Brett Martina landed his first tarpon on the fly at the age of 14, and he’s been fishing for them ever since. On his home waters of Apalachicola, FL, Brett has been guiding for tarpon for the last 17 years. Over that time, he’s put together more than a few tips and tricks to get just about anyone on a tarpon. This Tarpon Week, Brett Martina shares his insights on how to catch more tarpon.
Tip 1: Choosing Your Gear
Choosing the right gear is essential for landing a tarpon on the fly. They’re powerful fish, and as Brett puts it, have A LOT of torque. To tame these fish, Brett likes an 11- or 12-weight rod. The 11-wt is his go-to “finesse” rod. These rods are lighter and easier to throw for inexperienced anglers; they also land the flies more lightly on calm days. On the flip side, a 12-weight is ideal for the bigger fish found where Brett fishes in Apalachicola. They can tire bigger fish out quicker and allow you to cast further in the wind. The only downside is that they are heavier.
As for reels, anything with a good drag and ample line capacity will do, although Brett has his favorites. Among these is the new Orvis Ratio, which Brett helped design. The end result is a fairly light reel with a great drag system for fish like tarpon. He pairs this with an SA Magnitude Tarpon fly line and SA backing.
Bonus Tip
If you are fishing with a guide and plan to bring your own rod and reel, put them together before meeting your guide. Your guide will appreciate this, and it will save you precious time; after all, every second on the tarpon flats counts.
Tip 2: Practice, Practice, Practice
A tarpon fishing trip is no small investment, so coming prepared is a must. Brett recommends practicing your casting well before you even think about stepping on the boat. This gives you the confidence and the ability to make casts under pressure. He recommends buying two fly lines: your yard line and your boat line. Since dry ground can damage fly lines, a dedicated yard line gives you the ability to practice without affecting performance on the water. When buying a yard line, make sure it’s the same as the one you are fishing with. This way, your practice transfers to fishing seamlessly. Also, practice casting in a variety of conditions. There’s no point in practicing if you only fish the nicest days.
Tip 3: Master Your Starting Fly Position
Tarpon have a way of sneaking up on you even in crystal clear water, let alone in darker water. To make the most of these last-minute shots, it’s important to be ready with your fly in hand. Brett recommends holding the fly in the opposite hand that you are casting with. When you see a fish, throw the fly out and away from the boat before water loading on the first cast. Repetition is everything, but ingraining this in your mind will help you catch more fish.
Tip 4: Cast Where They’re Going, Not Where They’re At
One of the biggest mistakes Brett sees new anglers make is casting directly towards a fish. This leads to spooked fish and blown shots. Instead, you want to lead the fish. Imagine in your head where that fish is swimming to and place the fly there. This gives you time to prepare for the shot. Brett also emphasizes never letting go of your running line when casting. Trying to grab your line and reset will cost you precious seconds that could make the difference between getting a bite and not.
Tip 5: Manage Your Line Properly
Whether you use a stripping bucket or a fly line mat, it’s important to practice proper line management. You want to always strip the fly line into the bucket or mat from the reel end to the fly end. This allows the fly line to come out of the bucket without tangling on itself. A lot of new anglers think that just because the line is in the bucket, it won’t tangle, but that is not the case.
Tip 6: Keep Proper Line Tension
Tarpon are one of the hardest fish to hook due to their bony mouths. That said, if you manage your line the right way and keep adequate tension, you can dramatically increase your hook-up ratio. If you’re using a two-hand strip, keep the rod tip low to the water, and continue to do so even after the fish bites. The low rod angle maximizes the amount of tension on the fly line, which helps drive home the hook.
