Key West tarpon fishing is the preferred angling experience for fishermen from all over North America and the rest of the world. The tarpon is a fish that truly stands out. In fact, it’s achieved an almost legendary status among fishing experts. They flock to the area every year, just for a chance at landing one of these magnificent game fish.
Huge, powerful, and determined to stay in the water, the tarpon certainly isn’t the easiest catch in the world. But if you’ve got the verve and endurance, Key West tarpon fishing might become one of your favorite ocean activities too.
Getting to Know the Tarpon
The first thing that jumps out about the tarpon is its impressive size. The length and weight of a given tarpon usually depend on its age. As they mature, a tarpon can grow up to anywhere between 5-6feet long. Just as impressively, tarpon typically weighs somewhere in the range of 50-200 pounds. And while much larger tarpon are sometimes spotted, the average weight settles in at somewhere around 100 pounds.
The tarpon’s size alone puts it at the top of the area’s food chain. It also allows them to devour pretty much any other fish that they want. The tarpon’s dominant presence is a big reason why many locals refer to it as ‘The Silver King.’
Its striking appearance has only enhanced the tarpon’s well-earned reputation. The back of a tarpon displays dark hues of bluish green that make them fairly easy to identify for experienced guides. This quick recognition is also helped by the markings on the sides of the tarpon. Here, the dark blues of the back transition quickly to bright silver lines that extend almost all way to the tail.
Usually, tarpon swim in relatively large schools. This means that if you spot one, there are probably many more in the immediate vicinity. And once you actually get a tarpon onto your boat, you’ll discover a mouth that extends upward sharply and gives the tarpon its distinctively ferocious look.
The Ins and Outs of Key West Tarpon Fishing
When going after tarpon, the most important thing is knowing where to find them. Their preferred hunting waters depend on the time of year, but large schools often congregate at the top of the water column in Key West Harbor. You’re most likely to land a tarpon between March and July, but only an experienced guide can predict where they’ll be at a given time of year.
Dropping a chum line is a great way to pique a tarpon’s interest and get them swimming close to your boat. After that, you’ve got a great chance of hooking one with live or dead bait. And that’s when the real battle begins. A tarpon will not come out of the water without a fight, so be ready for an endurance test if you’re serious about landing one.
By now, it’s probably pretty clear why Key West tarpon fishing is known the world over as a thrilling ocean adventure. But in the end, it’s really just something you’ll have to experience firsthand. Contact us today for the most exciting tarpon adventure in the business.