spminnow Posted August 5 Report Share Posted August 5 (edited) Hi everyone. Couple nights ago I hooked into a tarpon that I believe was 5-6 feet or larger. The fish pulled half my spool on a literal maxed out drag daiwa BG 5000. I've caught a 4 foot tarpon before, and this one was noticeably larger (looked at it with head light) and fought way harder. I fought it for 10 minutes with a 17F SP minnow (6-3/4 inch version) until the tarpon ended up bending the hook out. I'll include a picture for reference (bottom/back treble). I plan on upgrading my sp minnows for future tarpon ventures, and I've ordered 3/0 BKK raptor-x hooks and owner 110/185 lb ultra wire splits. Please let me know your thoughts on this. I've read on here that the 17F sp minnows have hooks that are vmc or vmc-like in terms of quality, that's why I opted for the BKKs which are very popular among tuna fishermen. The lure was taken brand new out of a box like 5 minutes before the tarpon ate it by the way. As for the vmc hook claims with the sp minnow, I've always believed them because I go fishing for stripers and blues a lot, and have never had problems when fishing blitzes: i've caught gator blues and up to 35 inch stripers without ever needing to upgrade my hardware, specifically the 17F model though. Edited August 5 by spminnow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybosox3 Posted August 5 Report Share Posted August 5 12 hours ago, spminnow said: Hi everyone. Couple nights ago I hooked into a tarpon that I believe was 5-6 feet or larger. The fish pulled half my spool on a literal maxed out drag daiwa BG 5000. I've caught a 4 foot tarpon before, and this one was noticeably larger (looked at it with head light) and fought way harder. I fought it for 10 minutes with a 17F SP minnow (6-3/4 inch version) until the tarpon ended up bending the hook out. I'll include a picture for reference (bottom/back treble). I plan on upgrading my sp minnows for future tarpon ventures, and I've ordered 3/0 BKK raptor-x hooks and owner 110/185 lb ultra wire splits. Please let me know your thoughts on this. I've read on here that the 17F sp minnows have hooks that are vmc or vmc-like in terms of quality, that's why I opted for the BKKs which are very popular among tuna fishermen. The lure was taken brand new out of a box like 5 minutes before the tarpon ate it by the way. As for the vmc hook claims with the sp minnow, I've always believed them because I go fishing for stripers and blues a lot, and have never had problems when fishing blitzes: i've caught gator blues and up to 35 inch stripers without ever needing to upgrade my hardware, specifically the 17F model though. Missing Wilmington Vermont but loving the Ditch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybosox3 Posted August 5 Report Share Posted August 5 Just now, mybosox3 said: I replaced the stock hooks wit vmc4x and easily straightened. Cant imagine any3/0 would handle a decent tarpon. However adding a swivel would help keep the fish from getting leverage. Jmho Missing Wilmington Vermont but loving the Ditch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAW Posted August 5 Report Share Posted August 5 The bone plates in larger tarpon can bend anything. Some guys go up a few sizes in hooks which are stronger and then remove a hook from each treble to be weighted right for lure. Hook I 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook I Posted August 5 Report Share Posted August 5 As raw says Tarpon can bend anything , I cut one hook off each treble it don’t change the weight or casting , that same presentation took many a Caribbean species . Nice post If it has fins i want to catch it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gman1253 Posted August 5 Report Share Posted August 5 agree on the split ring- swivel-split ring to a single siwash vs a treble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Mendez Posted August 5 Report Share Posted August 5 I opened the eyes just enough on a couple of Owner Gorilla hooks to attach them to this SP minnow. I probably should have used larger hooks, but they still grabbed onto this 22kg yellowtail. RAW, Midnightpass and mro 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted August 7 Report Share Posted August 7 Canal rig. Cut VMC - swivel - split ring - plug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook_Slayr Posted August 7 Report Share Posted August 7 Dont use trebles for tarpon Kones1 and mro 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybosox3 Posted August 7 Report Share Posted August 7 44 mins ago, Snook_Slayr said: Dont use trebles for tarpon 100% true mro 1 Missing Wilmington Vermont but loving the Ditch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahi03 Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 +2 on swapping out the trebles for HD singles. You will lose some tarpon no matter what, but these are measures to increase your chances of landing one. There are soft swimbaits designed specifically for tarpon/snook where the body slides freely over the hook so that once the fish is on, your connection to the fish is line to hook, and the fish can't use the swimbait to shake the hook. mybosox3 and mro 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zcoker Posted August 10 Report Share Posted August 10 Sometimes you just gotta reinvent the wheel to get those trophy tarpon, especially when fishing for them off the beach. Meet the Beast, a highly modified small and inexpensive off-the-shelf minnow lure featuring 400lb threaded thru wire attached to heavy gauge split rings and beefy inline hooks. I wouldn’t hesitate to use this same lure for sharks. It’s that strong. D_L, Kones1 and mro 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefffahfffah Posted September 16 Report Share Posted September 16 Guys, not to revive a dead thread, but what reels are you guys using for tarpon from the surf? Gonna put together a heavy setup with a surf machine elite and zeebaas reel, just not sure if i should go with a zx25, zx27, or forget the zeebaas and go with an IRT. USA made reels only. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook_Slayr Posted September 17 Report Share Posted September 17 @Jefffahfffah 10k spheros/gosa will do. Use the 14k if you don’t mind the extra fast gear ratio, only 40 yards difference in line on the spools. If you get a zeebaas get the bigger one. Bigger IRT is probably fine too but is gonna be heavy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefffahfffah Posted September 18 Report Share Posted September 18 On 9/17/2023 at 1:27 PM, Snook_Slayr said: @Jefffahfffah 10k spheros/gosa will do. Use the 14k if you don’t mind the extra fast gear ratio, only 40 yards difference in line on the spools. If you get a zeebaas get the bigger one. Bigger IRT is probably fine too but is gonna be heavy Much appreciated, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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