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Tarpon Fishing Charters
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Everything to Know About Booking a tarpon fishing charter
What are the best tarpon fishing charters?
The best tarpon fishing charters are:
Why should I book a tarpon fishing charter with Captain Experiences?
Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 437 tarpon trips, and the most popular trips are South Florida Inshore fishing guided by Christopher, Fort Myers/Sanibel Fishing Trip guided by James, and #1 Offshore Charter guided by Brad.
Our guides are rated a 4.89 out of 5 based on 3787 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.
All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.
Looking for kid friendly tarpon guides / fishing lessons? Check out our beginner and family friendly tarpon guides.
What types of tarpon fishing charters are common?
Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing for tarpon as well as inshore fishing, flats fishing, and nearshore fishing.
The most common fishing techniques are light tackle fishing, live bait fishing, and artificial lure fishing but sight casting and bottom fishing are popular as well.
How much do tarpon fishing charters cost?
Prices for tarpon can range anywhere from about $500 to $1,850, but the average price for a half day trip for tarpon is $787. The average price for a full day trip for tarpon is $1,273.
Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?
Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.
Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.
Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.
Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.
What month is best for tarpon fishing?
The most popular season for tarpon fishing is spring, and most anglers book their trips 15 days in advance.
Do I need a fishing license for tarpon and what are the bag limits for tarpon?
See here for more information on tarpon fishing licenses, tarpon bag limits, and fishing season regulations for tarpon. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right tarpon rules and regulations.
What is a Tarpon?
Tarpon are a mesmerizing species for good reason- while one of the largest gamefish species in the world, they offer one of the toughest pound-for-pound fights around and are gorgeous to watch as they cruise the flats on their never-ending migration patterns.
Tarpon are also incredibly adaptive- while their saltwater territories blanket much of the globe, they also survive in brackish water (water that's a freshwater / saltwater mix) like rivers and marshes.
Tarpon consider themselves at home in warm bodies of water which carry less oxygen than cooler waters. They don't mind since they're one of the few fish species that can rise to the surface and gulp air for bursts of energy, much like Michael Phelps as he's sprinting to a gold.
There are two species of tarpon in the world, *Megalops atlanticus* (awesome name) which is the Atlantic Tarpon, and Megalops cyprinoides, aka the Tarpon of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Atlantic vs Pacific Tarpon
The Atlantic Tarpon is found along the western Atlantic coast from Brazil up to Virginia, throughout the Caribbean Sea, and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the biggest Tarpon in the world (we'll get to them) are also found along the eastern Atlantic coast from the African nations of Senegal to Angola.
The Pacific Tarpon can be found from the eastern shores of Africa to southeast Asia, Japan, Australia, and the nations of Oceania.
What Do Tarpon Eat?
Tarpon are a scavenger species and hungry Tarpon will eat just about anything, alive or dead: mullet, crabs, sardines, pilchards, minnows, ladyfish, pinfish, grunts, shrimp, herring, you name it.
Tarpon Fishing: How to Catch Tarpon
If you've ever wondered how to fish for Tarpon, you've come to the right spot.
To catch a Tarpon, you need to be fishing in the right place at the right time with the right gear. Even juvenile tarpon pack a mean punch, so it's best to gear up, and our guides always come prepared.
5000 to 7000 series spinning reels are the general consensus for conventional fishing. Medium-heavy rods are up for the challenge as are 10-12 weight fly fishing rods.
In terms of terminal tackle to protect against Tarpon breaking you off with their violent headshakes, 60-80 lb. fluorocarbon is the best bet for leader material. That being said, Tarpon can be extremely picky so balancing an unassuming profile while retaining strength is a must when targeting Tarpon.
Last note: be sure to pack a pair of fishing gloves if you plan to get up close and personal with these dinosaurs. Tarpon are known for ripping the skin right off the human hand with their scales and rock-hard jaws. Don't be a knife to a gunfight!
What is the World Record Tarpon?
How big do Tarpon get? The world record Tarpon was 286 pounds, 9 ounces and was caught by Max Domecq in Rubane, Guinea-Bissau, Africa on March 20, 2003. According to the IGFA, it is the largest Tarpon ever caught and recorded and was caught on a mullet in just over an hour.
Fly Fishing for Tarpon
The ultimate fishing experience for many is to catch a Tarpon on the fly. As stated above, 10-12 weight fly rods are recommended- anything lower and these beasts will likely snap it- plus, fighting an athletic fish on light tackle can exhaust the fish to death.
When it comes to reels, be sure to go with size and get something you're comfortable tightening up the drag and confident the reel will perform smoothly. If your reel tenses up at the wrong time, SNAP!
As covered above, 60-80 lb leader is recommended although experienced Tarpon anglers might feel comfortable taking things down a notch into the 40-60 lb range.
Tarpon flies run the gamut- as stated, Tarpon will eat everything under the sun. That being said, they can be pretty picky as they cruise the coast on the migration path paying little thought to snacks along the way.
