Typically, tarpon tackle in the Carolinas is fairly simple, with some big, strong hooks and a livewell stocked with spunky 8-inch mullet, but Capt. Steve Roff routinely catches tarpon on artificial lures.
Catching tarpon on artificial lures and even flies is very common in Florida and other parts of the eastern hemisphere, the abbreviated opportunity in the Carolinas has steered anglers to live bait.
No doubt, tarpon often presents a narrow gap, with just a few shots available at approaching fish in casting reach, but Roff gets hookups on artificials on a regular basis. He waits until fish begin feeding heavy at or near the surface, then casts lures across shallow bars and point breaks. Specifically, he uses large hard and soft baits under these conditions.
“We use jointed shallow-running plugs, big soft-plastic swimbaits and Hogy lures to hook and bring tarpon boatside,” said Roff, who chums with chunks of cut bait and live bait only to bring the fish within reach.
“Chumming will often draw tarpon closer to the boat, allowing anglers with a clear casting target,” he said.
Be the first to comment