Entry 57-4

Strike King Lures Are For Saltwater Too

Taking Tarpon on the Zulu

Editor's Note: Shaw Grigsby of Gainesville, Florida has made more than $1 million dollars professionally fishing on just the B.A.S.S. circuit. He has a TV show and is one of the Strike King pros. Although Grigsby earns most of his living from freshwater fishing, he is an avid saltwater fisherman. This week he will tell us the joy that he has found in fishing Strike King lures in saltwater.

Question: So you can use the Zulu to catch tarpon?

Grigsby: Yes! Most anglers don't consider the Zulu a tarpon bait, but they are making a big mistake. The most fun I have had fishing in many, many years was when I took the Zulu to fish for tarpon.

Question: How do you rig the Zulu to fish for Tarpon?

Grigsby: When you are rigging a Zulu for tarpon fishing, tie a bimini twist on the end of your main line. This will leave you with a loop on the tag end of the line. Then, tie 3-feet of 60-pound-test fluorocarbon line to the bimini twist. The way I tie the fluorocarbon to the bimini twist is to lay the fluorocarbon across the bimini twist and then make four wraps around the bimini twist with the fluorocarbon line and stick the tag in the fluorocarbon through the bimini twist and pull the knot down tight. Then tie on your hook before you put the hook in the Zulu.

Question: What hook and line do you use with the Zulu?

Grigsby: I will be using an Octopus style Eagle Claw hook and the Zulu when I am fishing for tarpon. The tarpon's mouth is very abrasive, and you need that stronger line to keep the rough teeth of the tarpon from wearing your line. I fish for tarpon in extremely-clear water. I have noticed that if you cast a bait to an oncoming school of tarpon, 60 to 80 percent of those tarpon will turn away from the bait when they see it hit the water, regardless of what bait you are using.

Question: How do you make the Zulu a killer bait?

Grigsby: What I have learned from fishing the Zulu is that when I see a pod of tarpon approaching, I will cast 50 to 60 feet out in front of the tarpon. They won't see the bait land. The bait will be laying right on the surface. If the tarpon come toward the Zulu, and the tarpon change direction, I can swim the lure across the surface of the water and still make sure the Zulu is in the path that the tarpon will take.

As the tarpon gets close to the Zulu, I just shake my rod tip so it will quiver. I want to make the Zulu appear as though it is an injured minnow quivering on the surface. When the tarpon see that Zulu they can't stand it; they have to eat it. They will explode on the bait, and the fight is on. I get many more strikes and have a lot more tarpon action using this method and lure than any other lure I have used to catch tarpon. If you are not fishing the Zulu for tarpon, you are missing the boat. If you want to go saltwater fishing, get yourself a pack of Zulus and have some fun.




 

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