Key West tarpon fishing is primarily done in spring and early summer. Now there resident tarpon all around Key West all year but like I said the really good tarpon fishing is in spring. Although some of the tarpon fishing is done on the flats most of it is done in the harbor and channels that connect to the harbor. The water depth and lack of above water obstructions enable people with all size boats to fish comfortably. Many places further north in the keys people fish for tarpon around the bases of bridges and a smaller center console or flats boat needs to be used. In Key West large sport fish boats offer tarpon trips to the harbor in addition to the smaller boats.

Tarpon are caught usually using heavy spinning gear on live or dead bait. Some purists target them on the fly but most people don’t. Favorite baits for tarpon are mullet, crabs, pinfish and squid. Although in Key West shrimp boat trash is often used. Shrimp boat trash is the bi-catch that shrimpers end up with when dragging for shrimp. It consists of all kinds of small dead sea creatures. This is tossed behind the boat for awhile and once the tarpon get used to eating it, you send out a peice with a hook in it.

Tarpon can be caught all day but the most productive times are early morning, evening and night.