- Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - The Secret of Tarpon Fishing in Florida

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding tarpon fishing. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about tarpon fishing.

I trust that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

If you're looking for a great saltwater fishing adventure, consider a Florida Tarpon fishing trip. The coastline offers some of the very best Tarpon fishing in the world, with fish reaching a length of eight feet or more and weighing over one hundred pounds.

Talk about an exciting catch! Florida tarpon pack a punch and a fight when they nail your hook. Without a doubt, this type of fishing is fun. And surprisingly, tarpn are quite easy to catch. That's right! Hooking into these giants is not where the challenge lies. Bringing them to the boat is where the real battle begins. Once hooked, they violently leap high in the air, thrashing their huge royal silvery body in an attempt to dislodge the hook and free themselves back to the brackish depths of the Gulf coast waters. The winner of this battle is almost always the Tarpon, which is why so many sport fisherman are lured by the challenge.

If you travel to the southern Gulf coast, you will find yourself right smack dab in the middle of giant fishing waters, where they can weigh over 150 pounds. The best time to catch them there is May, as they prepare to navigate toward the Gulf for spawning season.

Tarpon fishing has the honor of boasting world record catches, from Tampa Bay all they way South to the Florida Keys.

It doesn't matter where you fish the Florida coast, you will be pleased with a wonderful Tarpon fishing adventure which you will certainly never forget, and for which you'll always yearn to return.

Those who only know one or two facts about tarpon fishing can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here.

Original Author:Suzi Phillips is an avid fisherman and outdoor sports enthusiast. For Florida Tarpon Fishing secrets, download the free ebook, Florida Saltwater Fishing at:http://guided-fishing-trips.com/ebooks/index.html share

- Tuesday, July 07, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - Key West Tarpon Fishing

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of tarpon fishing, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of tarpon fishing.

If you don't have accurate details regarding tarpon fishing, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.

So just what is the best time to go Key West Tarpon Fishing? The simple answer to that question is anytime you can get a line in the water. Tarpon are found year round in these beautiful waters surrounding Key West. At any given moment, you could be fighting one of these absolutely fun and acrobatic fish that do a tango on the water like no other fish you have ever seen. Good luck getting them boatside though as they are not ones that give up easy.

What's the best time of day? For the most part, the best time of day to go catch tarpon in Key West is really angler independent. Without a doubt, fishing is going to be better in the early morning times or the later afternoon hours. Tides tend to fluctuate with moon phases and tarpon can definitely be tidal feeders. So when the moon is just starting to rise on that horizon or if it is getting near to setting, you can guarantee that the waters will be moving and the tarpon are going to act quickly and abruptly. However, that being said, don't count out night fishing for tarpon.

Most guides that charter for Key West tarpon fishing do run night trips and have more than frequently reported that night time tarpon fishing can be overall much better than anytime during the day. They can be a little harder to land, but as far as hookups, it's been noted that night fishing for tarpon can definitely out weigh day time hookups. Don't worry, you will still be able to see their aerial assualts but you get the added anticipation from being able to hear them before you can see them if you're quiet. What a thrill!

What's the best time of year? Key West is privy to a prime location for tarpon as they incur an annual migration that loads these fish up to number in the thousands during certain times of year. The annual tarpon migration floats thru Key West beginning sometime in March and can stay around as late as July. April, May and June are premier months but just be aware that there are a lot more anglers on the water during these times. It's not uncommon to see massive schools of these huge tarpon during those months.

To sum it all up, the best Key West tarpon fishing time is really whenever you can get down to Key West. If you can get to Key West during the annual tarpon migration you will be in for the treat of a lifetime.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing--the more you understand about tarpon fishing, the more you will be able to share with others.

Original Author:Chris Copeland share

- Monday, June 29, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - Steps to catch Tarpon Fish

Author: Dan Eggersten

Interesting articles from Dan Eggersten. He provide us with free tips on tarpon fishing. Enjoy reading..

Tarpon are really big fish with no known food value, and are usually regarded as a catch and release sport fish. However, they are a thrilling catch largely due to their gigantic size. The average Tarpon is about six foot long and 150 pounds with it not being uncommon at all to catch Tarpon over eight feet ling and over 300 pounds large. This giant of the sea normally dines on small fish and crustaceans. They spawn in the spring and are most easily caught from March until June, with the warmer climates showing the most success earliest.

