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Rip Tide Charters:  888-990-6460 - Deep Sea Charter fishing out of Port O'Conner Texas.  Red Snapper, King Mackerel, Cobia, Dolphin, Amberjack, Tuna, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Shark (hunting also available).  Experienced guides and outfitters, have taken care of hundreds of fishermen and hunters in the past 5 years.  Customer satisfaction is first priority.  Honesty is our policy.
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Ronand's Big Game Fishing:  361-776-2102 - Port Aransas, TX.  Red Snapper, King Mackerel, Cobia, Dolphin, Amberjack, Tuna, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, and more.  Enjoy fishing from a brand new 27 ft Cat Glacier Bay 2002 - with twin 150 Yamaha power complete with full cabin, toilet and shower.  You will have the benefit of fishing with brand new top of the line rod and reels.     
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Blue Marlin:  (Makaira Nigricans )

MARLIN, black / Makaira indica Cuvier, 1831); ISTIOPHORIAE FAMILY; also called white marlin (Japan), silver marlin (Hawaii)

Occurs in the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans. In tropical areas distribution is scattered but continuous in open waters; denser in coastal areas and near islands. In temperate waters occurrence is ran;. A few stray black marlin travel around the Cape of Good Hope into the Atlantic, moving up the southwest coast of Africa until they
roach the Ivory Coast. Some have been known to cross the ocean from there, traveling in a southwesterly direction as far as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or in a northwesterly direction as far as the Atlantic coasts of the Lesser Antilles. Such excursions are, however, regarded as exceptional and very rare. Little is known of the migrations of this pelagic species, but they do not appear to be extensive except in unusual cases.

The black marlin can be quickly and positively identified since it is the only marlin that has rigid pectoral fins that cannot be folded fiat up against the body without breaking the joints. The black marlin is also set apart by the airfoil shape of the pectoral fins and by its very short ventral fins, which almost never exceed 12 inches in length, regardless of the size o' the fish. The lateral line, which is rarely visible in adults, is a straight double row of pores. The first dorsal fin is proportionately the lowest of any billfish, usually less than 50 percent of the body depth. The body is laterally compressed, rather than rounded; much more so than in similar sized blue marlin.

The body is slate blue dorsally, changing abruptly to silvery white below the lateral line. When feeding or leaping, the black marlin may display light blue vertical stripes on the sides (see striped marlin coloration). Slight variations in color cause some specimens to have a silvery haze over the body. In Hawaii this has led to the name "silver marlin" (once thought to be a separate species). The name "white marlin" applied in Japan refers to the color of the meat, rather than the external color of the fish.

One of the most highly rated game fish, the black marlin has the power, size, and persistence of which anglers dream. Its diet consists of squid and pelagic fishes. Fishing methods include trolling with large, whole baits (mackerel, bonito, flying fish, squid and others) or with artificial lures. Live bait is also effective. The meat of the black marlin is firm and white and commands a high price on the commercial market.

Though there are some notable exceptions, giant black marlin tend to be larger than giant blue marlin taken on rod and reel. This may be because large black marlin are more accessible and more often occur within the range of sportfishing vessels. Japanese longline fishermen contend that giant blue marlin taken far out at sea beyond the range of sportfishing boats are larger than giant blacks. Blue marlin, or any marlin, larger than 3110 16 (136 kg) are almost always females. A 500 16 (226.7 kg) male is a rarity.
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SAILFISH (Atlantic & Pacific) / Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw & Nodder, 1791); ISTIOPHORIDAE FAMILY; also called spindlebeack,bayonetfish

Occurs in tropical and subtropical waters near land masses, usually in depths over 6 fathoms, but occasionally caught in lesser depths and from ocean piers. Pelagic and seasonally migratory, sailfish usually travel alone or in small groups. They appear to feed mostly in midwater along the edges of reefs or current eddies.

The outstanding feature of the sailfish is its long, high first dorsal fin (37 49 total elements). The second dorsal fm is very small with 6 8 rays. The lateral line along the median line of the flanks is single and prominent. The bill is longer than that of the spearfish, usually a little more than twice the length of the elongated lower jaw. The vent is just forward of the first anal fin. The sides of the fish often have pale, bluish gray vertical bars or rows of spots. The sail like first dorsal fin is slate or cobalt blue with a scattering of black spots.

