Live Bait Tarpon Fisherman: What should be in my bag?

When it comes to tarpon fishing in Florida, having the right gear in your bag is essential. Whether you are in a heavy pass crab, menhaden, or mullet area and are matching the hatch, here is a comprehensive list of everything you need in your bag to increase your chances of landing that prized tarpon.

A Good Tarpon Rod and Reel

First and foremost, you'll need a sturdy tarpon rod and reel combo. Click on the underlined words (either rod or reel) to be directed to the top 5 of each. This will show you a range of rods and reels at different price points. They are ranked off of personal preference but they are all great set ups.

Braided Line

Spool your reel with 40-50 lb braided line. The low stretch and high strength of braided line make it ideal for tarpon fishing. It allows you to spool ample amount of line on the reel to fight a 100+ lb tarpon but also is extremely ridged. Click on the title "braided line" to check out my top 5 best braided line list.

Perfect Circle Hooks

Choose 6/0-9/0 perfect circle hooks for tarpon fishing. These hooks are designed to minimize gut hooking and increase hook-up rates. Mustad Demon perfect circles in 7/0 size are a popular choice among anglers. Avoid using extra strength hooks, as they may cause unnecessary harm to the fish.

Fluorocarbon Leader Line

Attach a 50-60 lb fluorocarbon leader line to your braided mainline. The length of the leader should be at least as long as the tip of your rod to your reel. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible underwater and has excellent abrasion resistance. This helps prevent the fish from snapping the line with its tail or gills.

Weightless Pear Bobbers

Consider using a few weightless pear bobbers in your setup. These bobbers can help suspend your bait at the desired depth and increase its visibility to the tarpon. Tarpon feed by looking up at the bait so make sure your bait isn't sitting on the bottom. If you are able to see how deep the school of bait is you are fishing on or how deep the crabs are floating by, try and match what they are doing naturally. They also provide a visual indication when a tarpon takes the bait, allowing for a quick and accurate hookset. Click the link to see my favorite bobber, you are able to quickly adjust the depth of these bobbers making them my favorite to use. Be sure to buy bobber stoppers along with these to force the float to stay where you want it.

Gloves

While not essential, some anglers prefer to have a good pair of gloves for grabbing the fish by the mouth, especially when catching multiple fish. Tarpons mouths are like course grain sandpaper and after about one or two your hands will look like a kid who just fell off his skateboard. Gloves provide extra protection for your hands and make it easier to handle the tarpon without causing harm to yourself or the fish. Look for gloves that offer a good grip and are made from durable materials. Here are the gloves I use when im really getting into the tarpon and my hands cant handle anymore "sandpaper".

By ensuring you have these essential items in your fishing bag, you'll be well-prepared for a successful tarpon fishing adventure in Florida. Remember to always practice a quick and gentle catch and release to preserve the tarpon population for future generations of anglers. Happy fishing!