Fly fishing for Tarpon promises to be quite the adventure. These tough fish have a fiery energy, big jumps and thrashes, and incredible brute strength. Anglers from all around the world seek these silver-scaled trophy fish, with many (including myself) counting them as their favorite fish.
But while targeting these “Silver Kings” is a challenge in itself, Tarpon fly fishing is even more complicated. But it’s one that’s met with great reward – hence why so many anglers try it! So without further ado, let’s dive into the meat of this article to uncover what makes Tarpon a prized target for fly anglers!
Why go fly fishing for Tarpon?
If you want a thrilling experience, a cool species to be up close with, and to feel rewarded for putting in hard work, fly fishing for Tarpon may be for you. However, it won’t be easy….
You should approach targeting these beasts on the fly as a great learning opportunity. You’re unlikely to land one with your first cast (unless you’re an experienced fly fisher already), so get ready to keep practising as you develop a new hobby – and rival!
But there’s more than just the angling rewards. Tarpon inhabit some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the US and beyond, offering not only a fishing experience but the opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning surroundings. You could even plan a vacation around your Tarpon fly fishing trip. A bucket-list fish in a bucket-list destination. What more could you want?
How to Go Fly Fishing for Tarpon
Knowing how to go fly fishing for Tarpon will severely help your chances of success. Luckily, I’m here to give you a few pointers!
A few things to consider when fly fishing for Tarpon are their preferred environments, techniques to get them to bite, and all the gear and bait to bring along. Let’s take a look into each one so you can get some of the insights and get ready for your next fly fishing adventure.
Tarpon Habitats
Tarpon commonly inhabit warm, coastal waters, especially in areas such as flats, channels, mangrove lines, bays, and shorelines. But they also migrate in big schools in deeper waters. They like to hang around moving water, therefore any flowing streams, weirs, inlets, estuaries, and strong currents can be key areas. Fishing from a pier or dock can be productive, as these fish are pretty predictable. Stay in the same space and practice your technique, and you could be reeling one in pretty soon!
Tarpon Fly Fishing Techniques
Speaking of techniques, fly fishing for Tarpon requires a combination of skill, technique, and patience. As I’ve already said, it’s not something you’ll pick up and perfect the first time – it’ll take practice and perseverance. The key is to find a spot and whip your line back and forth, creating momentum and picking the line up longer.
Once you have your line up off the ground, aim towards the spot and give a huge whip motion to cast as far as you can. You can let the fly sit or you can use a slight jerking motion to give it the “walk-the-dog” effect.
Once you feel that bite, give it a couple of seconds to ensure the fly is in the Tarpon’s mouth, then give a hard and sturdy hookset. Tarpon have pretty tough mouths, so it’s essential you give that hookset a hard thump.
After that, be prepared for a crazy fight with insane jumps, super quick and far runs, and lots of thrashes. Keeping the line tension light, bowing to the Tarpon when it jumps, and staying clear from slack are all very important. Tarpon do everything they can to get away, so it’s up to you to do everything you can to keep them on the line!
Gear and Flies
With a feisty fish like Tarpon, you need gear that’s reliable and can withstand tough battles. You can pick a fly rod between 9–12 feet, and focus on heavy-duty strength. Pair that with a strong, heavy reel and you’ll have a good Tarpon setup.
For your line, you want something heavy enough to cast flies while still providing the sensitivity and strength to handle a Tarpon’s aggressive strikes and powerful runs. You can opt for a 10–12 weight line followed by a fluorocarbon leader of at least 30 pounds – moving up to more than 50 pounds for bigger specimens.
Other helpful gear such as a net, tackle box, sunglasses, gloves, pliers, and a de-hooker are also great tools to bring along.
