Tarpon at the Islamorada Bridges

The channels between the islands funnel tide and bait under the bridges, and the tarpon follow. Spring and early summer is the peak, and every tarpon goes back.

By Updated

Where do you fish for tarpon in Islamorada?

Under and around the bridges at Channel 2 (mile marker 73), Channel 5 (mile marker 71) and Long Key (mile markers 63 to 65), and in the Everglades backcountry. Bud N’ Mary’s puts the best months at April to July. Tarpon are catch and release only in Florida, and a big one must stay in the water.

The bridges and channels

Bud N’ Mary’s says the bridges and channels near the marina are productive for tarpon on half-day trips, while full days often run to the Everglades for tarpon in the backcountry. Channel 2 sits at the Village’s southern boundary; Channel 5 and Long Key lie just beyond it.

Bridges open to fishing near Islamorada, from the Keys tourism council’s list and Bud N’ Mary’s bridge-fishing guide, read 6 October 2026.
BridgeMile markerWhat the sources say
Channel 2MM 73Fishing platforms and parking on both sides (Bud N’ Mary’s)
Channel 5MM 71Parking at the south end (Bud N’ Mary’s)
Long KeyMM 63–652.3 miles long; Bud N’ Mary’s rates it the best of the three

When the tarpon run

Bud N’ Mary’s puts the best months at April to July, with April and May the traditional peak, some fish from February when the water reaches the mid-70s, resident fish all year and a less reliable fall run. Robbie’s calls tarpon most active from March to September and fishable all year, and A Fishing Guru puts backcountry tarpon at their peak from spring to early summer.

The tournament calendar agrees. The Ladies Tarpon Fly Tournament is held each June, in the Keys tourism council’s words, during the height of the famed tarpon migration, and the 63rd Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament, an invitation-only, all-release event the council calls the Wimbledon of tarpon fishing, ran 15–19 June 2026.

The rule: every tarpon goes back

Tarpon are catch and release only in Florida, and FWC says a tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water. The crew handles the fish and releases it. What fish you can keep has every limit.

Tarpon trips you can book

Operators on the operator list that name tarpon trips, read 6 October 2026.

Read for this page on 6 October 2026: Keys tourism council: fishing and tournaments ; Bud N’ Mary’s: bridge fishing information ; Bud N’ Mary’s: tarpon fishing ; Robbie’s: shark and tarpon fishing .

Check it at the source

Tarpon at the bridges: questions

When is tarpon season in Islamorada?

April to July is the best stretch, Bud N’ Mary’s says, with April and May the traditional peak. Robbie’s calls tarpon most active from March to September, and resident fish are around all year. The famous tarpon tournaments are held in June.

Can you keep a tarpon in Florida?

No. Tarpon are catch and release only in Florida, and FWC says a tarpon over 40 inches must be kept in the water. Charter crews release every fish.

Which bridges near Islamorada are best for tarpon?

The Keys tourism council lists Channel 2 (MM 73), Channel 5 (MM 71) and Long Key (MM 63 to 65) as bridges open to fishing. Bud N’ Mary’s rates Long Key, 2.3 miles long, the best of the three.

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