Florida's Tampa Bay is known for the big catch. Local anglers reel in some of the ocean's most sought-after fish, and chief among the Gulf's boon is Tarpon. Tampa locals refer to the Tarpon as the Silver King due to its silver hue and girth. This fish is a hard-fightin' catch, revered for its aerial displays. Many a fish tale is told of the Tarpon's antics on the line.
Juvenile Tarpon are easily retrieved with light tackle along Tampa Bay. Fort De Soto, a county park and historical site, is the region's premier inshore Tarpon fishing excursion. The park consists of pristine islands and covers over 1,100 square acres.
Tampa's offshore Tarpon can exceed 280 pounds and 7 feet in length. A fish of this size can be challenging to reel in — two-hundred-and-eighty pounds of fish exerts a tremendous amount of resistance on a fishing rig. But there is no reward quite like catching one of Florida's Tarpon, the sun and blue waters making for an unforgettable experience.
While fishing for Tampa's Tarpon, it's important to use the correct tackle. Heavy tackle is best for both the angler and the Tarpon — it reduces exhaustion and aids the fish in avoiding predators after release.
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