November 20 Silver Prince; Tarpon on The Trail

I ride South on Rt. 41, the Tamiami Trail. It's 5:30 AM and I sip the hot coffee as I ride 25 minutes to "the spot". Daylight is still 20 minutes away when I tie on a small craft hair Clouser Minnow and I'm watching the Tarpon roll and crash tiny baitfish in the tidal creek. Three casts and he's on! Hooked on the side of his cheek the Baby Tarpon leaps and runs. Lucky for me there's a spot where I can land him without harm. A quick photo and he's back in the water, swimming away to grow into a giant.

If you haven't experienced fly fishing for Tarpon in the creeks, give it a try. Pre-rig your gear so you can operate it in the dark, because that's when you'll make your first cast.

The flies that I have had success with are small, number 4 and even 6 Clousers. I have fished larger flies, but the Tarpon seem to key on the small patterns.