How to Catch Tarpon – Reel Blue Collar Tips
Want to hook into a Silver King? You better show up ready.
Tarpon fishing in Key West isn’t about luck—it’s about timing, technique, and knowing the water. At Reel Blue Collar, we’ve spent decades figuring out what makes these giants eat, jump, and fight like hell. Here’s how we get it done—and how you will too.
Know Your Gear
Spin or fly? Spin rods are workhorses—easy, solid, and perfect for most anglers. But if you’ve got the skill, fly gear delivers the thrill. We do both—and sometimes both at once.
Line choice matters: Spinning reels? 20–30 lb braid backed by a 40–80 lb mono leader. Fly fishing? Heavy leaders for fish that’ll smash your line.
Pick the Right Time & Place
Best months: March–June is prime time. Tarpon stack up in channels, harbors, bridges—and they’re biting.
Where to fish: We hit the flats early, move into backcountry channels and bridges mid-season—wherever the fish are rolling.
Live Bait & Chumming
Live bait’s king: Pilchards, pinfish, mullet—kept alive by chumming tanks—is our top choice.
Chum up the crowds: We chum heavy to bring tarpon right to the boat for brutal surface action.
Battle Strategy
Expect acrobatics: They jump, twist, tear drag—it gets wild.
Take your time: Let them run, bring ‘em in slow. No hero moves.
Catch & release: We go for the catch, get the photo, revive the fish, and let them swim off strong.
Boat Game Plan
Best platform: We run 4–6 hour trips on bay-style boats—stable, shallow, and ready for action.
Combo setups: Fly & spin together? Bay boat’s the ticket—room, space, deck—ready for anything.
Lock in your tarpon trip and tangle with a Silver King?
Call (###) ###-#### or email reelbluecollar@gmail.com to set the date.
We work hard. We fish harder. You in?