Tarpon Fishing in the Florida Keys, Islamorada and Marathon

FLY FISHING FOR TARPON
Flippin' the Chicken

Fly Fishing for tarpon is my favorite thing to do. Personally, I think catching a tarpon on fly is the easiest of the "BIG THREE". The other two thirds of the big three are as you know, the bonefish and the permit. Tarpon are eager eaters and you would be amazed that a 130 lb. tarpon would eat a 3 inch fly but they are also lazy, very lazy and precise casting is very important. You don't need to know how to cast 100 feet to catch a tarpon, accuracy is the more important aspect. Usually a 40 ft. cast is plenty. The tarpon I fish for are laid up tarpon and are easier to catch especially beginners. They are fish that are sitting still on the surface so you might get 2 or 3 shots instead of 1 shot on moving ocean fish. It is easier to hit a still target than a moving target but don't get me wrong it is still hard no matter how you look at it. You know what they say, "good things come to those that cast well." A reminder, practice your casting before your fishing trip. Place some cups or stuffed animals in the backyard and practice your accuracy. The better you get the better the chance you have at catching a tarpon.