Atlantic tarpon
Encyclopedia
The Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, inhabits coastal waters, estuaries
, lagoon
s, and river
s. Tarpons feed almost exclusively on schooling fish and occasionally crab
s. Tarpons are capable of filling their swim bladder with air, like a primitive lung. This gives Tarpons a predatory advantage when oxygen levels in the water are low. Tarpons have been recorded at up to 250 centimetres (98.4 in) in length and weighing up to 161 kilograms (354.9 lb). Atlantic Tarpons are also known as the silver king.
In appearance, Tarpons are greenish or bluish on top and silver on the sides. The large mouth is turned upwards and the lower jaw contains an elongated bony plate. The last ray of the dorsal fin
is much longer than the others, reaching nearly to the tail.
Atlantic Tarpons are found in the Atlantic ocean typically in tropical and subtropical regions, though it has been reported as far north as Nova Scotia
and the atlantic coast of Southern France, and as far south as Argentina. As with all Elopiformes
it is found in coastal area, spawning at sea. Diet includes smaller fish and crustaceans.
Tarpons are the official state saltwater fish of Alabama
.
es, not only because of the size they can reach and their accessible haunts, but because of their fighting spirit when hooked; they are very strong, making spectacular leaps into the air. The flesh is undesirable and bony. In Florida
and Alabama
, a special permit is required to kill and keep a tarpon, so most tarpon fishing there is catch and release
.
Although a variety of methods are used to fish for tarpons (bait, lure and fly on spinning, conventional or fly rod), the method that has garnered the most acclaim is flats fishing with a fly rod. It is a sport akin to hunting, combining the best elements of hunting with fishing. A normal tarpon fly rod outfit uses 10-12 weight rods and reels, spooled with appropriate line and using a class leader tippet of 12–20 lb (5.4–9.1 ); truly light tackle fishing where the fish may weigh 10 times or more than the breaking strength of the leader. Typically an angler stations himself on the bow of a shallow water boat known as a 'flats skiff' and with the aid of a guide searches for incoming tarpon on the flats (inshore areas of the ocean that are very shallow, typically no more than 3–4 ft (0.9144–1.2 ) deep). When a school or pod of tarpon is sighted, the guide positions the boat to intercept the fish. The angler usually has no more than 6-10 seconds to false cast out enough flyline and make an accurate cast to these fast moving fish. Accuracy and speed are paramount but the task is compounded by the inevitable excitement and nervousness of seeing a school of fish that may top 180 pounds (81.6 kg) bearing down on the angler. Once the cast is made, the fly is retrieved and hopefully a tarpon inhales the fly. The hookset
is difficult due to the hard mouth of the fish which has been likened to the hardness of concrete. For that reason many tarpons throw the hook on the first few jumps and so many times it is asked of an angler "how many tarpon did you jump?" rather than how many they caught. If the hook stays secure, then the fight is on. Tarpons have tremendous endurance and are one of the most exciting gamefish to fight - frequent spectacular jumps, long runs, and stubborn bulldogging are all part of the game. Although an experienced and skillful tarpon angler can usually land a tarpon in less than an hour, the average angler usually takes longer, anywhere from an hour to more than three hours.
Another popular method is using lures or bait on heavy spinning or conventional gear. Many anglers prefer this as a more surefire method to catch tarpons. Usually the reels are filled with line from 30 to 80 lb (13.6 to 36.3 ) test although 50 pounds (22.7 kg) seems to be the most popular. Although a great deal of fun, the outcome is less often in doubt, unlike fly fishing with light 20 pounds (9.1 kg) test, and getting a tarpon to take a crab
, mullet
or pinfish is easier than an artificial fly.
Despite its namesake, the Atlantic tarpon is not limited to one body of water or exclusive to the east coast. In their northern migration, tarpons range through the Florida Keys and gradually make their way up the west coast of Florida and on to the Texas coast. Of all the places where tarpons are found and fished, the one location most noted for easy access to large numbers of tarpons concentrated in a central location is Boca Grande
Pass, on Florida's west coast. The attraction for the tarpons is the smörgåsbord of crabs and baitfish that are washed through the pass on an outgoing tide. The tarpon only need to position themselves along the bottom and gorge themselves as they attempt to avoid angler's seeking to fool them into taking an offering with a hidden hook. Numerous tournaments throughout the season, running from May through early August, attracts anglers from throughout the world.
The International Sábalo (tarpon) Fishing Tournament is held every May in Tecolutla on Mexico's Costa Esmeralda
.
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
, lagoon
Lagoon
A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,...
s, and river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
s. Tarpons feed almost exclusively on schooling fish and occasionally crab
Crab
True crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" , or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax...
s. Tarpons are capable of filling their swim bladder with air, like a primitive lung. This gives Tarpons a predatory advantage when oxygen levels in the water are low. Tarpons have been recorded at up to 250 centimetres (98.4 in) in length and weighing up to 161 kilograms (354.9 lb). Atlantic Tarpons are also known as the silver king.
In appearance, Tarpons are greenish or bluish on top and silver on the sides. The large mouth is turned upwards and the lower jaw contains an elongated bony plate. The last ray of the dorsal fin
Dorsal fin
A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of various unrelated marine and freshwater vertebrates, including most fishes, marine mammals , and the ichthyosaurs...
is much longer than the others, reaching nearly to the tail.