The greatest fishing action is found where sailfish are located on or near the surface. Diet includes squid, octopus, mackerels, tunas, jacks, herring, ballyhoo, needlefish, flying fish, mullet and other small pelagic fishes.

Its fighting ability and spectacular aerial acrobatics endear the sailfish to the saltwater angler, but it tires quickly and is considered a light tackle species. Fishing methods include trolling with strip baits, whole mullet or ballyhoo, plastic lures, feathers or spoons, as well as, live bait fishing and kite fishing from boats using jacks, mullet and other small live baits. Recent acoustical tagging and tracking experiments suggest that this species is quite hardy and that survival of released specimens is good.

Although present taxonomy suggests that the Atlantic and Pacific sailfish are the same species, some experts are not yet convinced. It has long been believed that Indo Pacific specimens of sailfish attain a much greater size than their Atlantic counterparts, but a recent study of size data from the Japanese longline fishery by Dr. Grant L. Beardsley of the National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami Laboratory, provides evidence that eastern Atlantic specimens can reach much larger sizes than previously recorded.
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SWORDFISH / Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758; XIPHIDAE FAMILY; also called broadbill, broadbill swordfish

Found worldwide in temperate and tropical oceanic and continental shelf waters from the surface to depths of 400 500 fathoms or more. Except when spawning, adult female swordfish prefer cool, deep waters near submarine canyons or coral banks. Males prefer to remain in somewhat warmer waters.

Characteristically, the swordfish has a smooth, very broad, flattened sword (bmadbill) that is significantly longer and wider than the bill of any other billfish. It also has a nonretractable dorsal fm, rigid, nonetractable pectoral fins, and a single, but very large keel on either side of the caudal peduncle. Adult swordfish lack scales and swordfish of all sizes lack ventral fins. The back may be dark brown, bronze, dark metallic purple, grayish blue or black. The sides may be dark like the back or dusky. The belly and lower sides of the head are dirty white or light brown.

This pelagic, migratory species usually travels alone. It uses its sword for defense and to kill or stun food such as squid, dolphin, mackerel, bluefish and various other midwater and deep sea pelagic species. Occasional attacks on boats have been authenticated by the recovery of swords found broken off in wooden hafts. One swordfish attacked Alvin, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute submarine, at a depth of 330 fathoms and wedged its sword so tightly into a seam that it could not be withdrawn.

Fishing methods include presenting trolling baits or deep drifting at night with bait such as squid Swordfish often bask on the surface with their dorsal and tail funs protruding from the water, making them susceptible to harpooners and longliners who make the majority of swordfish catches. Swordfish ace finicky, easily frightened by an approaching boat, and rarely strike blindly. Usually the bait must be presented carefully and repeatedly before the swordfish will take it. Even then the soft mouth makes hookup uncertain and the slashing bill can sometimes make short work of an angler's line or leader. Once a swordfish has been spotted the speed of the boat should not be changed appreciably and the bait should be eased quietly and gently in front of the fish. Squid is the most popular bait, though Spanish mackerel, eel, mullet, herring, tuna and live or dead bonito are also used. To land a broadbill is considered by many to be the highest achievement in angling.

Very large swordfish are always females. The males seldom exceed 200 16 (90 kg). The meat of the swordfish is excellent eating, making this fish the object of large commercial fisheries.
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MACKEREL, SPANISH / Scomberomoms maculatus (Mitchill, 1815); SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY

Occurs in the western Atlantic north to the Chesapeake Bay and occasionally to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and south to Yucatan, Mexico.


The Spanish mackerel can be distinguished from both the cero mackerel (Scomberomorus regalis) and the king mackerel (S. cavalla) by the presence of bronze or yellow spots but no stripes, on the sides and by the lack of scales on the pectoral fins. The cero, the Spanish mackerel's closest look alike in the Atlantic, has both spots


and stripes of bronze or yellow on the sides, and the king mackerel has neither spots nor stripes. Both the cero and the king mackerel have scales on the pectoral fins.


The anterior portion of the first dorsal fin in the Spanish mackerel is black (not true of the king mackerel), and the second dorsal fin and pectoral fins may be black tipped. There are 16 17 spines in the first dorsal fin and 15 18 soft rays in the second dorsal fm, followed by 8 9 finlets. The body is essentially silvery and typically mackerel like. The back is bluish.


