Tarpon Fishing Tampa
Tampa is Florida’s topmost Gulf Coast City! The city is renowned for energetic nightlife, unadulterated mangroves, and premier Tarpon fishing. Migrating schools of Tarpon may be reeled-in from Tampa’s shores, along bridges or atop the artificial reef. Tampa has so much to offer; why not take a sojourn in “The Big Guava?” The cities early investors may not have made a fortune in wild guavas, but stumbled upon a wealth of fish.
Tampa’s artificial reefs make for a superb fishing experience. According to the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC), fifty- thousand tons of material has been submerged in the gulf coast since 1986. These artificial reefs promote biodiversity and enhance local fishing. You can charter a boat with Flats and Bay to fish the area or thumb a ride with a Tampa local. Whether fishing from a dock, the shore or atop a reef, Tampa is bound to please all fishermen.
Tarpon, Megalops Atlanticus in Latin, are easily recognized by their silver sides and belly. The sides of the Tarpon tend to be untarnished like polished cutlery. These large fish possess a green body that beautifully contrasts their silver sides. Anglers have dubbed this Tampa native the Silver King due to their reflective color and size – females can surpass eight feet in length! Another distinct feature of the Tarpon is the trailing dorsal fin.
Tampa locals agree that Tarpon can be challenging to reel-in, two-hundred-and-eighty pounds of fish exert a tremendous amount of resistance on a fishing rig. Mentioned on Bullbuster.net, Tarpon respond the best to the correct equipment: “I have narrowed my equipment down [when fishing for Tampa’s Tarpon]. The hooks that have given me the best catch and release ratios are circle hooks that are 5/0 in the Mutu Style.” The author continues, rods that don’t exceed 8 feet and a 60 pound test tend to reel-in the most Tarpon. The correct equipment greatly increases your odds of reeling-in Tampa’s Tarpon.
Whether fishing for Tarpon along Tampa’s white sand shores, from a dock or atop one of the many artificial reefs, Florida’s Gulf Coast provides an exceptional experience. After a long day of reeling-in Tarpon, don’t forget to investigate the Tampa nightlife.