TARPON
Tarpon are the most widely available of the inshore game fish inhabiting virtually all of
Forida's inshore saltwater areas as well as the Keys. They accommodate flyfishers with
the classic sight cast fishing and put on a spectacular fight when hooked.
Mature tarpon winter offshore in deep water but smaller tarpon remain inshore and are
fishable all year. After the inshore waters warm in May and June, mature tarpon return to
feed in preparation for spawning. By July the females are full of eggs and begin to
school up with males and move offshore to spawn in the Gulf of Mexico. The fertilized
eggs soon hatch and the larvae drift with the currents to the estuaries of both east and
west coasts. Here they filter to the backwater areas where they grow to about one foot in
one year.
In addition to gills, tarpon have a crude lung which enables them to roll to the
surface and gulp air. This allows tarpon to live in the protection of oxygen poor water
where other fish cannot survive.
Tarpon are very slow growing taking eight to ten years to reach 50 lbs and maturity.
The age of most tarpon is between fifteen and forty years but are known to live over fifty
years. Males reach only 80 lbs but females can grow to over 200 lbs.
Tarpon fishing regulations in Florida are as follows:
FOOD
Tarpon are opportunistic feeders eating anything that resembles food. The tarpon diet
consists mostly of crabs but also included are: shrimp, mullet, pinfish, trout and other
fish and crustaceans living on the flats and inshore waters.
FLIES
While hungry tarpon are known to take almost any saltwater fly pattern the Stu Apte or
Keys style patterns are accepted as the best.
The most popular colors are combinations of
red-white, red-black, orange-yellow, red-yellow and natural fur materials.
Tarpon flies must be tied on strong unbending hooks in sizes ranging from 1/0 to 4/0.
They must be extremely sharp to penetrate the tarpons tough mouth. Mashed down barbs
also aid penetration.
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TACKLE
Fishing for tarpon of any size requires strong well matched tackle. Tarpon vary in size
from three to over two hundred pounds and the weight of the fly rod must be determined
by the size of the fish that you expect to encounter.
Fly rods from 5 weight to 13 weight
cover the tarpon size range.
The default rod size for saltwater flyfishing is generally considered to be a 9 foot,
9 weight fast action graphite. This rod can be rigged for a wide range of gamefish
including medium sized tarpon. It has enough back bone to fight larger fish and is able
to cast large fly patterns in windy conditions.
Reels must be of quality construction, corrosion proof for the saltwater environment,
a strong smooth drag system, sufficient capacity to hold the fly line plus 200-300 yards
of backing and be sized to match the fly rod. Single action reels are the standard for
saltwater fly fishing.
The flyline should be floating weight forward (FWF) in the weight that matches your
fly rod. The line can be adjusted for larger or smaller species and wind conditions.
Green and gray are the colors least visible to game fish.
Tarpon leaders are matched to the size of the fly rod and consist of a butt section,
class tippet and shock tippet.
IGFA regulation: Shock tippet no longer than 12". class tippet at least 15" between knots.
The following is a list of typical set-ups for small, medium and large tarpon. Adustment
may be made for varying conditions.
Baby tarpon up to 30 lbs. Fly rod 9 foot 5-6-7 weight fast action graphite Reel Saltwater sized to match flyrod Backing 200 yards 20 lb micron Fly line Floating Weight Forward (FWF) Leader 9 foot with 10-12 lb test class tippet and 30 lb shock tippet. Medium size tarpon up to 70 lbs Fly rod 9 foot 9 weight fast action graphite Reel Saltwater sized to match flyrod Backing 250 yards 30 lb micron Flyline (FWF) Leader 10 foot with 12-16 lb test class tippet and 50-80 lb mono shock tippet. Large tarpon 75 lb + Flyrod 9 foot 10-11-12 weight fast action graphite Reel Quality saltwater sized to match flyrod. Backing 300 yards 30 lb micron Flyline (FWF) Leader Big Game with 100-120 lb shock tippet
METHODS
Several game fish species may be found on the flats. Methods of fishing for them are very similar. Fly fishing the Flats discusses these common methods, equipment and other important flats information. Must reading for the new salt water flyfishers.
Baby tarpon may be found by poling the shallow flats and backwaters or by walking the
banks of creeks and canals. Early morning is the best time to find them rolling or
pushing wakes. Approach them quietly using deer hair muddlers and rabbit muddlers
which work well when tarpon are on the surface. Black, purple or brown are the best
colors.
When the tarpon takes a fly on the surface, resist the urge to set the hook as in
trout fishing. Wait until the tarpon pulls up the slack then strip strike hard with the line
hand.
On the flats the flyrod is the most effective method for tarpon which are sight fished in
shallow water allowing fishers to see the entire encounter. Look for them in water 3 to 6
feet deep as they seldom venture into the skinny water. Pole the back country flats
looking for tarpon rolling or laying on the surface. Early morning and dusk are the best
times to find tarpon but they may be found anytime of day. Listen for tarpon on the
surface during calm days.
