A properly presented bait to these fish will often result in a hookup. If the pods are coming infrequently I'll work all schools I can. Being able to make quick, yet patient decisions is also key in catching beach and saltwater flats tarpon. As I mentioned in the introduction to tarpon, a key factor is finding northbound schools on the beach. This situation occurs mostly after the first full moon in June.
Northbound tarpon are post-spawn.
Southbound tarpon are mostly pre-spawn. Southbound fish can require presenting the bait a multiple of times. Like putting a peanut on the table of a poker game, eventually somebody is going to eat it. The northbound tarpon are hungry. They may have just completed the rigorous act of spawning and in addition just made it in from the continental shelf 125 miles off shore and are returning to their normal habits.