Tarpon Fly's

[longears 0]

I'm headed South to Mexico in July to Fish for Large Tarpon and "baby Tarpon. The Guides are suggesting 5/0-6/0 Fly's for the Large Tarpon and 3/0- 4/0 fly's for the "baby Tarpon". Any body got any suggestions as to patterns? They say that the "earthtone " fly's do well. I'm also looking for some Tube Fly patterns if you know of any good ones. This will be my first trip down there and would like to tye my own fly's. Thanks for any help!

[Capt. Matt C 0]

I'm headed South to Mexico in July to Fish for Large Tarpon and "baby Tarpon. The Guides are suggesting 5/0-6/0 Fly's for the Large Tarpon and 3/0- 4/0 fly's for the "baby Tarpon". Any body got any suggestions as to patterns? They say that the "earthtone " fly's do well. I'm also looking for some Tube Fly patterns if you know of any good ones. This will be my first trip down there and would like to tye my own fly's. Thanks for any help!

 

Did you ask the guides what specific patterns they recomend?

 

Check out fishbuzztv.com for some videos.

 

Any fly with a zonker strip should do well, cockroaches are great flies, and I am exicted to try the foam tarpon toad fly. I just sent a bunch down to my father in law to try out.

 

hope this gets you started. i havent had any coffee yet so forgive to choppy post.

[Futzer 0]

I have one easy answer, White! and a little pearl flash. Cheers, Futzer

[agn54 0]

I agree about the zonker strips. When tying them as a tail some people tie them in upside down (with the hide side up) since tarpon will hit from below.

 

You may want to check out this site, it has recipes with instructions for a few tarpon flies.

 

http://www.stripstrikecharters.com/Fly_Tying.htm#redsea

[Fred H. 0]

I know down in south Fla. they use alot of Pass Crab patterns. Not sure if they are as hot a pattern down in Mexico. :dunno:

[Pelhament 0]

Probably a stupid question, but why do all tarpon flies only tie on the back part of the shank and then create a really long tapered thread head? Is there a specific reason for it, or is it just people conforming to the original patterns?

[saltydancindave 0]

I agree about the zonker strips. When tying them as a tail some people tie them in upside down (with the hide side up) since tarpon will hit from below.

 

You may want to check out this site, it has recipes with instructions for a few tarpon flies.

 

http://www.stripstrikecharters.com/Fly_Tying.htm#redsea

Instant Virus Alert when checking out the website :bugeyes: Howdy Matt, what's the father-in-laws tarpon fly supply consist of other than the foam toads with zonker tails ? Been tying EP's & ran out of 7.5 & 9mm eyes to put on the flies until a shop gets some in:crying:

[longears 0]

The guides mentioned Cockroaches and we tyed up some Toads although wedidn't use the foam for the heads. do you have a recipe for the foam head Toad pattern and possibly a photo? Most of the fly's that they told us to bring were in earthtone shades. (nothing stark or brightly colored). Thanks for some of these ideas and feedback. I really appreaciate that!

[Capt. Matt C 0]

I agree about the zonker strips. When tying them as a tail some people tie them in upside down (with the hide side up) since tarpon will hit from below.

 

You may want to check out this site, it has recipes with instructions for a few tarpon flies.

 

http://www.stripstrikecharters.com/Fly_Tying.htm#redsea

Instant Virus Alert when checking out the website :bugeyes: Howdy Matt, what's the father-in-laws tarpon fly supply consist of other than the foam toads with zonker tails ? Been tying EP's & ran out of 7.5 & 9mm eyes to put on the flies until a shop gets some in:crying:

 

Hey Dave hope all is well! I tied him a few cockroaches, foam toads, a few -Capt. Matt white seaducer looking things -that work well for me in the keys, and I threw in a dozen Matt's Magic's =my go to everything fly named by my buddy in Jackson Hole named a few years ago- Tarpon, Snook, Reds etc... all eat it.

 

 

I think the toad easily passes for a pass crab around the passes.

 

Longears, again, go to fishbuzztv.com and check out the location x floaty fly otherwise known as the Tarpon foam toad. I think it will work but havent had a chance to fish it yet. Sorry I dont have a pic handy. Its tied the same as the regular toad but with foam for the body. You can vary the color combonations as well. Its a fun fly to tie.

[Harold Ray 0]

BIG, LONG streamers with white bellies and SILVER FLASH

[CoachBob 0]

Look at:

 

http://www.fish4fun.com/flyfishing_tarpon_fly.htm (how to)

 

http://www.flyfishusa.com/flies/tarpon-flies.htm (not how to, but good examples) also see http://www.flyfishusa.com/flies/swtarp.htm (on the same site and the links there).

 

http://www.alltherightflies.com/tarpon-flies.shtml (more examples)

 

http://www.capmel.com/baby_tarpon_flies.htm (a nice little article with photos of examples)

 

http://www.saltwaterflytyers.com/tarpon-c-10/page/1/sort/3a (have seen his stuff, all very nice)

 

http://www.vaughncochranart.com/cart/defau...?CategoryId=911 (have visited Vaughn's shop frequently and these are good patterns)

[longears 0]

Thanks everybody This is a great place to start!

[tidewaterfly 0]

Pelhament, Tarpon fishing with a fly was new ground back the early '50's and even thru the '70's The first streamer flies used for Tarpon were classic style streamers like are commonly used in New England for trout & salmon.

 

Unfortunately, they fouled badly, the feather wing would often wrap around the hook shank when casting. The remedy was to tie the wing back on the hook shank, and the Keys style of Tarpon fly was born. That is the primary reason they're tied in that fashion.

[BigDaddyHub 0]

Pelhament, Tarpon fishing with a fly was new ground back the early '50's and even thru the '70's The first streamer flies used for Tarpon were classic style streamers like are commonly used in New England for trout & salmon.

 

Unfortunately, they fouled badly, the feather wing would often wrap around the hook shank when casting. The remedy was to tie the wing back on the hook shank, and the Keys style of Tarpon fly was born. That is the primary reason they're tied in that fashion.

 

 

 

 

I had no idea....makes perfect sense.

 

[Pelhament 0]

Pelhament, Tarpon fishing with a fly was new ground back the early '50's and even thru the '70's The first streamer flies used for Tarpon were classic style streamers like are commonly used in New England for trout & salmon.

 

Unfortunately, they fouled badly, the feather wing would often wrap around the hook shank when casting. The remedy was to tie the wing back on the hook shank, and the Keys style of Tarpon fly was born. That is the primary reason they're tied in that fashion.

 

 

Thanks for the explanation that does make perfect sense now!