Tarpon

Megalops atlantica

The great Silver King also called the Tarpum, Sabalo real, Cuffum, Silverfish, this species belongs to a very primitive family (Elopidae) of bony fishes. Its nearest relative is the Oxeye Herring of the Indo-West Pacific. Like the Ladyfish and Bonefish, it possesses an eel-like, leptocephalus larval stage. it occurs on both side of the Atlantic, on the Western side it has been taken as far north as Nova Scotia, although this doesn't regularly happen much past Cape Hatteras, NC., and extends as far south to Natal, Brazil. In the Eastern Atlantic they range from Senegal to the Congo.

They range in color from a darkish bluegreen on the back to a bright silver sides and belly. Some found inland will be more brownish or brassy in color. Other distinguishing features are there body with vertical sides, dorsal outline of head nearly straight and horizontal, the back somewhat elevated. Scales large and firm, lateral line complete, decurved anteriorly, head moderately short and deep, its depth at middle of eye not quite twice its width at the same place. Mouth superior, mandible projecting far beyond the gape, entering dorsal profile in advance of the mouth. Dorsal fin high anteriorly with 13-15 soft rays, the last ray greatly elongated. Caudal fin deeply forked, the lobes about equal in length, generally somewhat longer than the head.

The Tarpon is one of the most prolific of all fishes, a single large female may contain more than 12 million eggs. Spawning takes place in shallow, estuarine waters any time from May to September, at least in Florida. It is a very euryhaline species, often found in purely fresh waters. They seem to prefer the lower salinities of estuaries and the mouth of large rivers. The tarpons rate of growth is relatively slow. It probably does not attain sexual maturity until it is about 6 or 7 years old and is about 4 feet long. Individuals weighing about 100 pounds are about 13 to 16 years of age. They are carnivorous and feed on mullet, silversides, marine catfish, and blue crabs. Tarpon are not eaten in the US but are highly esteemed for there food value in Central America.

The best method for fishing for tarpon is the still method or drift with live or dead mullet, crabs, shrimp, or pinfish. Many anglers troll with 20 lb test gear with a 50 or 70 shock leader with feathered spoons and jigs, large in size.

Fly-fishing for tarpon is the ultimate way to fish for them for some veteran anglers. The standard fly tackle is heavy. Tarpon that are in the 50 to 100 lbs size require a rod that will drive a 2/0 to 5/0 hook into a seemingly concrete jaw. The reels must be able to hold a 11 to 13 wt line with at least 300 yard of backing 40 lbs. Bear in mind striking this fish means hitting them as hard as you can not once by several times. But with the modern day hooks that are so sharp some times these hooks will set themselves also. A good reel that has a good drag system must be able to be set tight so that the fish when caught and run several miles can pull against a strong drag to slow them down. A leader tied with 16 to 20 lb test will be made up with a shock tip of 50 to 100 lbs is added to absorb the abrasion in a Tarpon's mouth.

The technique for fishing in the Florida Keys is sight fishing on the banks and casting to them. Most of the fishing in the Keys is done in 5 to 8 feet of water. The guide usually stakes out adjacent to a hole or channel and waits for them to come within range of the angler. Sometimes the guide will see rolling tarpon or a cruising school and change his location to intercept them. Basically it is good to have a knowledgeable guide that will the paths of these fish and when they will show up and wait for shots. This method is seldom used elsewhere. as its success is unique to the vast miles of shallow banks and an abundance of big fish. In April to June when the bigger fish show up if you are lucky you might jump 5 to 10 fish in a day.

Tarpon have a lunglike gas bladder, and when "rolling" at the surface they are taking in air. This enables them to survive when there is low oxygen content. You might locate a tarpon fishing area by the sighting of rolling Tarpon. However this does not mean that these fish are feeding, but you might find tarpon in the same area not rolling but willing to strike a lure or fly. The fact that rolling is a separate act from feeding and whether the individual fish or school responds is dependent on there desire to feed.

If there is any trick in tarpon fishing it is in knowing how and when to hook them. Despite all of the cliché's about the savage strike of the tarpon, ordinarily it consists of no more than a bump or stoppage of the line. Tarpon don't take a plug or fly fiercely, it is often a very casual affair that most anglers don't know they had a strike. Tarpon come from below in an arching roll, sucking in the lure in on the upward half of its roll and clamping onto it as it plunges downward. If you strike while the mouth is still open, you will feel a slight bump as the fly or lure is pulled free. Baby tarpon up to 20 lbs are quicker in there movements, possibly because they are in large schools and are more aggressive in feeding. Giant tarpon should be thoroughly played out before gaffing. This is most apparent when the fish slows down and begins bubbling at the surface. Tarpon have little food value and there is no real reason to kill them.