Tarpon fishing in Trinidad

[keithkggmd]

I saw you were using the Tranx and new Calcutta reels for Tarpon fishing in Trinidad. Which did you prefer for this type of fishing? What rods and line did you have matched with each? Were you anchored or drifting? Were the baits on the bottom,mid-depths, or worked up and down?

[dahlberg]

Hi K
I will try to answer your questions one by one.
I prefer them both exactly the same, but for different reasons!
The battle much less one sided if you use a tranx loaded with 80 power pro.
It is more of an adrenaline rush with the 400D, and usually more comfortable for casting and working the smaller lures tarpon usually prefer.
Both reels held up really well for the heavy loads we put on them.
We were using heavy and xheavy terez rods.
Tarpon were at all depths
sometimes ancohor sometimes drift
50-120 feet of water
best,
L

[keithkggmd]

Thankyou for your answers. Have you had any problem with tarpon breaking braided lines? I have heard they can break it when landing on it during a jump. It was explained to me that this happens due to lack of stretch in the braided lines. If so, do you recommend a top shot of monofilament?

I noticed you were also fishing with some reels larger than the Tranx. Do you feel the line capcity of the Tranx is adequate for 200# tarpon?

[dahlberg]

We use mono leaders at least six feet long. Never had one break on the jump with braid even with short leader using 65 braid.
It used to happen with thirty mono if you didn't bow to them on the jump.
Tranx was perfect. I'd load it with 80. You can always chase them if you have to. We used Talicas on Trevala heavy jigging rods as well, with which we could crush them.

[detroitmuskie]

Geez.... Well that show didn't help calm me down on my upcoming Tarpon trip!! Man, all that did was get me more obsessed and more pumped up for my trip in 2.5 weeks. Not good Larry... Not good!! I've got nothing but Tarpon on the brain and this show just made it worse! What an awesome show!! HFBF is what gets me through winter! Great show!!!

[Yukonc]

Hi Larry,

Great show, what time of the year was the Trinidad tarpon show filmed. Also, do you ave contact details or a website with for the boat/captain that you fished with?

Thanks in advance
Tom

[dahlberg]

Jonathan De la Rosa. dellas2@tstt.net.tt is the email. His outfit is called Island Charters.
We were there in the fall, during the "off-season" because we didn't know any better!
Glad you enjoyed the show!
best,
L

[Yukonc]

well if that was the off season I had better bring a big bottle of advil during the peak season.

T

[Yukonc]

Hi Larry,

I'm think of pairing up he tranx with the 8 foot terez medium heavy for tarpon in the keys. The rod would also do double duty for sharks and maybe AJ or grouper on the bottom. Would you recommend the high speed or the low speed version.

Thanks T

[dahlberg]

Hi Y
That's a tough question, either will work very well. If in salt most of the time I'd pick the high speed version.
L

[Yukonc]

Thanks Larry,

I was leaning that way, probably make for a good plugging rod for stripes off the jersey surf. My other fishing home.

T