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Tackle
& Flies
Reels:
Your
reel is the most crucial element when fishing for tarpon.
You must have an excellent quality reel with a whisper
smooth, tough drag mechanism that can accommodate a
200 yard run by a monster poon. A large arbor reel is
undoubtedly an invaluable asset when fighting a large
tarpon and should seriously be considered when purchasing
an outfit.
Rods:
A
tarpon rod's most important attribute is the power required
to lift and maneuver trophy fish. If you're going after
monster poon over 150 pounds you'll need a twelve weight
rod. For all other tarpon, a 10 or 11 weight will be
more than sufficient. A 10 or 11 weight rod also has
the added advantage of being lighter and easier to cast
all day long.
It
is also important that your rod has large eye guides
that are able to withstand the incredible strain exerted
on them when fighting a large fish. Large guides are
also useful in clearing knots in your line when the
fish makes a sudden run.
Line
& Leaders:
Your
reel must be lined with a minimum of 250 yards of thirty
pound backing matched to a quick change leader of no
less than six feet in length. Quick change leaders or
an effective combination of a four foot butt-section
of thirty to fifty pound test with a loop in the forward
end to facilitate quickly changing strategies. The class
tippet should be made of twenty pound test looped to
a foot long section of 100 pound fluorocarbon. The knots
and Leaders section provides more detailed diagrams
of the proper leader setup for tarpon and other gamefish.
Flies:
There
is nothing more breathtaking than observing a giant
100 pound tarpon swim up to your fly and suck it in
his cavernous bucket-shaped mouth. It is mind-boggling
that such an enormous creature will go after a three
inch fly.
There
is no one "miracle" tarpon fly that exists,
but there are numerous patterns that will certainly
do the job. In the clear water of the Florida Keys,
a simple fly with a few feathers and a short palmered
hackle works wonders.
For
some unknown reason, killer tarpon flies are black or
black with a hint of color. Any grizzly feathered creation
such as a Cockroach also works extremely well. When
you are fishing for giants you should use files with
a 3/0 hook with razor sharp points. The must have tarpon
flies you should keep on you at all times are the Cockroach,
Red and White, and the Stu Apte tarpon fly.
Tarpon
are infamous for their bucket mouths that are hardened
like a rock and require only the sharpest of points
if you are to get a hookset that will hold. Make sure
that before your next tarpon trip you take the time
to check and sharpen all of your hooks. It's better
to find out your hook is dull before you leave the dock
than when you lose a fish on his first jump.
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