Lord Helmet Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hello fellow warm weather soler's. Hopping we can trade some knowledge. I'm heading down to Puerto Rico to chase some tarpon around the full moon. Gear is a Okuma Xpress MH 10-20 paired with a vs150 with 20pd main line. This capable? Question- how long should the leader be to connect to the braid, also swivel or tie direct. ? 80-100 mono, fishing at night, is fluro even needed ? Lure wise I'm sticking to SS poppers with the sun going down, then blurple darters, a metal lip, Redfins, sp minnows and soft plastics. Sluggos, should they be weedless or Can I throw a jig head on and how heavy. Also barbs on my trebles , can I crush them like I do up in NY.. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zcoker Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I can't speak for Purerto Rico but in the Keys they're all over the place around the bridges on their way over to the Gulf for spawing. Pass crabs are the best bait for them during the spring and summer run and can be simply netted in the current near the shallow grass beds around any bridge. free lined up current with 3-4ft 80lb test floro and stout circle hook is a for sure hook-up. Big ones, too. There's a ton of line/leader configurations out there but, IMHO, I'd keep it simple and strong, catch the fish, fight her in and release her as quick. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkfishing Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 For big one vs150 is way to small U going get spooled every single time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Helmet Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Even from a boat? I figure as long as I can correctly play the fish I can get him close to the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zcoker Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 A VS-150 is more than adequate for a boat. I believe that reel can hold over 400yards of 30lb braid, which is plenty. Even with heavier line, more than enough to get the job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drako Posted April 2, 2015 Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 Its more than adequate "IF" the person knows what they are doing and they know how to pressure and chase a tarpon down... if the crew running the boat also know what to do...But from reading the OP there are a lot of Newie questions being ask....and lets be honest a VS 150 is still on the light size when it comes to fighting a large gamefish like a Tarpon... a>nd the person doesn't have the skills to apply....there are a lot of tarpon guides in PR that deal with light gear and tarpon.. and even they have a hard time at times... Now throw in light gear>large gamefish> newie ..... and actually hook one... If the person doesn't know how to fight a fish with light gear and start giving chase... heck they might end up chasing the tarpon for a long time....and that's where we end up with dead fish... Heck a 22 can kill a whitetail but there's a reason why its against the law to hunt big game animals with not enough fire power.... Now I would say go for it from shore.... because I know what the end result will be in that event... Semper Fi > Always Faithful"Everytime History repeats itself, the price of the lesson goes up" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkfishing Posted April 2, 2015 Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 Totally agree with Drako if U hook 200-250 fish vs 150 with 20 lbs is like hunting lion with .223 U can chase fish for long time but if U win fish would be nearly dead 200-250 doesn't jump a lot but u can put easy 12-15 lbs drag to stop them without worrying he snaps line head shaking or jumping plus big boys needs 6'-8' 60 plus fc leader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Helmet Posted April 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 Thanks for the info guys, I'll keep you posted on how successful I am. While fishing with live bait was fun, I really want to see if I can convince a tarpon to hit my lures this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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