The Spanish mackerel is an excellent game fish that can be taken on a wide variety of lures and baits. Nylon jigs are considered one of the best lures, especially when retrieved rapidly with an occasional jerk of the rod tip to impact a darting motion to the jig. Feather lures and spoons are also successful, while minnows and live shrimp are the best natural baits. Occasionally almost any lure or bait will work, while at other times, nothing will.


Spanish mackerel are a good food fish and although they are considered large at 10 16 (4.53 kg) some record specimens will grow to more than twice that size.

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The fish spawn in summer and early fall offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and in the open waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Cobia grow quickly. A two year old fish can be 24" in length.

Distribution:  Cobia are usually caught offshore but there are some notable exceptions. The fish are full time residents in large west coast bays such as Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. There are also an increasing number of reports of cobia being caught very close to shore and in the passes and backwaters along the southwest coast. Wherever they occur, look for this species around natural and man-made submerged structures. Anglers without boats have the best chance of catching a cobia from land off one of the piers along the Gulf of Mexico coast in the panhandle.

Tackle and techniques:  You'll need a medium to heavy duty spinning rod and reel with 15 to 30 pound test line, heavy monofilament leader, and a good drag system on your reel to go after these fighters. This is necessary because the fish, once hooked, makes it's initial runs towards the closest structure. Your job is to turn the fish and keep it from reaching something the fish can use to cut you off. In the summer, when the water is warm, cobia will be close to the surface and you can sight fish for them.

Bait:  Cobia have a hard time passing up a small live fish or crab. Free line the bait when the fish are feeding near the surface or use just enough weight to get your bait down but still allow it some freedom to move. A large jig tipped with a chunk of squid is the most successful artificial lure. The goal is to cast ahead of the fish and bring it back towards the fish.

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WAHOO I Acanthocybium solanderi (Cuvier, :831); SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY; also called oahu fish, Pacific kingfish

Found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas. Pelagic and seasonally migratory, the wahoo tends to be a loner or to Travel in small groups of 2 to 6 fish. There are, however, indications of seasonal concentrations off the Pacific coasts of Panama, C; .sf:. Rica and Baja California in the summer, off Grand Cayman (Atlantic) in the winter and spring, and off the western Bahamas and Bermuda in the spring and fall.

The upper jaw of the wahoo is movable and the teeth (45 64 on the upper jaw and 32 50 on the lower jaw) are large, strong and laterally compressed. The gill structure differs from that of other members of the tuna and mackerel family (Scombridae), most closely resembling the gill structure of the marlins. Additionally, the wahoo has no gill taken. The well defined lateral line dips noticeably near the middle of the first dorsal fm, further forward than on the similar looking tanguigue (Scomberomorus commerson), and is wavy back to the tail. The wahoo's first dorsal fm is long with 23 27 spines. The second dorsal fin with 13 15 rays and the anal fin with 12 14 rays are very small. The back is a brilliant, deep, blue sometimes described as metallic or electric blue. Blight blue vertical bands, or "tiger stripes," flow down the sides onto the silver and sometimes join into pairs on the belly. These beautiful stripes ate not, however, always prominent in large specimens and occasionally may be missing entirely.

The wahoo feeds on squid and pelagic fishes, including small mackerel and tuna, flying fish, puffers, and generally whatever appears desirable since few fish can escape. It is often found around wrecks and reefs where smaller fish are abundant, but it may also be found far out at sea.

It is reputed to be one of the fastest fish in the sea, attaining speeds of 50 mph (80 km) and more. The first scorching run of a hooked wahoo may peel off several hundred yards of fine in seconds, and the heat generated by the friction has been known to bum out the drag on some reels. Occasionally this fish jumps on the strike and often shakes its head violently when hooked in an effort to free itself. Fishing methods include trolling with whole, rigged Spanish mackerel, mullet, ballyhoo, squid or other small baits as well as with strip baits or artificial lures. Live bait fishing and kite fishing are productive, but the wahoo is a relatively scarce species and is usually taken incidentally while fishing for other oceanic species. The wahoo has commercial importance in some countries. The flesh is finely grained and sweet and is considered excellent eating.
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TUNA, yellowfln / Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre, 1788); SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY; also called Allison tuna

Occurs worldwide in deep, warm temperate oceanic waters. R is both pelagic and seasonally migratory, but has been known to come fairly close to shore.

