Umpqua Tarpon Toad
Umpqua's Tarpon Toad is a best-in-class, durable pattern designed for aggressive tarpon takes; its compact profile and weed-shedding head give it an advantage in mangroves and backcountry without commanding premium price. Compared with hand-tied premium streamers like Enrico Puglisi's offering or the plush action of RIO's Bunny, the Tarpon Toad delivers consistent hookups at a lower per-fly cost, making it ideal for anglers who need multiples on the water.
Topwater foam — loud
Weedless head — slides
Topwater foam — loud
Weedless head — slides
Review Summary
"Users praise the Umpqua Tarpon Toad for its realistic profile, buoyant action and durability, noting consistent strike attraction on frequent trips. A few anglers find it bulkier than some streamers but overall very effective for tarpon."
Erratic wiggle — teases
Bulky foam/toad-style head creates strong topwater commotion to attract charging tarpon.
Erratic wiggle — teases
Bulky foam/toad-style head creates strong topwater commotion to attract charging tarpon.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Umpqua's Tarpon Toad is a best-in-class, durable pattern designed for aggressive tarpon takes; its compact profile and weed-shedding head give it an advantage in mangroves and backcountry without commanding premium price. Compared with hand-tied premium streamers like Enrico Puglisi's offering or the plush action of RIO's Bunny, the Tarpon Toad delivers consistent hookups at a lower per-fly cost, making it ideal for anglers who need multiples on the water.
Topwater foam — loud
Weedless head — slides
Erratic wiggle — teases
Bulky foam/toad-style head creates strong topwater commotion to attract charging tarpon.
Short, tapered body with synthetic fibers gives a punchy, surface-skimming silhouette.
Topwater foam — loud
Weedless head — slides
Erratic wiggle — teases
Bulky foam/toad-style head creates strong topwater commotion to attract charging tarpon.
Short, tapered body with synthetic fibers gives a punchy, surface-skimming silhouette.
$8-15 CAD
RIO's Tarpon Bunny
RIO's Tarpon Bunny is a market-leading technical pattern built from premium marabou and rabbit zonker materials to create an irresistible pulsing action and superior movement in saltwater conditions. Though it sits at a higher price point than budget synthetics such as Fulling Mill's Black Death, the Tarpon Bunny's tuned weight and proven hookup-to-strike performance give anglers a technical edge for longer casts and cleaner presentations on trophy fish.
Bunny strip — pulses
Big silhouette — noticed
Bunny strip — pulses
Big silhouette — noticed
Review Summary
"RIO's Tarpon Bunny is favored for its lively rabbit-strip action and reliable hook quality, making it a go-to choice for many tarpon anglers. Some reviewers report the rabbit hair can shed faster after heavy repeated use."
Long casts — reaches
Long rabbit-strip tail produces lifelike undulating movement favored by tarpon.
Long casts — reaches
Long rabbit-strip tail produces lifelike undulating movement favored by tarpon.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
RIO's Tarpon Bunny is a market-leading technical pattern built from premium marabou and rabbit zonker materials to create an irresistible pulsing action and superior movement in saltwater conditions. Though it sits at a higher price point than budget synthetics such as Fulling Mill's Black Death, the Tarpon Bunny's tuned weight and proven hookup-to-strike performance give anglers a technical edge for longer casts and cleaner presentations on trophy fish.
Bunny strip — pulses
Big silhouette — noticed
Long casts — reaches
Long rabbit-strip tail produces lifelike undulating movement favored by tarpon.
Slender, baitfish profile that fishes well on intermediate lines and slow retrieves.
Bunny strip — pulses
Big silhouette — noticed
Long casts — reaches
Long rabbit-strip tail produces lifelike undulating movement favored by tarpon.
Slender, baitfish profile that fishes well on intermediate lines and slow retrieves.
$7-14 CAD
Enrico Puglisi Tarpon Streamer
Enrico Puglisi's Tarpon Streamer is a premium, hand-tied pattern prized for its lifelike profile, tapered movement and meticulous material selection—attributes that make it the top choice when stealth and presentation are paramount. It commands a higher price than factory-tied flies like Umpqua and Fulling Mill, but its superior realism and finish often outfish commercial patterns in clear-water, selective conditions, offering a distinct technical advantage for critical shots.
Lifelike profile — real
Subtle flash — convincing
Lifelike profile — real
Subtle flash — convincing
Review Summary
"The Enrico Puglisi Tarpon Streamer is widely regarded as a premium, highly effective pattern with lifelike movement, excellent craftsmanship and heavy-duty hooks that hold up to big fish. Its higher price is commonly seen as justified by durability and hookup rates."
Reinforced hook — durable
Premium materials and precise taper create an ultra-realistic baitfish action.
