Tarpon 101 // The Basics on How to Fly Fish for Tarpon

This blog and video is a great basic outline on fly fishing for Tarpon. Be sure to visit the website to get more elaboration and details on fly fishing for Tarpon. We cover flies, casting, fighting the Tarpon, and most of the important background.

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0:00 - Tarpon Fishing Action
3:09 - How to Catch Tarpon
5:14 - Tackle for Tarpon
10:55 - Strategis for Casting and Presenting the Fly
16:01 - Skip Cast
17:32 - Reading the Fish
18:54 - Stripping Style and Speed
20:22 - Strip SET!

[mikekuczynski]

Nice, I’ve fished for Tarpon for several years now a find everything your saying absolutely true . Even doing all of this perfectly one jump is all it takes for them to say goodbye. For me it’s the strike and set, everything after that is fun to . Thanks for the video

[manifestgtr]

NRX+ are my go-to fly rods. They aren’t cheap but they don’t wear you down and they have enough power to do what you ask em to with minimal fuss.

[arthurcayer]

You are a very natural and effective teacher. Very good stuff. Thank you.

[doughirsch]

Good video, those baby tarpon love gurglers and poppers too!

[Dillon]

Thank you for your great tips!!! I wish I watched this video before I went to Cancun in past June . Lost too many fish because of wrong way to set hook.

[craigfuqua]

You’re a great teacher. Thanks for the tips

[rpickering]

Great advice re setting that hook into concrete!

[Superdada]

Great video. Thank you for putting this together.
I wish I had seen this before my last Cancun trip.

My guide didn’t communicate too much and we spent half a day casting to nothing.

We should have just been patient.

[jefferywheaton]

Great vid! Watching this now on the last day of my first tarpon trip, in Campeche. Pulls together the things I’ve been learning here all week, wish I’d watched before though

[ericlaszlo]

Fantastic Tarpon 101 video. Beautifully narrated, with clear concise info. After being a guide in Montana for many years, I really appreciate your focus on the basics.

I tip my hat to you sir!!

I’m heading out for my first reel (misspelling intended) tarpon trip to Puerto Rico later this month. Growing up in New England, I’m no stranger to saltwater fly fishing. Blue Fish, Stripers, along with Bonefish, Jacks, and Cuda (in the tropics).

ONE QUESTION I HAVE:

Whether it’s baby resident tarpon or the big migratory fish; do you want them on the reel fast, or keep available line free for their inevitable jumping and acrobatics?

Much thanks, and ‘tight lines’ !

Eric

[millerbrosmediaoffgridflyf]

Hey Joe what's your GO TO boat shoes right now?? Thanks for sharing guys great video!

[gregg]

Joe,
Great vid! With your short-stout leader, if you need to break-off, how?
Thanks!

[TheRonthehandyman]

Could use a Little more instruction on the skip cast when you get back to the shop. Looks like high tide in the Tarpon video. Wondering how much tide matters. For example, fish on incoming?, outgoing? High?…..and finally, you have SO much fun.

[rainmaker]

I fish the mangroves on the Indian River in Florida, Tarpon and Snook.

[ezzye]

I love my earthpak. I need to mod it like you have

[aidanobuck]

Can you use the same setup you use for tarpon for bass? I only want 1 setup cause I’m dirt poor right now. I don’t know if fly fishing is like spinner setups where you can use your saltwater setup for freshwater.

[gregmills]

Joe great video. Simms no longer makes a good boat shoe what are you using?

[sidewaysrain]

South Florida any pond larger than a half-acre south of Vero Beach, contains landlocked juvenile tarpon! 20-30 lbers not uncommon.
Match your fly color to the tannins in the water. On hot days watch the water surface, tarpon will roll and break the surface of the water to fill their air bladders.
Set your hook sideways so you use the butt of the rod not to tip. Large black wooly bugger hold onto your hat it's showtime!

[brannenhester]

That looks a lot like a spot in Englewood FL. Is it?

[baylonaj]

"Don't wait until you're too old to do this" ?