BARRACUDA, JACKS AND SHARKS
Lurking at the top of the food chain, these tough flats predators offer some outstanding action on a fly or lure. They will strike anything that darts away from them in an injured manner. When hooked, they are some of the fastest and most powerful fish to be taken on light-tackle.

FLY-FISHING TACKLE
Flies:
For barracuda and jacks, an extra fast two-handed retrieve will usually provoke more strikes than a slow retrieve.
Barracuda — Needlefish patterns (green/white, chartreuse, blue/white), Braided Barracuda Fly (chartreuse), Rabbit Barracuda (2/0), Chinese Dragon (chartreuse and white) 3/0.
Jacks and Sharks — Lefty’s Deceiver (red/white and blue/white), Streaker, Gaines Saltwater Popper (red/white and blue/white), Shark Fly. 2/0-3/0 hooks.

Rod:
The ideal rod for barracuda, jacks and sharks is a 10 weight.
Reel:
Tough, no-nonsense reels are a must when you are playing these fish. A strong, reliable drag is vital. Capacity: 200 yards with 30-lb backing.
Line:
Saltwater taper, floating line.
Leader:
A wire shock tippet is mandatory. Pre-tied Climax Barracuda/Shark or Bluefish are perfect.

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SPINNING TACKLE
Lures:
Barracuda — Tube lures are especially effective (green and orange), Zara Spook (see tarpon section), Rapala Silver 5¼" 9/16 oz (Needlefish).
Jacks and Sharks — Zara Spook (tarpon size/colours), Magnum Rapala (tarpon size/colours).
Rod/reel:
as listed in tarpon section.
Line:
12-15 lb test.

TARPON
It is important to note that we do not find tarpon in our waters on a regular basis, but we certainly come across them from time to time and they can be of a very good size. We therefore do not recommend bringing extensive tackle, but suggest converting your barracuda set up. Tarpon are the largest, strongest, and most acrobatic of flats fish. Even juvenile fish will put your angling skills to the test and strain your tackle.

Most tarpon will be encountered in the tidal channels connecting the flats and deeper water. In most circumstances, fish are seen rolling and the angler will try to approach within casting distance.

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FLY FISHING
Presentation:
Once cruising or rolling fish have been spotted, it is important to quickly and accurately place the fly in front of the fish’s path. Tarpon are not easily spooked and you can place the fly quite close to them. A distance of about three to five feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) is perfect. Allow the fly to sink to the level of the fish and then begin to strip it back with a slow, steady retrieve (12 inch/30 cm strips as a general rule). This is the moment of truth. If all goes well and the tarpon is in the dining mood, the fish will greedily take the fly — wait until it turns before setting the hook. By doing this, the tippet will slide into the corner of the fish’s mouth (the softest part) which theoretically sets you up for the best possible hooking angle. Tarpon have concrete-lined mouths, so a super-sharp hook is an absolute necessity.

Correct hook setting will also help put the odds in your favour. Point the rod tip at the fish and firmly set the hook with your stripping hand only; then keep the rod tip close to the water (to eliminate slack) and pump the rod sideways with short, sharp tugs as you pull on the line and the rod simultaneously. This sounds easy on paper, but if you have not caught one of these giant primordial beasts before, the sight of one inhaling your puny fly may turn you into a bumbling ball of nerves.

A Note on Lost Fish:
The average fly fisherman only lands about 30 percent of “jumped” fish. The most common causes of fish loss are dull hooks, poorly tied knots, and frayed tippet — super-sharp hooks and well-tied knots are of utmost importance! Carry a small hook file at all times.

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FLY-FISHING TACKLE
Flies:
A selection of the following should cover all conditions (sizes 1/0, 2/0 and 3/0): Cockroach, Chico’s Shallow Water Tarpon (burnt orange/grizzly, blue/griz. yellow/griz. green/griz.), Stu Apte (Apte Tarpon), Sea Bunny (olive, purple, tan), Lefty’s Deceiver (red/yellow, chartreuse/white). Popping bugs, such as Gaines Saltwater Popper and poppers from “Mr. Bob’s Lucky Day Lures,” can be productive (red/white, blue/white). Clouser Minnows in various colours also perform.
Rod:
The ideal rod for tarpon is a 10 or 12 weight.
Reel:
Tough, no-nonsense reels are a must when you are playing tarpon. A strong, reliable drag is vital. Capacity: 200 yards with 30-lb backing.
Lines:
Those recommended in the bonefish section in appropriate sizes will work well. Generally, sinking lines are not necessary.
Leaders and Tippets:
For most anglers, pre-made tarpon leaders (offered by Umpqua and Climax) will simplify things considerably. In any case, you need a 12 to 15-inch shock tippet of 60 lb or heavier monofilament (or wire). We recommend buying these pre-made leaders with 16- or 20-lb class tippet sections.

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SPINNING
The spin fisherman has a distinct advantage over the fly fisherman when blind casting because of the overall effectiveness a spinning or casting rod has in covering large expanses of water. The wide variety of lure types all have different actions and are retrieved at varying depths. As a general rule, tarpon like lures that are retrieved at an easy pace.

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SPINNING TACKLE
Lures (Surface):
Rebel “Jumpin’ Minnow” 4½" ⅝ oz (silver glitter and G-finish/gizzard shad), Heddon Zara Spook 4½" ⅜ oz (G-finish shad and G-finish pearl/red head), Heddon Lucky 13, 3¾" ⅝ oz (silver flitter and white/red head).
Lures (Subsurface Minnow Type):
Rapala CD Mag 5½" (silver/black back) or Bomber Heavy Duty Magnum 16J, 6" 1 oz (silver/black).
Mirrorlures:
These popular lures have been very effective for tarpon for many years. Mirrorlure 52M, 3⅝" ½ oz, shallow runner; 65M, 3 3/16" 1 oz, deep runner; 38MR 3" ⅜ oz (red/white and green back/white belly).
Jigs:
1 oz saltwater jig head with 6" sassy shad (chartreuse/black back and natural shad). Bucktails from 1 to 1½ oz in yellow and white can also be productive.
Rods:
When purchasing a rod, remember that the rod must have a fairly heavy action to aid in hook setting and to properly play a heavy fish. A few rods that meet these specifications are:
Spinning – Penn Power Graph 7', medium-heavy action, lure weight ⅜-1 oz, Shakespeare Ugly Stick Big Water 6' 6", medium action, lure weight ½-3 oz
Casting – Shakespeare Ugly Stick 6' 6", medium-heavy, lure weight ½-2 oz
Reels:
Must hold at least 150 yards of 17-20 lb test and have strong/reliable drags. A few good examples are:
Spinning – Penn Spinfisher 650SS, Diawa Black Gold series
Casting – Shimano Calcutta CT400, Quantum Big Iron series
Line:
The small teeth in a tarpon’s mouth are very abrasive, so it is essential that you use at least 12 inches of 60–80 lb shock tippet or a wire leader between your line and lure.
Spinning – a thin/supple monofilament such as Abu-Garcia’s Ultra-Cast, 17-20 lb.
Casting – a stiff, low stretch line like Berkley TriMax or Big Game, 17-20 lb.