Photo: from NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center. / Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Megalops atlanticus
Atlantic Tarpon
Saltwater
About this species
The "silver king," a giant, chrome-scaled gamefish famous for spectacular leaps when hooked. It rolls at the surface to gulp air and migrates along tropical Atlantic coasts. Live crabs, mullet and large flies during the migration produce heart-stopping fights.
Season
123456789101112
Depth
0 – 10 m
Habitat Spots
EstuaryNearshoreSurf
Fishing Methods
LureFlyBait
Bait & Rig
Large crabs, live mullet, and big feathered or EP flies presented to migrating or rolling fish in passes and channels.
Edibility & Taste
Primarily catch-and-release; the flesh is edible but bony and not prized as table fare throughout most of its range.
Similar Species
Large plate-like scales, a bony gular plate under the lower jaw, and the last dorsal ray extended as a long filament identify tarpon instantly.
Record Weight
130 kg