Harbor fishing in Key West is done primarily for Tarpon. However, Permit, Cobia and Snapper can be found between early March and mid July. The harbor is also a great alternative when the weather is poor. This is perfect for most clients as it is only a 15 minute ride from the marina to the fishing area. Tarpon are extremely strong fish and hunt bait fish in schools; they can be aggressive feeders yet often have a light bite. This makes for a challenging hook set. Ryon will take the extra time to explain the proper hook setting and fighting techniques. This will result in more fish hooked and a shorter fight length. The most popular and productive method is to create a chum line with small dead pin fish and then drift the bait 30 to 80 yards behind the boat before retrieving the line and drifting it again. Once the fish is hooked, the battle can range from 20 minutes to over an hour. A typical catch is between 60 and 100 pounds. These fish will usually jump 5 to 10 times, often totally clearing the water and shaking their heads violently in an attempt to dislodge the hook. Many times the jumps increase as the fish approaches the boat, making for the most exciting battle an angler can hope for. As Tarpon are not suitable eating fish and are a wonderful natural resource, all Tarpon are released after a quick picture.