Tarpon SeasonEvery Port
Tarpon peak windows across US offshore ports vary by port; across the 9 ports we track, something is peaking Mar–Nov. June, July and August are the hottest, with 4 of 9 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.
Bars: share of the 9 ports at peak (orange) and fishable (blue) each month. Number = ports at peak.
Gulf Coast3 ports
Tarpon in the Gulf →| Port | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destin, FLPeak May–Aug | Off | Off | Off | Fishable | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Fishable | Fishable | Off | Off |
| Orange Beach, ALPeak Jun–Aug | Off | Off | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Peak | Peak | Peak | Fishable | Off | Off | Off |
| Venice, LAPeak Jul–Sep | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Peak | Peak | Peak | Off | Off | Off |
Florida Atlantic & Keys5 ports
Tarpon off Florida's Atlantic coast and the Keys →| Port | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamorada, FLPeak Mar–Jun | Off | Off | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Off | Off | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Off |
| Key West, FLPeak Mar–Jun | Off | Off | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Off | Off |
| Palm Beach, FLPeak Oct | Off | Off | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Peak | Fishable | Off |
| Port Canaveral, FLPeak Sep–Nov | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Peak | Peak | Peak | Fishable |
| Stuart, FLPeak Oct | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Peak | Fishable | Off |
Carolinas1 port
| Port | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head, SCPeak Jul–Sep | Off | Off | Off | Fishable | Fishable | Fishable | Peak | Peak | Peak | Fishable | Off | Off |
How to fish it
Tackle class:40-60lb braid, heavy fluorocarbon leader near structure. The window gets you on the water; the rig gets the fish to the boat. Full breakdown on the tarpon page.
- Night Tarpon on StructureBridge and dock lights concentrate bait and tarpon after dark: the rig, the cast, and the fight discipline that lands a silver king at night.
Kits for this fish
- The Inshore Redfish Ambush KitThe braid, leader, and offshore-grade safety piece worth carrying when a bull red run pulls you out past the flats: bundled for anglers who fish structure hard.
Frequently asked
When is tarpon season across US offshore ports?
Tarpon peak windows across US offshore ports vary by port; across the 9 ports we track, something is peaking Mar–Nov. June, July and August are the hottest, with 4 of 9 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.
What is the best month for tarpon across US offshore ports?
June, July and August. In June, 4 of the 9 ports we track are at peak: Destin, Orange Beach, Islamorada, Key West.
Which US port has the longest tarpon season?
Palm Beach, FL: 9 fishable months on our calendar, peaking Oct.
What rig do you use for tarpon?
40-60lb braid, heavy fluorocarbon leader near structure. Start with Night Tarpon on Structure.
Where this comes from
Every window here is rolled up from the port calendars on this site, and each port page cites its sources. Peak means the port's sources call it the best stretch; fishable means the fish are around but not at their best. Water temperature and bait move these windows every year. Check state and federal regulations before you leave the dock. Not legal advice.