It was a beautiful day with calm seas this morning and I happened to notice that there was a lot of bait a few hundred yards offshore so I went and rented kayaks for myself and the girl. While we were launching, my droid decided to find its way into the non waterproof compartment in the non waterproof waterproof bag . (Really disappointing because I'd just ordered a waterproof camera for just this reason... Unfortunately, the order didn't go through and hasn't arrived.) Wish I had pictures of the below, but well...you know.

Since there's no crying over spilled milk, went ahead and launched. Within 15 minutes, we located birds and position ourselves in the path of the baitball and let out the frozen sardines. Another few tense minutes before the reel starts screaming and the fight is on . Before we can get the other line clear, that reel starts screaming as the tarpon has taken both baits in one fell swoop. My girlfriend has never seen a tarpon fight and was introduced pretty quickly as it went airborne. I was hoping for a 50-60 lb fish, but immediately realized I was in over my head as I was tightening down my drag to the sounds of her screaming in terror/awe. She claims it was longer than she is tall (5'8") and I'd guess it was in the 120-140 range, so sounds about right. After about 15 minutes, one of the circle hooks comes unbuttoned. About 30 minutes later, I do something that made the fish mad and it went on a run well into my backing... I had gained about half the line back when eventually the line gave way.

Drift around for a little while and eventually set myself up for a second shot as I spot a school with 5 or 6 smaller tarpon. Get in front and set out the lines again, only to find an even larger tarpon...unfortunately this one decided to strike with a little more vigor and even though I had the drag set pretty light it became clear I didn't have myself positioned correctly and I had to bail out of the kayak rod and all. I'm treading water, tightening down the drag, trying to hand the rod over to the gf and climb back into the kayak all at once. Somehow, the same circle hook which came unbuttoned earlier did the same on this fish, but it's probably for the best. Got to see it jump a few times and that's really what it's all about. Win some and lose some.

Decide to cut the losses for the day and tried targeting other schooling fish a little further out (looked like blackfins colorwise, but too close to shore so I'm assuming bonitas). Couldn't get a bite as they were too busy chasing flying fish.

Great report !!!!!!!!!!!

No question, tarpon are very formidable fish, keeping them buttoned while the non stop acrobatics is taking place and their sheer strength make landing them a real task. I target juveniles, 50# is more than enough to suit my taste and I really prefer them smaller.

I was watching the Boca Grande tarpon tournament, the gear being using for the 120-180# fish they were catching is a 40# rod, 50# braid, 80# shock leader and a conventional reel set at about 18# of drag. These fish are still being run down to land them, it's a team effort between angler and helmsman, catching one on a kayak is something really special.

Do you have any recommendations to target smaller ones? I was using small to medium sized frozen sardines and seemed to only find the big guys. I'm with you, 50# would be PLENTY!

I think it's all about location, but don't really know for sure. We mostly have smaller ones here 10-50# and very few are even 50#. At times we do see 100#+, I do not cast at them. I don't use gear heavy enough or have enough line to handle them when I'm inshore fishing, can't pick them up to a jettie either.

When using live or cut bait (mullet heads are supposed to be primo) you just have no control of what's swimming by, If I were doing that I'd be using some very heavy equipment. My preference for any species is sight casting, tarpon roll to gulp air so they give you a target to cast at.

I always wanted to go tarpon fishing seen it on TV I'm go out and do it one day