The Tarpon Book: A Complete Angler's Guide

Tarpon are everyman's fish, as likely to pop up in the middle of a turbid, urban harbor in downtown Miami as to flex their silvery backs on the air-clear grass flats of the Florida Keys. Their range spans the Central Atlantic along the shores of three continents, making them the most widely distributed of any inshore gamefish. In part responsible for this distribution is their remarkable ability to breath air, just as you and I. They take it in the characteristic "roll" at the surface, gulping it down into an air bladder that is richly supplied with blood vessels, just as our lungs are. Thus, tarpon can survive in water with little oxygen, in areas that kill other fish quickly.

They are perhaps the world's greatest angling target, combining incredible length and bulk with an astonishing acrobatic ability, great endurance and an indomitable spirit. They are true big-game fish, yet can be caught from the smallest of boats, and even from shore. They are incredibly powerful, yet are susceptible to capture by the most basic tackle in skilled hands. And they are among the most primitive of fish, yet possess remarkable beauty and grace.

Fishing the Flats

Chapter 8: Tarpon: The Silver King, Pg. 97-98
SMALL TARPON

Baby tarpon weighing up to about 20 pounds and small tarpon up to about 50 pounds are a delight to catch on tackle matched to the task. They are aggressive fish and jump wildly in protest to being hooked, but they can be handled on fairly light gear if you know how to apply the pressure.

These smaller fish are found along the mangrove keys that pockmark the flats, often back under the overhanging branches. They are particularly abundant on the high spring tides of late spring, summer, and early Fall, when they lie under the mangroves waiting to ambush their prey. Because they are motionless, anglers tend to mistake them for barracuda. In some places, and especially where there is a deep cut or hole in the bottom, you may find as many as 20 of them together.

Many of the coves and little bays leading off the flats hold tarpon of this size, especially in the Caribbean. You can sometimes see bubbles on the surface marking the spot where they rolled, gulped air, and then let it escape. There are flats in Florida Bay where the smaller tarpon prowl regularly and they are often caught when one is blind casting for a mixed bag.

Tiny darters and other small plugs that do not splash loudly are a perfect choice. Smaller plastic worms and action-tails may also be used. And these fish suck in a shrimp almost as Fast as a youngster makes a candy bar disappear.

Nothing surpasses fly fishing for these smaller fish. An 8 or 9 outfit with flies tied on a 1/0 hook is perfect. Fish them as you would giant laid-up fish; drop the fly right in front of them. You may have to tuck it under an overhanging limb to reach them. The strike is often instantaneous.

A silent approach is paramount in this type of fishing. Once the tarpon know you are there, they will move off. On some days, you may see them working their way back under the mangroves where you cannot reach them with a cast, or you may at least suspect that they are there. Some of the Marathon guides have developed a trick worth remembering on such occasions. You only get one shot at the fish, so you had better be ready.

They take the pushpole and slap it down on the water several times, fully extended toward the mangroves. Shortly after that, the fish may start to come out, and that's the time to drop the fly in front of them. Those tarpon want to see what made the commotion. If you hook a fish back in the mangroves and it starts swimming under the limbs, thrust the whole rod in the water much as you would if a fish went under the boat. This keeps the line deeper so that it may clear the branches that touch the surface or dip beneath it.

Whenever you have an opportunity to do this type of fishing, whether for baby tarpon or the giants, don't pass it up. You will never have a more meaningful or memorable angling experience. In fact, as one fellow put it, "I thought I died and went to Heaven."

Stu Apte's Fishing in the Florida Keys and Flamingo

Editorial Reviews

Popular Mechanics by Bill McKeown
Apte describes in detail the techniques that have made him a legend in a region that attracts the tops in guides and sportsmen--experts like Ted Williams.

Baltimore Sun by Lefty Kreh
It is by far the best thing that has been done on the subject.

From the Publisher
Fishing tips from a master angler, holder of more than 20 world records, as well as detailed fishing charts of the Keys, make this a must for all fishermen. Includes tackle, rigging, wreck fishing. Color photos. 16 fishing charts.

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