Know your target

Tarpon fishing around Tampa Bay

Tarpon move through Tampa Bay and nearby Gulf beaches most prominently from May through July, feeding on baitfish and crabs. For shore anglers this is a catch-and-release-only target that requires heavy tackle and a low shoreline where the fish can be released in the water.

Also known as: Silver king

Harvest status today: Catch-and-release only (as of Oct 26, 2026)

Catch-and-release only

Season: Catch-and-release only, year-roundSlot: No minimum size; tarpon over 40" must stay in the water (unless using a tarpon tag for a record attempt)Bag: Catch-and-release only; one tarpon tag per person per year for a state or world record attempt

Tarpon swimming — Photo: NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center · Public domain (U.S. government work) · Source

FWC regulations (Tampa Bay region)

Season	Catch-and-release only, year-round
Slot/size limit	No minimum size; tarpon over 40" must stay in the water (unless using a tarpon tag for a record attempt)
Bag limit	Catch-and-release only; one tarpon tag per person per year for a state or world record attempt
Special rules	Hook and line only; no snagging, spearing, or multiple hooks with natural bait FWC recommends avoiding fishing for tarpon from bridges or piers

Source: FWC: Tarpon · Checked Oct 2026

“Checked” is the dataset reference date.

Regulations change; always confirm with FWC.

Fishing license: who needs one

When they're biting

Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.

JanRare

FebRare

MarFair

AprGood

MayPeak

JunPeak

JulPeak

AugGood

SepGood

OctFairThis month

NovRare

DecRare

Swipe or scroll the table to see all months. General guidance: 0 = Rare, 1 = Fair, 2 = Good, 3 = Peak. Current month: Oct. Harvest status as of 2026-10-26 (America/New_York), at build time.

Month-by-month shore fishing guide
Species	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	OctThis month	Nov	Dec
Tarpon	Rare	Rare	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Fair	Rare	Rare

winter: Adult coastal tarpon are a poor shore target in cold weather; sheltered canals may hold juveniles, but avoid stressing cold fish.
spring: Watch open bay shorelines for rolling fish as warming water brings the coastal migration into reach.
summer: At first light, present mullet or crabs ahead of traveling fish only from a shoreline with safe in-water release access.
fall: Look for remaining fish following mullet along bay edges before cold fronts reduce the coastal opportunity.

Top baits

Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.

live

Live mullet
Live threadfin herring
Small live blue crabs

cut

Cut ladyfish
Fresh mullet chunks

artificial

Large soft-plastic swimbait
Tarpon streamer fly

Image credits

How to catch

General guidance; adapt tackle to conditions and follow current rules.

Hook: 6/0-8/0 non-stainless inline circle hook
Leader: 60-80 lb monofilament
Weight: Freeline (0 oz); optional 1/2-1 oz sliding egg sinker for a bottom bait
Rig: Freeline rig: connect a heavy leader to strong spinning tackle and present a live mullet or crab without weight from a low, accessible bank.
Technique: Cast ahead of rolling or traveling fish and let the bait drift into their path without trying to snag them. Use sustained side pressure during the fight and lower the rod briefly when a fish jumps.
Best tide: Established incoming or outgoing flow along an open shoreline
Time of day: Dawn or dusk, when rolling fish are easier to spot

FWC recommends avoiding targeting tarpon from bridges and piers; choose a low bank with safe release access.
Tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water; keep them submerged for unhooking and photos.
Treat tarpon as catch-and-release only; use stout tackle and stop fishing if sharks threaten a hooked fish.

Where to go

Habitat suggestions, subject to access. Check each spot's status before going.

Apollo Beach Nature Preserve Shoreline The eastern bay beach offers open shoreline for presenting a bait and planning an in-water release away from rocks. Open
E.G. Simmons Conservation Park Shoreline Mangrove shoreline and canals offer sheltered habitat to watch for rolling juveniles from accessible banks. Open
Courtney Campbell Causeway — Clearwater Trail Shoreline Open upper-bay shoreline allows a search for rolling fish; choose a low bank rather than elevated or rocky footing. Call ahead
Skyway Fishing Pier State Park — North Pier The pier is the old bridge span along the shipping channel; its pilings and rubble hold mangrove snapper and sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel and cobia pass through warm months. Open
Williams Park (Alafia River at U.S. 41) Alafia River shoreline by the U.S. 41 bridge; snook stage on the bridge shadows and tarpon roll up the river in summer. Open
Riverview Civic Center Fishing Pier (Alafia River) Pier on the tidal Alafia River upstream of the bay; snook and jacks follow bait in the brackish water, especially on the outgoing tide. Open