An artificial bait for tarpons that needs to be in your box
- Everton Pires
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 17
Over more than 14 years fishing tarpons and driving in several rivers of Pernambuco and the Northeast region I have been wondering what would be the indispensable artificial bait in the fishing of tarpons for the most varied situations and different rivers of the northeast of Brazil.
As comprehensive as the answer could be, since it may depend on numerous factors and circumstances, as fishing is not an exact science, there is a bait that has converged to the solution of my questions.
If it were necessary to choose only one artificial bait to have in the fishing box during a tarpon fishery, what would be that bait?
My answer has been Nelson Nakamura's Curisco bait. Yes, of course there may be other baits as efficient, or even better. However, based on numerous fishing trips and guided fisheries, using the most diverse types and models of artificial baits, Curisco bait has stood out strongly among the others in tarpon fishing (camurupim).
I don't know how much – and I never asked – Lucky Moldes, Nelson Nakamura and his team were aware of the effectiveness of this bait for the tarpon fishing the moment they designed it.
Let's see, what does your factory specifications say:
“The Curisco bait was designed with unique balancing, providing an irresistible erratic movement for predators. Its Slow Sinker action allows slow sinking, adaptable to various situations, while the sticktip touch makes the bait come to life in half water. Ideal for attracting predators, Curisco has a fatal attraction with its erratic movement, providing unexpected attacks. With the unique action of Twitch Bait, this bait is excellent for fishing various types of fish.”
The fact is that this bait has a number of features that, gathered together, make it an infallible bait for the big silver eyes. Next:
Versatility: Curisco bait can be worked in various ways, being the best known and disseminated by the brand itself, erratic work. However, the bait can still be worked continuously and also “jiggando”. Just change the pickup mode and touches to perform the desired work.
Work: Erratic work is the trademark of this bait. This is an attractive job for the most diverse types of predatory fish, and for the tarpons this is no different. Through collecting with touches of stick tips the bait tends to go from one side to the other as a kind of zara in the middle water.
In addition to the erratic work, if the pickup is done continuously, without stick tip touches, the bait tends to come straight, which reminds us of the “roly-poly retrieve” technique, much used in fly fishing for tarpons where the fly stick is placed under the arm and the fisherman collects the line with both hands at a continuous speed. For many other fish, this type of work may not be as attractive as the bait remains more static, producing few vibrations or movements. For the tarpons, it is a type of work whose effectiveness is already well recognized among many fly fishermen.
Another job that can be employed in curisco is that of “jig”. Because the curisco has the weight concentrated on the head of the bait, it is possible that it can be worked with a jig, rising and descending. At the time of pickup, just lift the rod tip quickly and gradually and then lower the rod more slowly, repeating these movements continuously so that the bait can work as a kind of jig. This work is attractive for the tarpons who hunt their prey slower and at the time the bait is worked this way, it remains longer in their field of view.
Sink: The curisco bait is characterized as a slow sinker bait, i.e. slow sinking. The fact is, if you look at it right, the moment the bait sinks, it ends up doing an erratic job, sinking in motion. Once this bait is thrown towards the fish, it already sinks working, drawing the attention of the silver ones. Most of the other baits only sink when collecting is done, often sinking progressively, causing the bait to drift further away from the field of view of the tarpons until it reaches its optimal depth. The curisk has this differential, because the bait slowly sinks in motion, remaining even longer in the tarpons' field of attack.
In addition, its characteristics allow it to be controlled the depth of action, just letting the bait sink longer before the gathering, reaching deeper depths, making the bait useful to the most diverse conditions.
Size x Weight: Curisco bait has several weights and sizes. In addition to having very small sizes, such as 6cm, it can be a differential when the tarpons are selective and opt for small baits, their size and weight ratio is also a strong point in relation to other baits.
The weight of the curiscos is considered above average if compared to other types of half-water baits. The advantage is that it is not necessary to increase the size of the baits to have a heavier bait, as they bring a good x-weight ratio. The fact that they are heavier baits helps and much in the fishing of tarpons that are carried out in the vast majority of times visually, at the time the fish rises to the surface to breathe. With heavier baits, it is possible to cover an even larger area of sweep in the river, reaching the fish that appear further away, without using very large baits.
Format
If we look at it, the shape of the curisco is also very similar to the natural prey of the tarpons such as sardines, herrings and manjubinhas. Noting that the curisco does not have a shape neither so fine and nor very robust, showing balance even in its format.
Other advantages
Other advantages of using the curisk bait in tarpon fishing is that it comes with enhanced garatei. Moreover, if it is necessary to exchange the stalls for even stronger or larger ones, the curisco is a bait that is not easily unbalanced, allowing the exchange to be made without much concern.
Models found in the market
Curisco 60: 6 cm and 6,5 g (2.3 inches and 0,23 oz)
Curisco 70: 7 cm and 8,5 g (2.7 inches and 0,3 oz)
Curisco 80: 8 cm and 13g (3.15 inches and 0,45 oz)
Curisco 90: 9 cm and 15 g (3.54 inches and 0,53 oz)
Curisco 110: 11 cm and 23 g (4.3 inches and 0,81 oz)
Tip: An ideal size and recommended to have in the box for fishing tarpons is the curisco 80 that comes with 13 grams. It is noted that of size 70 (7cm) with a weight of 8.5 grams for size 80, the weight increases considerably. Guaranteed as soon as it is a good size bait and with great weight to throw greater distances.
Buy your curisco baits of varied sizes and colors now, so you can employ them in different ways and in various fishing situations.
As a way to help you make your tarpon catches even better, we have separated below some links from curisco baits so you can buy online:
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