Tarpon tips
Feb 23, 2021 10:51:52 #
With the Florida tarpon migration starting up in March, I'm looking to land my first silver king. I finally have accumulated enough gear and have a handful of mapped spots. I'm mostly fishing from shore so any tips and tactics for that would be awesome, but general knowledge and fun facts are always appreciated.
--
by plawson14
--
by plawson14
Feb 23, 2021 14:53:47 #
Use some light tackle and catch you some live fish for bait. We had our best luck in Puerto Rico with fish about a foot long and just let the tarpon find them. Just Sayin...RJS
Feb 24, 2021 16:20:26 #
Feb 24, 2021 16:23:36 #
Yes, but they like romance more. I spend 3 days in the Florida keys with a guide and didn't get a nibble even though we saw tarpon rolling everywhere.We had crabs, shrimp, mullet and what have you,. They weren't interested at all. Caught one small shark. Just Sayin...RJS
Feb 24, 2021 16:33:02 #
Feb 24, 2021 16:41:18 #
Wow! You are right, hadn't thought of that. Just Sayin....RJS
Feb 24, 2021 18:22:36 #
Feb 24, 2021 18:44:25 #
Bluetarheel
Loc: Oregon
This is what we used in Costa Rica. My largest. Actually broke the body and bent the metal rod. Took 1 hour and 45 minutes to land. My dad's last trip. Wonderful memories.
Feb 24, 2021 20:04:15 #
Bluetarheel wrote:
This is what we used in Costa Rica. My largest. Actually broke the body and bent the metal rod. Took 1 hour and 45 minutes to land. My dad's last trip. Wonderful memories.
Wow - memories do last!
Feb 25, 2021 14:19:56 #
FS Digest wrote:
With the Florida tarpon migration starting up in March, I'm looking to land my first silver king. I finally have accumulated enough gear and have a handful of mapped spots. I'm mostly fishing from shore so any tips and tactics for that would be awesome, but general knowledge and fun facts are always appreciated.
--
by plawson14
--
by plawson14
"Bow to the King!" was the wording on a big sign at the marina we launched from on the Rio Colorado in north east Costa Rica. The tarpon left the ocean to go upstream in search of "longostino" (little lobsters/craw fish). When I asked what the sign meant, the guy explained that Tarpon (the "King") always fly up into the air and shake their heads violently to rid themselves of the hook. As they do that, it's important to let up on the line (by bowing forward toward the leaping fish) because if you keep on the tension and the fish spits the lure, the lure will come flying back at you about 100 MPH. Given that we were using three treble hooked, 10 inch pencil popper lures (red head, white body) it could be very dangerous to everyone in the boat (one guide two fishermen). so I pass that along as an anecdotal recommendation.
Feb 25, 2021 14:45:00 #
Yes, standing in the boat fighting a Tarpon, you and the Tarpon's head are about the same level. If you don't bow to the King, he is very likely to shake loose the lure with all those gang hooks and they will come flying back at you! It doesn't always happen, but is possible they will find you, with enough force to hang a hook as deep in you as they were in the Tarpon's mouth. Just Sayin...RJS
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.