Tarpon
Fishing in the Florida Keys,
Islamorada and Marathon
Truly one of the most
magnificent fish that occupy the waters of the Florida Keys.
Thousands of people each year, from all over the world, congregate
here from early March to mid-July to experience the massive
run of Tarpon. Although Tarpon can be found here year round,
the height of Tarpon season is from late April to June. There
are a few ways that we can fish for Tarpon. Poling along shallow
water flats in search of cruising or laid up fish ("laid
up" is a term for non cruising fish that holds still
on or just under the surface) either casting small crabs,
shrimp or flies. This is truly an art of stalking and sight
casting. Fishing depth ranges from 2 feet to 11 feet of water
and it is not uncommon to see a school of Tarpon with numbers
of 50 to 100 fish
Ryan and his first tarpon on fly.
TARPON NOTES
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON TARPON FISHING
TARPON PICTURES
FLY FISHING FOR TARPON
Flippin' the Chicken
Fly Fishing for tarpon is my favorite
thing to do. Personally, I think catching a tarpon on fly
is the easiest of the "BIG THREE". The other two
thirds of the big three are as you know, the bonefish and
the permit. Tarpon are eager eaters and you would be amazed
that a 130 lb. tarpon would eat a 3 inch fly but they are
also lazy, very lazy and precise casting is very important.
You don't need to know how to cast 100 feet to catch a tarpon,
accuracy is the more important aspect. Usually a 40 ft. cast
is plenty. The tarpon I fish for are laid up tarpon and are
easier to catch especially beginners. They are fish that are
sitting still on the surface so you might get 2 or 3 shots
instead of 1 shot on moving ocean fish. It is easier to hit
a still target than a moving target but don't get me wrong
it is still hard no matter how you look at it. You know what
they say, "good things come to those that cast well."
A reminder, practice your casting before your fishing trip.
Place some cups or stuffed animals in the backyard and practice
your accuracy. The better you get the better the chance you
have at catching a tarpon.
FISHING FORTARPON ON LIGHT SPINNING TACKLE Shrimp, Crabs, Pilchards and
Mullet
Live
Baiting at the bridges is another popular way to fish for Tarpon.
Many Tarpon congregate at these bridges do to the strong currents
and a large food source which include mullet, pilchards, shrimp
and crabs. Bridge fishing is mainly done during the months
of April to July. Once hooked, the Tarpon displays a series
of gill rattling jumps and smoking runs that will leave you
speechless. Tarpon sizes can range from 5 lbs. to a whopping
200 lbs.!!!
Tying the Mad Pumpkin This is a great all around shark fly.
Tie some for your fly box today! Click here
Tying the White Widow This fly is one of my favorite snook flies to throw. An easy fly to tie in only a few steps.Click here
Tying the Redfish Seaducer This shrimp pattern is ideal for tailing redfish in the backcountry of Islamorada and a well known pattern in texas as well. Click here
Fly Fishing for tarpon is my favorite
thing to do. Personally, I think catching a tarpon on fly
is the easiest of the "BIG THREE". The other two
thirds of the big three are as you know, the bonefish and
the permit. Tarpon are eager eaters and you would be amazed
that a 130 lb. tarpon would eat a 3 inch fly but they are
also lazy, very lazy and precise casting is very important.
You don't need to know how to cast 100 feet to catch a tarpon,
accuracy is the more important aspect. Usually a 40 ft. cast
is plenty. The tarpon I fish for are laid up tarpon and are
easier to catch especially beginners. They are fish that are
sitting still on the surface so you might get 2 or 3 shots
instead of 1 shot on moving ocean fish. It is easier to hit
a still target than a moving target but don't get me wrong
it is still hard no matter how you look at it. You know what
they say, "good things come to those that cast well."
A reminder, practice your casting before your fishing trip.
Place some cups or stuffed animals in the backyard and practice
your accuracy. The better you get the better the chance you
have at catching a tarpon. 
Live
Baiting at the bridges is another popular way to fish for Tarpon.
Many Tarpon congregate at these bridges do to the strong currents
and a large food source which include mullet, pilchards, shrimp
and crabs. Bridge fishing is mainly done during the months
of April to July. Once hooked, the Tarpon displays a series
of gill rattling jumps and smoking runs that will leave you
speechless. Tarpon sizes can range from 5 lbs. to a whopping
200 lbs.!!!
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