The Cape Coral Tarpon Hunters Club History

50th Year Anniversary 2021

 

The Cape Coral Tarpon Hunters Club began in 1971, the same year that Cape Coral was incorporated. Prior to 1970, the Cape's members were part of the Fort Myers Beach Tarpon Club. The "new" club in Cape Coral continues today with several hundred members, some of whom have caught over six hundred Tarpon in their "career". Total Club catches and releases at the end of the 2021 season stood at 10,105 which averages about 200 fish per year throughout our fifty years.  Some recent seasons have seen releases of approximately 500 fish. The club also participates in tagging research programs and has tagged over 2000 fish, with some interesting recapture results.

   

In 1988 the club became a total "catch and release" club in order to enhance the survival rate of Megalops atlanticus (Tarpon). Steps for additional protection were taken a few years later with rules requiring the use of circle hooks which are much less likely to jeopardize the Tarpon.