Tarpon boat-side on the Homosassa flats

Boat-side on the Homosassa flats.

Mid-April to end of July • 8 hours • 1 to 2 anglers

Homosassa tarpon fishing charter

Eight hours on the flats where the fly-rod tarpon records were set, staked out on the migration lanes out of MacRae’s of Homosassa, 20 minutes south of Crystal River. Fly or spin, 80 to 180-pound fish.

$900 per boat

5.0 on TripadvisorLicensed & insuredPrivate, priced per boat

Check open dates Call (352) 577-4084

At a glance

Length
8 hours • 6 AM to 2 PM
Anglers
1 to 2
Boat
18’ Hells Bay Professional
Season
Mid-April to end of July
Departs
MacRae’s of Homosassa
Price
$900 per boat

The migration, on the flats that made it famous

Every spring the tarpon push north along the Nature Coast and stack up on the clear, shallow flats off Homosassa, the same water where the fly-rod world records were set. Tanner leaves MacRae’s at 6 AM to be staked out on the travel lanes when the fish start rolling, and fishes through the morning tide until 2 PM.

This is a sight-fishing game: watching for rolling fish and daisy chains, waiting for the right shot and making the cast count. Fly anglers bring an 11 or 12-weight with a floating or intermediate line; spin anglers throw live bait or big plugs. Expect a few shots a day, and a fish that takes an hour to land.

Best for

  • Anglers chasing a first tarpon, on fly or spin
  • Experienced fly anglers who want a 150-pounder on the Homosassa flats
  • Anyone who has fished tarpon elsewhere and wants the original

Not the right trip if

  • You want steady action and a cooler of fish (see the Inshore Charter)
  • Kids or first-time anglers: this is a patience game
  • Your dates are outside mid-April to July

One trip, one length

Tarpon trips run eight hours because the fish move with the tide and the light. There is no short version.

  • 8-Hour Tarpon Trip

    6 AM to 2 PM out of MacRae’s of Homosassa. Staked out on the lanes for the morning push, then following the fish as the tide moves.

    per boat$900

Price

$900 per boat for 1 or 2 anglers, 8 hours. Tarpon trips are limited to two anglers. Licenses, tackle and ice included. $100 deposit holds your date and the best weeks in May and June book a year out.

What to expect

Tarpon fishing is measured in shots, not fish. A good day is several good shots and one fish to the boat.

  • Tarpon

    Mid-April to end of July • peak May and June

    Eighty to 180 pounds, laid up or daisy-chaining on the flats in four to eight feet of clear water.

  • Fly tackle

    11 or 12-weight

    Floating or intermediate line, 60 to 80-pound bite tippet, black and purple or tan flies. Tanner has them tied.

  • Spin tackle

    Heavy spinning gear

    Live crabs, pinfish or big swimbaits on 50-pound braid. The higher-odds option for a first tarpon.

  • The weather window

    Light wind, bright sun

    Tarpon need calm, clear water to be seen. Tanner reschedules at no charge when the forecast is wrong.

Tarpon fishing in Homosassa and Crystal River

Spring on the Homosassa flats. Click any photo to open the gallery.

The boat

The 18-foot Hells Bay Professional poling skiff

18’ Hells Bay Professional

1 to 2 anglers • Poling platform • Push pole and stake-out

The right skiff for the job: quiet enough to stake out on a lane without spooking the fish, with a clear casting deck and a captain high enough on the platform to see fish coming from a long way off.

What’s included and what to bring

Included

  • Saltwater fishing license for everyone on board
  • Fly and spin tackle rigged for tarpon, or bring your own
  • Flies, leaders, live bait and ice
  • Bottled water

Bring

  • Polarized sunglasses and a long-billed hat
  • Sun protection: buff, gloves, long sleeves
  • Your own 11 or 12-weight if you prefer it
  • Lunch and snacks for eight hours
  • Cash for the 20% tip

What anglers say

  5.0 on Tripadvisor

★★★★★

“The best trip I’ve ever had!”

Capt. Tanner was able to put me on my first snook and first tarpon. 100% recommend and will be booking him again very soon!!

Jacob G. • Sept 2025
★★★★★

“Perfect”

Captain Martin is a wonderful guide and host. His knowledge of these waters is incredible and he always has ways to adapt to changing conditions.

Mitchell W.
Read every review on Tripadvisor ›

Before you book

When is the best time?
May and June. The migration starts mid-April and tails off by the end of July. Book early; the peak weeks fill a year ahead.
How many fish will we catch?
Tarpon are counted in shots. A good day is several shots and a fish or two jumped; landing one is the trophy.
Fly or spin?
Both work. Spin tackle with live bait is the higher-odds route for a first tarpon; fly is the classic Homosassa game.
What if the wind is up?
You cannot sight-fish tarpon in chop. Tanner calls it the evening before and reschedules or refunds, your choice.

Book the tarpon trip

Pick a length, pick a date. $100 deposit holds it; the balance is due after the trip.

Check open dates Call (352) 577-4084

Other trips with Capt. Tanner

Every trip is private and priced per boat. See all trips on the Charters page.

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