Tarpon Fly Fishing Gear Guide

Fly fishing for tarpon means battling the sun, the wind, and the fish. Combine all three and you’ve got a pursuit that can test even the most dedicated anglers. Fortunately, for us, advancements in modern gear can help minimize the strain of standing on a casting platform waiting for tarpon to show themselves. Whether you’re new to tarpon fly fishing or simply want to upgrade some of your tarpon gear, we put together an all-inclusive list of essentials. Check out our full tarpon fly fishing gear guide, and get ready with us for chasing the Silver King.

Hardy Marksman Z

At the core of every tarpon fishing mission is a rod. The Hardy Marksman Z is our go-to for targeting large tarpon. Its lightweight feel, impressive backbone, and best-in-class durability scream tarpon fishing. This rod can cut through headwinds, deliver accurate casts, and can tangle with the biggest migratory poons. The 9-foot 11-weight is an excellent all-around tarpon stick, and the 8′ 10″ 11-weight one-piece may just be the best tarpon rod we’ve ever thrown.

Redington Predator

Not everyone has the budget for a $1,000 tarpon rod, and that’s okay. Thankfully, advancements in blank technology have brought several great budget-friendly rods to the market. One of our favorites is the Redington Predator. At $350, it’s more than affordable and designed with big fish in mind. The Predator has ample backbone to battle tarpon and a fast action feel that saltwater anglers require. 

Hardy Fortuna Regent

Just as the Marksman Z is our favorite tarpon rod, the Hardy Fortuna Regent is our favorite tarpon reel. This large arbor reel is designed with tarpon fly fishing in mind. It features a single turn drag knob, meaning with one turn of the knob you can use the entire drag range. The Fortuna Regent is also fully sealed, as any good saltwater reel is, has no start-up inertia, and has ample line capacity to handle long runs. It also falls at the lower price end of premium tarpon reels.

Redington Grande

Reels are not something you should skimp on when it comes to tarpon fly fishing. Luckily, Redington made the Grande, packed full of high-end features, and put it at a price affordable to all. The Redington Grande has one of the strongest drag systems of any reel we’ve fished and line capacity well above others in its class. Add to that the fully sealed drag, smooth operation, and exceptional styling, and this reel is a winner for any angler.

YETI One Gallon Jug

Baking in the sun all day can leave you dehydrated. That’s why it’s important to pack water and lots of it. YETI’s Rambler One Gallon jug is a double-wall vacuum-insulated beast made to keep your water, and lots of it, cold all day. In the hot Florida sun, this is what you want to stay hydrated for a long day of tarpon fishing. We also carry a YETI Yonder Bottle in the skiff. While not insulated, this lightweight water bottle pairs great with the One Gallon Jug, making it easy to top off and sip your water without the inconvenience of drinking from the larger jug. 

Scientific Anglers Magnitude Textured Tarpon Clear Tip

To avoid spooking oceanside tarpon, a clear-tip fly line is essential. The Magnitude Textured Tarpon Clear Tip from Scientific Anglers features a 12-foot clear tip that, when combined with a leader, gives you the stealth needed to make casts to wary fish. This line also features an aggressive taper, perfect for punching through the wind and landing the fly where it needs to be. If the fish are extra spooky, SA offers a full-length clear line as well.

Chicone’s Peyote Palolo Fly

Any tarpon angler would be amiss not to have worm flies in their box. These flies are tarpon crack and work all season long, even when worms aren’t hatching. There are plenty of variations, but Chicone’s Peyote Palolo is a proven pattern. This small worm imitation features a foam tail and brush head that creates a life-like subsurface swimming pattern. Fish it with a two-handed retrieve for the best results.

Duck Camp Lightweight Fishing Shirt

If you’re looking for a lightweight fishing shirt with classic styling, then consider the Duck Camp Lightweight Fishing Shirt. This button-down technical fishing shirt features cooling technology to keep you comfortable even on those hot, stale days. The shirt is complete with back vents and two large chest pockets, keeping you ready for anything on the water.

Marshwear High Noon Tech Hoodie

Sun shirts definitely fall into the category of essential when it comes to any flats fishing. The Marshwear High Noon Tech Hoodie is one of the lightest we’ve worn to date. The combination of the lightweight knit fabric and exceptional breathability makes it comfortable to wear on hot days with no breeze. They are somewhat snug, so sizing up is recommended if you want a looser feel. 