Tarpon are easily fished with live bait. Consider using shrimp, mullet, pinfish, and crabs as bait for tarpon. In most cases, you can just set your anchor, send down a weighted line, so that it will float down the current to the areas you know are holding tarpon.

If you find that your hooks are pulling out when you fish with heavy weights, try a light weight copper wire, and just attach your weights. It will allow the weights to easily fall off, and not be a hazard when you are fighting a big Tarpon. Another option is to attach a small piece of styrofoam as a breakaway float, so that the bait will be suspended over the bottom.

Tarpon fish hooks will vary depending on the size of your bait. If you are using live bait, a 6/0 hook or an 11/0 circle hook will usually work well. Be sure to put your bait on your hook so that it will present naturally. Hook crabs in the corners of their shells, if you are fishing with mullet or pinfish, hook them through the mouth. It may be done either horizontally or vertically. Use a hook up jig, and head or tail hook shrimp, so they will not spin in the water's current. Just be sure to have several kinds of bait available, because tarpon are difficult to catch and where they might bite on crabs today, tomorrow they might be biting clams. You just need to have several offerings ready for these finicky fish. Consider tidal current to help you determine which bait is likely to work for you. In a rapid current, mullet will spin less and provide you with more catches.

You might also have good luck with big topwater baits , plastic minnows and soft plastic baits. For Tarpon fishing leaders, use six to twelve feet, 60 to 125 pound test, heavy fluorocarbon or monofiliment line. If you are fishing topwater, try the Zara Spook. For chuggers and poppers, use a 'walking the dog' presentation, but if you are using big minnow bait with a quick retrieve, but keep it erratic with a slight stall in the mix.

You could do much worse than fishing for tarpon with artificial baits like the bigger soft plastic baits that imitate eels, bait fish, and sea worms. You can either free line these baits, deep rig them on jigs, or dead drift them just as you would live bait. If you keep a bait on the bottom and use three or four different baits set at various levels, you should be able to easily differentiate between which baits work and which do not and at which depths the tarpon are hanging. share

- Monday, June 22, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - Tarpon Fishing Different Strategies To Try

Author: Daniel Eggertsen

Tarpon fishing can be a lot of fun, and it most definitely is something you should consider doing. Many people are unwilling to learn something new, but fishing strategies for Tarpon can be ideally suited for most fishing styles.

Learn as much as you can about this type of fishing, most of the information you need is included here.

In most areas, the best months to catch tarpon are May and June. These are the normal spawning times that begin in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The more active the fish are, the easier they will be for you to catch. That's not to say you can't catch them at other times, but you should work during these months for the best results.

It also helps to know the diet of the Tarpon so you can tailor your bait menu to their tastes. The main diet of these Tarpon during the spawn is palolo worms, but they also have been known to bite pinfish, mullet, shrimp, and crabs.

When the palolo begin to hatch, the tarpon lose all restraint. They will ignore things they never would during normal conditions and suck down a lure withrelish, making the catches plentiful and exciting for tarpon anglers.

Recognizing a tarpon bite and setting the hook is of utmost importance. These fish eat on the move, and often rush onto the bait, actually pushing your line toward you rather than pulling it away from you. If you set the hook at this time, when the fish is facing you, the hook will usually pull right out of their mouths, and leave you with no catch. It is important to strip until you can feel the tarpon against your rod on with your hand. This is basically the only way to avoid snatching and make sure at least some of the tarpon is between you and the hook before you attempt setting it.

As is the case with any large fish, you have to make sure you subdue your fish as quickly as possible. To do this, you must know exactly what your tackle can handle. The moment the fish slows down at all, put on the pressure. Just apply gentle pressure by cupping the spool as you lift up on your rod.

You just have to know exactly how much pressure you can apply without breaking your line, and that is discovered largely through trial and error. When it comes to technique, you can try several different things. One is a simple drift method. Just drift along on the late outgoing tide, paying close attention to areas around the mouths of creeks.

Use hundred pound test line on a fly rod and plug rig, and watch for rolling fish to show themselves and cast out where they are. Use a Keys style tarpon streamer, and you should have a good chance of hooking a big tarpon!

Another method popular for catching tarpon is to spend the day live welling accidental catches such as small jacks, mullet, and lady fish.