Reinforced hook — durable
Premium materials and precise taper create an ultra-realistic baitfish action.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enrico Puglisi's Tarpon Streamer is a premium, hand-tied pattern prized for its lifelike profile, tapered movement and meticulous material selection—attributes that make it the top choice when stealth and presentation are paramount. It commands a higher price than factory-tied flies like Umpqua and Fulling Mill, but its superior realism and finish often outfish commercial patterns in clear-water, selective conditions, offering a distinct technical advantage for critical shots.
Lifelike profile — real
Subtle flash — convincing
Reinforced hook — durable
Premium materials and precise taper create an ultra-realistic baitfish action.
Often hand-finished with eyes and subtle flash to trigger aggressive tarpon strikes.
Lifelike profile — real
Subtle flash — convincing
Reinforced hook — durable
Premium materials and precise taper create an ultra-realistic baitfish action.
Often hand-finished with eyes and subtle flash to trigger aggressive tarpon strikes.
$15-30 CAD
Fulling Mill Black Death Tarpon Fly
Fulling Mill's Black Death Tarpon Fly is a cost-effective, workhorse pattern that uses modern synthetics to replicate the silhouette and flash that trigger tarpon strikes, offering excellent value for anglers who stock large fly boxes. It may lack the hand-tied finesse of the Enrico Puglisi streamer or the plush action of RIO's Bunny, but its lower price and robust construction make it a practical choice for rough conditions, high-volume fishing, or as a backup when durability matters most.
Jet-black shape — moody
Compact bulk — powerful
Jet-black shape — moody
Compact bulk — powerful
Review Summary
"Fulling Mill's Black Death Tarpon Fly earns compliments for its slim, convincing silhouette and strong value, but several anglers note the hooks and finish feel slightly less robust than some US-made premium options. It remains a dependable and affordable tarpon option for many users."
Sparse flash — sly
Deep black profile provides a bold silhouette that excels in low-light or stained water.
Sparse flash — sly
Deep black profile provides a bold silhouette that excels in low-light or stained water.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
Fulling Mill's Black Death Tarpon Fly is a cost-effective, workhorse pattern that uses modern synthetics to replicate the silhouette and flash that trigger tarpon strikes, offering excellent value for anglers who stock large fly boxes. It may lack the hand-tied finesse of the Enrico Puglisi streamer or the plush action of RIO's Bunny, but its lower price and robust construction make it a practical choice for rough conditions, high-volume fishing, or as a backup when durability matters most.
Jet-black shape — moody
Compact bulk — powerful
Sparse flash — sly
Deep black profile provides a bold silhouette that excels in low-light or stained water.
Weighted head helps the pattern track true and get into the strike zone quickly.
Jet-black shape — moody
Compact bulk — powerful
Sparse flash — sly
Deep black profile provides a bold silhouette that excels in low-light or stained water.
Weighted head helps the pattern track true and get into the strike zone quickly.
$6-12 CAD
Umpqua Cockroach Tarpon Fly
Umpqua's Cockroach Tarpon Fly is a classic, versatile pattern with a segmented, life-like body and balanced hook placement that excels on sight-fishing flats and varied retrieves. Priced mid-range between budget synthetics and bespoke streamers, the Cockroach offers a neutral technical profile that performs across wind and water conditions, making it a reliable all-rounder compared with the buoyant Tarpon Toad or the specialised action of the RIO Bunny.
Roach body — buggy
Sinking stealth — prowls
Roach body — buggy
Sinking stealth — prowls
Review Summary
"The Umpqua Cockroach Tarpon Fly is praised for its weed-resistant profile, good visibility and toughness on repeated outings. A number of users say its unconventional shape can be less tempting than larger bunny streamers for very picky tarpon, but it performs consistently."
Weedguard hook — snagless
Realistic appendages and segmented profile imitate shrimp/cockroach prey favoured by tarpon.
Weedguard hook — snagless
Realistic appendages and segmented profile imitate shrimp/cockroach prey favoured by tarpon.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Umpqua's Cockroach Tarpon Fly is a classic, versatile pattern with a segmented, life-like body and balanced hook placement that excels on sight-fishing flats and varied retrieves. Priced mid-range between budget synthetics and bespoke streamers, the Cockroach offers a neutral technical profile that performs across wind and water conditions, making it a reliable all-rounder compared with the buoyant Tarpon Toad or the specialised action of the RIO Bunny.
Roach body — buggy
Sinking stealth — prowls
Weedguard hook — snagless
Realistic appendages and segmented profile imitate shrimp/cockroach prey favoured by tarpon.
Versatile action that fishes well subsurface or with short pops on the surface.
Roach body — buggy
Sinking stealth — prowls
Weedguard hook — snagless
Realistic appendages and segmented profile imitate shrimp/cockroach prey favoured by tarpon.
Versatile action that fishes well subsurface or with short pops on the surface.
$8-16 CAD