TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The infamous ‘silver king’ has returned to the Tampa Bay area.
Tarpon are a migratory species and only come around for three months out the year, around May through July. They arrive when the waters warm up in late spring and anglers come from all over the world to catch them.
But why? You can’t eat them or even take them out of the water! Captain Brett Norris with Rock Bottom Sportfishing in St. Petersburg says it’s simple, people love a good fight. Norris has been fishing the area for over 30 years and can’t get enough of trying to catch these fish.
Tarpon are fish that you can’t take out of the water because their inside anatomy is not strong enough to support their weight out of the water.
They do put up a fantastic fight though. Weighing up to 200 pounds and schooling in groups by the dozens, catching one is a rite of passage for anglers. They can fight for long periods of time, up to an hour in some cases. It is ideal to get them to the boat as quickly as possible though. The ultimate goal? The money shot!
Norris put Amanda Holly’s strength to the test putting her on a tarpon right around sunset. She was able to get it to the boat in about 20 minutes with enough light for that epic beach photo.
Tips to Catch Tarpon
Norris has plenty of tips to catch these sought after fish but also says, you have to have patience and put in the time. He calls it a ‘hunt’ because some days are great, and others can leave you frustrated.
Norris says tides are crucial. Moving water is key and he likes to fish the beginnings and ends of good tides. Four tide days are great because the water is always moving. The moving water keeps the fish meandering helping you keep track of where they are…