Part Three: Spinning for Tarpon

SPINNING/CASTING FOR TARPON
Tarpon are a wonderful adversary for the light-tackle spin/casting fisherman because of their eagerness to take a wide variety of plugs and their unparalleled fighting ability when hooked. The spin fisherman has a distinct advantage over the fly fisherman when blind casting because of the overall effectiveness a spinning or casting rod has when it comes to covering large expanses of water. When sight casting with jigs and plugs, a little more care should be taken to avoid spooking fish.

SPINNING LURES FOR TARPON
The wide variety of lure types are effective for tarpon. As a general rule of thumb, tarpon like lures that are retrieved at a nice, easy pace. The only drawback of lures is that it can be difficult to set the hook. Many anglers have increased the number of fish actually landed by replacing the treble hooks on the lures with single shank hooks.

Lures (Surface): Rebel "Jumpin' Minnow" 4 1/2" 5/8 oz. (silver flitter and G-finish/ gizzard shad) or Heddon Zara Spook 4 1/2" 3/8 oz. (G-finish shad and G-finish pearl/red head). Heddon Lucky 13, 5/8 oz. 3 3/4" (silver flitter and white/red head).

Subsurface (Minnow Type): Rapala CD Mag 5-1/2" (silver/black back) or Bomber Heavy Duty Magnum 16J, 1 oz., 6" (silver/black).

Mirrolures: These popular lures have been very effective for tarpon for many years. Mirrolure 52M, 3 5/8" 1/2 oz., shallow runner; 65M, 3 3/16" 1 oz. deep runner; 38MR 3" 3/8 oz. (red/white and green back/white belly).

Jigs: 1 oz. saltwater jig head with 6" sassy shad (chartreuse/black back and natural shad). Bucktails from 1 to 1-1/2 oz. in yellow and white can also be productive.

SPINNING/CASTING RODS FOR TARPON
When purchasing a rod, remember that the rod must have a fairly heavy action to aid in hook setting and to properly play a heavy fish. A few rods that meet these specifications
are as follows:

Spinning
Penn Power Stick 6’ 6", med-hvy action, lure wt. 3/8-1 oz.; Shakespeare Tidewater 6', med-hvy action, lure wt. 3/4-3 oz.; Cabela's Fish Eagle II7', med-hvy action, lure wt. 1/ 2-1 1/2 oz.

All Star Ex-Hvy-Trigger Cast 6', lure wt. 1/2-1 1/2 oz. Cabela's Fish Eagle II 7', lure wt. 1/2-1 1/2 oz.

SPINNING/CASTING REELS
Reels must hold at least 150 yards of 15-lb. test and have strong/reliable drags. A few good examples are as follows:
Spinning
Penn Spinfisher 650SS; Orvis No. 3 Spin Reel; Diawa Whisker Tournament
Abu-Garcia 6500C Syncro; Diawa Millionaire II 6000M

LINE
For spinning reels, a thin/supple monofilament like Abu-Garcia's "Ultra-Cast" monofilament. 17-20 lb. For casting reels, a stiff, low stretch line like Berkley "TriMax" or "Big Game" lines. 17-201b.

LEADERS
The small teeth in a tarpon's mouth are very abrasive, so it is absolutely essential that you use at least 12 inches of 80 lb. shock tippet or a wire leader between your line and lure.