Tarpon fishing in Monroe County
23 rated shore spots in Monroe County hold tarpon — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.
Tarpon forecast map for Monroe County
Every spot colored by how it fishes for tarpon right now. Scrub the timeline, tap a pin for its forecast, or go full screen.
When to go
In season nowJFMAMJJASOND
🌊 Fish the ebb tide.
Size, bag and season rules in Monroe County
Catch and release only
Monroe County
Rules set by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Keeping
- Return every fish
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · checked Sep 30, 2026
A summary of the rules these authorities publish for anglers, checked on the dates shown. It is not legal advice: the authority's own page is the rule, and rules can change.
Check FWC rulesBest tarpon spots in Monroe County
1No Name Key BridgeGood · 72HotspotTarpon roll under the bridge from spring into summer, especially at night; drift a live pinfish or crab and release them in the water.2Tea Table Relief BridgeFair · 52HotspotThe reason anglers come here: fish stack up after dark from March to June. Heavy tackle; check FWC tarpon release rules.3Indian Key FillFair · 55ReliableIslamorada's channels are famous for spring tarpon at night. Heavy tackle and live bait; release at the water.4Bahia Honda State ParkFair · 61ReliablePack into Bahia Honda Channel in spring and early summer. Hard to land from shore; heavy tackle, live bait and release at the water.5Fort Zachary TaylorGood · 66ReliableMove along the channel, mostly in spring and summer. Hard to land from rocks; heavy gear and release at the water.6Channel Two BridgeFair · 54Worth a tryPass through in spring, though they do most of their feeding at night, so a fish in daylight is a bonus. Heavy gear and a live mullet or crab; release it at the water.7Long Key ViaductFair · 54Worth a tryRun under the viaduct in spring and early summer but feed mostly after dark, so a daytime fish is a bonus. Release at the water.8Old Seven Mile BridgeFair · 59Worth a tryMigrate under the old and new bridges in spring, but they feed mostly after dark; in daylight you will see more than you hook. Release at the waterline.9Channel Five BridgeFair · 56Worth a tryOften seen under the bridge, but they feed mostly after dark, so a daytime hookup is a bonus. Heavy gear; release at the water.10Curry Hammock State ParkFair · 55Worth a tryVisitors see tarpon from the beach and kayak launch, the park says. Heavy tackle and a live bait on the channel; release at the water.11Spanish Harbor Channel BridgeGood · 66Worth a tryRoll through in spring. Most of their feeding happens at night, so hooking one in daylight is a bonus; use heavy tackle and a live mullet or crab, and release it at the water.12Long Key State ParkFair · 53Worth a tryThe park map names tarpon among the area's flats fish. They pass along the deeper edges in spring and summer; heavy tackle, and release at the water.13Tom's Harbor BridgesFair · 62Worth a tryTravel through both cuts in spring but mostly feed at night, which makes a daylight hookup a bonus. Use heavy tackle, and release them at the water.14White Street PierGood · 66Worth a tryOccasional evening visitors in spring and early summer. Needs heavy tackle and a plan to release at the water.15Bow Channel BridgeGood · 72Worth a tryMove through in spring and summer and do most of their feeding in the dark, so any daytime hookup is a bonus. Check the FWC's tarpon release rules.16Kemp Channel BridgeGood · 72Worth a tryRoll through in spring and summer, yet do most of their eating after dark, so hooking one by day is a bonus. Read FWC's tarpon release rules.17Park Channel BridgeGood · 68Worth a tryCome through in spring and summer; since they eat mostly after dark, one hooked in daylight is a bonus. FWC's tarpon release rules apply.18Oceanfront Park, MarathonGood · 66Worth a tryThe odd small tarpon rolls around the canals. A live bait on light-heavy tackle; release at the water.19Garden Key, Dry Tortugas National ParkFair · 62Shows occasionallySeen around the old coaling-dock pilings, which are closed to fishing; a hookup from the beach is a bonus. Check FWC tarpon rules.20Harry Harris ParkFair · 55Shows occasionallyAn occasional fish from shore, mostly in spring and early summer; heavy tackle and a live crab or mullet. Check FWC tarpon release rules.21John Pennekamp Coral Reef State ParkFair · 58Shows occasionallySmall tarpon sometimes roll in the sound's calm, sheltered water in warm months. A live shrimp on light-heavy tackle; release at the water.22Flamingo, Everglades National ParkGood · 65Shows occasionallySeen around the marina; a hookup from this shore is occasional. Check FWC tarpon rules.23Pigeon KeyGood · 65Shows occasionallyTravel the nearby channels in spring and summer; a dock hookup is rare. Check FWC tarpon rules.
Tactics for tarpon
Top baits, best first
- Threadfin Herring
- Finger Mullet
- Blue Crab
- Live Pinfish
Rigs that work, best first
- Tarpon Circle-Hook Rig
- Freeline Live Bait
- Slip Float Rig
