Frequently Asked Questions

As a full-time tarpon fishing guide, I get a lot of general questions asked about tarpon fishing and about tarpon fishing charters. Below I will answer some of them.

Q: [When is the best time to catch a tarpon?]
A: [Large tarpon start to migrate into Florida waters in March and leave after the first few cold fronts in the fall. Generally fishing for tarpon is best from April until the end of September. Most years, the Florida Keys are best during March and April and the southwest coast of Florida from Fort Myers to Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor is best from May until July. August and September can be good in all areas of Florida but I believe that Charlotte Harbor has the most consistent and best quality of tarpon early or late season.]

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Q: [When is the best time to target tarpon with a fly rod?]
A: [During the early spring tarpon tend to "lay up" in shallow while resting to absorb heat from the suns rays. This gives fly anglers an excellent chance to target large tarpon with a fly rod. Beach fishing for singles and migratory schools in May though July is also good since the water is usually very clear when the wind is out of the east.]

Q: [What size tackle is used for catching tarpon?]

A: [I use an number of different tackle set ups depending on the technique used to target the tarpon. When sigh fishing with crabs or lures I use 50-65lb braid with 80lb leader on 7' and 7' 6" fast action tarpon rods. When drift fishing Boca Grande Pass or dead bait fishing the flats, I use7' heavy action casting and spinning rods with 8lb braided line and 80lb or 100lb leader.

Q: [What kind of boat do you use for tarpon fishing?]

A: [When fishing for tarpon in Boca Grande Pass, Charlotte Harbor and the beaches of Southwest Florida I use a 24ft Thread Fin custom guide boat with a dueal station tower. The Thread Fin is a "west coast" style bay boat that is excellent for fishing in the passes and open bays of the west coast of Florida. These kind of boats can easily take the heavy chop associated with Charlotte Harbor and Tampa Bay yet still stalk laid up tarpon on the flats for sight fish on the beaches. The tower gives the guide and advantage when looking for "flashing" tarpon in the distance, locating bait, birds, and locating laid up tarpon resting san holes on the flats. When stalking "laid up" tarpon with a fly rod in the backcountry of the 10,000 Island a small technical poling skiff is best used.

To book a tarpon fishing trip with Capt. Scott Hughes call: 941-628-4247

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