The tarpon is the most sought-after fish for anglers, but it’s not easy to catch. A good reel that can withstand the powerful attacks of this amazing fish will help you land your next one!
When selecting a fishing reel for a tarpon, there are many things to consider. The main thing is how big of a line you need on your reel and what kind of line do you prefer? For example, if I’m using a braided line then I’ll want an anti-reverse or level wind reel because they have less friction with braid than level wind reels with monolines. If I’m using mono-line then I’ll want either an anti-reverse or level wind reel depending on my preference.
How To Choose Right Fishing Reel For Tarpon
There are so many fishing reels available in the market today. As a fisherman, choosing the right reel for a tarpon might be an overwhelming task. When choosing a reel, you must consider several factors that would affect your game with this strong fish.
Tarpon is one of the saltwater gamefish which is not targeted very frequently by anglers. This is because of its aggressive nature, size, and strength which are not found in other fish species.
Fishermen who target tarpon always prefer high-quality reels equipped with a drag system for an exciting fight. Here are some tips on choosing the right fishing reel for tarpon.
Use a Reel with Good Drag System
When fishing for Tarpon, your experience of fighting this strong fish will be affected by the drag system of the reel. You might get it hooked and pulled to a boat or on land but you must not give up easily.
The fight of this fish will certainly challenge your strength and endurance. It is best if you would use a reel with a smooth drag system. The more you crank your handle, the more force the fish will exert on the line. As a result, you must have a smooth drag system to diminish the pressure from this strong creature as much as possible.
The drag system is the part of your reel that allows you to regulate how much pressure or resistance is being exerted on your line, so this will greatly affect the power of the tarpon.
Look for a High-Quality Reel
A high-quality fishing reel comes with several features. This will give you an advantage when fighting with Tarpon. You will have a better chance of landing this strong fish when using a high-quality reel.
You must look for a fishing reel that has a solid construction and durable design. It should be corrosion-resistant to ensure its durability in a saltwater environment. Look for the reel with highly visible markings which you can easily see from different angles under low light conditions.
The reel should have corrosion and rust-resistant parts and all the moving parts must be smooth and well sealed to prevent any ingress of saltwater. A good quality spool will not warp or twist but will allow your line to run smoothly. The aluminum construction will not corrode easily when in contact with salt water for a long time even if you fish in the saltwater environment all year round.
The best fishing reels for tarpon will offer an excellent drag system that is smooth and efficient. The spool of the reel must be durable to endure more than one fishing trip. It must have a lightweight design that allows ease of use on long hours of fishing trips. A good quality reel will offer these features to ensure that you enjoy your time fishing.
Reel Maintenance and Proper Use
When purchasing a new reel, read the instruction manual first to familiarize yourself with its basic parts and functions so you would know how it works. It is best if you can disassemble and reassemble each part of your reel so you will learn how it works.
Learn how to maintain your reel. Always rinse the fishing reel after every use even if there are no indications of saltwater on them. Be aware that debris and dust trapped in between parts can corrode the fishing reels quickly. Manufacturers recommend cleaning and lubricating your reels regularly before storage, so you have to follow this procedure before storing your reels.
Reel maintenance and proper use are important to ensure that you will enjoy your reel’s long life and optimum performance.
If you maintain and use the fishing reel properly, it can be used for a very long time without any problems that would affect its functionality. Your experience in saltwater fishing will surely be better if you use these high-quality fishing reels for tarpon.
Purchasing a reel without proper knowledge of its features and components can result in inferior performance when facing a strong fish-like Tarpon. The drag system of the reel is very important in fighting this fish because it directly affects your ability to control your line’s resistance. You can stop purchasing different fishing reels if you know what features to look for when buying a product.
The best fishing reels are the ones that offer a smooth drag system that reduces the pressure exerted on your line by Tarpon or other fish while reeling it back in or while fighting strong fish. A durable reel is one of the most important items you should look for when shopping for fishing equipment. So, always read product reviews and recommendations to get more information about your desired fishing gear.
There is no specific type of reel that is only designed for tarpon fish or any saltwater species. You can purchase any suitable spinning or baitcasting model depending on your preference. All you have to do is to choose the right model for your needs.
Best Fishing Reel For Tarpon
1. Shimano Stella
This reel is smooth to cast and has a great drag system. The arbor style makes it easy to change your lines. One of the best features about this reel is that you can use either fly line or double braided lines at any time!
2. Daiwa Tatula
The center of This reel gives you twice the amount of cranking power than any other reel that Daiwa produces and also offers a smooth and quiet line pick up. The ACR (anti-corrosion roller) bearing keeps the corrosion away and the design reduces casting fatigue.
3. Okuma Fishing Spinning Reel
This Spinning reel is lightweight with a powerful drag system. The smooth Graphite housing makes this reel easy to clean and the oversized spool increases casting distance.
4. Abu Garcia Ambassadeur
This is an ultra-lightweight design that is perfect for close fishing situations. A rugged carbon side plate protects against breakage even when you are fishing in rough waters.
5. Abu Garcia Ambassadeur S Fishing Reel
The most unique feature about this reel is its carbon fiber drag system that helps reduce stress when fishing for bigger games. The reel has an oversized spool to increase casting distance and the side plate is made of high-strength aluminum alloy for increased durability!
Conclusion
If you are planning to hit the water in pursuit of big fish like tarpon, it is important that you should know what type of reel suits you best during these kinds of fishing trips. Using a good quality fishing reel for tarpon can greatly help you improve your fishing techniques and increase your chances of catching this game fish.