A plastic-tail grub or a jig rigged with a plastic worm is especially good. The lure acts much like a jig, but because the slip-sinker slides, the fish doesn't exert as much leverage to throw the hook as it does a jig with its fixed lead head. Lure colors should match the forage on which tarpon currently are feeding. For example, if mullet are the main diet, lures of that size, shape and color should be employed. Usually lures colored silver, white, pink, red, green and blue produce tarpon.
Natural baits account for tremendous numbers of tarpon.
It's believed by many anglers that a tarpon is more likely to live if the hook rusts out over time rather than forcing the hook out with pliers. It's a noble concept, one that makes plenty of sense to anglers who have honed their tackle and fishing skills effectively enough to hook, play and land a fish so great and game that they certainly wish it no ill will.