Just as the albacore (Thunnus alalunga) has characteristically overextended pectoral fins, the yellowfin has overextended second dorsal and anal fins that may reach more than halfway back to the tail base in some large specimens. In smaller specimens under about 60 16 (27 kg) and in some very large specimens as well, this may not be an accurate distinguishing factor since the fins do not appear to be as long in all specimens. The pectoral fins in adult yellowfin tuna reach to the origin of the second dorsal fm, but never beyond the second dorsal fm to the finlets as in the albacore. The bigeye tuna (T obesus) and the blackfin tuna (Tatlanticus) may have pectoral fins similar in length to those of the yellowfin. The yellowfin can be distinguished from the blackfin by the black margins on its inlets. Blackfin tuna, like albacore, have white margins on the fin lets. It can be distinguished from the bigeye tuna by the lack of striations on the ventral surface of the liver. The yellowfin tuna has a total of 25 35 gill rakers on the first arch, and has an air bladder as do all species of Thunnus except the longtail tuna, There is no white, trailing margin on the tail.

The yellowfin is probably the most colorful of all the tunas. The back is blue black, fading to silver on the lower flanks and belly. A golden yellow or iridescent blue stripe runs from the eye to the tail, though this is not always prominent. All the fins and finlets are golden yellow though in some very large specimens the elongated dorsal and anal fins may be silver edged with yellow. The finlets have black edges. The belly frequently shows as many as 20 vertical rows of whitish spots.

Previously, large yellowfins with long second dorsal and anal fins were called Allison tunas or long finned yellowfin tunas, and the smaller specimens were called short finned yellowfin tunas in the mistaken belief that they were a separate species. It is now the general consensus that there is only one species of yellowfin tuna.

The yellowfin's diet depends largely on local abundance, and includes flying fish and other small fish as well as squid and crus taceans. Fishing methods include trolling with small fish, squid, or other trolled baits including strip baits and artificial lures as well as chumming with five bait fishing.

The yellowfin is highly esteemed both as a sport fish and as table fare. Its flesh is very light compared to that of other tunas, with the exception of the albacore, which has white meat. Yellowfin tuna are an extremely valuable commercial fish and hundreds of thousands of tons are taken worldwide annually by longliners and purse seiners.
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DOLPHIN / Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758; CORY PHAENIDAE FAMILY; also called dolphinfish, mahi mahi, domdo

Found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas, the dolphin is pelagic, schooling, and migratory. Though occasionally caught from an ocean pier, it is basically a deep water species, inhabiting the surface of the open ocean.

The dolphin is an extremely distinctive fish, both for its shape and its colors. Though it is among the most colorful fish in the sea,

the colors are quite variable and defy an accurate, simple description. Generally, when the fish is alive in the water, the dolphin is rich iridescent blue or blue green dorsally; gold, bluish gold, or silvery gold on the lower flanks; and silvery white or yellow on the belly. The sides are sprinkled with a mixture of dark and light spots, ranging from black or blue to golden. The dorsal fm is rich blue, and the sail fin is golden or silvery. The other fins are generally golden yellow, edged with blue. When the dolphin is removed from the water, the colors fluctuate between blue, green, and yellow. After death the fish usually turns uniformly yellow or silvery gray.

Large males have high, vertical foreheads, while the female's forehead is rounded. Males grow larger than females. There are no spines in any of the furs. The dorsal fm has 55 66 soft rays. The anal fin has 25 31 soft rays.

Dolphins are extremely fast swimmers and feed extensively on flying fish and squid as well as on other small fish. They have a particular affinity for swimming beneath buoys, seaweed, logs, and floating objects of almost any kind. One skipper reportedly made some very good catches while circling a ladder found drifting in the water.

Hooked dolphin may leap or tailwalk, darting first in one direction, then another. It is believed that they can reach speeds up to 50 mph (80.5 kph) in short bursts. Successful fishing methods include trolling surface baits (flying fish, mullet, balm, squid, strip baits) or artificial lures; also live bait fishing or casting. If the first dolphin caught is kept in the water, it will usually hold the school, and often others will come near enough to be caught by casting.

In addition to being a highly rated game fish, the dolphin is a delicious food fish. It is often referred to as the "dolphinfish" to distinguish it from the dolphin of the porpoise family, which is a mammal and in no way related.

