Ready to come face-to-gills with the “Silver King” and put your angling skills to the ultimate test? Then going after Tarpon should be your next adventure. These goliaths of the flats are the greatest challenge inshore fishermen can face, and there’s no better place for it than the Sunshine State. If you’re coming here for the first time, we recommend booking a trip with one of the Tarpon fishing charters Florida has to offer.

You’ll find the magnificent Tarpon in inshore waters throughout the state, from Jacksonville Beach to the Panhandle. These acrobats are famous for their powerful headshakes, aerial acrobatics, and size. They can grow to be over 100 pounds. Tarpon are most active in spring and summer (depending on the location), but you can target smaller specimens all year.

While you can book a shorter Tarpon fishing trip and have decent results, dedicating a full day to it is usually far more productive. There are many guides that specialize in targeting Tarpon, and they’ll know exactly where to go and how to put you on the bite.

Practically the whole state of Florida is one big Tarpon fishing hotspot, but there are some destinations that stand out. The Keys, Boca Grande, Biscayne Bay, the Everglades along with the Ten Thousand Islands, Islamorada, and Tampa Bay are just some of the epicenters. All you need to do is pick a location, book your charter, and may your epic Tarpon fishing trip begin!

Rules & Regulations

The most important thing to remember is that all Tarpon are strictly catch and release in Florida. The only way to keep one is if you’re looking to break the IGFA record, but for that, you’ll need a special Tarpon tag. Only one tag per person per year is available.