Tarpon fishing in Florida: how and where to catch the silver king
Tarpon fishing charters in the Florida Keys, Miami, Boca Grande and Tampa Bay with expert local captains.
Tarpon are one of the greatest game fish on earth: huge, acrobatic and found in Florida’s backwaters, estuaries, mangroves and flats. Here’s how tarpon fishing works and where to book a guided trip.
What is tarpon fishing?
Tarpon fishing is sport fishing for the “silver king”, a giant, jumping fish of 60–150+ pounds found in warm coastal water. In Florida you fish for tarpon around bridges, passes, beaches, mangroves and flats with live bait, lures or fly, mostly from April through July. Tarpon fishing in Florida is catch and release, and the best-known spots are the Florida Keys, Miami, Boca Grande and Tampa Bay.
Megalops atlanticusMeet the tarpon
Also called: Silver king, sabalo
- Typical size
- 4–6 ft and 60–150 lb; can top 200 lb
- World record
- 286 lb 9 oz (IGFA all-tackle, Guinea-Bissau, 2003)
- Where it lives
- Passes, bridges, beaches, mangrove backwaters and flats; can gulp air in low-oxygen water
- How to spot it
- Bright silver, huge mirror-like scales, upturned jaw, long last ray on the dorsal fin
- What it eats
- Mullet, crabs, shrimp, pinfish and threadfin herring
- Can you keep it?
- Catch and release in Florida; a tarpon tag is needed to possess one, and fish over 40 in stay in the water (FWC rules)
Tarpon can live 50+ years. Their leaps are why anglers “bow to the king.”
Tarpon fishing methods compared
Three ways to catch a tarpon, side by side:
| Live bait | Artificial lures | Fly fishing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bait or lure | Crabs, mullet, pinfish, threadfins | Swimbaits, plugs, jigs | Streamer flies |
| Where | Passes, bridges, beaches | Bridges, channels, beaches | Flats and backcountry |
| Skill level | Beginner friendly | Some casting skill | Experienced casters |
| Hook-up rate | Highest | Medium | Lowest, biggest thrill |
| Best for | First tarpon, families | Active anglers | Sight fishing, bucket lists |
Tarpon fishing charters
Book a tarpon trip online or by phone with a local captain:
How to catch tarpon
Everything you need to know before your first tarpon trip:
Where tarpon live
Tarpon live in backwaters, estuaries, mangroves, passes and flats, and they can even gulp air to survive in low-oxygen water. In Florida they gather around bridges and passes in spring and summer.
What tarpon eat
Mullet, crabs, shrimp, pinfish and threadfin herring. Your captain will match the bait to what the fish are feeding on that day.
The fight
When a tarpon jumps, lower the rod tip and “bow to the king” so the hook stays in. Keep steady pressure; a big fish can take an hour.
Catch and release
Florida tarpon fishing is catch and release. Fish over 40 inches stay in the water for photos and release. Read the FWC tarpon rules.
What to bring
Sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, snacks and drinks. Tackle, bait and the saltwater license are included. If you get seasick, read our sea sickness tips first.
More resources
Browse all fishing trips, or find tarpon spots on Fishidy.com.
Best places to go tarpon fishing
Florida
Pick a spot (lowest trip price on its page, or call to book):
Miami
Tampa Bay & Gulf Coast
More inshore towns with tarpon
Fish you catch on a tarpon trip
Tarpon share the water with these inshore favorites:
Seasons, size and bag limits apply: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
Tarpon fishing by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Keys and Miami resident fish
- Warm-water days in South Florida
- Slow on the Gulf Coast
Spring Mar–May
- Migration starts
- Bridges and passes fire up
- Keys peak
Summer Jun–Aug
- Boca Grande Pass (May–June)
- Beaches on both coasts
- Night bridge fishing
Fall Sep–Nov
- Fall run in the Keys
- Backcountry fish
- Juvenile tarpon in canals
Recent guest reviews
5.07 reviewsReviews from our Florida fishing trips.
Capt Brad was great for both of our fishing trips. He took great care to make my husbands birthday fishing experience amazing and taught me how to use a bait caster. His boat was immaculate and most importantly, he put us on fish.
Ashley Eubanks · April 2026 · Google
A most delightful town
The town of New Smyrna is worth seeing and visiting. We enjoyed walking along the waterfront. You can drive your car to the beach. Ate dinner near the water at one of the Town Tavern which featured a live band. My friend and I went fishing, what fun, highly recommend it!
Lisa Wilson · January 2021
Obstacles conquered!
Started out with a full moon the night before and wind blowing 3 times what was forecast but Captain Brad had a plan. We got out and in no time had fish on! I had no expectations for what we might catch which turned out great 8 different species and two nice redfish! I had a great time!
Doug M. · March 2019 · TripAdvisor
Loved fishing
I have to say, this was one of the most professional organizations I have experienced. Booking was easy and customer support answered all my questions. Even when I remembered them and called back hours later! :) What was recommended was an afternoon trip with Capt Brad. I chose the 6 hour trip…
Tim S · January 2019
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Four hour trip with Captain Brad
We had a great time with Captain Brad. He had us on the fish right away in the morning and always kept us moving looking for more. He was very knowledgeable.
Eli L · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Book a tarpon fishing charter
Pick a spot and date, or let us match you with a tarpon captain.
Tarpon trips in Key West, Islamorada, Key Largo, Boca Grande and Tampa Bay are booked by phone.
Saltwater license covered by the captain on saltwater trips. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
Tarpon fishing FAQ
What is a tarpon?
Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), the “silver king”, is a large, silver, prehistoric-looking fish with huge scales and an upturned jaw. Atlantic tarpon commonly reach 4–6 feet and 60–150 pounds and can top 200 pounds. They are famous for leaping out of the water when hooked.
Can you eat tarpon?
Tarpon are not eaten in Florida. The meat is bony and poor, and Florida tarpon fishing is catch and release. Keeping one requires a special tarpon tag and is only allowed when going for a record. Fish over 40 inches must stay in the water. See the FWC tarpon rules.
Do tarpon have teeth?
Not real teeth. A tarpon’s mouth is hard and bony with rough, sandpaper-like patches, which is why hooks are hard to set and many fish jump free.
What do tarpon eat?
Mullet, pinfish, threadfin herring, pilchards, crabs and shrimp. Captains fish live bait such as crabs and mullet, plus lures and flies that imitate them.
How do you catch tarpon?
Find rolling fish around bridges, passes, beaches and flats, then present live bait, a lure or a fly ahead of them. When a tarpon jumps, “bow to the king”: lower the rod tip to give slack so the hook stays in. Fights can last from 10 minutes to over an hour.
When is tarpon season in Florida?
The main season runs from spring into summer, roughly April through July, when big schools migrate along both coasts. The Florida Keys and Miami have tarpon all year, and Boca Grande Pass peaks in May and June.
How much is a tarpon fishing charter?
On iOutdoors, Florida tarpon trips that book online start from $650 per boat (Florida Keys, Marathon and Miami). Key West, Islamorada, Key Largo, Boca Grande, Tampa Bay and Tarpon Springs tarpon trips are booked by phone: call or text (407) 392-4593.