The dolphin family (Coryphaenidae) consists of two species. The smaller variety, pompano dolphin (Coryphaena equiselis) often confused with females or small males of the larger dolphin (C. hippurus). The two species can be quickly distinguished because the greatest body depth of C. equiselis is near the middle of the body instead of up front close to the head. Also, its dorsal fin originates behind rather than directly above. The eyes and anal fm does not have an extended anterior lobe with a concave outline.

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Occurs in the eastern Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California to Peru. It is reported to be most common off Ecuador. An inshore species, it is found in the surf, over sandy bottoms, and in moderate depths. Tagging results have shown the maximum movement being about 300 miles (483 km).

The second dorsal fm has one spine and 25 - 28 soft rays. The dorsal fins normally remain retracted in a deep groove along the fish's back, but when the fish is excited the fins rise. There are no bony scums along the caudal peduncle. There are two dark blue or black, curved hands on the flanks. One beginning from the front and the other from the back of the first dorsal fin. Both run diagonally down the flanks towards the front of the anal fin then curve smoothly and rim along the flanks to the tail base. The dorsal spines are banded with alternate dark and light stripes and the lower base of the pectoral fins is black.

The roosterfish is an active predator of small fishes. When hooked or in pursuit of prey it will raise its dorsal fin like a flag and may leap repeatedly, greyhounding over the surface. Fishing methods include trolling or casting small baits and lures, or live bait fishing from a boat or shore.

The roosterfish has strong local commercial value. The flesh is tasty and of good quality.
 

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The fish spawn in summer and early fall offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and in the open waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Cobia grow quickly. A two year old fish can be 24" in length.

Distribution:  Cobia are usually caught offshore but there are some notable exceptions. The fish are full time residents in large west coast bays such as Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. There are also an increasing number of reports of cobia being caught very close to shore and in the passes and backwaters along the southwest coast. Wherever they occur, look for this species around natural and man-made submerged structures. Anglers without boats have the best chance of catching a cobia from land off one of the piers along the Gulf of Mexico coast in the panhandle.

Tackle and techniques:  You'll need a medium to heavy duty spinning rod and reel with 15 to 30 pound test line, heavy monofilament leader, and a good drag system on your reel to go after these fighters. This is necessary because the fish, once hooked, makes it's initial runs towards the closest structure. Your job is to turn the fish and keep it from reaching something the fish can use to cut you off. In the summer, when the water is warm, cobia will be close to the surface and you can sight fish for them.

Bait:  Cobia have a hard time passing up a small live fish or crab. Free line the bait when the fish are feeding near the surface or use just enough weight to get your bait down but still allow it some freedom to move. A large jig tipped with a chunk of squid is the most successful artificial lure. The goal is to cast ahead of the fish and bring it back towards the fish.
 

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JACK, Pacific Crevalle / Caranx canines Glinther, 1869; CARANGIDAE FAMILY, also called torn, crevally, cavalla, jiguagua

This eastern Pacific species is identical in most respects to the Crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) of the western Atlantic, including the characteristic black spot or blotch on the opereulum (gill cover) and on the pectoral fins. The Pacific species is distinguished externally only by the presence of a larger maximum number of scutes (up to 42, as opposed to 2635 in C. hippos). This and other differences documented by scientists have let to classification of the Pacific Crevalle jack in recent years as a separate and valid species.

Behavior patterns, edibility and the general appearance of C. caninus are the same as for its western Atlantic counterpart.
 

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General Information:  Sharks differ from other fish in that sharks have soft bones while all other fish have hard bones. Sharks also differ from bony fish in that most species give birth to a small number of live young.

The popularity of shark, for their meat and the alleged medicinal values of shark fins, is straining the fishery. Increased angling pressure may produce new regulations on the harvesting of all shark species. It is very important to observe the limits and practice catch and release whenever practical.

Distribution:  There are a variety of sharks ranging from species found primarily in inshore waters like bonnetheads to large open water species such as the mako. Some of the more commonly sought after and caught species are the blacktip, lemon, hammerhead, spinner, sandbar and bull sharks.

Tackle and Techniques:  The tackle you use is directly related to the size of shark you're fishing for. Light tackle with 8-15 pound test line is adequate for the small sharks that frequent the backwaters and flats. For the big specimens you'll need a stout rod, reel with a good drag and a wire leader. Line in the 40 to 100 pound test range is what most anglers look for.

