 towns list tarpon. Here is where, and the months it is in season where we have a published calendar.
Key facts
About the tarpon
A big, deep-bodied silver fish covered in very large scales, with an upturned lower jaw that juts past the mouth and a long trailing filament at the end of the dorsal fin. Dark blue to greenish-black on top; often seen rolling at the surface to gulp air.
- Scientific name
- Megalops atlanticus
- Also called
- Silver king, Atlantic tarpon, sabalo
- Family
- Tarpon family (Megalopidae)
- How big they get
- Females can exceed 8.2 feet and nearly 355 pounds; males are generally smaller
- Where they live
- Mainly the Gulf, Florida and the West Indies; not uncommon as far north as Cape Hatteras, NC, with strays reaching Nova Scotia. In Texas, adults may travel up larger South Texas rivers.
- Habitat
- Coastal waters, bays, estuaries and mangrove lagoons, usually shallower than about 100 feet. Tolerates fresh water and often moves upriver; young tarpon use brackish marsh channels. Sensitive to cold snaps.
- Diet
- Adults eat mullet, pinfish, marine catfish, needlefish, sardines, shrimp and crabs, usually swallowing prey whole, day and night.
- Lifespan
- Males can live over 30 years and females may live over 50 years
- On the table
- Prized for the fight, not the flesh; tarpon are not highly valued as food in the United States.
Where
Where to catch tarpon with a charter
Counts are captains who list tarpon, as of October 2026. Months come from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ published calendars where we have one; seasons and limits change, so check current rules.
Before you go
What to know about tarpon fishing
Things to know
- In Florida, tarpon are catch-and-release only; keeping one requires a tarpon tag bought in advance for a record attempt. Check FWC for current rules.
- Florida rules require tarpon over 40 inches to stay in the water, including for de-hooking and photos.
- Tarpon grow slowly and mature late (about 6 to 7 years and 4 feet), so populations recover slowly.
- In the Florida Keys, April through June are the prime migration months for guided trips.
- Sharks often attack hooked tarpon; FWC advises landing fish quickly and moving if sharks are around.
How charters catch them
- Fly fishing
- Flat-lining live bait
- Casting, jigging or trolling artificial lures
- Dead mullet or menhaden fished on the bottom
- Circle hooks recommended when using bait
Related fish
Fish caught on the same kind of trip
Questions
Tarpon questions
Can you keep a tarpon in Florida?
Generally no. Florida manages tarpon as catch-and-release, with a tag required to keep one for a record attempt; check FWC for current rules.
Can you eat tarpon?
Tarpon are not valued as food in the US, and commercial sale is prohibited in Florida. Anglers target them for their jumps and fight.
How old is a big tarpon?
A tarpon of about 100 pounds is typically 13 to 16 years old.
Facts on this page come from official fisheries and wildlife sources, checked October 2026:
Size and bag limits and seasons change and differ by state. Check the state agency before you keep a fish.
For captains and guides
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