Fishing For the Silver King: Tarpon
Lauren Veugeler
Photo of my father, John Veugeler, fishing.
Photo taken by Jim Veugeler
Watching the bobber sit on the still water, I impatiently stand next to my brother and father.
“Give it a little tug,” my father says and I comply. As the bobber dips below the water, my dad declares, “Reel it in!”
A small bluegill is flung out of the water and onto the solid ground in front of me. I remember the excitement, the thrill, of catching my first fish that summer morning.
My dad has told me stories about his adventures fishing with his father. When his boat almost sank. When he battled a fish for three hours. When he caught a possible world record. His reminiscing always had this eager tone to it, and I finally comprehended what he felt. Out of the many stories he’s recalled, tarpon fishing was always the most exhilarating. His enthusiasm when speaking about the fish's thrashing makes me want to try it myself eventually.
Who is the Silver King?
Out of the trillions of fish in the world, one particularly popular species is the Silver King. The Silver King is the common name for tarpons, which are large nearshore game fish. Tarpons are highly acknowledged as one of the best sports fish due to their vigorous thrashing and impressive size.
Tarpon Growth. Diagram by Florida Museum
The predators of tarpon vary depending on their age. Typically, small fish prey on tarpon eggs and larvae, while fish-feeding birds hunt juvenile tarpon. Adult tarpons are most commonly preyed upon by sharks, especially bull sharks. In addition, alligators and porpoises are also known to devour large tarpons.
Why Bestowed this Title?
Tarpon Diagram. Norrik
The title, Silver King, references the coloration adaptation of the tarpon. Like sharks and other fish with countershading, the tarpon’s belly is a striking silver, while its dorsal can be a contrasting dark blue.
However, the dorsal coloration has adapted to the tarpon's habitat. The inland variant appears more brassy or darker compared to its ocean-dwelling counterparts.
Atlantic Swimming
Where can tarpons be found? Tarpons are remarkably versatile fish. Their only limiting factor is temperature. In hotter areas, tarpons thrive, so they migrate to evade sharp declines in temperature that could kill masses of tarpon.
Tarpons are commonly found in freshwater and saltwater bodies of water, including beaches, nearshore waters, bays, mangroves, estuaries, and rivers. Their proximity to land makes them convenient for fishing without the requirement of large boats or extensive searching in bottomless waters. Some of the largest tarpons, including the world record holders, have been caught in Africa. However, areas with huge tarpons often have few individuals swimming around.
Florida Museum
Photo taken by John Veugeler
Photos of my grandpa tarpon fishing.
Photo taken by John Veugeler
Tarpon Fishing 101
Fishing for tarpon requires skill and equipment, so what do you need to get started? Preparation and knowledge. Despite being wary by nature, tarpons have wounded multiple fishermen before. This usually transpires when a tarpon is still energetic after its fight with a fisherman. This vigor leads to thrashing during the release period. The intensity of the thrashing has led to the mortality of a few fishermen, so for tarpon to be safely caught, they must be exhausted during the fight.
However, if a tarpon is too tired during a fight or release period it could result in it dying. Exhaustion can make it easier for predators to take advantage of the tarpon. Furthermore, releasing a tired tarpon can end in it being unable to surface and suffocating below the water.
Very few tarpons are ever possessed or intentionally killed by fishermen. This is because catch-and-release methods are favored by fishermen. If a fisherman wants to legally kill a tarpon, they are required to purchase a $50 tag. Additionally, only two tags may be purchased each day, and all information about the catch must be submitted to research institutions. These measures were implemented in 1989 to prevent declines in tarpon populations.
Tarpon Tackling: The Hunt for Number 1
According to the Florida Museum, “female tarpon can grow to lengths of over 8.2 feet (2.5m) and reach weights of near 355 pounds (161 kg), with the males generally smaller.” Currently, the tarpon world record is 286 pounds and 9 ounces.
Lauren Veugeler via Canva
Hook, Line, and Sinker
Hooks
Hooks for tarpon depend on personal preference and strategy. A single hook can greatly increase the chance of landing a tarpon as it is difficult for the tarpon to dislodge. For realistic bait movement, 4/0 or 8/0 circle hooks are sufficient. Most anglers use 6/0 to 12/0 circle hooks and never use treble hooks.
Gamakatsu
Lines
Hercules Fishing Tackle
Like hooks, lines depend on strategy however they need to be heavy enough to keep the fish and not overwork it. 30-pound test lines fit the criteria however professionals can go as low as 8-pound lines. However, to maximize absorption of the fish’s violent thrashing, monofilament lines work better than braided lines.
Sport Fishing Magazine
Umpqua Feather Merchants
Baits and Lures
When fishing for tarpon, practice is vital to not get yourself hurt in their thrashing and leaping. To train your reaction speed use a Rapalas lure to get used to ducking when the tarpon flings the lure back. Even then, tarpons are tricky to hook and even harder to land.
Some lures that are all bitten by tarpon are jerkbaits, plastics, poppers, and jigs. In addition, tarpons have many natural baits such as shrimp, blue crabs, pass crabs, mullets, and pinfish. When fly-fishing some of the best baits are Tarpon Toads, Dragon Tails, Tarpon Cockroaches, and The Black Deaths.
Baits and lures are used to entice fish to come and bite the hook. However, baits depend on fly or conventional fishing. Fly fishing baits are called flies and sit on top of the water mimicking insects. For conventional fishing real or artificial bait is used, each with its own pros and cons. Fish tend to like natural bait more but it must be refrigerated and with live or dead. While natural bait has less hassle but fewer bites.