Bait:  A live fish or freshly killed one that is cut to enhance bleeding is one of the best baits. Naturally bloody species such as bonita, are good to use either alive or dead. Odd as this may sound but a fish the size of which most anglers would be proud to have their picture taken with are likely to be the perfect size for shark bait.

Secrets to Success:  Shark anglers who are dedicated to the sport are good people to fish with if you lack the experience. There is a degree of danger involved when a shark is along side or in a boat. The fish is known to snap and bite while thrashing around on the deck. If you plan to keep it, kill the fish as soon as possible. Many anglers also like to cut the shark and bleed it as quickly as possible. This can have a marked influence on the taste of the fish when it comes time to cooking it.
 

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This group of species share an interesting life history trait. All groupers begin life as males and over time transform into females. The spawning season is in the winter and spring except for the jewfish which spawns in the summer.

Grouper are usually caught offshore grouper but the younger individuals live in sea grass beds or around mangroves. Occasionally anglers catch legal sized fish in the deeper holes of the backwaters. Groupers live close to the bottom and always associate with some type of submerged structure.

Distribution:  There are a number of grouper species caught in Florida. The gag and red groupers and the jewfish (a species permanently closed to all harvest) are the most widely distributed species. Most of the other species - Nassau, Red Hind, Rock Hind, Black, Yellowfin and Scamp live in and around the coral reefs of extreme south Florida.

Tackle and Techniques:  Grouper fishing is primarily an offshore fishery. Drifting a bait a foot or so off the bottom is the typical technique used by recreational anglers. Slow trolling a bait or lure over hard bottom also produces fish. Standard boat tackle with 20 to 40 pound test line and a 40-80 pond test leader is employed so that anglers have a chance to turn the fish's head away from an underwater ledge or piece of manmade structure and bring it to the surface.

Bait:  Grouper will eat anything just about anything that comes their way. A live pinfish, piece of squid, or chunk of fresh cut bait are proven baits when drifting or at anchor. When trolling anglers use deep diving saltwater plugs or jigs Jigs can also work when worked vertically while drifting or at anchor.

Secrets to Success:  Groupers don't move real far for a meal. The prefer to wait for the meal to come close to where they are and that is usually only a foot or two from some place of refuge. When you feel a fish bite, set the hook as soon as you think the fish has the hook and reel in as much line as you can as quickly as possible. Monofilament line stretches up to 28% and that give the fish enough line to duck back into its place of refuge. What you want to do is prevent this by turning the fish's head up towards the surface. There is a trend among veteran grouper anglers to use one of the new braided or fused lines when fishing for grouper. With nearly no stretch, you have a better chance of turning the fish's head before it can get under a rock, a condition in which the fish almost always wins and the angler looses.

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Description:  Yellowtail kingfish grow to over 200cm and 58kg. At 4-5 years of age and around 74cm in length, yellowtail kingfish reach sexual maturity. These fish weigh 3.2kg on average, at legal size (50cm). They are large, powerful and hard-fighting fish, and therefore provide excellent sport for game-fishermen. They are often confused with the amberjack. This species is purple-blue along the back and upper flanks, and silver on the belly. A bright yellow ribbon separates the upper and lower colours, running from head to tail. The tail is distinctly yellow.

Habitat/distribution:  Yellowtail kingfish are distributed throughout the world in cool temperate waters. In Australia they can be found in southern waters from North reef in Queensland, into New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and as far north as Trigg Island in Western Australia. It can also be found off the coast of Tasmania. They live around structures associated with inshore reefs, sea mounts and coastal rocky headlands. Adults are generally solitary, or occur in small groups, while juveniles are often found in off shore waters near the edge of the continental shelf.

Catching yellowtail kingfish:  Yellowtail kingfish are mainly taken by line-fishers. They are caught mainly off New South Wales using handlines with lures or live baits. Smaller fish can be enticed to the surface using chopped fish. Occasionally yellowtail kingfish are caught using droplines and demersal trawls.

