There’s nothing as exciting as sight fishing for tarpon. I’m just learning the sport and want advice on lures and colors that have worked for you. I’ve had some success with: chartreuse Chug Bug, grey Chug Bug, blue mullet Super Spook, 5" twister type chartreuse jig, fire tiger Bomber long “A”, and 1/2 oz. gold weedless spoon. Some of the above mentioned plugs come with hooks that are too flimsy for tarpon and need upgrading. I use spinning tackle, but am also interested in what works for fly fishermen.
DOA Baitbuster
I’ve never done it (plan to this year) but the large DOA Baitbuster is a favorite lure for us west coast Florida folks.
Never used artificals for tarpon
always have used live pinfish or whole squid with great sucess. of course i’ve got a honey hole where the tarpon school up in large groups 80 or more at a time less than a hundred yards from shore. they have started showing up thick here in key west as the water has warmed up and I can’t wait for the next month’s migration . some of the sportfishing guy’s have been using a Mann’s deep diving lure that looks like a menhaden or shad, of course these lures are big and would require trolling.50 lb test line with a 150 leader is pretty much standard for dragging them. I personally use the Manns strech series deep divers and have done well on grouper