Tarpon can be frustrating, especially if they're rolling and won't bite. The key is to cover the entire water column.
For the surface have a rod rigged with a float. This outfit should be rigged with 50-pound to 65-pound braided line and a stepped leader. A short piece of 60-pound monofilament leader is tied to the braid. Next, a 3-foot to 4-foot section of 100-pound fluorocarbon leader is attached to the 60-pound leader, either with a line-to-line knot or with a No. 1 swivel. Use a 4-inch pear-shaped cork for a float, and if the cork isn't weighted it's a good idea to use a 1-ounce pinch-on weight below the cork to keep it in an upright position. A 5/0 carbon steel hook finishes the rig.
For middle depths, a free-lined outfit does the trick. This can be rigged the same as the surface rig, but without the float.
For the bottom, a 50-pound monofilament outfit works well. The leader should be in the 150-pound range, 5-6 feet in length, attached with a 1/0 swivel. Heavier leaders are needed because they can be nicked or scraped. If the tide is strong a 1-ounce pinch-on weight above the leader keeps the bait in place. Use an 8/0 or 9/0 hook.
- Capt. Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at 727 510-4376 or by e-mail at captrick@luckydawg.com
