Tackle to Bring
Tackle to Bring
Fly/plug options are many. This is an attempt to keep it as simple as possible and still cover the basic needs. Ideally, for both fly and spin fishing, you would have three sets of equipment rigged and ready to cast in the boat so you are prepared for the variety of opportunities that can arise:light (bonefish), medium (snook, jacks, permit), and heavy (tarpon or trolling).
| Spin Equipment | Fly Equipment |
| (Penn model reels are only listed as an example and the model numbers may be outdated – many manufacturers make similar models that accomplish what’s needed) |
Light: 8 wt. rod/line |
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Light: Penn4300SS reel w/ 8# line & matching rod |
Fly lines: floating plus a Teeney 450 or similar sink tip line is necessary for fishing for big tarpon in channels |
| Lures: Many of the traditional plugs, lures, and poppers will be effective. However, the five lures below are the BEST selection we have found to take advantage of the fishing situations. These five could be considered a “must bring.” | Leaders: 8 – 10# tippets for bonefish 12 – 15# tippets for permit 100# shock tippet on standard tarpon leader with 20# class tippet. |
| 1/8 ou. pink wiggle jig | 10 yards of 40# for medium shock tippets is good for snook, jacks, etc. |
| Mirro-lure model #65M11 Red head/ white body | #6 & #8 tan Crazy Charlies (both with eyes and without eyes for shallow flats). |
| Lime green tube lures for ‘Cuda | Bonefish Bitters in size 8 – colors: olive, amber, and hermit crab. |
| Bass Assassin model #SA10343 (5 inch) Crystal Shad plastic worm | #4 Merkin Crab and #4 Raghead Crab fly – get special ties with light eyes (see below). |
| Yo-Zuri model #F6-C5 Redhead floating Crystal Minnow. |
Most standard tarpon flies are effective – some favorites are the orange/grizzly hackle fly, black/red fly, red/white Whistler, and the old standard, the cockroach. Note: a specially tied large shrimp pattern tied on a 2/0 tarpon hook has been effective for both tarpon and deeper water snook (see below for purchase info) |
| Hooks for Bass Assassin Crystal Shad would be the 4/0 Owner model #5137-141 or Gamakatsu model #74414 | 2/0 Blue/white and Green/white deceiver is a favorite “all-purpose” fly for jacks, snook, and many species. |
| 25 yards of 40# and either 80 or 100# mono for medium and heavy shock tippets | Swimming/diving flies (like the Dahlberg style “Swimming Baitfish”) and poppers can also be effective around shallow mangrove edges for snook. |
| 6 to 12 inch coated wire leaders with snap and swivel (50#) | Barracuda flies with standard pre-tied wire leaders. |
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Ordering info: Wiggle jigs – Gaines company at 814-435-2332 |
For late evening tarpon fishing, dark colored flies with large eyes tied on a 4/0 hook are best. |
| Fish First Fly Shop in the San Francisco Bay Area has the specially tied crab patterns and tarpon shrimp as well as much of the other equipment listed – 510-526-1937 Note: this particular fly shop has been very helpful in maintaining a special stock of these specialized flies. Please consider them for your other tackle needs as well. |
Some of the salt water dealers like Boaters World or Bass Masters may have several of these lures available on one web site. Make sure you get the exact model, color, and size specified.