equipment and flies

Tarpon Tackle Fly Fishing FLY RODS: The best choices are multi-piece 8, 9 or 10 wt. fly rods in a 9 foot length. We like fast tapered saltwater rods w/plenty of butt strength. Good models to consider include; Sage Xi2, and Winston B2X, all in 3, 4 or 5 piece, for easy traveling. We highly recommend bringing a backup rod. FLY REELS: (Minimum 150yds of 20-30lb backing) Reels specifically designed for saltwater fly fishing are the ticket. Smooth disk drags, plenty of backing capacity, and sturdy aluminum anodized frames are features to look for in a reel. Models to consider; Tibor “Riptide” or “Everglades,” Nautilus CC8, 10 or 12.

Tarpon Leader (this is what you need for tarpon): To be prepared for any tarpon or snook possibility, bring with you a spool/package each 40#, 50#, 60# and 80#flourocarbon or monofilament and any of the guides will make your leaders for you (for either baby or large tarpon or snook).
FLY LINES: For 90% of your tarpon fishing a weight forward floating line is all you need. Scientific Anglers Mastery Redfish and the new Rio Bonefish and tarpon lines are the best going. These lines are specifically designed for saltwater fly fishing with a special core that provides the proper stiffness to allow excellent shooting while resisting tangles, even in tropical heat. In addition to your floater, an intermediate sinking line may be necessary, especially when fishing over rolling tarpon in and around the various cenotes. Here again, Scientific Anglers Mastery Sinking Bonefish or Tarpon Taper lines are the best. These lines are abrasion resistant, with a very slick finish for distance casting, and feature a long tapered tip for delicate presentation and clear color that won’t spook fish. If you have to pick one line, go with the floater.

FLIES FOR TARPON: in sizes 1/0 – 3/0
1. Paradise Tarpon
2. Fire Tarpon
3. Black and Blue
4. Grizzly Tarpon
5. Cockroach
6. Tarpon Bunny
7. Puglisi Yellow Perch
8. Blue Black Herring
9. Shock Treatment (all colors)

To this list, add a few floating/diving flies like the Snookeroo and Whitlock’s Swimming Baitfish 1/0. The Black Death is another not to be without.

Bonefish Tackle Fly Fishing FLY RODS
Multi-piece 7 or 8 wt. fly rods in a nine foot length are the best choices. We like fast tapered saltwater rods that have been specially designed for the riggers of the salt. Good models to choose from include the Sage Xi2, Sage Z-Axis and Winston B2X all in four or five piece, for easy traveling. We highly recommend bringing a backup rod.

FLY REELS: (minimum 150yds of 20lb backing) Reels specifically designed for saltwater fly fishing are needed. Smooth disk drags, plenty of backing capacity, and sturdy anodized aluminum frames are features to look for in a reel. Models to consider are the Tibor “Everglades,” Nautilus CCF8, CCF10 or NV8/9.

FLY LINES: A weight forward floating line is all you need. Scientific Anglers Mastery Redfish and Rio Bonefish lines are the best going. These lines are specifically designed for saltwater fly fishing with a special braided monofilament core that provides the proper stiffness to allow excellent shooting while resisting tangles, even in tropical heat. LEADERS: Due to the improvements in fluorocarbon leaders over the last few years they are now our first choice for saltwater applications. Using leaders 9 feet long with 10 and 12 pound test will cover all of your bonefish needs. Because a tippet knot has the potential of catching on coral, being bit by a barracuda, or (heaven forbid) being tied improperly, we are opting to change leaders when necessary instead of adding tippet. That being said we also carry tippet material in the same pound test for those occasions when a longer finer leader is needed. Most fluorocarbon leaders are super strong, less visible and have a tougher finish than monofilament. Mono leaders and tippet material in the same sizes as fluorocarbon are a great alternative.

FLIES FOR BONEFISH: in sizes 4 and 6 with a few #2 and a few #8 in a couple of different patters:
1. Chico’s Bonefish Special
2. Darting Coral Shrimp
3. Blind Mini Puff
4. Mini Puff
5. Hot Tail Bunny Gotcha
6. McVay Gotcha
7. Bonefish Clouser
a. Bead chain eyes
b. Lead eyes
c. Weed guards (if possible)
d. Tan and White

Permit Tackle Fly Fishing FLY RODS
Multi-piece 8, 9 or 10 wt. fly rods in the 9 foot length are the best choices. We like fast tapered saltwater rods that have been specially designed for the riggers of the salt. Good models to choose from include the Sage Xi2, Z-Axis and Winston B2X, all in 3, 4 or 5 piece, for easy traveling.

FLY REELS: (Minimum 200yds of 20lb backing) Reels specifically designed for saltwater fly fishing are the best. Smooth disk drags, plenty of backing capacity, and sturdy anodized aluminum frames are features to search for in a reel. Models to consider are the Tibor “Everglades,” or Nautilus CCF8, 10 or NV8/9.

FLY LINES: A weight forward floating line is all you need. Scientific Anglers Mastery Redfish and Rio bonefish lines are unsurpassed. These lines are specifically designed for tropical saltwater fly fishing with a special braided monofilament core that provides the proper stiffness to allow excellent shooting while resisting tangles, even in tropical heat. LEADERS: When it comes to permit don’t mess around, they are strong, fast and will use every trick they can come up with to break off the line. We suggest 9 and 10 foot fluorocarbon leaders in 16-20 pound test. If you find you need longer leaders add length in the butt of the leader.

FLIES FOR PERMIT:
ALL IN SIZES 2, 4, OR 6
1. Bauer’s Fur Crab
2. Raghead Crab
3. Enrico Puglisi Crab
4. White Sand Fiddler Crab
5. Enrico’s Spawning Shrimp
6. Del’s Permit Crab
7. Clouser #2 to #2/0 in tan or chartreuse

Snook Tackle Fly Fishing
For Snook you can use the same fly fishing tackle that you use for tarpon. Snook key in on surface flies with a vengeance. Surface patterns like Whitlock’s Swimmin’ Frog, Swimming Baitfish, Fire Tiger Wiggle Minnow, Snook-A-Roo, and Crystal Poppers are good choices.

Snook flies:
Also need improved hooks.
1. Dahlburg’s Diver
2. Snookaroo
a. Red and White (?)
3. SW Gurgler
a. Green (?)
4. Whitlock’s Swimming Bait Fish
SIZE 1/0 AND 2/0
1. Big Boy Trevally Popper
2. Walker Pearly Poppers