Behind the Scenes - Float Tube Tarpon - 'Tapam'

Everyone is talking about 'Tapam', the float tube tarpon video in the current issue of Catch Magazine. No, we are not going to tell you where Daniel Goz and Jan Bach Kristensen filmed it, but we did ask them some questions on their unique experiences.

CM - What was your tackle of choice for this adventure?
We were super happy that Scott Fly Rods and Mako Reels supported the film project. No rod broke and the reels never failed to impress. We abused our tackle. The rods were Scott S4S, 12 weights and the reels were the 9550 SW.

CM - What lines and leader were you using?
We used the RIO Leviathon because of its strong core material. For leaders we used straight 130 pound fluorocarbon.

CM - I noticed that you were tagging fish. What was that all about?
The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust provided us with tags. The idea was to find out as much as possible about their migrations and growth rate. The small spaghetti tags hold all the necessary contact information.

CM - Your float tube stategy is entertaining and effective. How did that come about?
I (Daniel Goz) had the idea in 2007, when I fished a very remote part of Central America. The lack of guides and fuel led up to this. The idea was to be able to move around in rivers, creeks and bays. With some practice, you can hook, fight and land big tarpon in a tube. We did not put ourselves at risks. We talked to the locals about crocs and sharks. In ten years we have never seen a croc or shark.

CM - I am curious about the title 'Tapam'.
Tapam is a local word for tarpon, used on the entire Caribbean Central American coast, from Panama to Honduras.

I bet these guys have a lot more info and exciting stories, and for more great entertainment, please go to www.tapamthemovie.com. Besides showing us their fantastic adventure in Catch, I would like to add that Daniel and Jan are about the nicest people you will ever meet. Total and complete professionals, but modest, polite, happy and super fun to be with. I met Daniel at the Denver Fly Tackle Dealer Show and Jan in New Orleans where he was fishing for redfish.

THE BIG EASY - NEW ORLEANS

The fly fishing in and around New Orleans, Louisiana is really fun. Quality guides will show you a saltwater marsh environment teeming with big redfish, sea-trout (specs), sheepshead and really big black drum. Nonstop action is fairy common. 10 to 25 pound redfish are the primary target. Many of these fish are spotted less than 30 feet from the skiff and often they are seen feeding from 100 yards. My trip was made possible by Uptown Angler in downtown New Orleans. All tackle, clothing and flies are available there. Guides can meet you at the store to get everything organized.

But wait, that's not all. New Orleans is a very interesting city, possibly the most interesting in the entire US. Why? Because of a rich history, amazing architecture, by US standards, a tradition of great, local food, museums, characters and an infectious spirit. I'm not an expert on the city, in fact I am far from even 'quite knowledgeable', so with that being said, here is my New Orleans 'Things To Do List'.

1. Right off the bat, the French Quarter is a great place to get into the swing of things. It is world famous for huge parties, "show me your___" and more partying. If that is all the French Quarter means to you, sadly you will miss so many other incredible, uniquely New Orleans attractions. The small things like the wrought-iron balconies, the tall shutters, the smell of spicy food as it wafts out onto the street blending with the sound of jazz, blues and zydeco music make strolling aimlessly a huge tourist attraction. There are restaurants, famous chefs and menus that keep Creole traditions alive and well. Just to wet your appetite - there are over 300 restaurants in the French Quarter.


2. The World War II Museum. From canteens to tanks, this is a great place to connect with 'The Big One'. Plan on two hours and then some. The WW II Museum will affect you. The collection of battlefield equipment, films, newspaper headlines, statistics will stir emotions from with-in you, as it should.

3. The Civil War Museum is a block from the WW II Museum. Another great place to see artifacts and to learn about early US history.

4. Neighborhoods. Near the French Quarter, but pleasingly different, are streets and districts that show the rich history and early American-French differences. Julia Street is a collection of thirteen, mid-19th century townhouses. It is also a collection of fantastic art galleries. The architecture is very interesting, also. Just south of Julia Street is the Contemporary Arts Center, the latest and greatest and the soul of the New Orleans arts renaissance. Admission is only $5 and it is free on Thursday. Then, there is the Garden District, where early Americans settled after the Louisiana Purchase (good job Thomas Jefferson!!). The National Park Service offers free tours. Mansions, incredible landscaping, gardens, food, lodging and shopping. The Garden District is a like anti-venom after a late night on Bourbon Street. Classy, dignified, elegant, proper, respectful and charming.

