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TARPON
Tarpon are found in the Caribbean, Mexico, the west coast of Central America, the western Atlantic, and in some parts of Africa too. These fish prefer warm temperatures, between 74-88 °F (23-31°C)
The tarpon is nicknamed Silver King due to its majestic appearance. These fish travel in large groups. Sometimes hundreds of them can be seen near river mouths.
Female tarpon can grow to lengths of over 8.2 feet (2.5m) and reach weights of near 355 pounds (161 kg), with the males generally smaller. Tarpon weighing about 100 pounds (45.4 kg) typically fall between 13-16 years of age. Male tarpon attain lifespans of over 30 years, while females may live longer than 50 years.
Overview
HABITAT
Tarpon live in a wide variety of habitats: bays, estuaries, lagoons with tropical climates, and coastal waters. The normal habitat depth extends to 98 feet (30 m). Although tarpon is a marine fish, they can tolerate euryhaline environments. This allows them to be found in river mouths and bays. The only variable that seems to limit their choice of habitat is temperature; they are mainly found in deep and warm waters.
FEEDING
The tarpon has a varied diet, which include: copepods, ostracods, insects, and small fish. As tarpon grow, they move away from zooplankton as a chief food source and prey more exclusively on other fish as well as larger invertebrates. Tarpon feed during both day and night. Since the tarpon have small teeth, they usually swallow their prey whole.
The Fishing
The King of Silver appears to be sensitive to noise and may become skittish to take bait when they detect boats and people. Tarpon will take a great variety of live and dead bait, as well as artificial lures and flies.
Tarpon have a voracious appetite, and can get very violent. Tarpon consume with power, and show stamina and acrobatic qualities that make tarpon a formidable adversary on a fly rod.
Fishing Tarpon can be divided into three categories: Baby Tarpon (those that they weigh up to 30 Lbs), Medium Tarpon (those that weigh 30 Lbs up to 80 Lbs) and Monster Tarpon (those of more than 80 Lbs and sometimes can surpass the incredible mark of 200 Lbs).
Gear and equipment
FLY RODS
10, 11, or 12 wt rods with matching reels and matching floating Tarpon lines. 60-100 lb. shock tippet leaders.
SPIN RODS
5-20 lb. test with wire leader for barracuda.
FLY PATTERNS
Our guides highly recommend the use of high-quality hooks, especially for Tarpon. Sizes 2 and 4 with a few 6’s with high quality hooks. Gotchas, Crazy Charlie’s, Clousers, Rag Head Crab, Merkin Crab Patterns all patterns with a light or cream color version and a tan version.
LURES
Green tube lures for barracudas.
FLY LINES
Match the line weight to your rod. There is no need to over line weight your rod. Choose a tropical floating saltwater line. 250 feet of Gel Spun 30 lb. backing is sufficient.
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