Tarpon are a large prehistoric species of fish heralded for their fighting ability. While it is possible for a tarpon to exceed six feet in length and two hundred plus pounds, many anglers will agree that targeting juvenile tarpon in the five to thirty pound range is equally if not more exciting. This size tarpon can be found on the grass flats and back water creeks, and can be taken on ordinary spinning tackle.
A lagoon is a large, shallow body of water separated from the ocean by a series of barrier islands. These lagoons are considered estuaries. An estuary is where a body of saltwater meets a body of fresh water to form a mixture called "brackish" water. Usually a fresh water river mixes with ocean water to produce this condition. These shallow estuaries have sandy bottoms covered with sea grass. The "flats," as they are called, may extend for miles, and rarely exceed depths of more than six feet. It is because of the flat bottom covered with grass that they are called the "grass flats." The grass supports small creatures like plankton, shrimp, and small bait fish like pin-fish and mullet. These small creatures in turn feed larger species of fish like Snook, Tarpon and Red Drum.
When you are Tarpon Fishing in the grass flats, try to locate schools of bait-fish like mullet and pinfish. Look for tarpon "rolling," a classic indication of their presence. Tarpon "roll" or break the surface of the water to breathe gulps of air. They are among the few species of fish that possess a "swim bladder." They are able to absorb oxygen through this organ, a trait that allows them to survive in very oxygen poor water.
Upon locating a school of tarpon or a lone single, stay quiet. Tarpon are known to be finicky and what works today may not work tomorrow, but several lures are popular. A slow, steady retrieve is the ticket. Make sure you have a least one to two feet of twenty pound flourocarbon leader. Tarpon have razor sharp gills and can easily break you off. If you get a bite, set the hook and hang on! Tarpon will make long runs, bulldog, jump out of the water, they will do anything to shake your hook. Your drag is going to scream like a banshee. Be careful not to break the line. Fighting a tarpon is a thrill like no other. You may become obsessed, as it is possibly the most exciting fish to catch.
