An oblong body, compressed, and covered with large, thick, silvery cycloid scales. Mouth large and superior. Primarily silver in color, though its dorsal surface is somewhat darker than the ventral area.
Reaches 6.5-8.5 feet (2-2.6m) and over 260 pounds (120 kg).
Found in shallow coastal waters from Western Atlantic Ocean from Virginia to Brazil and Gulf of Mexico. They are also found in eastern Atlantic off tropical Africa. West Indies, Florida, and Gulf of Mexico have the heaviest populations.
Larvae and juvenile grow up in salt marshes and mangrove ponds, tidal creeks, rivers , ditches, and beaches. Not much changes by the time they're adults, and range grows as tarpon become better equipped to handle more brackish, almost fresh water. They can do so because they come to the surface to breathe air, rather than relying on filtering oxygen through the use of gills.
Can reach from 40-50 years of age, but generally the 15-20 range is average for tarpon.
Tarpon are strict carnivores and feed on pinfish, needlefish, sardines, shrimp, and crabs. As they have small teeth they swallow prey whole when feeding.
A 6.5 foot (2 m) long tarpon can produce over 12 million eggs. Reproductive maturity is attained when they grow to be 4 feet (120 cm) long. They spawn primarily on the Caribbean coast of the Gulf of Mexico and west of Florida.
Adult tarpon are occasionally eaten by sharks, porpoises, and alligators. As they come up to surface for air, marine birds are also a predator for the tarpon.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Bill battles with a big tarpon on the flats near Islamorada, Florida.
Funny fishing, How to cook grouper,how to bait ,
Feathered trebles add flash to any bait that uses treble hooks, here's how to make your own at home.
Tarpon Rolling in Boca Grand Pass
Mark Melnyk shows off his new line of Signature Series Sundog eyewear.
Dan Cornell of the Boomerang Tool Company talks about the new and innovative set of retractable pliers introduced at this year's ICAST.
Imagine never having to fiddle with line snips or having to hunt down the end of the line on a spool or worry about line running off the spool. Shark Tooth is one simple tool available at ICAST that takes care of all these little jobs that fits on every spool and cuts every kind of line.
Conway Bowman talks about the most important piece of gear every angler needs when sightfishing and the new technology that puts Kaenon Sunglasses at the top.
Sunrise on Tarpon Lake
While Mariko is in Boca Grande she spends time on the other side of the camera! Mariko learns what it takes to be a camera woman and how to catch a tarpon - sort of.
Watch as Mariko ACCIDENTALLY catches a shark!!
Puerto Rico Fly Fishing and Light Tackle Action.
In this episode of Kayak Fishing Tales, Jim Sammons and Greg Bowdish brave the power boat and shark-filled waters of Boca Grande while on their hunt for tarpon.
WFN fans explain why every day is a great day for fishing in the WFN Loudmouth Booth at the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, FL.
WFN fans explain why every day is a great day for fishing in the WFN Loudmouth Booth at the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, FL.
WFN fans explain why every day is a great day for fishing in the WFN Loudmouth Booth at the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, FL.
WFN News talks with Dr. Aaron Adams of Bonefish and Tarpon Trust discussing the effects the oil from the Gulf Coast will have on Tarpon.
WFN fans explain why every day is a great day for fishing in the WFN Loudmouth Booth at the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, FL.
WFN fans explain why every day is a great day for fishing in the WFN Loudmouth Booth at the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, FL.
WFN fans explain why every day is a great day for fishing in the WFN Loudmouth Booth at the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, FL.
A recap of the first Bassmaster Northern Open tournament of the season on Lake Champlain, and WFN's Joe Mercurio reports on the final event of the 2010 Professional Tarpon Tournament Series.
WFN fans explain why every day is a great day for fishing in the WFN Loudmouth Booth at the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, FL.
WFN fans explain why every day is a great day for fishing in the WFN Loudmouth Booth at the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, FL.
WFN fans explain why every day is a great day for fishing in the WFN Loudmouth Booth at the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, FL.
It was an exciting event as the race for Angler of the Year winds down. More fish were weighed in at this event then any other this season.
Me, my friends and family gettin r done!
All were only 12 to 14 inches and 1/2 lbs.
Ambassador package
Adventures fishing with friends
2012 FISHING
The fish of 2012
Bassin in the 509
i went fishing this weekrnd with my dad and my brother on the richelieu river. we had a blast!! we caught what i wanted at the end , BASS. catch and release , aways!!
Fishing 20 miles off of the coast on Sea of Cortez down in Mexico. We caught two 150lb striped marlin!
Some fish I have caught....More photos in time still working on getting out fishing more :)!!!!
Like to go out to my grandparents who live off of moira lake and do some fishing together here are the pics
Bay of Quinte
CPW colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing derby in Broomfield CO
London Ontario. Fanshawe Conservation.
A good pair of polarized sunglasses can make all the difference in your day on the water!
All the bass me and my friends catch
smallmouth bass caught in 2012
The elk river fishing n stuff
Good old time
ShutUpAndCampGear.com Camp Site/Location
Misc fishing pics
35.11 lb Black Drum from Taylor Lake out of a john boat.
Fish pics
Fishing May 2011 Kazan River Northern Saskatchewan
Fish I have caught over the past few years before joining WFN.
