Key West and Lower Keys

Capt. Dexter Simmons
May 27, 2002
Key West - Saltwater Fishing Report

Sight-Casting Technique for Tarpon on Fly

Here we are in Tarpon season, and I find myself teaching the technical elements daily. Here is one that should be practiced when sight casting to the silver king.There are so many variables and subtle nuances to fly fishing for Tarpon! Many anglers are gun-shy. They are so worried about spooking the fish that they never get the fly into the strike zone. Typically, the best cast to an oncoming Tarpon or school of Tarpon is one that is cast toward the nose of the fish or the heads of the fish in the school. They will usually not turn more than 90 degrees to take a fly. So casting to their tails as they swim away from the boat is useless. You are better off casting to the heads of fish in the back of the school than casting to the tails of the lead fish. Also, the perfect cast is one lands the fly where the fish WILL BE, or about 3-6 feet in front of the fish. The stripping line is held onto during the cast (don't drop the line, let it slide through your hands as it shoots out toward the target). Done correctly, this type of cast will allow you to start stripping the fly slowly as soon as it lands. As the Tarpon swim toward your fly watch the fish closely. If he "commits" to the fly and starts chasing it, then gradually increase the pace of the strip to entice an "eat". Now is a good time to plan a summer fishing trip! Our Father-Son Key West Flats Fishing Camps are scheduled for late June, July, August and September. For more information about the Father and Son Flats Fishing Camps go to http://www.keywestflyfishing.com You may contact Capt. Dexter Simmons for a future fishing charter by telephone at 305-745-3304 or by email at [email protected]

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