Tarpon in Florida
Best waters and rules for tarpon.
- 243.19 lbrecord
Photo: Albert kok, CC BY-SA 3.0
Florida Tarpon basics
Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record tarpon weighed 243.19 pounds (Key West, 1975).
About tarpon
Tarpon habitat
“Primarily inshore fish; adults spawn offshore.”
“Tarpon are found throughout Florida’s coastal environment during the summer months.”
“During the winter months, coastal water temperatures in much of the state drop significantly and cause tarpon to concentrate in South Florida.”
Spawning and feeding, tarpon
“Slow-growing, matures at 7 to 13 years of age.”
“Spawn between May and September.”
“Females may lay more than 12 million eggs.”
“Develop into a ribbon-like larval stage.”
“Tolerate a wide range of salinity.”
“Juveniles commonly found in freshwater.”
“Gulp air at the surface.”
“Feed on fish and large crustaceans.”
Seasons for tarpon
“Spawn between May and September.”
“Females may lay more than 12 million eggs.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida tarpon limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | catch and release | none | Catch-and-release year-round |
Catch-and-release only. One tarpon tag per person per year may be purchased when in pursuit of a Florida state or world record; vessel, transport and shipment limited to one fish. Tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water unless in pursuit of a record using a tarpon tag. Hook and line only. Boca Grande Pass has additional gear rules (April-June: no more than three lines per vessel, no breakaway gear).
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record tarpon
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 243.19 | Key West | 1975 |
| Fly | 202.5 | Chassahowitza | 2001 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Florida bays for tarpon
Big Bend region
- Alligator HarborFranklin
- Apalachee BayWakulla
- Deadman BayTaylor
- Ochlockonee BayFranklin, Wakulla
- Suwannee SoundLevy
- Waccasassa BayLevy
- Withlacoochee BayLevy
Charlotte Harbor region
- Charlotte HarborCharlotte, Lee
- Estero BayLee
- Gasparilla SoundCharlotte, Lee
- Lemon BayCharlotte, Sarasota
- Matlacha PassLee
- Pine Island SoundLee
- San Carlos BayLee
Indian River Lagoon region
- Banana RiverBrevard
- Hobe SoundMartin
- Indian River (Indian River Lagoon)Brevard, Indian River
- Jupiter SoundMartin, Palm Beach
- Loxahatchee River estuaryMartin, Palm Beach
- Mosquito LagoonBrevard, Volusia
- St. Lucie River estuaryMartin, St. Lucie
Northeast region
- Cumberland SoundNassau
- Halifax RiverVolusia
- Matanzas RiverFlagler, St. Johns
- Nassau SoundDuval, Nassau
- Tolomato RiverSt. Johns
Panhandle region
- Apalachicola BayFranklin
- Big LagoonEscambia
- Blackwater BaySanta Rosa
- Choctawhatchee BayOkaloosa, Walton
- East Bay (Bay County)Bay, Gulf
- East Bay (Franklin County)Franklin
- East Bay (Santa Rosa County)Santa Rosa
- Escambia BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- North Bay (Bay County)Bay
- Pensacola BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- Perdido BayEscambia
- Santa Rosa SoundEscambia, Okaloosa
- St. Andrew BayBay
- St. Andrew SoundBay
- St. George SoundFranklin
- St. Joseph BayGulf
- St. Vincent SoundFranklin, Gulf
- West Bay (Bay County)Bay
Sarasota Bay region
- Little Sarasota BaySarasota
- Palma Sola BayManatee
- Roberts Bay (Siesta Key)Sarasota
- Roberts Bay (Venice)Sarasota
- Sarasota BayManatee, Sarasota
Southeast region
- Barnes SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Biscayne BayMiami-Dade
- Card SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Florida BayMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Lake Worth LagoonPalm Beach
Southwest region
- Chokoloskee BayCollier
- Fakahatchee BayCollier
- Naples BayCollier
- Ponce de Leon BayMonroe
- Whitewater BayMonroe
Tampa Bay region
- Boca Ciega BayPinellas
- Clearwater HarborPinellas
- Hillsborough BayHillsborough
- Old Tampa BayHillsborough, Pinellas
- St. Joseph SoundPinellas
- Tampa BayHillsborough, Manatee
Other Florida saltwater fish
tarpon questions and answers
What is the bag limit on tarpon?
catch and release (Statewide), size: none.
How big is the Florida record tarpon?
The record weighed 243.19 pounds (1975).
Where are the best places to catch tarpon in Florida?
Use the bay and county lists above to find tarpon.
Do hatcheries raise tarpon?
Not in the 2021-22 to 2023-24 reports for tarpon.
Can I get a Big Catch certificate for tarpon?
tarpon are not in the Big Catch program.
How are tarpon classified?
Megalops atlanticus.
What license covers tarpon?
Yes, unless exempt; buy the saltwater license.
Is there a closed season for tarpon?
tarpon are open all year.
Where do the tarpon numbers come from?
FWC rules and records, checked October 2026.