FishIN THE FISH ID CAMERATABLE: Do Not KeepDIFFICULTY
Huge, prehistoric silver fish with enormous chrome scales, a large upturned bony mouth, and a long last dorsal filament. An air-breather (rolls at the surface to gulp air). Galveston 'poon' are typically big migratory fish 60-150+ lb; historically Galveston was 'Tarpon Town.'
⚖ Texas limits · 2026-27 license year 1/day · 85″ min — anything under 85″ goes back · verify at TPWD →
On the water
WhenSummer through fall - roughly July-October, peaking late summer/early fall as big schools migrate along the upper Texas coast chasing bait. Warm, stable water and calm mornings/evenings are prime; feeds tied to moving tide and bait movement. Rolling fish at first light are the tell.WhereNearshore along the Galveston beachfront and just off the jetties, around the surf's outer bars, near passes, tide lines, and the ship channel/Bolivar area, and around bait schools within a few miles of the beach. Sight-fished from boats to rolling/free-jumping fish; occasionally hooked from the jetties/piers.HowSight-cast to rolling/feeding schools from a boat: present live bait (menhaden, mullet, or crabs) free-lined or under a float ahead of the fish, or throw large swimbaits, plugs, and jigs. Use a circle hook and let the fish eat before coming tight. On the jump, 'bow to the king' (drop the rod to give slack) so the hard-mouthed fish doesn't throw the hook. Long fights are the norm.BehaviorA migratory pelagic predator that follows and corrals large schools of menhaden and mullet along the beach. They feed in packs, herding bait; their air-breathing lets them tolerate warm, low-oxygen water. They can be selective, keying on the prevailing bait.The fightThe premier inshore/nearshore fight - spectacular greyhounding leaps and long, powerful runs; a big tarpon can take 30-60+ minutes and demands 'bowing to the king' on every jump.
Baits that work
Live menhaden (pogies) or mullet - top natural bait
Live blue crab (halved or whole)
Large swimbaits and DOA Baitbuster-type plastics - top lures
Big plugs/jigs and large baitfish flies
Tackle
Rod & reelHeavy 7-8 ft conventional or 6000-8000 spinning with a strong smooth drag; 12-14 wt fly for fly anglers.Line40-65 lb braid (or 20-30 lb mono conventional).Leader60-100 lb fluorocarbon or heavy mono shock leader (4-6 ft) to survive the abrasive mouth and scales; no wire needed.Terminal6/0-9/0 circle hooks for live bait; large swimbaits, DOA Baitbuster/big soft plastics, plugs, and 2-4 oz jigs; heavy tarpon flies.RigLive bait free-lined or under a float on a circle hook; lures tied to the heavy shock leader via a strong swivel or loop knot.
The bait clock
☀ DawnSlow-trolled live mullet or menhaden
Calm first light is best for spotting rolling fish along the beachfront and presenting baits.
☼ MiddayDrifted live blue crab or large swimbait/Coon Pop
Midday is spent tracking pods along 'Tarpon Alley' in 20-40 ft and drifting baits ahead of them.
☾ DuskLive mullet under float near bait rafts
Evening bait concentrations along the beach get tarpon feeding before dark.
[{'months': [8, 9, 10], 'note': 'Aug-Oct is the Galveston beachfront migration window; live mullet, menhaden, and crabs.'}]
A boat-based sight fishery dependent on calm seas and finding rolling fish; night effort is negligible here.
A juvenile tarpon and a ladyfish share the shape; tarpon scales are huge, the dorsal trails a long filament and the mouth points up. Tarpon carry a size and bag rule that makes them effectively catch and release — check the limits line.
Handling & releasePractically catch-and-release only, and handling is critical. Keep the fish in the water - do not drag a big tarpon onto rocks/deck or hold it vertically; support it horizontally boatside for a quick photo. Revive thoroughly (move it forward) until it kicks off; large tarpon need long revival and are vulnerable to sharks when exhausted. Use circle hooks and heavy tackle to shorten the fight.On the tableNot eaten - bony, oily, poor flesh. Managed as a premier catch-and-release gamefish; in Texas a special tag is required and only a fish over 85 in is legal, so treat every tarpon as a release.As baitNot used as bait - protected gamefish. Their preferred forage (menhaden and mullet) is what you use to catch them.
The bar to beat
Texas state record
229.0 lb · 90.0″ — Michael Shane LaRue II
Gulf of Mexico, TX, 2017
World record
286.56 lb — Max Domecq
Rubane, Guinea-Bissau, 2003
Records as compiled in the IronJetty guide (Aug 2026) — verify current marks with TPWD records / IGFA. Famous near-miss: in 2021 Josh Jorgensen (BlacktipH) landed a ~312-lb tarpon off Colombia — bigger than the record — but it was ineligible because multiple anglers fought it. Released alive.
