The Tarpon Capital of the World is reeling with opportunities to catch big fish, but precision pays. Catch these anglers' notes on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel’s tarpon and the best places to find them, with an overview of the distinctive fish itself, as well as baiting, tackling and boating information.   

Tarpon is one of the most sought-after fish in the world, and the Fort Myers/Sanibel area annually experiences one of the world's largest tarpon migrations. From Boca Grande Pass to the reefs off of Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach, tarpon migrate by the thousands during   the months of April, May and June. (There are some year-round resident tarpon, but they are usually inconsistent and fishing activity is spotty.)

Every spring, tarpon fishermen head for the "Tarpon Capital of the World" to fish famous Boca Grande Pass. During this time of year there are numerous sponsored tournaments, several with large cash prizes. Most anglers fishing the pass are recreational fishermen, and most hire a fishing guide who provides the boat, equipment, bait, knowledge and a fishing license to pursue the much sought after, 150-200 pound giants.

Catch and Release:  The name of the game is "Catch and Release." In 1989, the State of Florida implemented a tarpon program that requires a $50 fee to kill a tarpon. A tarpon can take 50-plus years to grow to 150 pounds, and since they are not an edible fish, clearly catch and release is the only way to maintain excellent tarpon fishing. Taxidermists can make fiberglass mounts that exactly replicate the big fish you caught. Ask your guide to take measurements before release. The fiberglass will last longer than a skin mount and is the environmentally responsible thing to do.

Tarpon Facts:  Although little is known about the tarpon, this prehistoric animal is considered one of the most diverse and interesting creatures in the world. The tarpon is the only fish with an air bladder, which allows it to absorb oxygen and live in waters with almost no oxygen content. Tarpon are also called tarpum, sabaloreal, caffum, silverfish or silver king and belong to the bony fish family Elopidae. The Latin designation is Megalops atlanticus.

These extraordinary fish can be found on both sides of the Atlantic, having been seen as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as Natal, Brazil. Across the Atlantic, tarpon are found from Senegal to the Congo. Spawning takes place offshore as far as 125 miles, and the young make their way to shallow estuarine coastal waters. Females lay up to 15 million eggs.

While only microscopic at birth, tarpon have been documented at lengths of more than eight feet and weighing more than 350 pounds. The average tarpon found off of Boca Grande weighs about 75 to 85 pounds, with numerous fish well over 100 pounds. Some catches weighing more than 200 pounds have occurred around Boca Grande. A fish more than 100 pounds is generally a female, and the rate of growth is very slow, taking 6 to 7 years to reach sexual maturity. Tarpon can live 55 to 60 years.

Bait & Tackle:  For the pass, anglers should use rods preferably in the 6-8 foot range with either rollerized or ceramic guides. Fishing reels such as the 3/0 and 4/0 Penn models are popular and effective. Reels should have a good drag system and be wound with 50-80 pound Dacron line, which will give the angler a better chance of hooking and controlling the fish. Lines should be marked at the 42- and 60-foot distance from the swivel with green and red yarn spliced in the Dacron line (green at 42 feet and red at 60 feet). Swivels should be the 5/0 size, and leaders should be 10-12 feet long with a rating of about 70 pounds. It is important to use the Mustad forged needle eyehook in a 4/0 or 5/0 size, such as the #7690.

When sinkers are necessary, use copper wire attached and twisted tightly to the bottom eye of the swivel. The sinker should slide on to the copper wire and the tail of the wire should be loosely wrapped around the leader wire. The loose wrap will allow the sinker to be thrown when the fish is hooked.

In the pass there are four standard live baits used: squirrel fish, mutton minnows, crabs and shrimp. Squirrelfish and mutton minnows should be hooked between the head and the dorsal fin, crabs should be hooked through either "point" of the shell and shrimp should be hooked just in front of the "dark spot" in the head.

Fishing Boca Grande Pass:  Tarpon generally congregate en masse at the deepest areas of the pass. The "hole" (Boca Grande Hole) is approximately 100 yards wide by 350 yards long. It runs lengthwise with the pass just south of the lighthouse, which is located at the south end of the island. There is a smaller hole referred to as the "Coast Guard Hole" which is closer to the beach. The Boca Grande Hole is 65-70 feet deep and the Coast Guard Hole is approximately 70 feet. The remainder of the pass bottom surrounding the holes is about 40 feet.

Fishing the pass requires a good fish recorder. When fishing outside the hole, the "green" marker on the reel will keep you generally safe from snagging the bottom. When fishing in the hole, the "red" on the reel or at the tip of the rod is suggested, depending upon the actual depth reading. You must pay attention to the recorder and adjust your reel setting accordingly.

Boat Operations at the Pass:  Boat traffic in Boca Grande Pass has increased at an alarming rate. Enthusiasts who are not aware of the established methods and procedures for boat operations in the pass are creating an unsafe and frustrating situation for the experienced fishermen and guides who are trying to give their clients the best possible trip. We suggest you hire a fishing guide for an enjoyable day of fishing. If you must use your own boat, we would greatly appreciate your use of the following information.

Drifting the pass requires a team effort! Keep your engine(s) running at all times? Try and keep your boat in a draft, such that it's in line with the draft, not sideways. Unless your boat is keeled, you will most likely have the best luck drifting stern to the wind. In this manner, your boat will be more easily controlled.

Easing the engine(s) in and out of gear so as to keep the boat straight with lines running almost straight is necessary and requires the full attention of someone aboard. That person should be the one running the boat and calling out designation of the line depth's green or red marker. If you see a "fish on" in close proximity to your boat reel up and move as quickly as possible.

When you have completed a drift, move back to the head (start) of the drift by going outside the pack at a rate of speed that does not create a lot of wake or noise. Moving back through the pack is WRONG. Generally, you will find the greatest congregation of fish on the drop off ledges at the end of the hole that is receiving incoming water movement (on an outgoing tide it will be the east end of the hole and on an incoming tide it will be the west end of the hole).  

DO NOT ANCHOR IN THE PASS! It's dangerous, and it's a "pain" to those drifting. Anchored boats have been "sucked under" on hard outgoing tides. Boca Grande Pass has a predominantly coral bottom, and anchors are frequently lost. If you do snag bottom, attempt to break free as quickly as possible as the tide will move you away from the snag point at a much faster rate of speed than you can imagine. Tides of 4 to 6 knots are standard, particularly for outgoing tides. Do not attempt to pull or break off bare handed. Use gloves or a towel for protection. At night the pass can be a very dark place. Make sure all of your lights are in good working order and "ON" at all times. Floodlights used for rigging should be turned off except when absolutely needed.