About the Author:

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Get more information on tarpon fishing here:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Tarpon Fishing Different Strategies To Try

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- Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - Tarpon Fly Fishing in Florida


Fly fishing for trout? Salmon? Bah! For a different experience, it is all about tarpon fly fishing in Florida.

There are a lot of different types of fishing experiences. There are also many ways of gauging the success of any fishing trip. To many anglers, the number of fish that you have in your live well, cooler, or stringer is the way you measure a successful trip. To others it is the enjoyment of the external surrounding environment and the immersion into nature that makes the experience successful. To others, it is the sport. It is the challenge of taking a large fish on light tackle. Fly fisherman understand the idea of challenge.

Tarpon fly fishing in Florida is a good example of the idea of sport. Many people have compared this form of fishing to hunting. The tarpon is a saltwater fish that comes to the shallow offshore flats and coastal rivers to feed. Many tarpon grow up to 8 feet long and some can weigh as much as 200 pounds. The top of their mouth, where the hook must be set, is covered by a bony plate that some have described as being a bit like concrete.

The tarpon is usually sought in the coastal waters of the Florida Keys in a small skiff. The fisherman stands in the front of the skiff and the guide positions it to intercept schools of tarpon that are moving in from deeper waters to feed. The fish are swimming fast, bearing down on the skiff in small schools of giant fish. The fisherman must make an expert cast to drop a fly in the path of the oncoming fish and hope one stops to strike it. Then the hook must be set in that bony upper mouth. In most cases, the fish will throw the hook rather quickly.

If the hook is set, the challenge has really just started. The tarpon is a feisty fish. It may be one of the hardest fighting fish pound for pound anywhere. It will make long wild runs and then suddenly pull with stubborn bull dog tenacity. And they will jump. The tarpon is known for their high arching jumps that can set the fisherman’s heart to racing wildly. In fact, it is common to ask the returning fisherman how many fish he “jumped” rather than how many he caught.

It is really not the catching that is important in tarpon fly fishing in Florida or along the coastal waters of the other Southern states in the tarpon’s range. It is the hunt that is the thing that draws the fishermen. The flesh of the tarpon is bony and not good eating and in many places the fish is protected and catch and release is the norm. It is the human being against the denizen of the sea that this is all about, not putting food on the table.

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- Friday, June 12, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - Recent Tarpon in Cuba

This is an interesting story to read...

I was fishing with my guide - William. We set off with the specific intention of catching some tarpon. The first hour was spent poling over a larger area with no luck. William then decided that we would go to his secret spot. This was an area at the tip of a long beach. We found some very large permit and snapper but could get no takes; one medium sized tarpon which I hooked. This fish jumped a couple of times and then threw the hook. At this point the waves were making it difficult to stand up in the boat, so we decided to make a move.

A couple of miles further down the coast we came to an area were the flats came very close to the edge of the reef. We poled along about 50 yard from the edge the inside of the reef. There were lots of coral heads, so a few blind casts for snapper were made, resulting in a follow from an enormous Cubera snapper that turned away at the last minute. However, about 200yards away we could see a white hole about 50 yards across with fish moving in it. Nearing the hole we could see that they were tarpon of around 20- 40 lbs, and the school had about 30 fish in it. First cast in front of the school resulted in a hook up, the fish jumping out of the water and throwing the hook. I continued to strip and another fish took the fly, this time throwing the hook after three jumps.

“Good gracious me!” I said…or words to that effect. During this time the boat had drifted past the hole and we noticed that there were permit there as well. William poled down further and when he thought it was safe to do so, he started the motor and we returned above for another drift. William was excellent and started again at least 150 yards away from the hole… the fish were still there. On the first cast I hooked and landed a fish of about 25lbs or so.

I was using a Sage Xi2 11wt with Sage tropical fly line on a Charlton reel. I dropped my Tibor Gulfstream during a customs check at the airport so I used my back up reel. The Charlton is really a fantastic product and I set the drag very tight. I checked it with my Boga Grip and it was only 10lbs but it seemed like a lot more to me. I was using 40lb leader with an 80lb shock tippet. I decided that I would fish down and dirty and I gave the tarpon no chance. Rod tip in the water, they all came in very quickly. After releasing the first tarpon I saw a bigger fish swimming about 20 yards away. I did not even have time to put my cap back on before making another cast.

I like to use Tarpon flies tied with rabbit and strip the fly with slow short strips so that the fly pulses in the water. This fish came slowly up to the fly went to take it and missed… and then missed again! This happened five or six times before it was finally in its mouth. It was just a couple of seconds but felt like a lifetime. It feels like you stop breathing and your heart stops.