Atlantic Tarpons are found in the Atlantic ocean typically in tropical and subtropical regions, though it has been reported as far north as Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and the atlantic coast of Southern France, and as far south as Argentina. As with all Elopiformes
Elopiformes
Elopiformes is the order of ray-finned fish that includes the tarpons, tenpounders, and ladyfish, as well as a number of extinct types. They have a long fossil record, easily distinguished from other fishes by the presence of an additional set of bones in the throat.They are related to the order...
it is found in coastal area, spawning at sea. Diet includes smaller fish and crustaceans.
Tarpons are the official state saltwater fish of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
.
Fishing for Tarpons
Tarpons are considered one of the great saltwater game fishGame fish
Game fish are fish pursued for sport by recreational anglers. They can be freshwater or marine fish. Game fish can be eaten after being caught, though increasingly anglers practise catch and release to improve fish populations. Some game fish are also targeted commercially, particularly...
es, not only because of the size they can reach and their accessible haunts, but because of their fighting spirit when hooked; they are very strong, making spectacular leaps into the air. The flesh is undesirable and bony. In Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, a special permit is required to kill and keep a tarpon, so most tarpon fishing there is catch and release
Catch and release
Catch and release is a practice within recreational fishing intended as a technique of conservation. After capture, the fish are unhooked and returned to the water before experiencing serious exhaustion or injury...
.
Although a variety of methods are used to fish for tarpons (bait, lure and fly on spinning, conventional or fly rod), the method that has garnered the most acclaim is flats fishing with a fly rod. It is a sport akin to hunting, combining the best elements of hunting with fishing. A normal tarpon fly rod outfit uses 10-12 weight rods and reels, spooled with appropriate line and using a class leader tippet of 12–20 lb (5.4–9.1 ); truly light tackle fishing where the fish may weigh 10 times or more than the breaking strength of the leader. Typically an angler stations himself on the bow of a shallow water boat known as a 'flats skiff' and with the aid of a guide searches for incoming tarpon on the flats (inshore areas of the ocean that are very shallow, typically no more than 3–4 ft (0.9144–1.2 ) deep). When a school or pod of tarpon is sighted, the guide positions the boat to intercept the fish. The angler usually has no more than 6-10 seconds to false cast out enough flyline and make an accurate cast to these fast moving fish. Accuracy and speed are paramount but the task is compounded by the inevitable excitement and nervousness of seeing a school of fish that may top 180 pounds (81.6 kg) bearing down on the angler. Once the cast is made, the fly is retrieved and hopefully a tarpon inhales the fly. The hookset
Hookset
In recreational fishing terminology, the hookset is a motion made with a fishing rod in order to "set" a fish hook into the mouth of a fish once it has bitten a fishing lure or bait. That is, in order to secure the fish on the hook, a sharp motion is preformed to push the barb of the hook into the...
is difficult due to the hard mouth of the fish which has been likened to the hardness of concrete. For that reason many tarpons throw the hook on the first few jumps and so many times it is asked of an angler "how many tarpon did you jump?" rather than how many they caught. If the hook stays secure, then the fight is on. Tarpons have tremendous endurance and are one of the most exciting gamefish to fight - frequent spectacular jumps, long runs, and stubborn bulldogging are all part of the game. Although an experienced and skillful tarpon angler can usually land a tarpon in less than an hour, the average angler usually takes longer, anywhere from an hour to more than three hours.
Another popular method is using lures or bait on heavy spinning or conventional gear. Many anglers prefer this as a more surefire method to catch tarpons. Usually the reels are filled with line from 30 to 80 lb (13.6 to 36.3 ) test although 50 pounds (22.7 kg) seems to be the most popular. Although a great deal of fun, the outcome is less often in doubt, unlike fly fishing with light 20 pounds (9.1 kg) test, and getting a tarpon to take a crab
Crab
True crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" , or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax...
, mullet
Mullet (fish)
The mullets or grey mullets are a family and order of ray-finned fish found worldwide in coastal temperate and tropical waters, and in some species in fresh water. Mullets have served as an important source of food in Mediterranean Europe since Roman times...
or pinfish is easier than an artificial fly.
Despite its namesake, the Atlantic tarpon is not limited to one body of water or exclusive to the east coast. In their northern migration, tarpons range through the Florida Keys and gradually make their way up the west coast of Florida and on to the Texas coast. Of all the places where tarpons are found and fished, the one location most noted for easy access to large numbers of tarpons concentrated in a central location is Boca Grande
Boca grande
-Places:*Boca Grande, Florida, United States*Boca Grande, Venezuela*Boca Grande Key, Florida, United States-Other:*Boca Grande Community Center, also known as Boca Grande School, a historic site in Boca Grande, Florida...
Pass, on Florida's west coast. The attraction for the tarpons is the smörgåsbord of crabs and baitfish that are washed through the pass on an outgoing tide. The tarpon only need to position themselves along the bottom and gorge themselves as they attempt to avoid angler's seeking to fool them into taking an offering with a hidden hook. Numerous tournaments throughout the season, running from May through early August, attracts anglers from throughout the world.
The International Sábalo (tarpon) Fishing Tournament is held every May in Tecolutla on Mexico's Costa Esmeralda
Costa Esmeralda
The Costa Esmeralda is the stretch of beaches which run north from Veracruz to the mouth of the Rio Tecolutla near the town of Tecolutla on the Gulf coast of Mexico.-External links:*...
.