If you have ever fished at night, whether saltwater or freshwater, you already know how exciting and productive it can be. Even more so, when your target is a monster 6' tarpon, the action can be addicting. Nighttime fishing for large tarpon around bridges can also be dangerous.
So, in order to make your nighttime outing enjoyable, ensure you are prepared with sufficient auxiliary lighting such as hat lights and handheld lights, and plenty of reserve battery amps for your LED underwater light. Of course, you will also need the usual drinking water, first aid, etc.
What I am about to describe to you will go against your fishing knowledge, yet once you think about it, it will make sense.
Let's begin with the basics i.e. the boat. I have a Mitzi Skiff that is rigged for tarpon fishing. It's a Mitzi Skiff 17 and gets the job done whether in the bay, around the bridges, or in the Gulf. You may have a totally different type of boat, however if you intend to jump large tarpon around bridges, make sure you are comfortable handling your boat in tight spots.
You may also want to consider inviting a buddy to join you. I do most of my night/bridge tarpon fishing alone as I like the peace and tranquility -- until an exploding tarpon fractures the still night.
What jigs or bait you use will depend on your style and technique. My favorite lure is a black and gold flake DOA Baitbuster with a modified J hook and circle hook setup. I also like the Storm 5" baits too. Whatever your favorite daytime tarpon baits or lures, you can also use these at night too.
Why? Because one of the most important and little known facts about successful night tarpon fishing around bridges is to use a powerful submerged light (white light is good but green light is better). My light is an LED with 9,000 lumens. What this means is that I can send out a wide green beam about 30' from my transom in an arc of about 120 degrees.
But, this powerful LED light is only one piece of the puzzle that can let you enjoy a successful night of tarpon fishing. The real key is to know when to approach your tarpon fishing destination. It became obvious to me after I stumbled around for a couple seasons trying to discover why my green light would attract thousands of baitfish one night and only a few on a different night.
The key, as I learned, was all in the tidal flow. No, it's not what you think as most experienced anglers know that tide flow or water movement is necessary for a good bite. However, when you are trying to attract baitfish with your underwater green light, this tidal flow will make it too difficult for the baitfish to be attracted to your light and hold their position close to your transom.
Once I realized that a very slow or slack tide was the key to successfully attracting baitfish by the thousands, all that remained was to entice a curious tarpon to take my bait.
There have been many times when I would just sit at the back of my boat (without a line in the water) and watch the swirling baitfish by the thousands unknowingly pass by large tarpon lurking in the shadow line of my green light. It's almost hypnotic...
Certainly, there's much more to successful nighttime tarpon fishing as I have described using my Mitzi Skiff. And, since I have only given you a general version of night/bridge tarpon fishing (and you'd like more detail about working your lure, LED lights, etc.), then contact me after you join my community of anglers and guides helping to save sport fishing at http://www.reeledin.net. Sincerely, Lee Roberts
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