TARPON (Megalops atlanticus) The tarpon is a large and powerful specimen with a long, thick and streamlined body, which is covered in large scales, is a blue-gray to green-gray in color on its back and varies in darkness from silver to nearly black. On it sides and belly, the tarpon is a shiny silver. The tarpon has a large mouth with a prominent bony-plated lower jaw that protrudes upward. The dorsal fin, which begins just past the origination of the pelvic fin, has a distinctive long trailer at the end of the lowest ray. The base of the tail is thick and the large tail fin is widely forked.

IGFA All Tackle Record Weight: M-15kg (30lb) Tie 128.50kg (283lb 4oz) Sherbo Island, Sierra Leone 04/16/1991 Yvon Victor Sebag 128.36kg (283lb 0oz) Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela 03/19/1956 Mario Salazar

Typical Range: The species is most abundant in south Florida, the West Indies, and Central and South America. Tarpon are primarily an inshore coastal fish ideally pursued in warm shallow waters. Habitat in which they are commonly found include slow brackish rivers, bays , lagoons, shallow flats, passes between islands, mangrove lined banks, passes and sometimes around coral reefs.

Common Tackle: stout tackle with lines testing at least 30 pounds. All sizes of spinning, baitcasting and fly tackle get lots of play for smaller fish. The same types of gear, although of heavier proportions, are also used for big fish on shallow flats. Use at least 15-pound line on spinning and casting gear, and at least a 10-weight fly outfit with minimum 16-pound tippet. Heavy monofilament leaders or tippets are required because of the Tarpon's very rough mouth.

Common Fishing Method: Flyfishing, spinfishing with lures, plugs, jigging in deep water and passes live baiting, trolling along the ends of flats close to deeper water with plugs, spoons, jigs and natural baits is common. In addition, some angler choose chuming, anchoring or drift fishing with live or dead baits.

Common Baits: Mullet, crabs, shrimp and other local species. live baits mainly small crabs and small fish. All Tarpon will take dead baits, such as a mullet head or half mullet, fished patiently on bottom. For trolling or surfcasting with heavier gear, large jigs, spoons and lipped plugs get the call. Generally, casters enjoy the most success with swimming plugs, jerk plugs and surface plugs. Fly fishermen rely heavily on scissor action feather streamers and bulky bucktail streamers.

Preferred Temperature: Lower Avoidance: 68, Upper Avoidance: 95, Optimum: 75-90