The fish then swam off and I had the opportunity to get a good hook set by strip striking hard. I think that when tarpon fishing if the fish jumps very quickly you can't get a good hook set. Anyway he was on and there was no way I was going to loose it. Using good old down and dirty tactics I had the fish to the boat in 10 mins. After landing it we measured it and carefully revived and released it. When we got back to the lodge it was calculated to be about 65lbs. I thought it was a little bigger but after all, I am an angler....

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- Saturday, June 06, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - Florida Tarpon Fishing

Florida tarpon fishing is among the best in the world. All around the coast of Florida you can find the great sports fishing for tarpon, some of which can grow up to eight feet in length in good conditions – in Florida, the conditions are great.

The best Florida tarpon fishing ranges all the way across the south from Tampa in the West to Cape Canaveral in the East. Here you can almost guarantee sunshine all year round which not only makes for a great fishing trip, it also helps the fish grow big and strong – and they’re certainly strong! If it’s a fishing adventure that you want, you’ll find it in Florida tarpon fishing. These guys don’t give up without a fight – but would you want it any other way?

Florida’s West Coast

In the West Coast of Florida, tarpon thrive in the brackish water, which is a mixture of salt- and fresh-water conditions. Expect thunderstorms in the summer, but you maybe won’t care when you realize that in Florida, tarpon fishing can hook you a huge fish of over a hundred pounds. Tarpon are amazing sports fish which migrate each spring northwards up the West coast of Florida.

It’s not for nothing that the tarpon is nick-named ‘silver king’. Tarpon really are the king of sports fishing. Although they are relatively easy to hook, because there are so many in Florida, tarpon fishing will still give you all the challenges you want to actually bring them home. The tarpon will literally launch itself into the air, violently thrashing its head from side to side, trying to break free from your line, so be prepared. The tarpon often wins, which is why Florida tarpon fishing is such a thrill for the true angler.

Boca Grande Pass

The Florida coast is huge, and if you travel about a hundred miles south, you reach Boco Grande Pass, which has its very own annual tarpon fishing derby. That shows you the great quality of the sport in Florida; tarpon fishing is quite a specialty. Here the tarpon can reach 150 pounds at their biggest, in May, where it seems the tarpon hang around, waiting for just the right time to head to the Gulf of Mexico to spawn.

Florida Tarpon Fishing Charters

World record quality tarpon are to be found in Florida; tarpon fishing charters abound here as you can hire a guide to take you on board and right into the heart of the best tarpon fishing in the world; experience fantastic tarpon fishing from Tampa Bay to St Petersburg and Tarpon Springs. No self respecting Florida tarpon fishing trip is complete without a trip to Boco Grande, though, which rightfully deserves its tag as the giant tarpon fishing capital of the world.

Wherever you fish the coast of Florida, tarpon fishing is incredible. You have the huge fish, the clear water, the beautiful coastline – get yourself on a Florida tarpon fishing charter and find out for yourself.

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- Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing-Deep Sea Fishing in Mauritius


Surrounded by the south-west Indian Ocean, Mauritius is ideally positioned to access the many exciting species of fish that frequent the warm, tropical waters. Listed below are five of the most exciting creatures that you may encounter. There are a slew of private companies across the island that offer half or full day trips out to enjoy sport fishing in the area. In Mauritius, luxury hotels will usually offer their own services for you to enjoy this exciting activity too, so you will have every opportunity to take advantage.

1. Sailfish

With a fiercely elongated bill and a tall dorsal fin that stretches the whole length of its back, the Sailfish can appear fairly intimidating. Capable of moving up to 68mph they are also the fastest fish ever reliably recorded. Rarely larger than 90kg, they are still more than daunting enough to herd schools of fish or squid when they hunt in groups. They are well spread throughout the world, inhabiting all of the warmer regions, meaning that you stand a very good chance of encountering one on your Mauritius holidays.

2. Wahoo

A prized catch in any sport fishing environment, the flesh of the Wahoo is also famously delicate and regarded as quite a delicacy. Few Mauritius luxury hotels would object to you returning with one either, as an 80kg individual could doubtless feed a host of hungry guests! Swift and solitary, their back is an iridescent blue/green, while their sides are a shade of silver with blue bars. Like the Sailfish they too feed on squid and other, smaller fish.

