tarpon
Species Facts
Science Name: Megalops atlanticus
Other Names: poons, silver king, sabalo
Ideal Temp: 75 to 90
World Record: 283 lbs. Venezuela
Environment: inshore, coastal
Techniques: medium tackle, casting, heavy tackle fly
Description

Tarpon are large, silvery fishes with a darker, greenish back. Underwater, they appear to shimmer like huge gray ghosts as they swim sedately by. The last ray of the dorsal fin is greatly elongated. The scales are huge but very thin. Between the arms of the lower jaw, their is a large, flat bone called the gular plate. Of Gulf fishes, only the related ladyfish has such a structure, but this latter species has no elongate last ray on the dorsal, and is much slimmer and smaller than tarpon.

The tarpon's powerful leaps, sometimes up to 10 feet out of the water, and bone-jarring bursts of speed test the skill and fortitude of even the most experienced angler. The nature of their high and often frequent jumps is such that many anglers are happy simply to get a few jumps out of a tarpon before it shakes the hook.

Fishing methods include drifting or stillfishing with live mullet, pinfish, crabs, shrimp, or other natural baits, or casting or trolling with spoons, plugs, or other artificial lures and flies. Trolling is generally the least-practiced method; casting is generally most favored, as it involves stalking, spotting, and skillful bait or lure presentations. It may not be appropriate, however, when the fish are deep or unaggressive. The best fishing can be at night when the tarpon is feeding.

Where to Find
The tarpon's powerful leaps, sometimes up to 10 feet out of the water, and bone-jarring bursts of speed test the skill and fortitude of even the most experienced angler. The nature of their high and often frequent jumps is such that many anglers are happy simply to get a few jumps out of a tarpon before it shakes the hook.

Habitat Tarpon are most abundant in estuaries and coastal waters but also occur in freshwater lakes and rivers, offshore marine waters, and occasionally on coral reefs. Adults often patrol the coral reefs of the Florida Keys.

Feeding habits
Favorite foods are crabs and fishes such as sardines, anchovies, mullets, silversides, hardhead catfish, and atlantic cutlassfish.