Free Fly Topogrid Pants

Free Fly may have created the perfect fishing pants with their new Topogrid pant. The fabric on these pants is incredibly light while maintaining impressive durability. But our favorite feature is the new pocket design. The near-perfect upright pockets keep your phone, wallet, and other essentials secure even on rough runs to and from spots.

Buff CoolNet UV

Any angler fishing the flats is familiar with Buff. These breathable neck gaiters keep the sun off your face and neck, enabling you to fish in confidence, knowing you won’t have to deal with sunburn later. The CoolNet Buff has cooling technology to help stay comfortable in the hot sun. And it helps that this Buff features some sweet tarpon art.

Costa Grand Catalina Sunglasses

The Costa Grand Catalina sunglasses are a redesign of the timeless classics worn by the likes of Flip Pallot, Stu Apte, and more. These glasses feature the same styling as the originals, but with modern features that anglers have come to expect. Some of our favorite features include built-in sweat channels and removable side shields. The Gold Mirror lenses also do a great job of making tarpon pop on the flats. 

YETI Cayo Backpack

Protecting your valuables on the boat is important, especially when you factor in any camera equipment. The new Cayo backpack from YETI borrows the same bombproof design as the Panga backpack we’ve grown to love in a new, slimmer package. For flats skiff where room is limited, the 25L size fits in most hatches and has ample space for all your gear. Its multi-pocket design also gives you options to keep gear organized while staying dry.

Orvis Mirage Pliers

Forget your forceps in saltwater, they won’t do much. Instead, a pair of pliers like the Orvis Mirage Pliers gives you the bigger jaws and reliability to be ready in the salt. The jaws feature a lower cutter that eats through mono, fluoro, and even braided lines. The package is complete with a leather sheath that can be secured on a belt, always keeping them an arm’s length away.

Columbia Castback TC Shoes

The perfect boat shoe should be comfortable, quick drying, and non-marking. The Columbia Castback Shoe fits that bill and more. With a thick, cushioned sole, you’re able to stand on the casting or poling platform all day with minimal fatigue. In addition, the sole is non-marking to avoid annoying scuff marks on the boat. Columbia rounds out this shoe with its Blood ‘n Guts fabric, which, in other words, means it dries fast and resists stains.

Boat Bonuses:

In addition to fishing essentials, these pieces of gear specific to skiffs make the day on the water much more enjoyable.

Strip and Feed Stripping Bucket

Line management is crucial in any big game fishing scenario, particularly tarpon fishing. The new stripping bucket from Strip and Feed is the best we’ve tried yet. These sturdy buckets are built to withstand the hard use of fishing and the sun’s damaging rays for years to come. The bucket also features a heavy base that keeps it firmly planted in rough seas. Inside, you’ll find four spikes that work in tandem to keep your fly line from tangling.

Marquesea Marine Small Diameter Push Pole

Poling a boat is a lot of work, so why make it harder with a sub-quality pole? The new Small Diameter Push Pole from Marquesa Marine is in the running for the best push pole out there. Made of 100% carbon fiber, it’s lightweight and strong. The small diameter also makes it easier to pole a boat all day with less fatigue. If you’re looking for one pole for everything, it’s hard to go wrong with the 24-foot pole.

Scientific Anglers Launch Pad

If you don’t want a stripping bucket but still want line control, the Launch Pad is a great option. This small silicone mat features spikes made to keep your line from tangling, and in the boat. It’s also easy to move to make sure your line is consistently landing on top of the mat.

YETI Bucket

Our last piece of essential gear is a YETI Bucket. This is arguably one of the most versatile pieces of gear, serving as an anchor storage bucket, trash can, or extra storage. With a simple bungee cord, you can secure it to any poling platform, keeping it out of the way until you need it. 

Be Prepared

Tarpon are some of the most powerful fish that fly anglers can target. Your gear has to be up to the blistering runs, somersaults, and harsh tropical elements. The tarpon fly fishing gear list we put together features tried and true gear that performs under pressure. We chose premium gear at all price points so any angler in the pursuit of the ultimate flats fish can be prepared.

How to Handle and Release a Tarpon

An Overview of the Tarpon Migration