Contributing Writer Capt. Gregg Mckee
Wildfly Fishing Charters
If you’re new to Southwest Florida and want to catch a tarpon on fly, I've got some good news. There are still plenty of these fish around in September and not that many anglers chasing them right now. This is a very quiet time of year, thanks to both the heat and hurricane season.
Most of our fall tarpon are on the smaller side, about 10 to 20 pounds, and these are perfect starter fish. Your freshwater trout rod should be able to handle them but in reality, you’re going to need something with a little more backbone in your tarpon arsenal.
The standard 9-foot long 8-weight is a great place to start. This size is the perfect all-around saltwater fly rod for all of our inshore species, including big snook and redfish. An 8-weight will easily be able to handle tarpon up to 50-pounds, and I’ve used mine on some that were much larger.
The actual brand of rod you choose is not as important as it used to be. The days of Orvis, Sage, and G Loomis dominating the saltwater market (and your wallet) are history. There are dozens of excellent, affordable fly rods out there, with a few great ones even in the $100 range.
Some of my personal favorites are the saltwater rods by Texas based Temple Fork Outfitters, and a lot of their rods retail for under $300. These rods would have easily cost twice that much if they were built twenty years ago, but advances in graphite manufacturing have brought their price way down without any sacrifices in quality.
You can also pair one of these rods with a solid $100 aluminum reel and have an outstanding tarpon fishing package for less than $500, including the fly line and backing. There are several rods alone that will cost you well over $1000 or more, but won’t give you any significant increase in performance as a beginner. If you’re just getting into the sport, spend the extra money on a few hours with a local guide and you’ll reap the benefits when you hit the water on your own.
No matter what rod and reel you choose, it should be matched with a weight-forward floating line. This is standard for all shallow water tarpon fishing, especially around Southwest Florida. The average depth where we find these fish is no more than 6 feet so skip sinking lines. My absolute favorite fly line is the Royal Wulff Bermuda Short Taper.
It’s the only brand I’ve used for the last 15 years. Perfect stuff for any shallow saltwater species. Start off with this line and you’ll never have to look for anything else. It costs around $100 for a spool. A little pricey, but worth more than worth it.
Finally, when it comes to flies, I’ve written entire columns on the subject and since I don’t have that much space left here, just pick any pattern you like as long as it’s black, (or dark purple). I’ve honestly caught 90% of my tarpon over the last 30 years on mostly black and purple rabbit fur patterns. Dark flies work in any color water, from the Caribbean to the Florida Panhandle. Placement of the fly obviously matters more than anything, but dark colors have worked best for me time and time again.
You can easily get everything I've mentioned online but I highly recommend stopping by a local shop if you can. Lehr’s Economy Tackle out in North Ft. Myers is a great place to start, and not just for fly fishing. It's a small shop but they seem to have everything. Check out their inventory and get their input while you're at it. They’re an experienced bunch of guys with a ton of local knowledge.
Keep in mind that everything you just read is my opinion only, but based on 30-plus years of chasing tarpon with a fly rod. I’m also not sponsored by any brand I’ve mentioned. (I’m actually not sponsored by anyone.) So if you come across something on your own that works, stick with it. Fly fishing for tarpon can be the most infuriating and rewarding pastime you’ll ever experience, and this part of Southwest Florida in September is one of the best places in the world to throw yourself into it. Hope this helps and best of luck out there.
Capt. Gregg Mckee
Wildfly Fishing Charters
Matlacha, Florida
