Looking to chase Tarpon in Tampa Bay
- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated Apr 15, 2014 at 10:15 pm by
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Ok, Ive never had the opportunity to fish for Tarpon before and a friend of mine lives in St. Petersburg, Fl… Im going to go down there later this summer and see what happens.. This brings me to my first problem.. My heaviest rod is a 7wt and know that wont cut nor will my lamson Konic reel… lol What set up would yall recommend without getting tooo outrageously expensive?.. Im not a fan of going cheap but I also cant afford the best of the best either.. Thanks for your input!
Jay
ps zach for some reason it wont send me the link to confirm my account so I have to use FB to log in. can you look into that? Thanks dude!
Jay you going to see Bull? If this is the kind of trip that you might take twice, you could plan to fish the first time as a spinning trip just to give yourself a chance to figure out the turf down there. Otherwise I am sure there are people here with some local knowledge who could get you set up with a guide (guide might have his own gear so that erases the need to buy stuff; just pay him and consider half of it a rental fee).
Zach
Tarpon will absolutely kick your ass—oh but it’s so much fun. If you get one in a channel, be prepared to dig like mad trying to turn him. I’ve only had limited experience fishing solo for juveniles on the east coast, and found the Reddington CPX 10wt rod handled them nicely…nothing over 60 lbs was hooked, but they gave me some great runs and leaps. The tannic water fish aren’t quite as explosive as the blue water fish.
Now off the Tampa Bay coastline…same trip… The 100lb class fish were brutal in the deep channels. They hardly jumped…ridiculously long runs that almost spooled large reels when our guide stayed anchored up. I fought one down in 15 minutes of full on digging and keeping the rod angled and tucked low—big mistake. I pulled so hard, it took quite a while for my hand and wrist to recover from the strain.
Crystal brought a nice one in.
This year we’ll be renting a house that’s just off the point in Crystal’s photo. I plan to chase these fish on my HogIsland skiff and on a paddleboard. I expect nothing short of complete chaos and broken gear. My only hope is to avoid an encounter with a bullshark or hammerhead, although I know they’re abundant with the tarpon.
I have 12 wt Reddington CPX rods, but they quite light for a 12. I believe the Predator is a bit more stout and durable. I throw the SA Tarpon intermediate line, although I really love the Airflo saltwater Ridgelines. As for a reel: you really need the best you can get with Tons of backing….I use PowerPro 60 Lb Braid because it lasts forever.
We’re heading there mid May, and I’ll give you se feedback of what we find.
Zach I’m going down to hang out with Shane brown.. Do u remember him? And good call on renting the gear.. It’s not like ill ever need that stuff for anything other then a trip every other year or so.. But Shane lives in st Petersburg and fishes a ton down there.. We are going the third week in may it looks like. Very excited and I’m getting in so far over my head lol
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