In April mature tarpon of 60 to 80 lbs begin to move to the warming inshore waters to
feed on the abundant food supply. They hold in the deeper water and travel particular
channels and cuts through the flats. Finding these tarpon trails is the key to successful
fishing. Guides know the locations of these trails and they can save you years of hunting.
To successfully stake out these trails consider the tidal currents, weather, wind, water
clarity and position of the sun. Anchor adjacent to the trail and cast to get the range.
Pulling the fly line back and letting it fall in coils on the deck will allow the line to feed
smoothly off the top when the time comes to cast to the tarpon. Remove all obstruction
and possible snags and be sure that your reel has the proper drag setting.
Keep the fly
wet and in your hand with 10 -15 feet of line out of the rod tip and wait attentively for the
cruising tarpon.
Daisy Chain
This is a phenomenon that occurs in early summer after female tarpon have become
filled with roe and begin to form schools. The male tarpon follow along in single file
waiting to fertilize the eggs when ejected. The female begins to swim in a tight circle
with the males in tow forming what is known as the daisy chain. Fly fishers cast to the
edge of these circles and hook tarpon that break out to eat the fly. The daisy chains most
often contain very large tarpon and produce record size catches.
Worm Hatch
In the spring a phenomenon occurs similar to the mayfly hatches on trout streams. A
small red worm hatches in great numbers and tarpon snap them off the surface to the
exclusion of other food. This is one time where tarpon flyfishers must match the hatch.
Patterns that may work are: "cinder worm"," palalo worm" or the" red hot rat tail ".
The Cast
When a tarpon is sighted moving into your range drop the fly gently ahead allowing time
for the fly to sink to the tarpons level. You must have some sense of water depth, tarpon
speed, tidal current speed and the sink rate of the fly. The fly must sinks to the
tarpons level as it approaches.
RETRIEVE
Keep your eye on the fish with the rod tip at or under water surface pointed at the fish.
Retrieve the line slowly with short strips hesitating often.
General Rule: slow fish - slow retrieve. fast fish - fast retrieve.
Retrieve with even 1-2 foot strips in clear water.
Retrieve with even 6"-1 foot strips in murky water.
These are the time tested and proven methods of retrieving tarpon flies.
HOOK-UP
The most common error is trying to set the hook too soon.
After you see the tarpon take the fly or if you feel the subtle strike resist the urge to set
the hook immediately. Rather, continue to retrieve gently pulling out the slack.
When the tarpon turns, set the hook by pulling the rod sideways and strip with your line
hand extremely hard!! Do this repeatedly or until the tarpon begins the
aeronautics. Tarpons mouth is very hard making it tough to set a hook.
For tarpon in dark murky water, use the same principle. After the strike, let the tarpon
submerge, wait very briefly then set the hook as described.
THE FIGHT
After setting the hook, the main concern is to clear any slack line and get the fish onto
the reel.
The tarpon will by now be in a frenzied rampage jumping from the water and
violently shaking its head. Repeat the hook setting method several times if you get a
chance. Tarpon can throw a hook very quickly. When they jump relieve line pressure by
dropping the rod tip and leaning forward with the rod. This is known as bowing to the
king.
Their frenzied behavior may be the only reason why tarpon can even be caught
on light tackle as they tire themselves out.
Keep constant rod pressure to keep the
tarpon from gulping air. Pull opposite to their direction of travel keeping them off
balance and using the "down and dirty" technique tires them quickly. When tarpon begin
to lay on the surface, pull it in quickly as possible.
RELEASE
Release all tarpon! Quickly take pictures and measurements. Remove the hook and
begin reviving the exhausted tarpon immediately to insure its survival. Move the tarpon
so as to force water over the gills as long as it takes for them to regain equilibrium and
strength. Try to leave the tarpon in the water during the release procedure to cause as
little trauma as possible.
There is no need or reason to kill a tarpon.
They are not good to eat. Take a photo and measurements of the girth and the length. A well deserved mount made of fiberglass can be made from this information.
Spinning rod bait fishing:
Tarpon fishing requires a stout rod, reel and line system. Non stretch fishing line such as
dacron or Gel spun superbraids, 35-50 lb test. Extra sharp hooks.
Bait method: live mullet 5-6 ", hook Mustad #9174 4/0, 12 lb test line and 24" of 50lb
shock tippet.
Tarpon are sensitive to line pressure so leave the reel in free spool when
tarpon are taking the bait.
Use large plugs and diving lures if the channels are deep. Heavier jigs and trout touts.
Live bait is the most productive.
Plugs; mirro lures and finger mullet imitations.
Mullet shaped plugs work well in muddy or murky water
Use 20-30 lb spin tackle. Reel 250-300 yards of line. Rig anchor line with a quick
release clip and float so that the anchor can be thrown off to chase a large fish.
