Bield: fish

Single-species migration calendar

Tarpon in Florida Panhandle june fishing.

  • Megalops atlanticus
  • Migratory
  • Peak

Same — biggest fish of the year often hooked.

Verify with the agency before fishing

Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Saltwater) before each trip.

Year-round calendar

Tarpon · 12-month view.

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Hover a cell for the month-specific note and typical water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Possible Wintering fish in southernmost waters. Typical water temp: 58–66°FPossibleFeb — Possible Same. Typical water temp: 60–68°FPossibleMar — Fair Earliest northbound fish. Typical water temp: 66–72°FFairApr — Good Spring run building. Typical water temp: 72–78°FGoodMay — Peak Peak Gulf tarpon migration — Boca Grande, Homosassa, Panhandle beaches. Typical water temp: 78–84°FPeakJun — Peak Same — biggest fish of the year often hooked. Typical water temp: 82–86°FPeakJul — Good Resident summer fish. Typical water temp: 84–88°FGoodAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FGoodSep — Good Fall migration south building. Typical water temp: 80–84°FGoodOct — Fair Fish departing south. Typical water temp: 72–78°FFairNov — Possible Last stragglers. Typical water temp: 64–70°FPossibleDec — Absent Departed. Typical water temp: 58–64°F

Migration pattern

Spring Gulf tarpon migration pushes north from the Keys through the Big Bend May–July. Boca Grande, Homosassa, and the Panhandle beaches are flagship locations. Fall departure south September–October.

Best locations

  • Pensacola Pass
  • Destin Pass
  • Apalachicola Bay
  • Choctawhatchee Bay

Top lures

  • Live threadfin herring
  • Live mullet
  • Crab patterns (palolo hatch)
  • Live pinfish
  • Soft plastic eel

Tarpon in other regions

South Carolina Coast →Georgia Coast →Northeast Florida →Central Florida East Coast →Southeast Florida →Florida Nature Coast & Big Bend →All tarpon regions →

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Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water-temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in Florida Panhandle.

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