Tarpon are the largest and the most-powerful inshore target available to anglers during any time of year. The migrating tarpon frequenting South Carolina waters can weigh between 50 and 150 pounds. Their anatomy and characteristic behavior demands tough terminal tackle to both get the baits in the right place and to keep the fish securely fastened to the end of the line.
Guide Christopher Mattson uses strong, abrasion-resistant tackle from his reel spool to his terminal connections. He uses 40-pound monofilament as his main line to an in-line, detachable 6- to 8-ounce swivel sinker ,on a nylon slide and then to a glow-in-the-dark bead and 200-pound barrel swivel. He will change the sinker weight depending on the intensity of the current. He wants the bait to slide across the bottom.
“If there are tarpon are sitting there, they prefer baits that are moving away from them versus just sitting there,” he said. “But eight ounces is needed when the current is really ripping to keep it on the bottom.”
Mattson also attaches a snap swivel to the barrel swivel so he can easily change his leader and hooks after sharks or other catches. He will pre-make baggies full of rigs so changes are quick and he can keep baits in the water longer.
Heavy tackle with abrasion-free line and strong hooks are required for successfully-wrangling one of these big-eyed beasts boatside. He makes his leader out of 100-pound fluorocarbon at four to five feet long and then with an Owner 7/0 light-wire circle hook. He prefers the small diameter hook to get a good, firm hookset in these brawny fish.
Tarpon have tough, bony mouths, and he counts on the sharp Owner hooks to secure his fish to the end of the line. Guide Danny Rourk of Tailwind Charters make sure the hook is buried in the fish’s mouth before he ever touches the rod.
“Keep the rod in the holder. I always tighten up the drag as much as possible so the fish hangs himself. You cannot put nearly as much torque on the fish as the boat will,” he said.
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