Sailboat Rides

The 'Sunshine State' of Florida enjoys a fine reputation for the kind of fishing it provides, in its abundant inland fresh waters as well as the oceans which surround it. For nay visitor looking for some of America's best fishing, they should refer to some Key West tarpon guides to see what kind of sport this species of fish can provide. The tarpon is one of the hardest fighting game fish in the world, and the challenge of catching one should excite any angler.

Firstly, the tarpon itself is a big fish, with typical specimens varying in size from approximately 40 to 200 pounds, and are typically five to eight feet long. They leap from the sea in a spectacular fashion. Also known as megalops, they are not good eating and are very bony.

This means that the megalops which are caught by Florida anglers are usually released back in the wild to fight another day. They are unusual fish, in that their swim bladder can also double as a makeshift 'lung' that they can use to breathe. This allows them to survive in brackish waters as well as the ocean.

In Key West, the megalops' migration peaks from March until early summer, around June or so. This is therefore the prime time of year to book a trip to the rich waters of the area. Anglers can catch fish of around 70 pounds in weight, though larger fish have been hooked; all will provide a great battle.

Megalops can be caught on light tackle or fly tackle, and the best time to catch them is early in the morning. Night time fishing for them is fun though, with some guides recommending the use of spin tackle with a plug which sinks. Megalops can be caught at any time of day by a skilled angler though.

For fisherman, a trip with some Key West tarpon guides is a great vacation in itself. Throw in the all-round attractions of Florida though, and a great vacation for all the family is on offer. Visitors can fish the same waters as writer Ernest Hemingway did, then relax in the chilled surroundings of the Keys later on. key west tarpon guides