Tarpon

Saltwater Inshore Discussion
1

Anybody had any luck with these guys this year? Ive been hooked up on a few, had one almost at the leader before he took a roll and busted the swivel. also is anyone seeing them around the harbor area? im getting tired of running to White Banks and Racoon Key to target them. Any help would be great thanks.

2

Harbor is spotty, looked all around this morning and saw a total of one. Everything was set up perfect with tide and wind, but our rocks just arent that good for em. RIght there with ya on getting tired of going way north or south to find fishable numbers.

3

have fished the harbor 5 times or so this year and haven’t seen a single fish around the jetties. last year we did really good at the jetties. had a solid month where everytime out we would hook or catch one at the jetties last year but nothing so far. Its hit or miss. There are days when they are all over the jetties just haven’t seen any of those days this year.

4

Also any and all of the inlets can be productive w/o having to go all the way to bulls or raccoon. All of our inlets have high energy sand bars. Its just a matter if there is bait around these sandbars.

5
quote:
Originally posted by Bootlegger

Also any and all of the inlets can be productive w/o having to go all the way to bulls or raccoon. All of our inlets have high energy sand bars. Its just a matter if there is bait around these sandbars.

I’ve heard that, but is it really true? Does Dewees have tarpon? In an average inlet, what do you look for when looking for tarpon? I set up in Dewees today with live mullet and pogies on top and bottom for several hours and ended up with one stingray… I was there through the last part of high going to low and a bit of low coming towards high. I set up at the most narrow part of the inlet between Dewees and Wild Dunes. I figured that would be the buffet line that would generate lots of action, but it didn’t.

I’ve targeted tarpon once before with a guide in Beaufort and he/we just put mullet on the bottom, but it was only after we had ran across them rolling that we went after them. What’s the run down on find and approach tarpon around IOP? I’m here a couple of more days. Tides? Location? Bottom shape?

Since I can’t find a red, trout or flounder to save my life…

BG

6
quote:
Originally posted by btodag I've heard that, but is it really true? Does Dewees have tarpon? In an average inlet, what do you look for when looking for tarpon? I set up in Dewees today with live mullet and pogies on top and bottom for several hours and ended up with one stingray... I was there through the last part of high going to low and a bit of low coming towards high. I set up at the most narrow part of the inlet between Dewees and Wild Dunes. I figured that would be the buffet line that would generate lots of action, but it didn't.

I’ve targeted tarpon once before with a guide in Beaufort and he/we just put mullet on the bottom, but it was only after we had ran across them rolling that we went after them. What’s the run down on find and approach tarpon around IOP? I’m here a couple of more days. Tides? Location? Bottom shape?

Since I can’t find a red, trout or flounder to save my life…

BG

If the mullet ain’t there, neither is the tarpon. Find the mullet.

7
quote:
Originally posted by btodag
quote:
Originally posted by Bootlegger

Also any and all of the inlets can be productive w/o having to go all the way to bulls or raccoon. All of our inlets have high energy sand bars. Its just a matter if there is bait around these sandbars.

I’ve heard that, but is it really true? Does Dewees have tarpon? In an average inlet, what do you look for when looking for tarpon? I set up in Dewees today with live mullet and pogies on top and bottom for several hours and ended up with one stingray… I was there through the last part of high going to low and a bit of low coming towards high. I set up at the most narrow part of the inlet between Dewees and Wild Dunes. I figured that would be the buffet line that would generate lots of action, but it didn’t.

I’ve targeted tarpon once before with a guide in Beaufort and he/we just put mullet on the bottom, but it was only after we had ran across them rolling that we went after them. What’s the run down on find and approach tarpon around IOP? I’m here a couple of more days. Tides? Location? Bottom shape?

Since I can’t find a red, trout or flounder to save my life…

BG

Wish I could help, have done the same thing but no luck with the tarpon

Keep telling my wife the day I catch a tarpon in Charleston ON MY OWN I am going to get a tattoo of tarpon on my arm:smiley:

I have been with a guide couple years back and we did same things I do and same spots, did have one hookup for a short period he thought was tarpon but other than that sharks and big reds

Sea Pro 210cc
Yamaha 200 4 Stroke
Dodge 1500 4x4 HE

8

As far as the inlets between the harbor and bulls, sure there can be tarpon in/around them but it’s mainly a chance occurrence of them pulling in off their route if something suits their fancy. They swim up and down the coast with bait and any bar protruding from the beach can be an intercept point. Personally I like to fish the outside ocean bars on an incoming tide. I don’t typically fish the actual deep parts of inlets because I try to avoid fighting them in deep water when possible. When fishin these type of areas, it’s important (but not always exclusively) for bait to be around. It’s not a dealbreaker if there isn’t any rolling fish or bait and if you sit long enough you could get a bite. I have been getting away from the anchor and wait style of fishing as it can get quite tedious with brown species. I like to find actively feeding fish when possible and fish them. Basically if you sit on the outer bars of inlets with a couple dead baits on bottom and one or two lives (mullet/haden/croaker/pinfish) you will eventually get bites. Personally I would rather run around and possibly find some great feeding activity or find and catch nothing, than sit on one spot and rebait/rerig 20 plus times and maybe get one tarpon bite. Hopefuls helps some, feel free to ask any more specific questions.

