The Price Of Silver – Targeting Tarpon Off The Beach
Written by Justin Ritchey
Originally published August 2013
To start, I’d like to proudly say that I am no expert when it comes to Tarpon fishing. But I do feed, nurture and spend countless hours with 100lb Tarpon and other saltwater sport fish for a living. I suppose that counts for something. Choosing to target giant Tarpon is not something you can roll out of bed and do. Well, it’s not something I’d recommend at least. Start by beefing up your tackle, A LOT. While it is possible to land these huge fish on relatively light tackle, the toll it can take on your fish can lead to its demise. We all support Catch and Release of these majestic animals, so using 7 to 8’ Heavy rods in the 15-30lb range or greater is recommended. The shorter the fight time with these fish, the better their chance for survival. I personally use the 8’ Shimano Teramar XXH (20-40lb) model matched with a Shimano Stradic 8000. There are many options out there to fit your fancy; just keep in mind your reel should be built to endure the rigors of long battles and hold a minimum of 300yds of line.
As for terminal tackle, it’s a delicate balance. From experience, Tarpon are the pickiest, laziest, most delicate inshore fish to catch and release successfully. That being said, there is very minimal room for error. My standard set-up starts with 50lb Spiderwire Invisibraid, to which I tie a 14” long Bimini Twist. Don’t be afraid, with practice this knot is actually pretty simple! Essentially you are creating a natural twist in your main line and locking it tight with tiny hitch knots. This knot adds extra strength for your leader-to-line connection and absorbs some of the shock from the initial run. After creating the double-line unit, I attach an 8’ section of either 50, 60 or 80lb Fluorocarbon, depending on the conditions. Again, presentation is absolutely essential, so if Tarpon are rolling around you and snubbing their nose at your offering, bump down a little in leader size (it’s never a bad idea to bring two set-ups rigged differently to avoid re-tying). For a line-to-leader connection I tie an Albright knot for a seamless link, allowing your line to easily flow through your guides when you cast and when you have your fish close to the boat. Regardless of my bait choice, I always use circle hooks. Your hook-up ratio is generally better than with “J” hooks. Circle hooks tend to naturally find the soft spots in their mouth a little easier, as opposed to jamming a sharp point through bone with force. I always carry a variety of sizes from 5/0 to 8/0; the smaller ones for Pogies, Pilchards and Threadfin, while using my 7/0 and 8/0s for Mullet or other large prey. I highly recommend snelling your hook to your leader because it allows for the most secure connection and results in the strongest penetration during the strike.
Again, Tarpon are picky! Their prey preference can change overnight, and it can be pretty frustrating watching fish feed on the ONE THING you didn’t bring with you. Keep Calm and Prepare. A little research can go a long way. Always make sure you have a cast net, sabiki and chum to provide the best opportunity for catching bait. Mix up your livewell with an assortment of food offerings. I’ve found that migratory fish on our beaches have two tendencies; eating the most present available forage or eating particular foods in particular places. For example, during an outgoing tide on our West Coast, a lot of Tarpon stage near small inlets and wait for “Pass” crabs or small blue crabs to drift out to sea. Yet out along the beaches where crabs are not as present, these very same Tarpon will change their diet to Pinfish, Threadfins or other finfish available. But this is not always the Golden Rule. Sometimes these fish will eat a different bait in the midst of the most present source of food. Here along our Central East Coast we have been invaded by millions of Pogies (Menhaden), a perfect oily snack for lazy Tarpon. However, with so much bait present, it can be difficult to convince an orgy-crazed Tarpon to single out your presentation. In situations with too much bait, try offering a “rare” treat. Sometimes the thing that’s hardest to find is the thing they want the most. Or tweak your bait by trimming their tail or using cut chunks on bottom. When desperate, experiment! At that point it’s never a waste of time.
Above all, remember to keep your chin up. It’s inevitable; you will strike out when Tarpon fishing. But with persistence and careful planning, the opportunity is just waiting to happen. Good luck and Tight Lines! No seriously, keep your line tight. Pick up your slack! BOW!
Below is a short podcast of a seminar by Justin Ritchey at the Orlando Kayak Fishing Cup meeting
