Family Elopidae, TARPONS
Megalops atlanticus*

Description: last ray of dorsal fin extended into long filament; one dorsal fin; back dark blue to green or greenish black, shading into bright silver on the sides; may be brownish gold in estuarien waters; huge scales; mouth large and points upward.

Fishing Areas:
Every year Mothers Day kicks off the tarpon season in our area. Bayport (really chaz) held the #2 spot in the world for big tarpon. Over the last 10 years the tarpon migration to this area has steadily decreased. However that is not to say the tarpon fishing is not worth the efforts. Tarpon are mostly found inshore, but a there are a few schools of tarpon seen offshore.

North:
Bayport to Chaz is where most of the tarpon are caught. Black Rock hole is one of the favorite hot spots for tarpon.

South:
Many smaller tarpon can be found in the channels and on the grass flats during the tarpon season and through our the summer.

Baits:
Tarpon are not very picky. They will take live bait (pin fish, whitebait, sand perch, ballyhoo etc) cut bait (anything big and stinky, mullet, lady fish, etc) and a verity of lures.

Tackle:
This will depend on the fisherman, tarpon can be brought boat side with as little as 10# spinning gear. Provided you are up for the chase. Most tournament anglers will use high speed conventional reels with 30-50# mono. Of course there is the fly rod. Typically you if you plan on targeting tarpon and you are new to tarpon fishing, you will want to use a heavy (30# class) spinning gear with a 7ft matching rod. Then down size once you have a few releases to increase the challenge.

Tarpon Fishing Etiquette:
Tarpon fishing is a very competitive, expensive and time consuming sport. When targeting tarpon, you must understand a few rules.

1. DO NOT use your motor when in an area where you or others are stalking tarpon.
2. Find your own pod of tarpon to stalk, if someone is moving toward a pod of rolling tarpon, you will need to find your own pod. If you spook the fish no one will do any catching.
3. If another angler has a fish on, it is your responsibility to remain clear of the fight. There is nothing worse then losing a tarpon due to another boater.
4. Tarpon fishing is very competitive and tempers can run high, so be patient and treat other anglers and boats in the same manor you would like to be treated.
5. If you are new to the sport, try fishing on weekdays in the afternoon. As most seasoned anglers will fish the early to mid morning. As a result you will have a more and better opportunities to catch fish and learn what to expect. A big tarpon is much more fight than most expect.
6. Never use stainless steel hook. You will want hook that will fall out in a few days.
7. Never boat the fish. Always release the fish boat side, by breaking or cutting the leader. Lifting the fish out of the water and in to your boat can be fatal to fish as well as your favorite rod, sunglasses, tackle boxes and anything else the tarpon will smash.
8. Be safe!

Tarpon Pictures:
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Tarpon caught off my dock, fortunately the fish decided to stay close.

If you have a picture(s) of tarpon we would love to post it here, please send a request through the contact form for instructions.

* Identification Information From: myFWC

Description: long, slim fish with broad depressed head; lower jaw projects past upper jaw; dark lateral stripe extends through eye to tail; first dorsal fin comprised of 7 to 9 free spines; when young, has conspicuous alternating black and white horizontal stripes.*

Fishing Areas:
Inshore and offshore; cobia are migratory fish and shown up in the west central Florida area in the spring. Larger fish tend to come from offshore, but many large fish have come from the inshore Bayport, Chaz area. When they pass through this area they seem to be just about everywhere.

Baits:
Live baits such as whitebait, pin fish works well.

Tackle:
Rod: A shorter heavy class rod.
Reel: A conventional reel with a heavy drag system (Spin gear used for inshore only)
Line: 40# and up mono or 50#+ braid.
Leader: A 60-100# mono or fluorocarbon leader.
Hooks: Circle hooks 5/0 – 10/0 depending on bait size.

Technique:
Cobia tend to hang around structure, like the Tri-pod, rock piles and wrecks. They are not picky or shy, in fact if you bang on the side of the boat the Cobia will come closer to investigate. Pitch out a live bait and and hold on. These fish are very powerful fighters often wearing out the angler before themselves. Be forewarned, do not boat a green fish (one that has not been exhausted) in to your boat. I have seen a cobia break a consoles loose, snap rods and knock tackle boxed overboard. When boating a cobia, you want to have a cooler or storage area open and ready. The fish comes out of the water and in to the cooler, then shut the lid and lock it down, because round two is about to start. Also be very careful handling the fish, between the base of the head and the dorsal fin (a place that looks like a great place to grab the fish), cobia have spines that are not visible until they raise the dorsal fin. The spines are very sharp and could easily cut you.

Always check the fishing regulations as they have changed several times in the last few years.

Cobia Pictures:
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If you have a picture(s) of cobia we would love to post it here. Please email any pictures and a brief story to zippyjr123 at gmail dot com or send contact us using the Contact Form.

* Identification Information From: myFWC