9

Also freshwater outflow plays an Integral part of the tarpons migration pattern. When looking at satellite tagging data, the majority of fish spend the majority of their time around freshwater systems while they are in our state. This is why it’s better in each county to the north and south of charleston consistently.

10

Great info CH. Thanks

2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”

11
quote:
Originally posted by CH Allen

Also freshwater outflow plays an Integral part of the tarpons migration pattern. When looking at satellite tagging data, the majority of fish spend the majority of their time around freshwater systems while they are in our state. This is why it’s better in each county to the north and south of charleston consistently.

Thanks CH Allen. Noting the freshwater tendencies is a good observation. I was in the Broad (BFT) the only time I hooked up, which is obviously a freshwater outflow.

When I first started fishing saltwater, I enjoyed the sit and shark fish action and still do when other inexperienced folks are with me, but I’ve been working to get into something else and though frustrating, I definitely enjoy moving and missing more than sitting. Looking for and actually finding/seeing rolling tarpon, whether a bite ensues or not, would be as exciting as catching any shark I think.

BG

12
quote:
Originally posted by CH Allen

Also freshwater outflow plays an Integral part of the tarpons migration pattern. When looking at satellite tagging data, the majority of fish spend the majority of their time around freshwater systems while they are in our state. This is why it’s better in each county to the north and south of charleston consistently.

I have always wondered why more fish are seen and hooked to the north and south of us. That is some good info right there. Is there any fresh water in and around raccoon or bulls that would make them better areas to fish?

Also Allen you are saying that you now just run the beaches until you find bait or rolling fish? I usually go through price’s inlet and run north usually run till i find the bait and go no further than raccoon. Is that enough area that I am covering or should i come out of harbor and run north from there? Weather permitting of course. I try and do this coinciding with the high tide and part of the day with little to no wind. What time of day and tide do you prefer?

Thanks in advance. I Have had tarpon fever for about 8 years in charleston and can’t stop. Just something about these fish!!

13
quote:
Originally posted by Bootlegger
quote:
Originally posted by CH Allen

Also freshwater outflow plays an Integral part of the tarpons migration pattern. When looking at satellite tagging data, the majority of fish spend the majority of their time around freshwater systems while they are in our state. This is why it’s better in each county to the north and south of charleston consistently.

I have always wondered why more fish are seen and hooked to the north and south of us. That is some good info right there. Is there any fresh water in and around raccoon or bulls that would make them better areas to fish?

Also Allen you are saying that you now just run the beaches until you find bait or rolling fish? I usually go through price’s inlet and run north usually run till i find the bait and go no further than raccoon. Is that enough area that I am covering or should i come out of harbor and run north from there? Weather permitting of course. I try and do this coinciding with the high tide and part of the day with little to no wind. What time of day and tide do you prefer?

Actually the Broad has no freshwater, its all tidal but is such a large body that it gets full of em. Thats where I used to do most of my tarpon catching until I moved to charleston. Unfortunately the bulls/cape area doesn't have any freshwater, but does seem to hold fish more than other areas.

As far as running around and finding fish, don’t misunderstand me saying there’s always activity to find. In a perfect scenario there would always be feeding fish somewhere, but the whole beach can seem dead at times and then you

14

when you say bait, are you looking for mullet exclusively and they are outside the inlets? Never seen mullet outside the inlets…

BG

15

I agree with you when it comes to other fish. I to have been ruined and now all i do anytime in the boat is fish for tarpon or think about fishing for them. Hours upon hours of boredom followed by extreme chaos. The mullet run was real good to myself last year and can’t wait for it again this year. It reminded me of fishing in the keys with the water boiling from all the tarpon feeding on mullet.

thanks for your input

16

by the way i love the Mikey pic!!

17

18

Moon is full, tide is high ebb, sure they are chewing now… Certainly couldnt buy a bite today!!

Newman
www.gtownkingfisher.com

19

What is your favorite size hook to use for tarpon?

20

depending on bait type/size I like these
Gamakatus octopus circle 7 and 8/0
Mustad Demon perfect circle 7-9/0
Eagle claw billfish 9 and 10/0