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Tampa Bay Tarpon Fishing

St. Petersburg Beach tarpon Tarpon fishing in St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay with Captain Wade Osborne is an exhilarating experience. Although juvenile tarpon reside in Tampa Bay’s rivers year- round, Osborne prefers tarpon fishing April through October and especially during their May, June and July migratory run when the largest “silver kings” prevail. During this migratory influx, tarpon fishing reaches its peak. Tarpon weighing between 90 to 165 pounds are common with the occasional tarpon weighing close to 200 pounds.

Tampa Bay tarpon release Tarpon tackle can vary depending on the request or skill level of the client. Captain Wade Osborne provides only the best. A Sage10 weight fitted with a Tibor Gulfstream reel is a perfect match for the seasoned fly aficionado. A much more forgiving method, but just as thrilling, is the use of spinning tackle. Captain Wade Osborne relies on 8ft. G-Loomis Surf Series rods fitted with a Daiwa BG 60 and loaded with 30lb. Momoi fishing line.

The majority of Afishionado Guide Services’ tarpon fishing charters consist of catching bait early and cruising the Pinellas and Manatee county shoreline with the rising sun. Once situated, Osborne scans the horizon in search of rolling or daisy chaining tarpon. The boat is positioned to let the tarpon approach for a prefect cast. Whether casting a Black Death fly or live baits such as scaled sardines, threadfins, shad, pinfish and crabs, all will get the anticipated strike when presented properly.

Once a tarpon strikes and realizes it’s hooked, it shoots towards the sky in an effort to dislodge the hook. A phrase synonymous with tarpon fishing is “bow to the king.” Basically this means, lower the rod tip and point it at the tarpon when it leaps into the air. By doing so, the tension on the tarpon isn’t as great and the hook is less likely to come back at you.

Battling a large tarpon can last well over an hour, depending on the angler. When tarpon fishing with live bait, Afishionado Guide Services installs a pedestal mount pompanette fighting chair to help make your exhilarating, muscle burning tarpon experience more comfortable.

Light tackle tarpon Tarpon: The Silver King
Season: April through October
Bag Limit: Catch and release, however a $50 tarpon tag is required for weighing fish during tournaments or harvest.

The St. Petersburg / Clearwater / Tampa Bay area of Florida is one of the greatest fishing areas in the United States. The primary reason for this is the idyllic weather. The sub-tropical climate allows fishing charters year round, and the pleasant temperatures make it enjoyable to be out on the water any time of the year.

Highs usually stay between 65 and 95 °F (18 and 33 °C) year round, and lows rarely go below 32°F (0°C). Summer can be humid with afternoon storms, which typically last a very short time. Spring and Fall are perhaps the nicest times of the year, but winter months are generally very pleasant also.

While the fishing certainly varies with the time of year and the weather, a good Tampa Bay fishing guide should be able to put you in fish just about any time of the year. That's the beauty of the St. Petersburg / Clearwater / Tampa Bay area.
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