Other names: Indo Pacific Tarpon, Oxeye herring, Herring.

Habitat

Tarpon are found along the north coast of Australia from northern NSW on the east coast to Shark Bay on the west coast. They are also found in some areas of tropical south east Asia. They prefer mangrove creeks, estuaries and river mouths and can occasionally be found on beaches and flats.

Size

Tarpon are not a large fish usually being landed up to 1.5kg. The have been caught up to 3.5kg but this is not common. When you have them on the line you could be forgiven for thinking you had something larger on the hook as they certainly fight above their weight.

Feeding

Tarpon will take small fish as well as shrimp, crab and other small crustaceans. In freshwater reaches they will take insects from the surface.

Seasons

There are no restricted seasons for Tarpon and they are most likely caught in warmer waters between August and December with September to November being the best months in Australia.

Description

The Tarpon has large eyes and a long compact body. It has a deeply forked and powerful tail and large scales. It has a long trailing filament at the rear of it’s single dorsal fin.

How to catch them

In North America the cousin of the Indo Pacific Tarpon is a highly regarded fighting fish. In Australian waters they are smaller but very energetic fighters and are also known for their acrobatics when hooked. They will be seen tailing or rolling on the surface, possibly swallowing insects and they are popular with fly fishermen .However Tarpon are very bony and considered to be poor eating but they do put up a fight far beyond their size. They often throw the hook from their bony mouths and very strong, sharp hook should be used. They can be found in deep holes that create eddies waiting for prey to drop in with the tides.

Hot Spots

Gulf of Carpentaria

Equipment

Tarpon fly fishing gear should include the following;

• 8/9 weight saltwater rod
• Appropriate reel with at least 200m of 15-20kg backing. Braid is best.
• Flyline- intermediate and/or floating weight forward.
• Class leader 1-1.5m of 6-10kg
• Shock tippet of .5 m of 20kg mono

Popular Flies

• Clouser Minnow
• Pink Things
• Flash 3D
• Polar Fibre Minnow
• Crazy Charlie

If tying your own flies use saltwater hooks usually 1/0 to 4/0 size, colours should include red/white, green/white, pink/white, and blue/white with generous flashing and some flies should be weighted.