|
Fishing Equipment Checklist
Rods - 7- to 12-weight,
based upon species and time of year. Most anglers will need
at least 8- and 10-weight. Medium to fast action is best.
Rod lengths are normally nine feet and up.
Reels - Saltwater
reels capable of holding 200 yards of backing (or more for
giant tarpon). Larger arbor reels allow for faster line
pickup. Consider anti-reverse reels for "hand" safety.
Lines - Saltwater
weight-forward floating, intermediate, and sink-tip.
Backing Dacron/Micron,
30 pound test.
Leader
Material - Usually 12 to 40 pounds in strength, heavier
material (60 to 100 pound) for shock tippets; tapered leaders
and hand-built big-game leader with shock tippet; wire leader
material for toothy species.
Flies - By no means
exhaustive, but here's a partial list:
- Bonefish - primarily sizes
#4 and #6, best colors include chartreuse, lime green, tan,
pink, yellow, olive and pearl. Favorite flies - Gotcha,
Crazy Charlie, Crystal Charlie, Bonecrusher, Pink mini-puff,
Marabou Shrimp and Yucatan Special.
- Snook - not an overly picky
species. Very fond of olive, pink, chartreuse, green, red
and yellow. Large clousers and other baitfish patterns (rattle
minnows are great). Sizes #1 through #4 are usually effective.
- Permit - three favorite
flies are small crabs, small crabs, and small crabs. Larger
crab patterns used elsewhere tend to be ineffective. Most
of the crab population in the Pelican Cays, are dime-to-quarter
in size. Focus on medium olive, tannish green, grayish green
and brown. Sizes #4 and #6 are good. Craig Matthew's pattern
is a good place to start.
- Tarpon - most traditional
Florida patterns are productive, as well as large minnow
patterns (Deceivers, Deep minnows, etc.). Load up on coachroach,
black death, etc. Look for tarpon flies 2/0 to 5/0 in size.
Colors should include black, purple, red, lime green, chartreuse,
orange and blue.
Bring plenty of line cleaner, lubricant,
etc., to maintain and service your gear. Extra rods and reels are essential.
Fly shops do not exist in Central America.
|