Prehistoric armoured acrobats
Considered one of the world’s premier saltwater game fish, the tarpon is a large and powerful specimen. Its long, thick and streamlined body, which is covered in large scales, is a blue-grey to green-grey in colour on its back and varies in darkness from silver to nearly black.
Because of its strength, stamina, fighting (often for hours) and surface jumping abilities as well as very fast runs, the tarpon is one of the most sought after fish in salt water.
The tarpon’s bursts of speed, as well as spectacular leaps that can reach 10 feet, can test the skill of the most experienced fly fisherman. Anglers are often satisfied just to see a few leaps before a powerful tarpon can shake free of a hook. Making the tarpon an even more challenging catch, they will mix surface sprints with deep-water runs.
With a mouth that looks like a glass bowl, making it even harder to penetrate the striking of the tarpon, is one of the most important aspects to successful tarpon fishing. However, such is their ability to throw a hook, a fish should never be counted as being in until you have it in the boat as they simply do not give up.
