Tarpon Tips From The Pros

TARPON TIPS FROM THE PROS

While 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 can an angler best prepare for tarpon fishing before a trip? “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.” - 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

What are some basic thoughts on how to select the right fly for a given situation? “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.” - Stu Apte, Saltwater Legend

When a tarpon makes an explosive leap into the air, how should an angler react? “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.” - Cpt. Kechu Marin, Fishing Guide – Ambergris Caye, Belize

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!

When on the bow of a skiff, what are some key elements for being ready when fishing for tarpon? “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.” - 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? “Whatever you can do to manipulate the fly so the tarpon perceives it as prey. You want the tarpon to believe that your fly 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? “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. Kyle Giampaoli, Florida Fishing Guide

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What is the proper presentation to a laid-up or still tarpon? “You obviously have to get the fly as close as possible to the front of the fish without spooking him. I would recommend a gentle and quiet cast within 5-to-8 feet of its face. Try a smaller and lighter fly as well.” - Cpt. Benry Smith, Owner – Red Bays Sunset Lodge – Andros, Bahamas

When a tarpon first engulfs your fly, what is your immediate move as an angler? “Listen to your guide and do what he tells you to do! Continue the long strips and always keep the rod tip pointed down and at the fish until it comes tight. If the fish is coming straight toward you it can be the hardest set in the game as it usually puts slack back into the leader. The angler must always keep stripping to remove the slack and eventually come tight.” - Cpt. Justin Rea, Florida Keys Guide

What's most effective once a tarpon takes your fly: one hard strip strike or multiple sets? “When you’re trying to drive a hook into bone, it's crucial you do so by strip-striking with the butt of the rod up against the side of your stomach. With bony mouthed critters, like tarpon, wait to strike until you feel the weight of the fish in your stripping hand and then set the hook as hard as you can. Hang onto the fly line and pull back as violently as you can. At the same time set the hook with the rod as hard as you can. This is commonly known as a scissor strike. Waiting until you feel the weight of the fish when he eats will result in having the rod fairly straight to the fish. With minimal bend in your rod, you're using the butt of the rod to help drive the hook all the way in. Hit him twice with everything you have, then hold the fish until it pulls the fly line out of your hand. Bingo, you got em!” - Andy Mill, Author and Professional Angler

What are key pieces of advice for landing tarpon quickly? “Pull hard enough so that you feel as if something is going to break (almost!). Keep a low rod angle when the fish is close to the boat. When the fly line is off the reel, you are basically just staying connected to the fish. Your guide should pole close enough so that you’re fighting the fish with the fly line on the reel. And unless you’re an experienced tarpon angler, always use heavier tippet to land the fish as soon as possible.” - Cpt. Rick Ruoff, Florida Keys Guide

What is the most successful way to present a fly to tarpon that are daisy chaining?

“A long leader is a must! Keep the fly line away from the fish (a clear tip fly line is even better) Most daisy chains swim counterclockwise, so as the fish turn to THEIR left swimming at you, place the fly on the inside of the chain and fish it so as many fish as possible can see it. Never cast in the center of the school.” - Cpt. Joel Dickey, Florida Keys Guide

When handling tarpon, what are key things to remember for protecting the fish? “Tarpon should always be handled with respect and care. First, you need to minimize or preferably eliminate time out of the water. If you’re planning a quick photo, ensure you have everything ready ahead of time. Also consider getting out of the boat when possible to cradle the fish in the water. When it comes to removing the fly, use your judgement based on where the fish is hooked. If it causes more damage to try and remove the hook (if it’s too deep, for example) then simply cut the leader as close to the hook as possible and let the fish swim away. Fish will get rid of hooks soon enough. When a hook is easily accessible, always try to reverse the hook out the exact way it went in. And finally, to revive a tarpon, do not move the fish forwards and backwards. Keep it upright and ensure you are not in any way restricting the gill plates from flaring out and in. The fish needs that to pump water over its gills.” - Greg Vincent, Lodge Owner, H2O Bonefishing – Freeport, Bahamas

Why is it vital to fight a tarpon with the butt of the rod as opposed to the tip? “All of the power and strength is in the lower butt section of a fly rod. Fight a large fish with your rod straight up in the air and the tip doubled over (looking like a goofy fly fishing logo) and the fish can literally play with you for hours. Fight that same big fish using the deep butt of the rod with the rod pointed straight at the fish and the drag locked down tight on the reel and you can bring that fish to hand in no time at all.” - Cpt. Wil Flack, Fishing Guide – Belize

So one final question to bring it all home … What is the number one, most effective overall strip or retrieve method with a fly? “The best way to summarize this without getting into all the moving parts as to where the fly landed, how fast the fish is swimming, and how deep the fish is in the water column is to allow the fish to close the gap between him/her and your fly without stopping the fly. Often, it's a slow slide of the fly, small bumps at times just making a few fibers of the fly wiggle. Remember, you want to intercept the fish with the fly at the same level the fish is in the water.” - Andy Mill, Author and Professional Angler

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