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Tarpon have long been a target for Florida
Keys fishermen. While they are not considered good to
eat, their size and fighting prowess have made them one
of the state's most coveted sportfish. As long ago as
the beginning of the 20th century, fishermen in canoes
hunted tarpon with a variety of equipment, from harpoons
to hand lines. In 1953, Florida officials established
a fishing limit of two tarpon per day and prohibited their
sale. In 1989, the Florida legislature established a permit
system in which the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) determines the number of permits that
can be sold; a permit is required if the fisherman wishes
to kill and keep the fish. In 1996, the permit cost $50
for a year.
Fishing for Tarpon in Florida and the Florida Keys
In Florida, tarpon are found in water depths ranging from less than 3 feet to more than 80 feet Tarpon thrive in a variety of habitats. Though primarily an inshore fist, tarpon move offshore to marine waters to spawn, and the larvae gradually make their way to marshes and the mangroves in estuaries. Adults frequent a range of habitats, from near-shore coastal waters to stagnant pools, and can often be seen patrolling the coral reefs of the Florida Keys.
One of the premier Tarpon fishing "hot spots" is Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Tarpon are most abundant in the months of April through July, but records show that they are caught in all months. During the spring and early summer, mainly mid-April to late-June, Giant Tarpon take up residence for spawning purposes, in areas from grass flats to deep holes and offshore in the Florida Keys. In addition to fishing for tarpon in the backcountry, you can also use light tackle and live bait in and around the many Islamorada bridges and channels. Tarpon of 150 pounds or more are not uncommon around Islamorada.
Tarpon tournaments are popular in Florida, with at least a dozen held in the state each year. Perhaps the most famous tournament is the Gold Cup, a fly fishing competition held in Islamorada, Florida Keys. Among its winners was baseball legend Ted Williams. Just image catching that once-in-a-lifetime 100+ pound Tarpon on a fly rod!
Tarpon Records
State Record---Conventional Tackle---243 pounds --Key West Florida ---Gus Bell---2/17/1975
World Record---Fly Fishing Tackle---202 pounds 8 ounces---Bayport Florida ---Jim Holland JR.----2/17/2001
Tarpon Baits and Tackles
Tarpon eat a variety of baits, and can be caught using great number of different methods and tackle types. Tarpon are often found in schools with other tarpon and are opportunistic eaters that feed on a variety of fish and crabs.
Types of fishing tackle include conventional rods and reels, spinning rods and reels to fly tackle. Line strength ranges from 15 lb.test to 30 lb.test. As the angler gets more experienced, he may want to increase the skill level to lighter and lighter line. The mighty tarpon will often jump 10 feet or more into the air while trying to dislodge the hook from his bony mouth. You can see that giant mouth wide open, his gills will flare and rattle so hard you can hear it from 100 feet away. He will strip off 100 yds. of line in a screaming first run that takes the breath away from a seasoned veteran. The air bladder now plays another part in a long hard fight; it gives the tarpon an advantage. The tarpon, while he is still hooked will come to the surface and "take a breath," he will re-oxygenate himself and the battle starts anew. It's an experience that will make your Florida Keys vacation an adventure you'll never forget!
Size and Age
Tarpon can reach sizes up to 8 feet and can weigh up to 280 pounds, though they usually weigh an average of 80-100 pounds. The largest tarpon caught in Florida weighed 243 pounds. The life span of a tarpon can be in excess of 50 years. The oldest tarpon in captivity lived to be 63 years old. Tarpon grow slowly and usually don't reach maturity until they are six or seven years old and about 4 feet.
Aging studies that have shown that tarpon live as long as 55 years. In these studies on tarpon, there is a small place in the tarpon's ear called the otolith where the rings (deposited annually much like those on a tree) are counted. Scientists remove the otoliths from the fish, cut a cross-section through them with a special diamond-bladed saw, and examine the rings under a microscope to estimate the ages of a variety of tarpon.
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