What’s On the Line: Atlantic Tarpon, the ‘Silver King’
The word “Tarpon” conjures images from fishing lore of large, silvery fish making spectacular leaps out of the water when hooked.
Atlantic tarpon are actually closely related to eels. They may not look at all like their cousins when adults, but their larval stages are considerably more similar.
Also known as “the silver king,” tarpon are found in the Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina south to Brazil, throughout the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. A population is now established on the Pacific side of central and northern South America. These large fish can grow up to 8 feet in length, but they weigh an average 25 to 80 pounds.
You may be interested
Freshwater Fishing Up The Cape Fear River
Tim Wilson - July 24, 2026Freshwater angling upstream of the Cape Fear River offers an expansive ecosystem that transitions sharply from a brackish estuary to pure freshwater. This environment features distinct target…
Successful Offshore Trolling Means On Focus
Tim Wilson - July 24, 2026Successful trolling, whether you're fishing offshore or along the nearshore waters, depends on paying attention to several important details. One of the biggest is boat speed. In…
Finding Summer Fish When the Water Heats Up
Tim Wilson - July 24, 2026With the hotter days of summer here, fishing can begin to slow down. Much of this is the result of rising water temperatures. As the water warms,…
Most from this category
