The Atlantic Tarpon, (Megalops atlanticus), belong to the bony fish family Elopidae. This highly unusual fish is unique in it's ability to breathe in water that is extremely low in dissolved oxygen due to it's actually having a lung.

The Tarpon's range is known to be from Nova Scotia to as far south as Brazil, and they are found in waters of offshore reefs, brackish rivers, to near pure freshwater rivers.

The Tarpon is believed to exceed 300 pounds, with the all tackle world record being 283 pounds, 4 ounces caught off the west coast of Africa. A number of fish weighing more than 250 lbs. have been caught off west Africa, and many scientists attribute this to the lack of fishing pressure off Africa's coast.

With the advent of increased education among anglers, the $50 Tarpon Tag required to keep one, and greatly increased efforts in conservation and catch-&-release fishing, things are changing for the Tarpon. In recent years, respect for the fish has resulted in very few fish being killed. As a result, the average size of Tarpon has steadily increased with speculation that fish in the over-200 lb. range will be showing up on Florida's west coast more and more often.

For more than 100 years Florida's central to southwest coast from Tampa to Naples has been the spot of choice for generations of sport anglers. Giant Tarpon by the thousands drop in to feed in Boca Grande, and every year a number of monsters are found in Tampa Bay. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge near the mouth of Tampa Bay produces it's share of big Tarpon.

During the spring and early summer, mainly mid-April to late-June, Giant Tarpon take up residence for spawning purposes, in areas from grass flats to deep holes from Chassahowitzka to the Florida Keys. One of the prime spots in all the US, is 72-foot deep Lighthouse Hole in Boca Grande Pass.

Tarpon above 90 lbs. are almost certainly females, as is the case with most fish species, with the female growing far larger than the males. The life span of the Tarpon is believed to reach 55 years, and these older fish are the larger ones, with growth in both girth and length continuing throughout the lifespan.

Tarpon spend their first few years in the backwaters, rivers, and marshes of the flats, until they reach a size of about 50 to 60 lbs, then at around age 10 years they head out to join schools of migrating adults. During their early adult years they can be caught on lighter tackle with the Snook and Redfish they compete with, and can be an exciting part of the inshore flats fishing experience.

Tarpon eat a variety of baits, and caught be caught on a great number of methods and tackle types.

Captain Ray Van Horn has been scoring high marks on the big "Silver Kings " for many years, and will be glad to take you on your Giant Tarpon trip on Florida's West Coast.