Boca Grande Tarpon fishing is without a single doubt the reason why Boca Grande Pass is filled to the brink with anglers every summer. In these parts, boating a Silver King is seen as a rite of passage of sorts, a way to show you have the skill and the mettle required for serious fishing. It’s also quite a spectacle as Tarpon do not give in easily, which is the reason why more than half of Tarpon hook-ups result in a broken line.

What can I expect from a Tarpon trip in Boca Grande?

In Boca Grande, you can expect one of the best Tarpon fishing experiences in the world. The best time to go on a trip is before sunrise, as Tarpon are nocturnal eaters and fishing during the first hours of daylight can be very beneficial.

Deciding on where to go exactly can provide you with quite a dilemma. Tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass is famous because you pretty much can’t go anywhere without bumping into more fish than you thought should be possible. Peak Tarpon season is usually from mid-April until the end of July. The main drawback is that everyone else is aware of this as well, so the pass is very crowded during that time. Tarpon guides are used to that, though, so there’s some great fishing to be done if you don’t mind the crowd.

If you want to have a somewhat more leisurely experience, and still grapple with the Silver King, you have several options available. The first one is to simply fish the waters around the pass that also have plenty of Tarpon to go around and not as many people. A skilled guide will be able to show you plenty of good spots to fish in peace.

Alternatively, just wait for the commotion to die down. While many may believe that everything is over and done with by November, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. November is probably the best time to do some off-season fishing because the crowds are gone and the Tarpon are still there until the month’s end or so. This can, of course, vary, because Tarpon are sure to stay if the fall is mild and the water warm, but harsher conditions might have them leaving sooner than expected.

How much will it cost?

Any serious tarpon charter in Boca Grande has a special Tarpon package available during the season. Most trips will be in the $100-150 per hour bracket, and some might offer a discounted rate if you plan on fishing for a full day. You will find all the necessary regular fishing gear included in the price, but that might not always be the case for fly fishing gear as well.