Whoever wrote that old Beer jingle “Weekends were made for Michalob” clearly didn’t live in the Florida Keys. We spend our weekends doing things like Tarpon fishing. OK, I agree, most fishing boats have beer onboard but we fish too
The Atlantic top in is a ray-finned fish that enhabits coastal waters, estuaries and flats. Tarpon are also commonly known as Silver Kings. Although they usually are found in shallow water, you will always see Tarpon underneath the docks waiting for a handout from the fishing boats that come in. They are very big fish considering they can often be found in less than three feet of water. A Tarpon that is less than 4 feet long and 60 pounds is considered small. Larger ones will be over 8 feet long and 250 pounds.
Angles have been known to spend three hours or more fighting one Tarpon. They will jump several feet out of the water the same way a Sailfish weir when trying to get loose. I can remember having one on my line for about two and a half hours just to have him break the line about 5 feet from the boat. Since they are catch and release sport fish I didn’t mind losing him. I had my fun and my arm was killing me. It would have been nice to have gotten him to the boat for a picture but I will be on the water chasing Tarpon again and will have my chance.
People spend millions of dollars traveling to theKeys to catch Tarpon, or at least hope to catch one. Those of us who live here can do it every day. This could be your Saturday morning and I can help. When you are ready to move to the Florida Keys give me a call, 305-731-0501.
Gary McAdams, PA
Realtor, Notary Public
Barbara A. Anderson Realty
Serving Key West and the Florida Keys
