Tarpon are known for being one of the most challenging fish to catch. They can be extremely picky when it comes to what they eat, and they often go after bait that is much smaller than themselves. This makes it important to use the right fishing line when targeting tarpon. In this blog post, we will discuss the best line for catching tarpon, as well as some tips on how to hook them. Stay tuned!
How To Choose Fishing Line For Tarpon
You’re in the store with 100 yards of fishing line on a spool, which brand/type do you buy? Which pound test?
Here are five items to consider when buying fishing line for tarpon.
1. Material – Monofilament or Fluorocarbon
Monofilaments are made of a single strand of plastic, fluorocarbons are several strands of plastic fibers wrapped together with the outer shell extruding a fluorine compound giving it more density than monofilaments. Monofilaments are more common on the flats, fluorocarbons are preferred in clear water by some anglers. Fluorocarbons cost about twice as much as monofilament but they do offer improved abrasion resistance and invisibility to tarpon’s silver sensory organs called “Lateral Line.”
2. Breaking Strength (lb) and Diameter (mm)
You will often see pound test rating on the side of spools. The higher the test strength or pound rating, the thicker/stronger the line is. It’s important to know that some companies measure breaking strength in pounds while some measure it in kilograms (kg). A good rule of thumb is to buy the thickest line that your reel will accommodate.
Line diameter varies depending on the pound test, generally heavier lines are thicker than lighter lines. When fishing tarpon you may be tempted to go for really strong, super thick line but it’s important to be realistic about what you’ll actually need. On average, 6/0 reel spools that are 6 inches in diameter can accommodate about 150 yards of 50 pound test line. 7/0 reels can usually hold up to 170 yards of 65 pound test, and 8/0s can fit 200 yards of 80-90 pound test monofilament…
As you can see, it’s really not practical to bring 300 yards of 100 pound line into the backcountry. You would need a custom-made saltwater fishing reel with extremely large diameter spools and even then you’re pushing it. We recommend starting with 150-200 yards of 50-65 pound test monofilament depending on how heavy the tippet is that you’re using.
What pound test to use? It depends. If you have a good feel for your line and the right rod/reel combo, going with lighter pound test can be a great option. You’ll feel more bites and hooksets but you’ll also wear out your line quicker due to the greater amount of friction on it from both the fish and the water. I like to use 8-14 pound test for sight fishing in shallow water/clear water situations, but when it comes to picking a line for everyday use, 50-65 pound test is my go-to.
3. Color
Sunlight filtering through clear or green water can make it hard to see a fish that is hooked once the line goes into the water, using a clear fishing line helps to see what’s happening with your bait and/or lure. Fluorescent colors also help anglers to see when bites occur in low light conditions like early morning or late afternoon. When choosing color it all boils down to personal preference and how you plan to use the line. Some anglers use different colors for different applications, but if you’re not sure what to get , go with clear or high visibility green fishing line.
4. Coating
Fishing line is coated in many ways so it can better perform its job at reduced friction with water and other surfaces. For example, anti-fraying coatings make line less likely to “dig in” or fray against itself. Line with these coatings performs better for anglers using braided fishing lines because it won’t affect the strength of the main line. Another popular coating is a slick, hydrophobic surface that makes your fishing line glide through the water more easily with less friction/resistance.
Best Fishing Line For Tarpon
To give you a better idea of the top fishing line for tarpon, here are the five best fishing line brands that I would recommend
1. Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Fishing Line
If you are looking for the best fishing line that can handle tarpon, then I would recommend Berkley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Fishing Line; consisting of 100% high-modulus graphite, this fishing line has a high tensile strength that is guaranteed to hold up well even for the weightiest types of tarpon.
2. Power Pro Super 8 Slick Fluoro-Carbon
Another good choice would be Power Pro Super 8 Slick Fluoro-Carbon; because its main component is 100% fluorocarbon, it has the lowest refractive index of all fishing lines, making it nearly invisible to fish. This means you would be able to catch more tarpon with lesser worries about spooking them out of the water.
3. Hi-Seas Monofilament Fishing Line
The Hi-Seas Oxygen Monofilament Fishing Line is another good choice for getting your hands on some of the best fishing line that can handle tarpon. It is strong and abrasion-resistant which means it can hold up well even for the heaviest and most powerful types of tarpon.
4. Seaguar GrandMax Fluorocarbon
Last but not the least, I would recommend the Seaguar GrandMax Fluorocarbon; because its main ingredient is 100% fluorocarbon, it has a low refractive index which makes it nearly invisible to fish. It is also strong, abrasion-resistant and has amazing knot strength which means you would be able to benefit from the best fishing line for tarpon.
5. PowerPro Spectra Fishing Line
PowerPro Spectra Fishing Line is another great choice when looking for fluorocarbon fishing line that can handle tarpon; with its 100% Spectra fiber construction, it is thin yet extremely abrasion-resistant which means you would be able to get the most out of your fishing line. It also has amazing knot strength and shock resistance which definitely features that you would want when dealing with larger fishes such as tarpon.
All in all, any one of these fishing lines can help you land a tarpon as long as it has the strength and durability to do so. In order to find out more about these fishing line brands, visit their respective websites or popular review sites for additional information.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of different factors to consider when choosing the best fishing line for tarpon. With the right information and some practice, you should be able to select the perfect line for your next big catch. Have you tried any of these lines? Let us know in the comments below!
