How to catch tarpon from shore

[surffisher205]

I am new to tarpon fishing. I do not have a boat. I fish from the surf. I would like any info on how to catch tarpon from shore. I paddle all my baits out in my kayak. Have caught several sharks, stingrays, spainish mackerel,and more. But never caught anything bigger than 10lbs. I have a penn 309 level wind reel. Line capacity is 350 yards of 30lb mono. Will be using Power Pro to increase line capacity. My rod is a Tsunami Trophy 40lb 7 footer. Is this sufficient or should i upgrade to larger tackle? Any info would very much appreciated. Thanks

[ameristrat]

All of the shore fishing I do is during the summer when there are pilchards. Therefore, all of my tecniques involve live bait. As far as your tackle goes, it's plenty heavy. This summer I caught a few tarpon from the beach including an 80-90 pounder all on 20 lb spinning gear. Thats the best stuff for me. I don't even have to paddle it out. As far as sharks and baracuda go, I usually catch runners and send them out with a balloon. I don't know if any of it would help becuase I fish in the summer (it's different in the winter) but I have fished at the beach in Delray for near a decade and am very accomplished at it. If you want my teqniques I'm happy to share them, I just never have fished winter consistently... the bite isn't always as fast...
Ameristrat

[surffisher205]

I do most of my fishing from April - September. My mom and dad own a Motor home and we all go to Fort Morgan Alabama. Its near gulf shores alabama. I like it because there is never more than 20 or 30 people around the beach at any time. I was wondering if you would be willing to break it down for a newbie. I have several surf casting rods. I mostly fish with frozen mullet and bunkers. I have just bought a casting net and learning to use it. Its a lot harder than it looks. What is your technique for fishing for poons from shore? Leader material, hooks, bait, presentation, bottom or balloon rigs? Anything else you would be willing to take the time to explain would so very much be appreciated. I have asked around at the local tackle shops but they are not very helpul. Most of them recommend live shirmp near the surface but thats about the extend of info? I have spent a lot of time surf fishing but never really catch much. I got several nice spanish mackerals last summer but thats about it. How far out do in need to get my bait out. I can take it as far out as i need. I have a kayak and deploy my shark baits with it. Thanks alot!!

[SlobSLayer]

Paddle your baits out .Try using a swordfish squid on the bottom, or a mullet preferably 7-9inches swimming freely. I usually fish off the beach during the summer but that should work good for ya.

[jaymasters@hotmail.com]

April, May, June and July you want to use live pin fish, Threadfins,Whitebait,silver trout or pass crabs on a float 5 ft deep in 9 to 11 ft of water. 90 percent of my Tarpon are hooked up in 11 ft of water! Hour before to hour after tide change you should hook up no problem. Dead bait the best is fresh whole SHAD ,cut the tail off so the tide will not spin the bait and twist the line also chum,chum,chum cut them up in 4's, cut bottom off gal milk jug it will let you throwchum futher or a wiffel bat works great . ladyfish works great too. Nuber 8/o hook on dead bait with 100 lb mono leader and a number 5 or 6 on live (circle) with 80 mono leader. You need the heavy leader with a spin reel the fight will be too long and the line will fray and you'll get cut off after twenty minutes. 60 pound Power Pro on your reel. High tide the fish are closer to the beach same as bait. Low tide everything is futher out! Full moons! Best! You should be working on those 20 pound snook on the beach . Good luck Capt Jay

[GrillN]

i've caught nice 70-110lb tarpon on live mullet(big mullet). i would usually just fish when i saw the schools getting slammed by the tarpon..