Collection: Tarpon Flies

There is nothing more fun you can do with a fly rod than chasing saltwater tarpon. Fishing for these magnificent fish requires the highest level of angling skill, and often times results in many frustrating days. Tarpon are highly sophisticated, very temperamental, and extremely intelligent. Fooling one of these things is not an easy task, and requires some of the best tarpon flies known to mankind.

Classic tarpon flies are designed to mimic baitfish like saltwater baitfish fly patterns, as well as crabs, and shrimp. They must be tied on the strongest of all saltwater flies and hooks, as these fish can weigh in excess of 100lbs. They also have mouths made of concrete so they need to be super sharp as well. Something like the C68S from Mustad is a great choice!

Materials on the best tarpon flies can range from synthetics such as EP Fibers and Supreme Hair, to naturals like Rabbit Strips and Buck Tails. Synthetic materials will be more durable than natural materials, but they do not have as much movement underwater like natural materials do. Often times tarpon flies will be tied with little to no flash, as these fish tend to shy away from anything bright and flashy.

Choosing the colors of these materials will all depend on where and when you are fishing for these fish. Purple and Black is probably one of the best tarpon fly colors, followed closely by chartreuse and white. A good rule of thumb is to fish darker colored tarpon flies on darker days, and brighter colored ones on sunny days. Keep in mind a fly angler should not limit themselves to just these two colors, so browse our selection of tarpon flies for sale and see for yourself.

Like any other fish that you pursue, the key to fly fishing for saltwater tarpon is how you present the fly. Tarpon are very spooky fish, and no matter what kind of tarpon fly patterns you have, if you make a bad cast or splat your tarpon fly too hard in the water, you can kiss that fish goodbye. Often times they can even sense the hull of a boat sloshing around in the water, and will disappear before you even have a chance to make a cast at them. This is one reason why you want to practice casting your tarpon flies before you attempt to fish for these creatures.