Collection: Tarpon Tackle

Circle hooks and heavy leader for the silver king.

Tarpon are the fish people rearrange their year around, and the tackle question is unusually simple: everything has to survive a hundred-plus pounds of fish that jumps.

That jumping is what makes tarpon different. A fish that clears the water and shakes its head generates violent shock loads, and it throws hooks constantly — a tarpon angler landing half of what they hook is doing well. Two things improve those odds. Bow to the fish when it jumps, dropping the rod tip to put slack in the line so it cannot lever the hook out. And use a leader with some stretch in it.

Heavy-wire circle hooks are the standard, and not only for conservation. A tarpon's mouth is armor plated — hard bone with almost nowhere for a hook to bite. The circle finds the jaw hinge, which is the one soft corner available.

Do not swing on the bite. Let the rod load fully and start winding.

Tarpon are catch and release only in Florida and require a tag to possess one. Keep them in the water for photos.

Fish the passes on a moving tide, bridges at night, and the beaches during the spring migration.

Guide: Tarpon fishing in Florida — passes, bridges and beaches