5. The Uptown Angler. You have to drop in on the good people at the Uptown Angler. They have it all. Besides all the guides, tackle and flies, they will help you find a good place for lunch, a museum and other attractions, day or night.

6. Saints Football. A Sunday must. Saints football is crazy. The whole city goes nuts. Everyone seems to know Drew Brees. "I had lunch with Drew..." (that means he was 6 tables away), "I had drinks with Drew..." (that means he was walking down the street and you were gulping too many Hurricanes, "My cousin...", okay, okay you get the point. No matter who 'your team' is, be a Saints fan for a day, it's OK.

7. In between everything EAT!! Crabs and Creole specialties, like etouffee, jambalaya, gumbo and oysters. Oysters, I eat oysters from the Gulf in the cool or winter months and I eat a lot of them.


8. If you find yourself in some serious summer heat or an afternoon rain and need some indoor entertainment try the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, the Entergy IMAX Theater, the Gordon Biersch Brewery, the Old New Orleans Rum Distillery and there are many more activities for the wild and crazy to families - just do a Google search. Don't forget to check out the zoos, nature centers and zoological gardens. Oh, did I mention Mardi Gras!!! There are visitor coupons for discounted food, lodging and entertainment at - http://www.10best.com/destinations/louisiana/new-orleans/restaurants/filter/?discounts=Y

Brian O'Keefe

CUBA TARPON TIPS

The guides in Cuba, that I have fished with, have several simple, helpful hints for their anglers and tarpon fishermen anywhere in the world. They have the benefit of having a lot of fish to cast at and a lot of unpressured fish that eat flies with mucho enthusiasm. Here is a list of tips from a couple great Avalon guides.

1. Casting. Yes, that common suggestion from all guides, trout/steelhead/flats, everywhere. In the case of a tarpon guide, he would like to have anglers with moderate casting skills to practice, and to practice with a 12 weight. You might be using a 10 weight in Cuba, but after some practice with a heavier rod, the 10 feels light and easy to cast. The double haul is a must. Learn to shoot line on your back cast. That can really help deliver the fly with some distance in only a couple false casts. Practicing on windy days might be a trip saver, also.

Posture. Cuba guides like anglers to finish their cast and take an athletic stance as they start the strip. Right handed anglers would cast in a throwing stance, with the left foot forward and the right foot at least two feet behind the left foot. This body position allows the angler to lean forward during the strip and after the strike, they can stand up and lean back tightening the line while initiating the strip strike. It is a very powerful combination. Buy leaning forward, with the rod slightly extended, it makes doing a 'trout' strike harder to do, also.

Strip Strike. You have it, or you don't. A coordinated strip strike comes with experience. A good way to get a strip strike that the guide will not critique is easy. Go out on your lawn with another person and cast a line out 60 feet. Have the helper stand at 40 feet with his or her foot on the fly line. The caster gets into the 'athletic stance', leans forward and starts to strip the line in. The helper then steps down on the line and the caster straightens up and with the rod pointing straight at the the helpers foot, uses the line hand to grab the lane hard and pull back. I like to think that the strip strike is like having a hand line, the rod does very little but stay straight, pointing at the tarpons mouth. Let the fish turn, keep the line tight, breath, stay loose, then get ready to clear line. In the skiff, the other angler should not be taking photos and talking until he assists the angler with loose line. When the fish is on the reel, whoop it up.

Fighting. Try to fight a tarpon with the lower three feet of your rod. The mid section and tip are for casting, the butt is for fighting. You should even be able to feel the rod bend in the cork. Keep as much pressure on the fish and listen to the guide. When it is time to land the fish, get some distance between you and the guide. If you are too close the rod will be very stressed and will often break at the last second. Don't rush the fish, even though you are tired, get the leader in the guides hand and as soon as he grabs it get slack in your line so if the fly pops out it won't hook the guide. I like to unhook, revive and release tarpon outside the boat in shallow water, if possible. Tarpon inside the boat can be hard on the fish.


Small Tarpon. Baby tarpon are a blast and are a good fish to get these skills honed before big or giant tarpon are sought. Ask your guide about small tarpon if you want to have him help you with casting, strip striking, etc. It is all good.