Family Elopidae, TARPONS
Elops saurus
Description: terminal mouth, slender body, small scales; last dorsal ray not elongated; head small and pointed.
Similar Fish: juvenile tarpon, Megalops atlanticus.
Where found: INSHORE fish, in bays and estuaries; occasionally enters freshwater, occurring in tidal pools and canals; often forms large schools and harasses bait at the surface.
Size: 2 to 3 pounds.
*Florida Record: 4 lbs., 10 oz.
Remarks: known to spawn OFFSHORE, ribbon-like larvae very similar to Albula and Megalops, peaking in fall; adult feeds predominantly on fish and crustaceans; leaps when hooked. This is a true game-fish on light tackle and never stops jumping. Ladyfish love artificial lures and sometimes stays on the bite, day and night. Very few people like to eat them because you would need to enjoy chewing a lot of small fish bones. I have met a few people who do. I would guess that they never had a bad meal in they're life.J