As for flies, there’s a more specific highlight on imitation flies and poppers than usual when targeting Tarpon. Things that are shiny, flashy, colorful, and look realistic are what they look for – and there’s a bonus if there’s an odor! Having a fly that looks like bait is the best way to get a Tarpon to bite. A few popular examples of Tarpon flies consist of Lefty’s Deceiver, EP’s Peanut Butter, the Tarpon Shrimp, the Tarpon Crab, and the Cockroach fly.
Tarpon Fly Fishing Spots
You can find solid chances of hooking up to Tarpon in many sports across the world, with their favorite areas being those with warm climates. These are primarily an inshore fish, so hit up flats, bays, estuaries, and other shallow-water areas where they’re present. Here are just a select few spots where you’ll find them in great numbers:
Florida Everglades
The Florida Everglades – my home area – are home to numerous schools of Tarpon throughout the year. We see some huge ones come in our local waters, but we also find some tiny guys too. The Everglades is a great place for Tarpon because there are never-ending mazes of coastal habitats for them to explore and reside in. Plus the warmer water of Southern Florida is booming with marine life, meaning plenty of snack options for hungry ‘Poon.
Florida Keys
What might be the number one option on this list, the Florida Keys is another excellent Tarpon hotspot. There are tons and tons of Tarpon in the Keys year round, inhabiting waters surrounding marinas, docks, jetties, bridges, channels, and more. They range in size too, with some monsters being frequently spotted. Fly fishing for Tarpon is amazing in the Keys because you’re surrounded by crystal clear flats where you can really enjoy the process of hunting these beasts.
Boca Grande, FL
Next up, Boca Grande is recognized as the Tarpon capital of the world. This area boasts excellent fly fishing opportunities, ranging from flats and shorelines to deeper waters with schools of large Tarpon. It’s one of the only places you can pull up next to a bunch of boats and still hook up to large and feisty Silver Kings!
Costa Rica
Switching it up a bit, the pristine waters of the gorgeous country of Costa Rica are prime for Tarpon fly fishing in Central America. Not only does this small country have some amazing views, but it also hosts some crazy Tarpon fishing. Tarpon here can reach well over 200 pounds, providing chances at hooking up to some of the largest fish out there.
Belize
Another great location to go fly fishing for Tarpon is Belize. The spring and summer months are on fire for Tarpon, with a mix of gorgeous weather and warm inviting waters. Regions such as Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Atoll, and the Belize Barrier Reef are applauded for being prime juvenile and adult Tarpon fly fishing destinations. If you’re looking for a trip away from the crowds, this is the place to go!
When to Go Fly Fishing for Tarpon
The best time to go fly fishing for Tarpon is typically between spring and summer when Tarpon migrate through warmer coastal waters in search of food and a spot to spawn. During this time, Tarpon are also very active and feisty, which will provide you with the best chances of getting them to bite.
When it comes to the best time of day, as someone who regularly fishes for Tarpon, I can say that answer can be variable. Sometimes they stick to the typical dawn and dusk hours – more so dusk in my experience – but other times can be random. I’ve caught Tarpon in the afternoon on a cloudy and rainy day, but we’ve also caught them in the peak heat of a sunny, hot morning.
One thing I can guarantee is they move with the tide. Tarpon definitely love a good flowing tide – one that’s pushing bait around and stirring up the frenzy. I find that a strong but high outgoing tide seems to produce some good results. The water should be high enough for them to move closer to shore, but you want the tide pushing fast.
Tarpon Fly Fishing: Your Next Adventure Awaits
Now that you have some insights on Tarpon fly fishing, I hope you have at least added it to your bucket list. It will take some effort, patience, and perseverance but, as most fly anglers say, the reward is very fulfilling. There are tons of locations where you can come across some hungry Tarpon, whether it’s along the Florida coast, another coastal US state, or even in a tropical country. So add it to your bucket list, sketch out a plan, and get ready for your next thrill!
Are you an avid Tarpon fly angler? What additional advice do you have to share? Let us – and the other readers – know in the comments below!
The post How to Go Tarpon Fly Fishing: An Angler’s Guide appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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