ISLA HOLBOX
AN ISLAND SURROUNDED BY TARPON

equipment and flies

RODS:
#8 or #9 for baby tarpon and snook
#11 or #12 for the big boys

REELS:
You need saltwater-tough, smooth drag reels for this fishing. Fit the reels for baby tarpon and snook with 150 – 200 yds of backing and the heavy reels with 300 yds of 30 pound backing.

LINES:
For the baby tarpon and snook, fit your reels with saltwater (made specifically for saltwater) floating lines. For large tarpon, get a warm-saltwater specific line with a 400 – 500 grain, 24 – 26 foot sinking head with running line attached (like RIO Deep Sea or the Sci Anglers Streamer Express). These lines shoot a mile and will give you a chance at hooking the deeper running fish as well as the surfacing fish. Full floating lines and intermediate lines can also be used, but do not count for as many jumped fish as the sinking-head lines.

For any trip to saltwater destinations, carry a spare line and a few spools of backing for each outfit. Lines get stepped on, cut, broken and ruined in a number of other ways. There is usually no place to buy another. It is good insurance.

FLIES:
It seems, at times, that tarpon are either on the strike or off of it. And, when they are “on” it makes no difference what pattern you may be using; they eat them up. When they are “off” it seems that they have their lips sewn shut. But it is at these times when sometimes subtle, changes in the patterns or colors can put “off-tarpon” on the bite. The biggest change I’ve noticed is having flash in the pattern or not. I usually start out with patterns with some flash in them, but a few refusals will get my clippers out, and off goes the tinsel. I clip out the flashy material. This has made a difference on several occasions. Another couple of times, changing from a black/blue pattern to a black/purple pattern has turned on fish.

This is as true of Isla Holbox as any other tarpon destination. So, carry a variety of flies in sizes (3/0 – 6/0 for big fish and #2 – 2/0 for the smaller ones), colors (dark, neutral and bright) and patterns.

For your trip to Isla Holbox, carry a minimum of 3-dozen flies to cover practically every situation for snook, baby tarpon and the big boys. Tie or buy about half of the flies for big fish and the other half for baby tarpon and snook. Of these flies, make about 1/3 of them dark colors (black, purple, dark blue etc.), 1/3 of them bright colors (red, yellow, orange etc.) and 1/3 of them neutral (like tan, grizzly, white etc.). If you are planning to fish more for big fish, add more of the larger patterns and, likewise, if you plan to fish more for the babies, add more of the smaller flies. Some specific patterns that have worked well are the Eclipse (tan color), Bloodshot (black/red), Furry Tarpon (black/orange, tan, Black/Chartreuse).

For the various flats and shallow water species, take along 12 – 18 bonefish and permit patterns that include gotchas, charlies, Turneffe crab and raghead crab. Include a couple of bonefish clousers in chartreuse/white, blue /white and tan/white in Size #2 and #6. There are some barracuda in the area and if you want to make a few casts to them, bring a few cuda flies with wire leader material.

LEADERS:
Baby tarpon and snook - very simple leaders can be made with 3’ of 40-pound test butt material knotted onto your fly line. Loop or tie this to 2’ – 3’ of 25-pound material and to this loop or tie 3’ of shock leader of 50 – 60-pound test material. Take a half –dozen of these and some extra shock material to replace worn material.

For big tarpon, you will need to get leaders with at least 100 pound test shock. These big fish have worn through 60 and 80 pound test mono. Go with 100 or 125 pound shock or 80# fluorocarbon. If you are the type that likes to take care of all of your knots yourself, go for tying up bimini and shock tippet leaders. Or, if you do not feel confident to do this, there are pre-made big game leaders you can purchase. Take at least two or three per day of fishing. If you are tying your own, take enough extra material to make new leaders to replace worn or broken ones.

For various flats fish, take bonefish leaders in 9-foot length in 8 and 10 pound test.Clothing - Tropical shirts and pants are designed to keep you protected from the sun and to keep you cool. They also will dry out quickly after a storm catches you without your rain jacket out on the flats. If your clothes stay wet, the ever-present wind or the ride in the boat can cool you to the point of being uncomfortable. Most anglers prefer long sleeve shirts that allow the sleeves to be rolled up and fastened. Long pants that can be converted to shorts are also very popular.

• A long billed-hat that will shade eyes and protects your ears and back of neck is a must.
  
• Sun gloves are a recently developed protective-garment that can save the backs of your hands from too much sun and also protect you fingers from line cuts. They are great. They are highly recommended. Golf gloves and such just don’t cut it.
  
• Flats shoes with ample protection from coral (tennis shoes aren’t tough enough) and support for long days on the flats make one of the best investments you can make for comfort and safety.
  
