Summer has finally set in here on the Space Coast and the tarpon migration is definitely starting to heat up! Anglers can find these trophy fish all the way up and down the coast, inshore, along the beach, in ditches along salt marshes, saltwater ponds, the possibilities of where to catch these fish.
Florida is one of the few states that have these incredible species, being very acrobatic, long runs, and down right brutal fights to the very end these fish are a true prize. Tarpon are found inshore along deeper mangrove shorelines, saltwater estuaries off the main river, back bays, and even in residential canals that have little to no water flow. Even in some of the most stagnant water, you can find tarpon, and more so than other species. These fish are often seen rolling or to be technical coming up to gulp air to store in their swim bladder to breathe — they are one of the only fish that have this ability, it’s often why you’ll find them in areas where not much else can survive.
Inshore fish primarily feed on mullet making small topwater plugs, jerk-shads, and paddle tail baits great choices. It’s often not uncommon to see these fish along the beach migrating up and down the coast, look for rolling fish along the entire coast, get up ahead of the school or fish and try to lead them by several feet, baits like mullet, Pogies, or larger swimbaits are great in these scenarios and with the possibility of fish over 100lbs don’t be scared to throw a larger profile bait. Tarpon have amazing vision so the lighter the leader the better. I prefer 40/50lb fluorocarbon for good abrasion resistance while still being able to produce a bite, however it is important to really power these fish in quick on larger gear and never remove from the water especially on fish over 10lbs.
Tarpon season is just beginning and should only improve until the fall, so get out and enjoy this incredible fishery the Indian River lagoon and Space Coast has to offer!
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