Anglers Hook Monster Tarpon off Florida Coast

An angler fishing off the coast of Florida was able to reel in a monster tarpon on Saturday. The fish, which weighed in at around 300 pounds, was hooked by Rick Maggio using a live bait shrimp.

Maggio, who has been fishing for tarpon for over 25 years, said that he had never before caught one of such a large size. "I've caught some good-sized ones before, but never anything like this," he said.

The tarpon put up a ferocious fight, taking over half an hour to land. Maggio described it as "the biggest and strongest fish I've ever fought."

Tarpons are one of the largest and most prized gamefish in North America. They can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh over 400 pounds. They are known for their spectacular jumps and powerful runs.

Tarpon feast caught on film off Mexico

The big tarpon go into a frenzy as the bait is thrown into the water. Captured in all its leaping, twisting glory, this film footage of a feeding tarpon is a sight to behold.

Off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, these fish can often be seen close to shore eating whatever bait is thrown their way. Tarpon fishing here can be quite the spectacle, as they jump clear out of the water after the bait.

A favorite game fish for many anglers, the tarpon can grow to weigh over 200 pounds (91 kg). They are found in warm waters around the world and are known for their powerful jumps and impressive size.

Anglers targeting these fish use live bait or artificial lures, trying to get the fish to surface where they can be easily caught. The fight is on when one of these giants takes the bait – see how they go for it in this video clip!

Huge tarpon jumps onto boat in Baja California

A huge tarpon jumped onto a boat in Baja California, stunning the fishermen on board.

The men were fishing in the Sea of Cortez when they saw the huge fish jump out of the water and onto their boat.

"It was very impressive. I have never seen anything like that before," said one of the fishermen, who captured the moment on video.

The tarpon was estimated to weigh around 220lbs (100kg) and was later released back into the sea.

Giant tarpon breaks woman's arm in Costa Rica

Anglers in Costa Rica got more than they bargained for when a giant tarpon broke the arm of a woman fishing on the Caribbean coast.

The incident, which took place on Saturday, September 9, saw 54-year-old Jacqueline Stackpole hooked by the fish while fishing with her husband and friends near Tortuguero National Park.

According to reports, Stackpole's arm was "ripped open" by the 120-pound tarpon as it fought to get free.

Despite the injury, Stackpole was able to radio for help and was transported to a hospital in the nearby town of Limón.

Doctors were reportedly forced to amputate Stackpole's arm below the elbow due to the severity of the injury.

The incident has reignited calls for greater safety measures to be put in place for anglers fishing in Costa Rica.

School of tarpon migrate through Keys

The Florida Keys is well known for its abundance of saltwater fish species. Tarpon are one of the most popular gamefish in Florida, and during late spring through early fall, they migrate through the Keys en route to their spawning grounds.

The best time to fish for tarpon in the Keys is typically from May through September, when they can be found nearshore as well as offshore. Tarpon can reach up to 8 feet in length and weigh more than 200 pounds, making them an impressive adversary on a fishing line. Anglers often use artificial lures such as plugs, spoons and jigs to catch these apex predators.

While there are many great spots throughout the Keys to try your luck at tarpon fishing, here are three of our favorites:

1st Place: Islamorada – This world-renowned angling destination is home to some of the largest tarpon on earth. The waters off Islamorada are teeming with them from May through September, making it one of the best places in the country to go tarpon fishing. There are plenty of charters and guides available here who will help you put your bait in front of these silver kings.

2nd Place: Marathon – Just down the road from Islamorada is Marathon, another great spot for tarpon fishing. The aptly named "Tarpon Trestle" bridge is a hotspot for these fish during migration season, and offers anglers an opportunity to land some trophy-sized specimens. Marathon also has a number of charter boats available to take you out searching for tarpon.

3rd Place: Key West – While not quite as productive as Islamorada or Marathon when it comes to tarpon, Key West still offers plenty of opportunities to hook into one of these fish. In addition to offshore fishing, there are a few creeks and rivers in Key West that hold good numbers of migrating tarpon. Heading out on a guided trip is your best bet for finding these fish in this area.