3. Tuna

Tuna are not simply one species, but it is actually an umbrella term for a fairly wide variety of fish. Off the shores of Mauritius you're mostly likely to encounter Yellowfin Tuna, with a smattering of Bigeye and Albacore. Perhaps the most arresting thing, to the non-fisherman, is the revelation of just how big they are. Smaller species may be less than a metre in length, but Northern Blue Fin Tuna (or Thunnus Thynnus) can grow larger than 4m in length and up to 680kg in size. You thought that tuna sandwiches were something unheard of in the South Indian Ocean? Think again on your next Mauritius luxury holiday.

4. Shark

Species you may grapple with out in the South Indian Ocean include Mako, Hammerhead, Blue and Tiger Sharks. Many tour companies report abundant sightings and catches of Shark species once they're way out in the open water, with Mauritius actually holding the record for the largest Blue Shark ever caught. Of course, there's very little to do with a Shark once you've caught it, other than photograph and release it, but there are few creatures out there that will give you such a satisfying fight.

5. Marlin

Marlin are the legendary big-game fishing catch. Striped, Black and Pacific Blue Marlin frequent the waters around Mauritius and are big, fast and beautiful. Discernible by their spear-like snout, rigid dorsal fin and enormous size (sometimes up to 5m and 670kg), attempts to catch them often become the stuff of many a wild-eyed story and would certainly become the crowning achievement of any Mauritius luxury holiday.

Ricky Coates is a Mauritius holiday expert for key2holidays, an online tour operator offering Mauritius luxury holidays, as well as trips to Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Europe, Egypt, the Far East, the Maldives, the Seychelles, Dubai and the Arabian Gulf and South Africa. Key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

Article source: Ricky Coates

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- Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing -The Best Tarpon Fishing

The best tarpon fishing hotspot on the planet is no real secret to an avid tarpon angler. Tarpon can be found year round at this location but there are certain times of the year when their numbers can be so thick that you could walk on top of them so to speak, literally numbering in the tens of thousands. Which would thus enable any angler a fishing trip of a lifetime as these tarpon are considered giants. So just where is this secret garden of tarpon fishing, none other than Boca Grande Pass.

Below a video about Tarpon Fishing on Boca Grande.



Boca Grande is located on Gasparilla Island in the southwest portion of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. This small little community starts absolutely booming during the months of May, June and July when these tarpon hunters line up to take on their tarpon fishing adventure. Loaded with accommodations, restaurants and shopping venues, it's the perfect place to bring the family and sneak away on your own little adventure catching these great sport fish.

Boca Grande gathers its name from the Spanish word meaning "Big Mouth" and was used to describe the opening waterway of the pass, thus Boca Grande Pass. Back in the day, this pass was a thriving commercial platform and was utilized by cargo ships to haul processed phosphate from some of those very docks. That business slowed and is virtually non-existent since the opening of the Port of Tampa, and that's when tarpon fishing really kicked into gear.

During those special months when the tarpon stack up, it's really best to get a guide who knows what they are doing as the pass really gets loaded down with a ton of anglers. But with the sheer number of tarpon around, it doesn't really lessen any of your opportunities for catching one, just if your like me, I'd rather be fishing than untangling a mess from a first time pass angler trying to fish it alone. Could you do it yourself? Absolutely, you could bring your own boat and have a go at it, just remember a few little rules to play by and make not only your day an enjoyable one, but everyones day on the water enjoyable as well.

Rule 1: Start your drift at the top of the pass. Don't cut in and just line up with someone else that's already drifting. In other words, don't stop your boat in somebody else's drift line. All boats in the pass tend to drift the same way and in the same line. Just like back in school at the lunch line, no cuts!

Rule 2: When you finish your drift, don't just fire up your boat and go directly back up to the front. Be courteous and make your way back on the OUTSIDE of the drifting line.

Rule 3: Tarpon can spook. Don't throw a wake with your boat. Take your time and ease back into position.

Rule 4: Don't anchor IN th pass. This is an easy way to make everyones day absolutely miserable.

There you have it. Four simple rules to fishing one of the greatest tarpon hotspots in the world, Boca Grande Pass.

Chris Copeland is co-founder of South Florida Tarpon Fishing as well as an active angler. With more than 30 years of recreational experience fishing for all types of saltwater fish, one of his favorite types is tarpon fishing south Florida.

