Tarpon fishing in St. Johns County
3 rated shore spots in St. Johns County hold tarpon — ranked below with today's live forecast score for the species.
Tarpon forecast map for St. Johns 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 St. Johns County
Catch and release only
St. Johns 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 St. Johns County
1Matanzas InletExcellent · 89Worth a trySummer and early fall rolling in the inlet. Release rules apply, check FWC.2Mussallem Beachfront ParkExcellent · 81Shows occasionallyA few roll outside the bar during the late-summer and fall mullet run; release rules apply, check FWC.3Spyglass Beachfront ParkGood · 71Shows occasionallyOccasional in the late-summer and fall mullet run; tarpon have release rules, check FWC.
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