Tarpon flies are the big secret- our damn good guides have them down to a science, but anything that resembles the poor specimens listed above ought to do the trick.
Tarpon in Texas
While Tarpon in Port Aransas may be a bit rarer since the days when town was named the Tarpon Capital of the World, catching a tarpon in Port Aransas is still one of your best bets along the Texas coast. Previously known as Tarpon, Texas back in the day, Port Aransas, with its protruding jetties, is a mainstay for Tarpon fishing along their Gulf of Mexico migration.
Not to be outdone, tarpon fishing Galveston is also a must for Texas Tarpon dreamers. The late Captain Michael Larue (and Captain Experiences Damn Good Guide) of Galveston, TX and his son Shane hold the Texas state Tarpon record for their 229 pound Tarpon caught in 2017.
Does Texas have good fishing?
Texas is widely recognized as a premier fishing destination due to its vast and varied aquatic environments. The state offers an impressive array of fishing opportunities across its extensive freshwater and saltwater habitats. With numerous lakes, rivers, and an extensive coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, Texas caters to anglers with different interests and skill levels. From the sprawling reservoirs like Lake Texoma and Lake Fork to the scenic rivers such as the Guadalupe and Brazos, there is no shortage of places to cast a line and find abundant fish species.
The Gulf Coast of Texas is renowned for its exceptional saltwater fishing. Cities like Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Port Aransas are popular spots for both inshore and offshore fishing. Inshore fishing enthusiasts can target species like redfish, speckled trout, and flounder, while those venturing offshore have the opportunity to catch larger game fish such as marlin, tuna, and snapper. The diversity of marine environments, including estuaries, reefs, and deep-sea waters, provides a rich fishing experience throughout the year.
Texas also boasts a well-developed fishing infrastructure that supports its angling community. The state has numerous fishing guides, charter services, and recreational facilities that enhance the fishing experience. With a range of fishing tournaments and events held throughout the year, Texas continues to attract fishing enthusiasts from all over. The combination of diverse fishing opportunities, supportive infrastructure, and favorable conditions makes Texas an excellent destination for anyone passionate about fishing.
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Cities
- Apalachicola, FL
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- Frontera
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Other Fishing Species
- African Pompano
- Albacore Tuna
- Alligator Gar
- Almaco Jack
- Amberjack
- Atlantic Mackerel
- Barracuda
- Black Drum
- Black Grouper
- Black Marlin
- Black Seabass
- Blackbelly Rosefish
- Blackfin Tuna
- Blacktip Shark
- Blue Marlin
- Bluefish
- Bonefish
- Bonito
- Bonnethead Shark
- Broomtail Grouper
- Bull Shark
- Cero Mackerel
- Cichlid
- Clown Knifefish
- Cobia
- Cubera Snapper
- False Albacore
- Florida Pompano
- Flounder
- Fluke
- Gag Grouper
- Goliath Grouper
- Grunt
- Hammerhead Shark
- Hardhead Catfish
- Hogfish
- Horse-eye Jack
- Jack Crevalle
- Kingfish
- Ladyfish
- Lane Snapper
- Largemouth Bass
- Lemon Shark
- Lobster
- Mahi Mahi
- Mako Shark
- Mangrove Snapper
- Mutton Snapper
- Needlefish
- Nurse Shark
- Peacock Bass
- Permit
- Rainbow Runner
- Red Grouper
- Red Snapper
- Redfish
- Rockfish
- Sailfish
- Scamp Grouper
- School Shark
- Sheepshead
- Skipjack Tuna
- Snakehead
- Snook
- Snowy Grouper
- Spadefish
- Spanish Mackerel
- Speckled Trout
- Stingray
- Strawberry Grouper
- Striped Bass
- Swordfish
- Thresher Shark
- Tiger Shark
- Tilapia
- Tilefish
- Triggerfish
- Tripletail
- Vermillion Snapper
- Wahoo
- Warsaw Grouper
- Weakfish
- White Marlin
- Whiting
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Yellowtail Amberjack
- Yellowtail Snapper
Featured Cities
- Fishing Charters Near Me
- Austin Fishing Guides
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- Charleston Fishing Charters
- Clearwater Fishing Charters
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- Dauphin Island Fishing Charters
- Daytona Beach Fishing Charters
- Destin Fishing Charters
- Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charters
- Fort Myers Fishing Charters
- Fort Walton Beach Fishing Charters
- Galveston Fishing Charters
- Gulf Shores Fishing Charters
- Hatteras Fishing Charters
- Hilton Head Fishing Charters
- Islamorada Fishing Charters
- Jacksonville Fishing Charters
- Jupiter Fishing Charters
- Key Largo Fishing Charters
- Key West Fishing Charters
- Kona Fishing Charters
- Madeira Beach Fishing Charters
- Marathon Fishing Charters
- Marco Island Fishing Charters
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- Orange Beach Fishing Charters
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- Port Aransas Fishing Charters
- Rockport Fishing Charters
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- Venice Fishing Charters
- Virginia Beach Fishing Charters
What's biting?
View Tarpon Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.
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