Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing
Without understanding the true nature of this fish and where its found; it might be hard to understand why so many fishermen are hooked on Florida Keys tarpon fishing. Truth is, tarpon flats fishing has enough substance to write a book about, some have. With so much attention geared towards tarpon fishing, one thing will always remain true, tarpon are the “mega”, when in shallow water. Strengthening runs that don’t quit, spectacular aerial displays, tarpon set themselves apart from any other fish when caught from the flats.
Often romanticized, the remote inshore waters tarpon occupy each spring are what make Florida Keys tarpon fishing so special. Watching a 100+ pound tarpon swim through crystal clear shallow water is downright intimidating when attempting to catch one. It’s certain, sight-fishing for tarpon in the Florida Keys “gin-clear” water provides untouched excitement.
Flats Fishing for Tarpon
Considered by many as the ultimate gamefish, tarpon are also known as the “king of the flats”. High on the food chain, tarpon go where they please when on the flats. Often grouped together in a shallow depth of water, tarpon can easily be seen from a distance. An angler’s true dream fish, flats fishing for tarpon in the Florida Keys has been driving a charter fishing industry for decades now.
Today, allot of tarpon fishing takes place near bridges and other industrial locations where chumming, cut bait, and bottom fishing methods are common practice. This is not considered flats fishing for tarpon. Florida Keys flats fishing for tarpon takes place far from humanity, using a more hunt style approach to catch tarpon. You’ll never see a bridge when flats fishing tarpon with Key Flat Charters.
Flats Fly Fishing for Tarpon
Tarpon can be ferocious eaters within a close range of a quiet flats boat. This plain and simple fact makes them great opponents for novice saltwater fly fishermen.
The double-haul casting technique should be exercised when fly fishing for tarpon, as well as all other saltwater gamefish for that matter. Tarpon can and will eat a fly very close to the boat at times; yet a 30 to 50 ft cast from a 12 wt rod should be common practice for an angler who is fly fishing for tarpon in shallow water.
Tarpon fly fishing holds a special place in the Florida Keys. Calm pre-dawn mornings with fly rod in hand, awaiting the tarpon’s roll, need more be said.
Light-Tackle Tarpon Spin Fishing
Not all tarpon of the flats need be targeted with a fly rod. Straight forward methods for the angler wishing to target tarpon with a light tackle spin or conventional rod can easily be achieved from the flats. Using live bait to catch tarpon provides an explosive hit one would expect from such a large fish.
Live bait tarpon fishing is best during particular points of a day’s given tide. Being in the right spot, during the right tide, with the right live bait, will provide unmatched action when live bait tarpon fishing.
Key Flat Charters specializes in a wide array of tarpon flats fishing techniques for those who wish to use a light-tackle spin rod to catch tarpon. It’s all about the client and how they wish to hunt their tarpon.
