Tarpon Fishing in the Florida Keys and Everglades

Fly fishing for tarpon in the Florida Keys and Everglades is an amazing experience for any angler. Arguably, tarpon are the most iconic game fish in saltwater angling, famous for their jumps and incredible strength.

Juvenile tarpon, often weighing up to 20 pounds, can be found in backcountry creeks and mangrove-lined tidal rivers and creeks. Meanwhile, their mature counterparts, that can tip the scales at over 150 pounds, roam the bays, banks, and the nearshore waters along the Keys and Gulf coasts. This broad range of habitats means there’s almost always an opportunity to target tarpon, whether poling across a shallow flat, working the edge of a bank, or a quiet creek in the mangroves.

While tarpon can be persued year-round, the spring migration from March to June is considered the peak season. During these months, large schools of tarpon move through the Keys.  Sight fishing for tarpon is a unique challenge and one of the most rewarding aspects of the pursuit. Fall and early spring are also productive, offering opportunities with fewer competing skiffs. However, cold fronts can sometimes bring challenging conditions with wind and cooler water temperatures, requiring an alternate plan such as snook or redfish.

Cruising, rolling, or laid-up tarpon and presenting the perfect cast is a test of skill and patience, with the reward being a look, an acknowledgment, or a bite and a battle you won’t forget. Whether it’s your first time hooking a juvenile tarpon or chasing a monster, every encounter with a tarpon is memorable.