Top 5 Baits For Tarpon Fishing

Best Tarpon Baits

Below you will find a list of the best tarpon (silver king) baits including pros and cons.

1) Shrimp

If you have ever heard the saying "elephants eat peanuts" , apply this saying to tarpon and you get tarpon eat shrimp. Some of the biggest tarpon ever landed were caught on small shrimp. One great thing about the shrimp, is that they are easy to get and everything loves eating them.

Pros:

- Easy to find since most bait and tackle stores carry them

- Inexpensive

- Easy to keep alive before and after your fishing trip.

Cons:

- Don't stay alive well after multiple casts

- Get picked away by fish that aren't your target species

- Can be hard to get to swim right with the wrong hook, especially if you are trying to get them into the zone.

2) Crabs

Crabs are one of the tarpons favorite snacks. Their tongues are designed to crush crab shells on the roof of their mouth. One great thing about the crab is that most fish won't try to eat them, so you are more likely to get your target species.

Pros:

- Many bait stores carry them

- Don't usually get picked at by fish that are not your target

- Very hardy (they will survive multiple casts)

Cons:

- More expensive than shrimp

- Harder to find than shrimp

3) Mullet

Mullet is one of the most iconic baitfish for tarpon.

Pros:

- Easy to cast net since they travel in schools

- Very lively

- Can survive multiple casts

- Stay on the surface naturally (you will not need a float)

Cons:

- You have to catch them unlike shrimp and crabs

- Hard to come up with another con.

*Well.. they may jump out of your baitwell or bucket (so get a lid)

4) Pinfish

The pinfish is an excellent bait for tarpon. Not only do tarpon love them, but they are hardy and easy to find.

Pros:

- Easy to catch

- Hardy

- Tarpon love them

- Can find them in some bait stores

- Can catch them with a cast net

- Can catch them with a trap

Cons:

- Need a float as they will often head straight to the bottom

- More expensive than shrimp

- May prick you in the hand (it will be worth it for the poon)

5) Threadfin Herring
Threadfin Herring
Photo courtesy of the fish identification blog.
Threadfin herring are a more delicate bait than most other tarpon baits. But if you happen to get one in front of a tarpon, there is no turning back.

Pros:

- Tarpon will not turn them down

- Easy to catch with sabikis

- Usually easy to find

Cons:

- Harder to catch then all of the baits mentioned above

- They are not too hardy, so you will not find them in most bait stores

- Not found in too many land based locations

- Better to sabiki them then cast net since they are fragile