Fly Fishing

[rleslie]

I know this isn't about sailing, but part of our cruising plans include doing some salt water fly fishing. We have been fly fishing for trout in the NC mountains for 30+ years, but have never had the opportunity to try it for salt water fish.

I know absolutely nothing about tackle, flies, techniques, etc. We will begin in Panama City , Fl in January and work our way around the keys and into the Bahamas.

-What weight rod?
-How do you select fly/lure. Are you matching a hatch as in fresh water?
-Can you suggest any good reading material?
-Which species can you fish for?
-etc, etc

Thanks
Roger

[GordMay]

Here’s an excellent online guide to Saltrwater Fly-Fishing:
A Basic Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing in Southwest Florida ~ by Don Phillips
http://www.marco-island-florida.com/don/home.htm

Chapter One ~ Introduction
Chapter Two ~ Our Saltwater Gamefish
Chapter Three ~ Fly Rods
Chapter Four ~ Fly Reels
Chapter Five ~ Lines and Leaders
Chapter Six ~ Knots for Fly Fishing
Chapter Seven ~ Flies & Fly Tying
Chapter Eight ~ Fly Fishing the Tides
Chapter Nine ~ Places to Fly Fish
Chapter Ten ~ Casting/Retrieving the Fly
Chapter Eleven ~ Boats for Fly Fishing
Chapter Twelve ~ Fish Handling & Conservation

ie: Excerpted from Chapter 3 - Fly Rods
”... For saltwater fly fishing in southwest Florida, the best models for all-around use would be 8-1/2 to 9 feet in length and designed to cast either a 7-, 8- or 9 weight line. Some fly fishers use shorter, specialty rods when their primary object is to cast very tight line loops under and between overhanging mangrove branches. 10-foot and longer rods do offer the advantage of achieving higher backcasts (to clear rearward obstructions), but their added length and weight make them attractive mainly to really strong, expert casters who can tap their potential for long distance casts. Fly fishers who fish primarily in wind-protected areas for smaller fish can manage quite nicely with rods designed for use with 4-, 5-, or 6-weight lines. Anglers venturing out for tarpon in the 40-150 pound range would be advised to equip themselves with rods designed for 10-, 11-, 12- or even up to -15 weight lines. Lefty Kreh once said that light rods in the 1-5 weight range were designed primarily for delicate presentation when casting, that medium rods in the 6-9 weight range were designed for long casts, and rods in the 10-15 weight range were designed to lift and fight heavy, hooked fish ... more ...”

I think you'll find he answers all your questions & more.

See also:
http://www.fishing-florida.com/flyhome.htm
http://www.cyberisle.com/tropical/angler.htm

http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/
http://www.reel-time.com/

gord - where the heck do you get this stuff

[GordMay]

Finding good online references is often as easy as copying a direct quote from the original question, and “Googling” it without quotes or pluses.
In this case, I copied, and Googled “... our cruising plans include doing some < salt water fly fishing > ...”, and the Phillips guide was the third returned reference. I recalled it from previous reading, confirmed it was as good as I recollected, then posted.
The whole operation, including editing for additional references, took perhaps as much as 5 minutes (likely less).
By way of comparison, this reply took every bit as much time, and more mental effort.
HTH,
Gord

[delmarrey]

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/videos/flyeye.html

[StoutWench]

Gord

Thanks for the link. Excellent stuff....as usual!!!!

Roger

[StoutWench]

Delmarrey

Next time you say "be careful", I'll take you seriously. And I just finished eating!!!

Roger

[prout35]

I have watched accomplished flyfishers catch bonefish (in the Florida-Bahamas flats bonefish will outnumber other fish by manyfold) with a 5 weight outfit. But, if you hope to someday hook old moby-bonefish, any balanced outfit less than an eight weight will not have enough backing on the reel. You can't believe what a large bone will do on the end of your line. In an instant you'll be saying adios-flyline-hello-backing and 300 yards of that backing can zing out through the guides. And then you will take your first breath since the hookup.

If you have other questions about flyfishing the flats, send an email.