When is tarpon season in the Florida Keys?
April to July, when the Keys tourism council grades tarpon Peak and migrating schools move through the channels and bridges; May has the strongest agreement across sources. Tarpon are catch-and-release only in Florida, and any tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water.
What tarpon are
FWC says tarpon grow up to eight feet, live more than 50 years and mature slowly, at 7 to 13 years; the Florida Museum says a 100-pound tarpon is typically 13 to 16 years old. They gulp air at the surface, feed day and night on fish and large crustaceans, and spawn offshore. The Florida state record, 243 pounds, was caught near Key West. FWC says plainly that tarpon have poor food value.
When tarpon run in the Keys
The Keys tourism council grades tarpon Peak in April, May, June and July, Good in March, August, September and October, and Lower in January, February, November and December. Florida Straits Sportfishing says migrating schools pour through the channels and bridges from April through July; Shadow Caster runs sunset tarpon trips March to June; Recon runs them April 20 to June 20.
How Key West captains fish for tarpon
Named by Key West Fishing Deals, Shadow Caster, Above The Cut, Recon, Boa Vida, Florida Straits, Charter Boat Linda D, Captain Conch, Gulfstream, Laid Back, Conch ’N Around and Blind Squirrel on their own websites or booking pages.
- Laid Back Key West says hundreds stack up in spring in the 45-foot channel in front of Key West, off Mallory Square.
- Blind Squirrel’s sunset harbor trip free-lines a bait in the current on circle hooks: when the fish picks it up, you wind rather than strike.
- Key West Fishing Deals fishes at night under bridge lights.
- Florida Straits stakes out channel mouths and bridges, and runs a two-hour night tarpon and shark trip.
- Recon and Shadow Caster run four-hour sunset tarpon charters; Above The Cut runs a sunrise trip.
- Gulfstream’s party boat does not target tarpon and sends anglers to flats and backcountry guides.
Tarpon rules: catch and release
Sources: FWC tarpon rules and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
- Catch and release only. FWC: tarpon is a catch-and-release only fishery, hook and line only.
- Over 40 inches stays in the water unless you hold a tarpon tag in pursuit of a state or world record; one tag per person per year.
- Best practice (FWC): with bait, use non-stainless, non-offset, barbless circle hooks.
- Sharks. Bonefish & Tarpon Trust advises breaking a tarpon off when a shark closes in, so it can escape before it is exhausted.
Which trip to book for tarpon
A four-hour sunset or night tarpon charter in season, on a skiff or small private boat. Private half days ran $650–$1,199 per boat in the October 2026 scan. See night fishing and flats and backcountry fishing.
Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: tarpon profile ; FWC research: tarpon facts ; Florida Museum: tarpon ; Bonefish & Tarpon Trust: tarpon catch and release .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Tarpon regulations Tarpon is catch-and-release with a tag required to possess or transport one. Link checked 6 September 2026
Tarpon: questions
When is the best time for tarpon in Key West?
April to July, the Keys tourism council’s Peak grade, with May the month most sources agree on. Laid Back Key West says hundreds stack up in spring in the channel off Mallory Square, and several operators run sunset tarpon trips in that window.
Can you keep a tarpon in Florida?
No. FWC says tarpon is a catch-and-release only fishery, and any tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water. The only exception is one tarpon tag per person per year, used when pursuing a Florida state or world record.
How big are tarpon in the Florida Keys?
Big: FWC says up to eight feet, and the Florida state record, 243 pounds, was caught near Key West. The Florida Museum says a 100-pound tarpon is typically 13 to 16 years old.
Next step
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