Article Source : Chris Copeland share

- Friday, May 08, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to fish for halibut. Sally and John Balch live in Ketchikan and have a favorite spot nearby to halibut fish. It’s a secret spot, so don’t ask where it is.

The Balches were fishing there one Sunday and having good luck landing cod and halibut, so they decided to stop about mid-morning. Sally started pulling in her gear and felt a tug on the line.

It was more than a tug, really. Sally said that she thought she had snagged the bottom of the ocean. Sally reeled in the line with all her strength, tired, and turned the rod over to her husband.

John and Sally fought the halibut over the course of the next hour. They reeled it to the surface three times, but each time the halibut regained strength and swam back down to the bottom of the ocean.

After more than an hour the tired Balches were successful in subduing the halibut, and after another hour were able to bring the halibut into their boat.

Back in Ketchikan the Balches towed their boat over to the local lumber yard where John works and used the fork lift to unload the halibut from their boat. A crowd gathered to listen to repeated tales of the adventure, and the Balches filleted the fish and gave away pieces to anyone who wanted a piece.

They had plenty. The halibut was 7 feet long and weighed 323 pounds. And Sally caught the large halibut with a bargain $39 Penn rod and reel combo.

source:Garry Gamber

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- Friday, May 01, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - Staying On Top of Topwater Bass Fishing

Of all the types of fishing an angler can experiment and perhaps become extremely proficient in, top water bass fishing is without a doubt one of the most exciting and enjoyable. Most fishing goes unseen, in terms of the exact moment a fish strikes a lure. Yet, with topwater fishing there is a distinct action advantage and visual stimulation involved. This added visual appeal and response that comes with topwater fishing is priceless in terms of angling pleasure, even if the result is a missed strike where a bass swims away.

It's certain, if one is seeking an ultimate bass angling experience, topwater fishing is exactly what should be sought to disrupt calm and mundane fishing waters.

Float On With Style and Functionality

Using bait and/or lures that float on top of the water is what makes top water fishing more of an exciting angling experience than other style of fishing. Lures are primarily used, specifically ones labeled, suitably enough, as 'topwaters.' These types of lures are quite fancy looking, produced in realistic, true-to-bait fish fashion with lifelike appearances and patterning to appeal to fishes sensory receptors. Most topwaters are hollow-bodied and made from hard durable plastic or wood with a standard tail treble hook, and in some cases, two belly-bottom trebles.

The key with such topwaters is being able to cast out as far as humanly possible. This in mind, topwater lures are designed with aerodynamics to stream through the air and reach far off distances, whether casted from within a boat or from the coastline of a water's edge. Once a far distance cast is achieved the best aspect of topwater fishing follows, working the lure!

Tactics For Topwater Fishin'

Most anyone, despite their angling skills, can attempt and even master the basics of topwater fishing. It's a bit of work, but it's really worth the effort. The concept is elementary, and basically involves being able to fish on the surface on freshwater bodies of water. The trick though, is being able to manipulate the way one's lure acts, floats and reacts atop the water's surface.

Mainly, what's required here is a decent ability or coordination, specifically hand eye coordination. Topwater fishing starts with one's eyes and ends with one's wrists. Using one's eyes to watch the lure (particularly the way it reacts) is foremost. Secondly, using ones' wrist to control line pull, tug and twitch, and thus lure action, atop the water's surface is the enticing element fish beneath the water's surface are fully drawn to. Techniques for fishing in a topwater manner can vary from popping the lure to walking it or twitching it.

Keeping Line In Mind

All the above cannot be done with out proper line tension. A topwater angler's best bet to reel in massive amounts of bass, both trophy worthy and average size, are to keep their line reasonably taut at all times. Without doing this, the way the lure tied to the end of the line reacts will not appear natural or act in the correct manner which it was intended. Thus, a slacked cast will yield sloppy and non-realistic topwater fishing. And keeping as realistic as possible with one's topwater lure presentation and action is crucial, especially since bass react to lifelike lure movement.

article source: E.S.Cromwell

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- Monday, April 20, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon Fishing - Catching The Elusive Silver King

If you have ever had the priviledge of hooking up on a big
tarpon then you know the exhilaration and thrill of testing
yourself in battle against one of the most sought after
gamefish in the world. This distinction is easy to see at first
glance as the tarpon starts a series of spectacular acrobatic
leaps in the air that will have your heart pounding, your rod
bending and your drag screaming. You better hold on!

