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Get Hooked On Key West Tarpon Fishing
The Florida Keys is one of those destinations that many an angler dream of visiting. Sailfish, blue marlin and other species of game fish are abundant in the waters around these islands. However, if light-spin or fly-tackle angling is more your thing, you will love Key West tarpon fishing.
The species of tarpon found in these waters is the Atlantic tarpon, also called the silver king. Although tarpons are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico, the flats near Key West are one of the best spots to catch them. These silver-colored fish can weigh more than a hundred pounds in Caribbean.
Tarpons' natural habitat is not only the ocean, but also estuaries, channels, rivers and lagoons where the water is brackish. This is because these fish have a kind of primitive lung that makes it possible for them to get oxygen from above the water surface. Consequently they can survive in water with low oxygen levels.
These fish are very popular with anglers. One of the main reasons for this is that they are fighters that will give you a run for your money. When you hook one, it will leap and pull and you'll really have to work to reel it in. Other reasons for the silver king's popularity is that they are big and that it is easy to get to their haunts. However, they are not very tasty.
Of course, you will require a boat to get to the silver king's waters. Bring your own if you have one, or charter a boat from a charter company in Key West. There are many charter companies that will take you to just the right spot, even at night, and they welcome beginners. In addition, they can arrange a guide to answer your questions and tell you what you need to know.
One popular way of catching tarpons is to use a fly rod. The best weight for your rod is between a number 10 and a number 12 or 13, with matching reel. Tarpon taper line is the most suitable line to use and you should also have a class leader tippet that weighs from 12 to 20 pounds. Your guide can help you pick the most suitable fly, since the color depends on what color the water is.
Many anglers prefer to use lures and bait with conventional tackle. If you want to do it this way, you will need bait fish or small crustaceans to use as bait. You will also need line of 30 to 80 pounds.
Tarpons migrate through this part of the Caribbean from around March to July. The best months for Key West tarpon fishing are April to June. However, you should be able to find some in these waters pretty much any time of the year. Just remember that in Florida, you will have to catch and release unless you have a special permit for killing these fish.
The species of tarpon found in these waters is the Atlantic tarpon, also called the silver king. Although tarpons are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico, the flats near Key West are one of the best spots to catch them. These silver-colored fish can weigh more than a hundred pounds in Caribbean.
Tarpons' natural habitat is not only the ocean, but also estuaries, channels, rivers and lagoons where the water is brackish. This is because these fish have a kind of primitive lung that makes it possible for them to get oxygen from above the water surface. Consequently they can survive in water with low oxygen levels.
These fish are very popular with anglers. One of the main reasons for this is that they are fighters that will give you a run for your money. When you hook one, it will leap and pull and you'll really have to work to reel it in. Other reasons for the silver king's popularity is that they are big and that it is easy to get to their haunts. However, they are not very tasty.
Of course, you will require a boat to get to the silver king's waters. Bring your own if you have one, or charter a boat from a charter company in Key West. There are many charter companies that will take you to just the right spot, even at night, and they welcome beginners. In addition, they can arrange a guide to answer your questions and tell you what you need to know.
One popular way of catching tarpons is to use a fly rod. The best weight for your rod is between a number 10 and a number 12 or 13, with matching reel. Tarpon taper line is the most suitable line to use and you should also have a class leader tippet that weighs from 12 to 20 pounds. Your guide can help you pick the most suitable fly, since the color depends on what color the water is.
Many anglers prefer to use lures and bait with conventional tackle. If you want to do it this way, you will need bait fish or small crustaceans to use as bait. You will also need line of 30 to 80 pounds.
Tarpons migrate through this part of the Caribbean from around March to July. The best months for Key West tarpon fishing are April to June. However, you should be able to find some in these waters pretty much any time of the year. Just remember that in Florida, you will have to catch and release unless you have a special permit for killing these fish.
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