Last Updated on May 18, 2021 by
With summer fast approaching, anglers in the Murrels Inlet area start thinking about one thing – Tarpon season. Whether a local looking for some basic info to get started on your first season or a visitor to the area looking for a guided trip, we will go over some tarpon basics for the area below.
When To Find Tarpon In Murrells Inlet
Every summer, tarpon journey up the east coast of the United States, sometimes reaching as far north as Maryland. On the Pawleys Island coastline, this species arrives in great numbers in June but can sometimes be found even earlier than that. This timing all relies on water temps. Once here they stick around all the way until as late as October.
Following The Migration
Tarpon migrate to the temperate waters of Pawleys Island during the warmer summer months. This migratory species actually starts its journey down in the Florida Keys, where it spends its winters. In this, the actual timing of the migration to the area has a lot to do with the temps down in Florida.
During the winter months, the Florida Keys provides the temps and environment that tarpon seek, but it eventually gets too hot. This is when they start moving north.
Tarpon Fishing Tactics
Catching tarpon during the migration can be both exciting and full of heartbreak. When they arrive, you will generally find schools of tarpon rolling on the surface or smashing bait. Murrels Inlet sees a lot of this activity due to its close proximity to Winyah Bay. Winyah Bay is an estuary system, or coastal watershed, that provides tarpon protection and food- and provides this excellent seasonal fishing opportunity for those who choose to venture out.
No matter how you fish for tarpon, this species is a beast at the end of a line. They put on huge fights with aerial acrobatics that few species of gamefish can compete with. Because of how aggressive the fight can be, combined with their size, you will hear more stories of tarpon coming off the hook than you will of successful landings – but that is all part of the allure of fishing for this species.
Live Bait
This is the most common method during the migration. When tarpon migrate they are not only following water temps but also massive pods of baitfish. This journey is long, tarpon begin to spawn, and they have a huge appetite to keep their energy levels up. Dropping a live baitfish in front of tarpon is a surefire way to get your shot at The Silver King.
Types of live bait can include:
- Small-Medium Mullet
- Sardines
- Menhaden
- Pinfish
- Small Crabs
Lures
Utilizing lures, both hard and soft, is another great way to target the species. For hard baits, suspending twitch baits or topwaters can work very well when cast into a feeding group of tarpon. The key is to mimic the size, shape, and movement of what they are feeding on at the time. Soft plastics work much the same way, but can also include shrimp and crab type offerings.
Fly Fishing For Tarpon
This is on the bucket list of many coastal fly fisherman – while not suited for the inexperienced on the long rod, this can provide one of the most genuine connections between angler and fish. When fly fishing for tarpon fly fisherman need to utilize bigger setups – 9wt at the low end and 12wt at the top (10wt being the most common).
When choosing flies, it is best to go for a baitfish pattern that either suspends beneath the surface or works the top.
Best Bets For Visitors To Murrells Inlet
If you’re visiting Murrells Inlet and looking to target the tarpon migration while here, it is best to look for a local fishing charter where all of the groundwork has been done, the fish have been patterned, and the proper equipment is at the ready. Even for DIY fishermen, it is always best to connect with a local pro for your first time out in the area. Local guides are your best bet to accomplish this.
Hire A Local Murrells Inlet Tarpon Fishing Guide
The most important factor when on the hunt for a tarpon fishing guide is to find one with both the experience and the passion for the species. It is this type of guide that will know where and when to target the species, and have the proper gear and setups prepared for a day on the water battling tarpon.
Captain R.C. here at Harvest Moon is just such a local tarpon fishing guide. Whether you want to learn more or get started, we have the info below to send you in the right direction:
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