TARPON TIPS FROM THE PROS
W
hile there is little doubt that tarpon provide a fly fishing experience unlike any other, if you’ve spent most of your fly fishing career predominately targeting freshwater species like trout or bass, the transition to becoming a saltwater tarpon angler can be intimidating. Here at Yellow Dog, we receive a constant flow of questions and inquiries from anglers who – while keen to chase tarpon on the fly – have little idea where to begin.
How, why, when and where are all questions that can be daunting and – at times – outright overwhelming. With this situation in mind, we reached out to some of the most experienced and recognized names in the world of tarpon fishing to create a quick and basic collection of tips to address some of the most commonly-asked questions. When it comes to knowing a thing or two about tarpon, you’d be hard pressed to find a better group to ask!
How can an angler best prepare for tarpon fishing before a trip?
When on the bow of a skiff, what are some key elements for being ready when fishing for tarpon?
“The best way to prepare is to get out and practice your casting as much as possible. And you need to be sure that you practice with the wind coming at you from all angles. Most importantly, develop a strong backhand cast. You need as much confidence in your backhand as you have in your forward cast.”
“Being ready to make a cast is always the angler’s responsibility. This means stripping your line out, making a full cast, and then re-stripping the line in so that it’s ready to clear when the cast counts. If its windy, strip the line into the cockpit or floor of the boat, or use a stripping basket. I like to hold the shock tippet in my fingers instead of holding the fly. I then have the leader and 5-8 feet of line already out of the tip-top so I can make a quick cast when needed. The guide will almost always spot the fish first, so be ready to follow his immediate instructions as to the direction and distance. Don’t cast until you can see the fish with your own eyes – something that allows you to make an effective, accurate cast to the fish.”
- Cpt. Brett Greco, Florida Keys and Everglades Guide
What type of fly rod action do you prefer for tarpon? “There are a number of good tarpon rods available these days, and as a general rule, they all work. I prefer one with a strong butt section allowing me to apply maximum pressure at all times. Accuracy is also key, as fly placement means everything. This will only come with time on the water. Always remember that it's the Indian and not the bow!” - Gary Merriman, Owner, The Fish Hawk – Atlanta, GA
- George Anderson, Owner, The Yellowstone Angler - Livingston, MT
When tarpon are slowly gliding over a shallow flat, what is an effective retrieve or strip method with a fly?
What are some basic thoughts on how to select the right “Whatever you can do to manipulate the fly so the tarpon fly for a given situation? perceives it as prey. You want the tarpon to believe that your fly “Simply put, the size, color and the shape of the fly you use will largely depend on the water clarity and overall conditions. Larger, dark patterns can be fished in murky water, while smaller, light-colored patterns can be more effective in crystal-clear water. If you're fishing over a white sand bottom, fish small, lightcolored flies. Over a dark grass bottom, fish a darker variation of the same flies. When fishing in deeper water, you can also generally fish larger flies.”
is food that is going to escape, hopefully drawing that fish out and generating a reaction.” - Cpt. Sandy Moret, Owner, Florida Keys Outfitters - Islamorada, FL
When should an angler switch from a floating line to an intermediate line when tarpon fishing on the flats?
“Remember that you always ‘Bow to the King!’ When a tarpon makes a huge leap into the air, react by dropping the tip of the rod and pointing the entire rod down to the water directly at the tarpon.”
“There are only a few situations where I use an intermediate line when fishing the Everglades. Primarily I use intermediate lines in fast-moving backcountry rivers where the fish are rolling and then immediately heading to the bottom in deeper water. Another situation is on a flat that has an extreme amount of current – usually when I am fishing smaller tarpon flies. I find that it gets the fly down to their level and keeps it in their face a fraction longer. The downside is you have to strip in a lot more line to make a second shot or recast, and often anglers don’t get it done in time if the fish are moving quickly.”
- Cpt. Kechu Marin, Fishing Guide – Ambergris Caye, Belize
- Cpt. Kyle Giampaoli, Florida Fishing Guide
- Stu Apte, Saltwater Legend
When a tarpon makes an explosive leap into the air, how should an angler react?
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