I'm planning on fishing tarpon at some point post Covid. I just picked up a Penn International 4 with a spare spool and some unknown make of WF9F line. I'm thinking about a rod for it. I've been reading about the TFO Axiom II but looking for suggestions. Any advice is welcome. Thank you.
You will never catch a tarpon that doesn't see your fly. Guiding for Keys fish I found that most anglers were way more efficient with their casting when fishing a 10 weight rather than something heavier. Unless we were dredging channels or dealing with major wind the 10 wt was the outfit that was chosen first. For baby tarpon up to about 30 lbs I found an 8 weight will typically get the job done. I seldom had a 12 weight in my boat but fished an 11 quite a bit with those who were used to casting heavy rods.
I've only fished one place for Tarpon, but for the large fish we ran across in Nicaragua a 12 wt was my choice. Three trips there and I used the 12 most all the time, with an 11 wt for poppers, which drew more interest from the Snook than the Tarpon, and was a bit easier to cast.
It all depends on what size you're targeting. I regularly catch back country juvis up to about 40" on my 8wt Outcast and have zero issues - At that size it's usually just a couple of runs with a bunch of fun jumps thrown in. If I'm fishing bridges and harbor holes for fish up to 100lbs I move to a 10wt. For full-size pass fish (like the one in my avatar) I throw a 12 (that was a TFO TiCRx).
If you are gonna do it regularly...get a 10 and a 12.You can use the 12 for GT or Sails, Tuna( I have).
Last time I was in Florida (2018) I had a 9,10, 12 in the boat. Threw the 9,10 most of the time. Then the guide said “pick up the 12”... glad I had it when I saw the laid up tarpon.
I'm thinking of one trip down to Florida before I get too old to do it. I'm coming to believe every time you say "one of these days I'm gonna..." all you're doing is driving another nail in your coffin. Pretty soon you run out of "these days".
smart. When I think back to the week of nonstop fishing I did with a big group of friends on a live-aboard mothership operation in Panama ten years ago, I realize I probably couldn't hit it that hard now. I'd still hit it hard, but I'd need to rest my back and shoulders more frequently. Do it while the fire burns .
A friend who used to go south for tarpom but won't be in the future gave me a nice Christmas present in a Redington TSF 9' 12 weight, a Rio Tarpon line and a bunch of flies. Looking at the Echo EPR in a 10 weight as well then I'll have both options.
I have the Axiom II 11/12wt. It's amazingly light and throws a 400gr tropical intermediate line with minimal effort. I'm sure they have a 9 and 10wt that would match your line/reel.
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