Doesn't look sharky to me. Maybe a snook?

 

That's a tarpon. They're always around fish docks. They're beginning their migration. In a month or so they'll start showing up here in huge schools.

fltsfshr

 

Didn't hook anything that day. But she hooked you. Now, didn't she?

 

Yes she did.

 

A question from a landlocked resident: I’ve read that Tarpon are difficult to debone. Are they a worthy catch?


gary

 

Megalops and humans

Megalops is considered one of the great saltwater game fishes. They are prized not only because of their great size, but also because of the fight they put up and their spectacular leaping ability. They are bony fish and their meat is not desirable, so most are released after they are caught. Numerous tournaments around the year are focused on catching tarpon.[9]

 

Tarpon are totally worthy. It's hard to find a fish that fights harder. They are prehistoric and an ultimate gamefish. They can breathe air. They are armor plated and it's very hard to penetrate their mouth with a hook.

They were ignored by early settlers as they aren't a good food fish. The first one taken for sport was from Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island. A man invented the first fishing reel with a drag just to catch them. It hangs in the Tarpon Lodge.

They get up and over 200#. They are a favorite food of big sharks. The hammerheads follow them as do other shark species.
We look for them using a technique called "Diamonds on the Water". Their scales are so reflective that you can spot a school from miles away if the sun is at your back.

fltsfshr

 

My Buddy who lives in Punta Gorda caught a nice one and released it as soon as he got it to his boat.