UTERTarpon fishing in Florida's Big Bend
In Florida's Big Bend, tarpon peak May–June and are around April–September, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Homosassa's giants — the most famous fly-rod tarpon water in the world. Strings of 100-plus-pounders cruising the outside flats; light wind, high sun, a long lead.
Not in Florida's Big Bend this month.
Tarpon in Florida's Big Bend, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArrivingLate in the month the first strings of fish show off Homosassa and Chassahowitzka.
- MayPeakHomosassa's giants — the most famous fly-rod tarpon water in the world. Strings of 100-plus-pounders cruising the outside flats; light wind, high sun, a long lead.
- JunePeakStill the big-fish month on the Nature Coast flats and off Crystal River; fish move up the coast toward Steinhatchee by the end of June.
- JulyAroundScattered — fish on the bait off the river mouths and in the deeper cuts. Early mornings only.
- AugustAroundResident fish in the deep holes off the rivers; a few laid up on the outside bars.
- SeptemberLeavingLeaving south ahead of the first fronts.
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish tarpon near Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River
A hundred miles of undeveloped coast: vast turtle-grass flats, limestone rock piles and ledges in ten feet of clear water, spring-fed rivers, oyster bars and salt marsh. No passes, no barrier islands — the Gulf just starts.
Fish Scouter charts 95 pass / inlet, 2 beach / surf spots in the The Big Bend & Nature Coast map area — the kinds tarpon hold on.
What to use for tarpon
- Blue crabsWhole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Leader50–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook5/0–8/0
- Jig head1–1 1/4 oz
- Braid40–65 lb
Feeds in 74–90°F water, best at 78–86°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch tarpon in Florida's Big Bend?
Peak season is May–June. Tarpon are in Florida's Big Bend April–September. May: Homosassa's giants — the most famous fly-rod tarpon water in the world. Strings of 100-plus-pounders cruising the outside flats; light wind, high sun, a long lead.
Where do tarpon hold in Florida's Big Bend?
Look on channel edge — around Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River, Homosassa.
What is the best bait for tarpon in Florida's Big Bend?
Live bait: blue crabs, threadfin herring (greenbacks), pilchards (whitebait), finger mullet. Blue crabs: Whole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 50–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 5/0–8/0, jig head 1–1 1/4 oz, braid 40–65 lb.
What are the rules for tarpon in Florida's Big Bend?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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