Line weight and material for tarpon

[Sunshine-Shot4]

I fish Florida's coasts, from the Keys to Tampa Bay, and lost a tarpon last season on a 15 lb line near pilings. I'm trying to dial in the right line weight for our tough conditions. What line weight and material do you use for tarpon especially near abrasive structures like pilings?

 

[hollowgrain]

Bump up to 40-50 lb braided line like PowerPro, it has zero stretch and cuts through abrasion better than mono. Leader with 80 lb fluorocarbon about 6 feet long keeps the fight under control without snapping.

 

[Back40Bill]

I stick with 50 lb braid on a Penn Slammer reel for those Tampa runs, and double the leader around pilings to avoid cuts.

Lost one on 30 lb last year, but this setup landed a 100 pounder clean.

 

[Keith.303]

Bump up to 40-50 lb braided line like PowerPro, it has zero stretch and cuts through abrasion better than mono. Leader with 80 lb fluorocarbon about 6 feet long keeps the fight under control without snapping.

This would be perfect.

 

[Selbor2u]

I like to catch big bass on 6lb braid with 6 ft G loomis and 1000 daiwa ballistic.