inshore

Tarpon

Megalops atlanticus

Migratory body, tide-driven. Bridge fights on outgoing, beach push on calm dawns.

Preferred water temp74–86°F

Peak monthsMay, Jun, Jul

Holds onpasses, beach, flats

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 2 of 11 regulations for FL Gulf

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

Bag limit: 0 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 1 total / vessel / day

Catch-and-release only. $50 tarpon tag required only when pursuing record. Tarpon over 40" must remain in water. Hook and line only. Boca Grande Pass has extra restrictions Apr-Jun.

FL Gulf tarpon: C&R only.

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

Catch-and-release only in all FL waters except by tag (extremely limited annual allocation, typically only for IGFA record attempts). Fish over 40" must remain in water for release. No bag limit, no size limit — release everything.