Are you looking for the best bait for tarpon? If so, I have some great news. There are many different types of baits that work well with catching tarpon. The most important part of choosing a good bait is to consider what type of fish you are trying to catch and what time of year it is. Tarpon is an amazing fish because they are so big, but it’s hard to find a bait that is large enough. That’s why we made this blog post about the best bait for tarpon! We hope you enjoy it and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
How To Choose Fishing Bait For Tarpon
There are many different types of bait that can be used in countless different situations for tarpon. However, not all baits are effective in all situations. The following list should help you choose the best type of bait to use when fishing for tarpon:
Live baits
Ballyhoo, mullet, pilchards… work great in calm waters where fish can be seen cruising the surface. However, many anglers have trouble successfully catching a tarpon on live baits – especially if they are fishing alone. Live baits also tend to attract a lot of other fish that will steal the bait right out of your hook.
Plugs
The best plug choice when fishing for tarpon is probably any type of large, bulky lure that will take a lot of time for the fish to eat. Ideally, you’d want something that is heavy enough so it doesn’t float too easily. Also, try throwing different colors to see if they attract any tarpon better than others.
Flatfish
Flatfish are large fish that swim near the surface but dive down deep at the slightest hint of danger. When using flatfish as bait, try to find a 2-3 foot section of leader with a hook on one end and a large weight on the other end. Attach your line to the weight and then tie the leader/hook combo to it. This way, you can set up a baitcasting rig that will get your bait down deep quickly.
What To Rig Your Bait With When Fishing For Tarpon?
There are numerous ways to rig your bait when fishing for tarpon – it just depends on the situation. Below are a few different rigging techniques that I’ve used successfully in past tournaments:
Drift Rig
This is one of my favorite rigs to use when fishing for tarpon. To set up this rig, you need a section of leader with a hook tied to one end and a weight on the other. You then attach this section of leader/hook combo to your mainline using a simple overhand knot. A bobber stop can also be used to keep your bait from bouncing around while drifting. Then, tie your hook directly to the end of the leader. This is an excellent rig for calm water.
Stinger Rig
This rig works best in rough, windy, or choppy conditions when you can’t get your baits deep enough using other methods. To set up, tie your hook to the end of the leader and then attach a large weight just above it. Then, attach another stinger to the opposite end of the leader. You can use your own stinger or make a cheap one by doubling up some 12lb mono and tying it in a circle shape. In rough water, this rig will keep your bait from getting blown out of the strike zone.
Trolling Rig
This is another rigging technique that I use when fishing for tarpon. As its name implies, this rig is used when trolling for tarpon. To set up, attach a large leader to the mainline using a blood or barrel knot. Next, tie your hook to the mainline and then tie a second hook onto the end of the leader. Now, you can either take two rods and troll one bait each, or you can attach your second line to your rod with the second hook.
Baitfish
This is my least favorite rigging technique because, quite frankly, it’s not the best way to catch tarpon (IMO). But I’ll still discuss it here because it is used often. You tie a lead weight onto the end of your line and then attach a critter to the line. The most popular baits are mullet, pinfish, or artificial shrimp. This style of rigging is best done in shallow water because the bait will be hanging just above the bottom.
What size lures do tarpon like?
Some will tell you they go for the biggest lure possible. “Bigger is better,” they’ll say. But others may argue that smaller lures are more effective because the fish have less time to react to them.
With every size of lure comes a certain level of success, but the thing that matters most is knowing the tarpon’s habits. It turns out that tarpon won’t usually go for anything bigger than their mouths – except in very specific circumstances. Being able to discern these situations is critical to catching them consistently.
For example, sometimes smaller lures work better because the fish are less likely to eat them. That’s primarily because they’re not aware of their presence and won’t be startled by a large splash when the lure hits the water.
There aren’t too many instances where you can get away with using very small lures though, primarily because it doesn’t make sense to throw an ultra-small bait if the tarpon is feeding on something else. They’ll take it, but they won’t enjoy it enough to want another one.
The key is knowing the tarpon’s habits and what they’re eating at different times of the day. If you can mark that down in your logbook, then it’ll be easier to tell what size lures tarpon like.
What color lures do tarpon like?
Do you have a favorite color lure to use when fishing for tarpon? Maybe you think that because a certain color catches lots of fish in your home waters, it’s the only way to go. Well, it turns out that no single color is preferred across all situations by all tarpon. “I’ve watched the same fish come up to different colors over and over again,” said Capt. Randy Towe, who has logged more than 50 years on Florida’s coastal waters. “You look at the watercolor, the sun angle, the clarity of the water … all these things impact what color you use.”
Conclusion
Tarpon lures can be fun to use but you have to do some experimentation first. Try various colors, sizes, and actions before you discover what works best for you.
