Florida Tarpon Fishing Charters

Florida Tarpon Fishing Charters

Top Florida Tarpon Fishing Destinations

Best Tarpon Fishing Charters in Florida

Tarpon Fishing in Florida

Tarpon
  • Size 25 to 80lbs
  • Food Value None
  • Game Qualities Excellent
  • Habitats Inshore, Flats, Backcountry

(Megalops atlanticus)

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. 

Florida Tarpon Fishing Seasons

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Seasonality

Tarpon fishing in Florida varies moderately throughout the year. High season is May to August. Low season is January to March and November to December. There is no closed season.
Florida
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Based on 28,445 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Tarpon Fishing in Florida

Bring sunscreen and beverages. Wear a hat or something to give you some shade. Sunglasses a must.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring sunscreen and beverages. Wear a hat or something to give you some shade. Sunglasses a must.
The Jig is Up Charters
The Jig is Up Charters
For the conditions the fishing was good. We went into this trip with low expectations but our captain did great putting us on fish. When I come back I will probably wait until April when the water temp is a little bit warmer.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
For the conditions the fishing was good. We went into this trip with low expectations but our captain did great putting us on fish. When I come back I will probably wait until April when the water temp is a little bit warmer.
Reel Irie Fishing Charters
Reel Irie Fishing Charters
Seasoned anglers or first timers, this is a great opportunity to build lasting memories with family or friends on a boat with a crew that is top notch. Friendly, helpful, kind, I just canโ€™t say enough nice things about these guys. I highly recommend anyone trying this, it was an absolute blast, my kids have been talking about since we got off the boat!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Seasoned anglers or first timers, this is a great opportunity to build lasting memories with family or friends on a boat with a crew that is top notch. Friendly, helpful, kind, I just canโ€™t say enough nice things about these guys. I highly recommend anyone trying this, it was an absolute blast, my kids have been talking about since we got off the boat!
Drop Back Charters
Drop Back Charters
This trip was expensive but worth every penny for the fun we all had (ages 9 to 77)!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
This trip was expensive but worth every penny for the fun we all had (ages 9 to 77)!
Sarasota Sport Fishing, Fish Guaranteed!
Sarasota Sport Fishing, Fish Guaranteed!
We were in Destin for a week and got one day when the wind was calm enough to go out. Fishing this time of year here is great but hard to plan in light of the variability in the wind.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We were in Destin for a week and got one day when the wind was calm enough to go out. Fishing this time of year here is great but hard to plan in light of the variability in the wind.
Above The Salt Charters
Above The Salt Charters
Just be patient! A bad day on the water is better than a great day at work as they say!! Just enjoy everything about being in such a beautiful place! March weather is beautiful!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Just be patient! A bad day on the water is better than a great day at work as they say!! Just enjoy everything about being in such a beautiful place! March weather is beautiful!
Aloha Boat Charters
Aloha Boat Charters
Weather didnโ€™t fully cooperate, but the captain made it a great experience!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Weather didnโ€™t fully cooperate, but the captain made it a great experience!
Jewel Of The Bay Charters
Jewel Of The Bay Charters
Key Largo has an awesome fishery, but due to the weather the day we went we werenโ€™t able to take full advantage of it, but did the best we could and got a good meal of fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Key Largo has an awesome fishery, but due to the weather the day we went we werenโ€™t able to take full advantage of it, but did the best we could and got a good meal of fish.
Eye Catcher Charters โ€“ Key Largo
Eye Catcher Charters โ€“ Key Largo
We caught some great fish despite it being a very windy dayโ€”everyone on board left satisfied!
Excellent
4.7 / 5
We caught some great fish despite it being a very windy dayโ€”everyone on board left satisfied!
A Horizon Fishing Charters โ€“ย Lake Toho
A Horizon Fishing Charters โ€“ย Lake Toho
Get hooked up with Captain Blake. He knows the waters can confidently navigate you to the catch.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Get hooked up with Captain Blake. He knows the waters can confidently navigate you to the catch.
Key West Charter Fishing
Key West Charter Fishing
Was a perfect day and we had so much fun. Even saw sunken boats from the hurricane. He pointed out so much interesting stuff to us!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Was a perfect day and we had so much fun. Even saw sunken boats from the hurricane. He pointed out so much interesting stuff to us!
Bowditch Point Charters
Bowditch Point Charters
Bring a wet proof wind breaker , and old towel for wiping your hands. A good attitude b/c you will lose some fish and share the boat and the captain services with others. Sunscreen for epiderma protection is a must!
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Bring a wet proof wind breaker , and old towel for wiping your hands. A good attitude b/c you will lose some fish and share the boat and the captain services with others. Sunscreen for epiderma protection is a must!
Ami Excursions
Ami Excursions
Today the gulf was a little rough but got better as the day progressed. Wish the redfish were biting butโ€ฆthatโ€™s fishing.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Today the gulf was a little rough but got better as the day progressed. Wish the redfish were biting butโ€ฆthatโ€™s fishing.
Local Slayer โ€“ 30'
Local Slayer โ€“ 30'
Donโ€™t expect too much on a 2 hour tour. Be realistic, and know you will still have a great time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Donโ€™t expect too much on a 2 hour tour. Be realistic, and know you will still have a great time.
Captain Andy's Salty Adventures
Captain Andy's Salty Adventures
If you are prone to getting seasick make sure to take something. Our trip today was very choppy but didnโ€™t bother any of us. They worked hard to find us fish to catch and it was a success!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you are prone to getting seasick make sure to take something. Our trip today was very choppy but didnโ€™t bother any of us. They worked hard to find us fish to catch and it was a success!
Ana Banana Fishing Charters (Cpt JoJo)
Ana Banana Fishing Charters (Cpt JoJo)
If you are fishing in the morning, especially in March, make sure to dress appropriately (pants, jacket, etc). We used a waterproof case for our phones so we could take videos and pics quickly and didn't have to worry about getting phone wet. And most importantly, Jack knows what he is doing so just relax and enjoy the fishing time!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you are fishing in the morning, especially in March, make sure to dress appropriately (pants, jacket, etc). We used a waterproof case for our phones so we could take videos and pics quickly and didn't have to worry about getting phone wet. And most importantly, Jack knows what he is doing so just relax and enjoy the fishing time!
Captain Jackโ€™s Fishing Charters
Captain Jackโ€™s Fishing Charters
It was definitely a windy day but the weather is out of everyoneโ€™s control. Captain Tom led us to a few areas so we could catch a few different types of fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was definitely a windy day but the weather is out of everyoneโ€™s control. Captain Tom led us to a few areas so we could catch a few different types of fish.
Bait-N-Bite
Bait-N-Bite
Be flexible and prepared to switch up the plan if game fish are not hitting.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be flexible and prepared to switch up the plan if game fish are not hitting.
Reef Runner Charters Key West
Reef Runner Charters Key West
Spring time you need to get a charter boat for sure and get on the sheepshead. Very tough fish to catch but lot of fun when you get ahold of one.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Spring time you need to get a charter boat for sure and get on the sheepshead. Very tough fish to catch but lot of fun when you get ahold of one.
Emerald
Emerald "C" Fishing Charters
The day we went out was after a full moon so the biting was a bit slow but the captain was knowledgeable about the reefs and types of fishing and we still managed to get a fair few bites. Reccomend calling and asking about conditions and if itโ€™s a good time to go out.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The day we went out was after a full moon so the biting was a bit slow but the captain was knowledgeable about the reefs and types of fishing and we still managed to get a fair few bites. Reccomend calling and asking about conditions and if itโ€™s a good time to go out.
Reel E Sea Charters
Reel E Sea Charters