• Neoprene socks over your feet and inside your flats shoes to cushion your feet and prevent sand and coral abrasion are also money well spent. Get the type that fold over the boot top to prevent sand and such from entering the boot.
  
• A bathing suit is always welcome in the tropics.
  
• Lodge clothing is very informal and consists of any clothing you feel comfortable in. Shorts, t-shirts and sandals are fine in most places.
  
• Rain gear is a must. A lightweight jacket that is easily carried, folded up or rolled into a small package, waterproof and breathable is perfect for the job. They can help cut the wind also. Take it with you on all boat rides.

TIP - Two or three sets of fishing clothing outfits are suggested. Take one on the plane with you as a carry-on (in case luggage is lost). After using one set, wash it. Use the second set the next day while the first is drying. When it is time for washing the second set, the first set is clean and ready for use.

Personal:

• A small first aid kit including items that you may need that are not always available in remote areas.
  
• Sun protection that is water proof, sweat proof and spf 25 or higher is recommended. Check with your doctor if you have any allergies or sun sensitive skin.
  
• Lip balm with sun protection (the highest you can get).
  
• You might check with your personal doctor to find out what medicines you may want with you and if a prescription is needed, get it. Then put it into your first aid kit along with the directions for its use.
  
• A small towel is handy to take out in the boat with you then wash it, if needed, in your room when you get back from fishing.
  
• Extra set of prescription glasses if you need prescriptions.
  
• Polarized sunglasses are a must. THEY HAVE TO BE POLARIZED.
  
• Extra pair of sunglasses.
  
• Soap to wash clothes is handy.
  
• A small powerful flashlight can be useful. Take an extra set of batteries also.
  
• To add to your knowledge of where you are fishing, the local people, your guide and for more fun in general, get a dictionary for translation from the local language to English. Just learning a few words go a long ways to giving you a better trip experience.
  
• Take your pre trip information (and actually read it). Especially, keep the emergency phone numbers handy, just in case you need them.
  
• You better take along some GOOD insect repellent and an anti-itch/sting lotion. Mosquitoes can be a problem after heavy rains. Especially, at sun rise and sunset. When going out at night, take the repellent with you, just in case you need it.
  
• Take your camera along with extra batteries, and lens cleaner.
  
• Zip lock freezer bags are handy to keep small items dry while fishing. It is nice to have dry lens cleaners for your glasses after being caught in a rain storm or a wet boat ride.
  
• Personal care items.
  
• Personal journal and pen.
  
• Book(s) for quiet time reading and killing time in airport.
  
• Binoculars for spotting tailing bones or other surface activity can mean more opportunities for catching fish. As an added activity, bring a bird ID book and use the binoculars for identifying the numerous birds in tropical and sub tropical areas.
  
• A fly tying kit could come in handy, especially in remote areas and when one fly clearly out-fishes others. Besides, it is fun to experiment with new patterns.
  
• Take along a garbage bag or two in case you have to keep large items dry or you have wet gear when packing to go home. Don’t for get to take out whatever is in there immediately upon returning home. You don’t want to know what it is like to forget wet clothes and wading shoes in there and discover them at some future date.
  
• Fishing Necessities - A knot tool for attaching the leader to the fly line is always useful.
  
• Bring a hook hone for keeping hooks sharp.
  
• Stripping/fighting gloves (mentioned above in clothing) can prevent nasty sunburn and cut fingers.
  
• Saltwater pliers for crimping hooks, cutting wire or monofilament and aiding in tying knots are important.
  
• For the long hours on the flats, or walking and/or fishing the beach, a fanny pack with a water bottle is an excellent way to carry what you need while away from the boat.
  
• A good knife is handy.
  
• Take a small flashlight.
  
• Always have a good line cleaner with you so your line casts easily.
  
• Travel alarm clock. Nothing worse than oversleeping on a day of fishing.
  
• DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT! Make copies of the picture and personal information page and pack it separately in each piece of luggage you have.
  
• Take cash, including some smaller bills for tips and/or snacks.
  
• Airline tickets and flight itinerary.

TIP - I always carry a rod, reel and line repair kit. It contains extra guides (stripping, snake and large tip tops) electrical tape, tip top heat stick adhesive and a lighter or matches. In it is also, reel lube, light oil, neetsfoot oil, tools for working on rods and reels. I also have two 4-inch squares of carpet backing (a kind of rubber mesh) that I use to grip rod sections to help get them apart when extra tight. For glasses, carry the tools and extra screws to keep your glasses together. I keep this stuff in a waterproof container and take it out on the boat with me for emergencies. Keep whatever you find handy to have in it.