Tarpon

Tarpon grow to about 5 to 8 ft. long and weigh 80 to 280 lbs. The world record for hook and line is 283 lbs. from Lake Maricaibo, Venezuela

Silver King, Sabalo

Fishable throughout Florida in warm months, including the Panhandle, but adults are largely confined to South Florida in the winter. Major fishing efforts for big Tarpon are directed at live-baiting in large passes, inlets, channels and river mouths throughout the state, and at sight-fishing with fly and casting tackle on shallow flats in the Keys and on the lower Gulf Coast from Homosassa southward. Large and medium Tarpon also are found off the beaches and in the surf of both coasts at times, and many are hooked from bridges and piers, especially at night. Medium-size fish are common in a variety of settings in South and Central Florida, including freshwater rivers and landlocked canals. Tiny juveniles inhabit landlocked canals and ditches. The Tarpon is found on the western Atlantic coast from Virginia to Brazil, throughout the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, throughout the Caribbean. It is also found along the eastern Atlantic coast from Senegal to Angola. Tarpon are found in both salt and freshwater habitats usually ascending rivers to access freshwater marshes. They are able to survive in brackish water and water with varying pH levels as well. They manage to survive in habitats with low dissolved O2 content due to their swim bladders which they use primarily to breathe with. The habitat of the tarpon varies greatly with the developmental stage they are in. Stage one larvae are usually found in clear, warm, oceanic waters relatively close to the surface. Stage two and three larvae are found in salt marshes, tidal pools, creeks, and rivers. The habitats are characteristically warm, shallow, dark bodies of water with sandy mud bottoms. It is quite common for Megalops to ascend rivers into freshwater. As they progress from the juvenile stage to adulthood, they move back to the open waters of the ocean, though many remain in freshwater habitats. Inhabit coastal waters, bays, estuaries, mangrove-lined lagoons, and rivers. Often found in river mouths and bays, entering fresh water. Large schools may frequent particular spots for years. Feed on fishes like sardines, anchovies, Mugilidae, Centropomus, Cichlidae (mainly those forming schools) and crabs. The swim bladder, attached to the esophagus, can be filled directly with air and permits the fish to live in oxygen-poor waters.

Green or steel above, silver on sides and belly. Deep, thick body; forked tail. Long trailer at end of dorsal fin. Tarpon have dorsal and anal soft rays and have a bluish or greenish back. They possess distinctive lateral lines and have shiny silvery scales that cover most of the organism except for the head. They possess large eyes with eyelids and a broad mouth with a prominent lower jaw that juts out farther than the rest of the face. Tarpon have a hard bony plate near its mouth making it a most difficult fish to hook. Tarpons are bony fish and their meat is not desirable so most Tarpons are released after they are caught. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 22 - 25; Vertebrae: 53 - 57. Diagnosis: It is characterized by the anterior position of pelvic fin insertions in relation to dorsal-fin origin, and by some morphometric counts: 13-16 dorsal-fin rays, 40-48 lateral-line scales and 53-57 vertebrae. Large scales are used in ornamental work and in preparation of artificial pearls. Used to be cultured commercially in Colombia.

Has high fecundity, a 203 cm female is estimated to produce over 12 million eggs. Spawn in waters which can be temporarily isolated from the open sea. Transparent leptocephalus larvae migrate into estuaries.

Summary of Distribution: Atlantic Ocean: from Nova Scotia, Bermuda and southward to Brazil in western Atlantic Ocean, where it it also found throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean (Ref. 26938); from Mauritania to Angola in eastern Atlantic Ocean; with exceptional records in Portugal, Azores and Atlantic coast of southern France. It had crossed the Panama canal and was also caught at Coiba Island in the Pacific Ocean
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

	Gill nets Gill-nets are the dominant gear in the Indian Ocean. Gill-nets are used in artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries, contributing to 30-40% of the total catch. The net design is comprised of continuous panels of uniform mesh size, aimed to trap fish behind the gills. The International Sustainable Seafood Foundation (ISSF) notes that rates of sharks and turtle by-catch in Indian Ocean gill-net fisheries are high..
	Kite Fishing (Trolling) Kite Fishing Trolling is when you are....
	River Drift River Drift means to use the....
	Trawling Trawling is when....

Anglers seeking big fish in passes, channels, deep bays and surf areas like 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. Drift-fishermen in the passes and inlets prefer 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.

Available Sizes: 16" - 93" Details: Fired-Enamel Glass Eye Product Options: Wood Plaque, Custom Base, 360°