TACTICAL SERIES SALTWATER
STS 9011/3

This rod and the STS 9012/3 are our two most popular tarpon rods for fishing in the Florida Keys. The reason is simple: You can fish these rods on both windy days and calm days, so you won't miss precious fishing time just because the weather gets tough. STS 9011/3 is the stiffest, fastest, most powerful 11-weight we make, and is our first choice for tarpon. This rod must be cast with power, and responds perfectly to an aggressive double haul. The extra stiff butt section provides tremendous fish fighting power, and tarpon can often be landed in fifteen to twenty minutes with this rod.

STS 9011/3 and HP 8811/3: For big tarpon, my favorite rods are mostly 11-weights in these days of spookier tarpon and longer leaders. So I tarpon fish with an STS 9011/3 for most of my tarpon fishing, and an HP 8811/3 for close quarters and tight back country areas (the HP 8811/3 is a great rod if a tarpon rod feels too heavy for you; it feels like a light 10-weight to me). These rods are light enough to fish all day, can deliver a powerful tight loop to turn over a tarpon fly with the necessary heavy shock tippet, and have the backbone to whip a really big tarpon. My son Stephen took his first 100 pound tarpon this year with an STS 9011/3.

Chico Fernandez Miami, FL

STS 9011/3: Fishing for tarpon is where this rod excels. Tarpon fishing puts fly rods to the test in many ways; good casting capabilities and raw strength are required in the rod. You may need to place a fly in the middle of a pod of tarpon without spooking the lead fish or push a shot into a 15-knot wind. In either case, the STS 11-weight will do the job and finish it with a fish to the boat.
	Captain Doug Kilpatrick Summerland Key, FL

STS 9011/3: Tarpon fishing is incredibly exciting. The 60 seconds between the cast, the tease, the take, and all hell breaking loose are probably the most thrilling in all of fly angling. I tarpon fish as many days as any human - it's my addiction and my profession. The STS 9011/3 is definitely my favorite tarpon rod.
	Captain Andrew Moret Islamorada, FL