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General Information:Tarpon are very primitive fish. The swim bladder of these fish connects to the fish's throat and they can use it as a primitive lung. This allows the smaller and younger fish to gulp air when the water is low in dissolved oxygen. This is a common occurrence in the shallow backwater bays during the summer, the place where small tarpon spend most of their time. One of the ways to scout for the presence of the "silver king" is to look and listen for tarpon to "roll" on the surface. That's when they gulp air and pass it into the swim bladder.

Tarpon begin their spawn in mid May and reach peak activity in June and July. Large, females may carry as many as 20 million eggs. The fish swim offshore to spawn but within 30 to 45 days, the young fish that have survived are an inch long and are moving into the estuaries where they will live for the next few years. The small fish move far up the tidal creeks looking for small protected areas where they can live and escape their predators. Some of these fish become land-locked in small ponds and ditches as summer rains subside and the mangrove forest dries out. This explains why many people see and catch tarpon in areas where it looks like the fish could never have reached.

Tarpon take from 10 to 13 years to mature. At this time the males weigh about 40 pounds and the females are close to 60 pounds. Once sexually mature a tarpon can reproduce for up to 45 years.

Fortunately for anglers, tarpon are not in danger of being over fished. The fish has a very low food value and virtually no one keeps one for food. They are exclusively a sport fish. That fact keeps the number of fish that are caught and kept at a low level. When you combine this with the $50 special tag that anglers need in order to take a specimen, the number of "kills" attributed to anglers goes down even further. The special permit, instituted in 1989, lowered the number of tarpon kept by sport anglers from 300 to about 80 in 1993.

Distribution:  Tarpon are caught anywhere along the coast during the summer months when the water is warm.

Tackle and Techniques:  Big fish require big tackle and those going after the 150 pounders and up need to use a seven to eight foot stout rod and a reel capable of holding 200 yards of 15-30 pound test line. A good bass flipping stick will work in lieu of buying a special tarpon rod.. Fly rodders need 11 or 12 weight line and corresponding rod and reel. Seven to nine weight combinations work for tarpon up to 30 pounds. Use 30 pound test backing and have at least 200 yards on the spool in addition to the fly line.

Whether using conventional tackle or a fly rod, a 20 to 40 pound leader, depending on the size line you're using, is necessary. Attach a one foot piece of 100 pound test line to the end of the leader and tie the hook to that. The heavy line is necessary helps prevent the fish from fraying or chewing through the line. Many anglers tie a Bimini Twist on the end of their spinning or plug rods and then tie the leader to that. This knot doubles the end of the line and makes a stronger connection with the leader. Hooks ranging from 3/0 to 7/0 are used with size varying according to the size of bait being used and angler preference.

Bait:  Live mullet or crabs are the top choice for live baiters. Tarpon will also take other live baits such as large shrimp, ladyfish, catfish, and pinfish. Contrary to what some anglers say, tarpon will bite a piece of cut bait. When tarpon are feeding on a school of bait fish, they stun some fish as they attack the school. A piece of cut bait apparently resembles a stunned fish close enough for a tarpon to go after it.

Spinning and casting anglers can use lures that resemble mullet and other baitfish. Some of the more popular lures used by tarpon anglers are the Zara Spook, Creek Chub Darter, Chartreuse Bomber Long A, 52m MirrOlure, Bagley Finger Mullet, Ratlin' Flash, and Ratl' Trap. Experienced anglers usually replace the hooks that come on the lures with 3X strength hooks because of the tremendous biting force of the fish.

Streamers are considered one of the best tarpon flies. Orange and red are popular colors. The cockroach is another widely used fly.

Secrets to Success

* Always use a sharp hook. Tarpon have very hard, bony mouths, Sharpen hooks before you use them, even ones fresh out of the package.

* Let big tarpon have control the first few minutes. This is when they do the most jumping and all you can really do is hold on anyway.

* Dip your rod when the fish jumps. This gives the line some slack and you are less likely to have the fish spit out the lure or break the line.

* Tarpon spook very easily when there is noise in the water. Try to turn the motor off when close to your site and use a trolling motor or push pole to get in casting distance.

* When you feel a fish on the line, let it run with the bait for a few seconds then set the hook hard

* You will jump more fish than you will catch so enjoy whatever thrills each fish provides

* When using artificial lures or flies, make your retrieve slow and straight. Don't retrieve the lure so that it is coming at the fish as this usually scares them off. Make a presentation that brings the lure across or at a quartering diagonal away from the direction in which the fish is swimming.

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