The Rod Holder Never Sleeps: Captain David Cohen's #1 Tarpon Hookset Tactic
When it comes to tarpon fishing in pressured waters like Miami, every edge counts. And Captain David Cohen’s #1 tactic might sound too simple to be real: don’t touch the rod.
“The rod holder never sleeps,” says Cohen. “It hooks better than we ever could.”
Instead of having clients hold the rod, Cohen keeps it in a fixed holder and lets the drag and rod tip do the work. Once the tarpon eats and line starts screaming, that’s when the angler steps in.
Why It Works:
Consistent Hook Placement: 90–95% of Cohen’s fish are hooked perfectly in the jaw.
Less Human Error: Nervous hands and premature hooksets cause more losses than most anglers admit.
Rod + Drag = Precision Timing: A dialed-in drag system lets the fish “self-set” the circle hook.
“That hook ends up right in the schnoz,” says Cohen. “And it stays there.”
He notes that he used to jump the gun—grabbing the rod to try and set the hook like a bass angler. But as he dialed in his gear, he noticed one truth: the fish hooks itself if you just wait.
Client Buy-In
Some clients are skeptical—especially experienced anglers. But Cohen preps them beforehand:
“I explain it all before the trip. If they jump the gun, we might lose our only shot.”
He teaches them to wait, stay alert, and jump into action only once the drag starts singing.
This method, when paired with Cohen’s multi-rod setup (up to 7 rods deployed at once), creates a system where hookups are frequent—and sticky.
Your Setup Checklist:
High-quality rod holders (no flex)
Pre-tuned drag—firm, not tight
Circle hooks (Cohen uses 6/0 Trokar TK4)
24-ft fluorocarbon leaders tied with Bimini-to-double-uni
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Ever tried letting the rod do the work? Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments.
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