HELP! with Tarpon fishing.

[bigeasy1]

One thing I've always wanted to do,and know very little about,is Tarpon fishing.I can catch all the King salmon and trout species I want,I can also be in RI, Ma. and Ct. shores in an hour to striper fish, but I've always wanted to catch a Tarpon,and to a lesser degree Snook and Bonefish.I'm a very capable fisherman,but a rookie at best when it comes to any of the glamour Florida fish.
My question to you southern boys is where do I start?what part of Florida?what time of year?.best charter/guide?.Should I bring my own rods and reels? etc.etc.This would be in 2013

I'm going to be retiring next year,( Jan 2013) and god willing will still be in good health.I'm trying to line up one or two friends to go along,but I don't want more than that,and I'd prefer only two of us.
It would have to be spinning or conventional tackle,and I don't mind live bait or artificials,I'm not interested,( nor am I any good at) in fly fishing.Im not any kind of purist,I just want to be able to hopefully fight and catch a few tarpon and other fish.Naturally as all of us fishermen are,I would love to catch large fish,but I'll be as happy catching small fish as well.

I'd like to be able to do this as economically as possible,I'm not a cheapskate,but I don't have thousands and thousands of disposable dollars sticking out of my pockets either.
I don't mind roughing it,I don't care about fancy or famous resorts.I don't care if Ernest Hemingway,Zane Gray,or for that matter Jennifer Gray stayed there.None of that interests me.A cheap motel is good enough.
Watching fishing shows with Tom Brokaw or Michael Keaton fishing the flats does nothing for me.I'm much more of a regular guy,and prefer to watch pro's like Blair Wiggins,maybe it's an act,but he seems much more like a good ol boy.

What interests me is being able to at least hook and possibly get to the boat a nice tarpon of any size.As I said I have zero experience with these species so I could use your help as to any info you can spare.I guess most importantly the best time of year,and the best location,(back country,flats,ocean,etc.) and the most reasonable rates.
Thanks all