Tarpon advice
Jan 19, 2021 18:44:09 #
Iv been fishing for many years in the northeast for striped bass and bluefish. I went down to Florida and today was lucky enough to find a great spot to fish from shore. Tarpon were coming up for air right in front of me for hours. I think I tried every lure in my bag but didn't get a single bite. I was using hard and soft plastic swimmers, top water plugs, bucktails and even diamond jigs but no hits.
Any advice?
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by Microscop3s
Any advice?
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by Microscop3s
Jan 19, 2021 20:00:32 #
Wish I could help you out, but I've never had the opportunity to fish for them. Bucket list!
Jan 19, 2021 21:20:13 #
Well, Microscop: You, like I was for years, thought tarpon fed on the surface. That is incorrect. While they do surface and suck in air, they feed on or near the bottom! You would have more success if you had a live crab, perch, mullet, or any other live bait suspended a foot or so off the bottom.
Having said that, I paid for 3 days of tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys without one single tarpon bite. On this trip I caught one sand shark! The water and weather were pefect but the tarpon were interested in romance and not eating.
So next time you are at that location, offer them some thing to eat, preferably a live bait. Just Sayin...RJS
Having said that, I paid for 3 days of tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys without one single tarpon bite. On this trip I caught one sand shark! The water and weather were pefect but the tarpon were interested in romance and not eating.
So next time you are at that location, offer them some thing to eat, preferably a live bait. Just Sayin...RJS
Jan 20, 2021 07:55:24 #
BobbyE
Loc: Melbourne,fl
Hi Micro
nothing more aggravating then seeing fish and not being able to catch them. I fish the rivers for tarpon often and use shiners and other small baitfish to catch them. Sometimes they just don't want to eat no matter what you throw at them. If you think seeing them and not getting a bite is aggravating wait till you hook a few and they throw the hook. Took me losing a few until I figured out how to keep them on the hook. Circle hook definitely help so make sure you use them.
nothing more aggravating then seeing fish and not being able to catch them. I fish the rivers for tarpon often and use shiners and other small baitfish to catch them. Sometimes they just don't want to eat no matter what you throw at them. If you think seeing them and not getting a bite is aggravating wait till you hook a few and they throw the hook. Took me losing a few until I figured out how to keep them on the hook. Circle hook definitely help so make sure you use them.
Jan 20, 2021 16:31:12 #
Jan 20, 2021 16:35:06 #
Ever see the videos of people feeding them by hand?And the thing is, they expect a fish to come and "bite" but usually not ready for the size of 'em when they do!
Jan 20, 2021 17:29:09 #
Medium and big tarpon can be very particular, especially in clear water. I suspect their big eyes see the hooks or leader. Live bait is more effective - fish (preferably live mullet), calico crabs or large live shrimp might induce a strike. Smaller tarpon are much more aggressive in taking artificial lures. All tarpon are experts in throwing lures out of their mouth when they jump and violently shake their heads.
Jan 20, 2021 17:58:01 #
Jan 21, 2021 00:29:24 #
And when you hook one ve sure you bow to the King when he jumps! You will have a better chance of staying hooked! They njump and violently shake their gills to dislodge any crab or lure! Just Sayin...RJS
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