Since the tarpon's habitat is so close to the shoreline,
fishermen of all types and skill levels can catch them. They
can be caught from jetties, passes, docks, bridges,
beaches, piers and rivers. Tarpon can be caught while
using many types of tackle, rods, baits, lures and rigs either
while fishing from a boat, canoe, kayak or walking and
wading from the shoreline as the tarpon work up and down
the beaches.

Live bait fishermen's bait of choice is the 'dollar crab'. A
small live blue crab about two inches across its carapace,
hooked through one end of it's shell or underneath through
a swimmer leg. Other extremely effective live baits include
pinfish, threadfin herrings and pilchards. On days when the
tarpon is being finicky in it's tablefare selection, try these for
the best results, and oh, by the way, don't forget about a live
mullet. If you can get them, use them. Flyfishermen are not
left out either. The stealth of casting the right fly can
sometimes be the trick to hooking up.

But Just What is a Tarpon?

Scientific classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Elopiformes

Family: Megalopidae

Genus: Megalops

This exceptionally fine creature is a prehistoric animal and
the only fish with an air bladder. This allows it to absorb
oxygen and live in waters with very low oxygen content. You
can see them gulp air at the water surface. Tarpon are also
called poons, tarpum, sabalo real, cuffum, silverfish or silver
king and belong to the bony fish family Elopidae. The Latin
designation is Megalops atlanticus.

While only microscopic at birth, tarpon have been
documented at lengths of more than eight feet and weighing
280 pounds. Catches weighing more than 200 pounds,
while uncommon, do occur. Many fish caught are well over
100 pounds. Their growth rate is slow, taking 8 to 10 years
to reach maturity, and generally those over 100 pounds are
female. Tarpon can live 55 to 60 years. They are greenish or
bluish on top, and silver on the sides. The large mouth is
turned upwards and the lower jaw contains an elongated
bony plate. The last ray of the dorsal fin is much longer than
the others, reaching nearly to the tail.

They are found primarily in shallow coastal waters and
estuaries, but they are also found in open marine waters,
around coral reefs, and in some freshwater lakes and
rivers. Their normal migratory pattern ranges from Virginia to
central Brazil in the western Atlantic, along the coast of Africa
in the eastern Atlantic, and all through the Gulf of Mexico and
Caribbean Sea. Florida is widely regarded as having many
of the best tarpon fishing locations in the world, especially
the world-renowned Boca Grande Pass in Southwest
Florida.

Fishing for the tarpon can at times be an exercise of
patience and discipline. You may be surrounded by large
schools of rolling tarpon containing hundreds of fish and
they will not hit anything you throw at them. Other times, it is
a feeding frenzy. So, go fishing for tarpon every chance you
get, that next world record catch may be waiting just for you

Article Source: Greg Smith share

- Saturday, April 04, 2009 - 0 comments

Tarpon - The Fish Don't Care What You Wear

The fish don’t care what you wear. Waders, vests and hats for fishermen are necessities to brave the elements.

Waders are a must if you are planning any surfcasting or stream wading. And what you need to know about waders, no matter how much you spend for them, they will eventually leak and new waders must be replaced.

Love to fish in the streams during the summer? Rivers are low running and are not deep; so hip waders are perfect. Why heat up in chest waders when hip waders will suffice. On the other hand, those one-piece chest-high waders are a necessity for surfcasting. Irritating sand or pea gravel cannot wedge their way into your boots.

Alternatives to chest waders are the stocking-foot waders. Stocking-foot waders are also chest-high, but anglers will require wading shoes or boots. Some anglers favor wading shoes or boots as they give added support and traction while fishing all day.

It is difficult to imagine fishing without vests. Vests are invaluable as they contain many pockets to hold such items as expensive flies or lures as well as your bug repellant. But ensure that the pockets open from the top and not the side so not to lose those valuable flies or lures. Not to imagine losing your car key.

And lastly, don’t forget your fishing hat and sunglasses. You certainly do not want to get sunstroke in the hot sun as well; fishing hats shield your head from the rain. Furthermore, hats and sunglasses will protect your eyes from glaring sunlight and you can see what the fish are up to when the sun is setting in the sky. Which in fact, is the most opportune time of the day to catch that big one.


Article source: Catherine Kenyeres share