Tackle
One Bonefish rod, a 9-foot rod for #7, 8 or 9 weight line. An 8-weight rod is perfect as many of the bones are in the 3-6 lb. class and there is a lot of wind to contend with. On this rod you will want a good bonefish reel with enough capacity for the line and 200 yards of 20 lb backing. You need only a floating line. Be sure to bring a back up floating line for bonefish. There is not much coral except on the Ocean side flats, but many flats have small mangrove roots that the bonefish run through and around and this can shred a fly line.
Bring one back up rod for bonefish in case of breakage.
Two - 9’ #10 Rods – since there are so many species of fish here, it helps to bring two 10 weight rods. Then you can set one up specifically for permit, and have another set up for baby tarpon or Barracuda. Have individual reels for both these rods. You will want WF-10-F lines for both rods, but it is a good idea to bring one slow sinking line also. Attach your lines to backing with loop-to-loop connections making it easy to change lines out on the flats. Your 10 weight reels should have capacity for the line plus 150-200 yd. of 30 lb. backing. Our favorite reels are the Tibor Riptide and the Abel Super 10, but there are several other good reels. Just pick one with a strong, smooth drag.
One - 9 foot #11 or 12 line rod for big tarpon . In the channels close to Gerona there are many tarpon in the 50-100 lb. class, and a big rod will help you land these fish more quickly than a 10 weight. Our favorite rods are the Loomis CrossCurrent GLX in 9 foot #11 and the Sage Xi2 in the 9 foot #11. For a less expensive rod the Redington CPS or the Temple Fork TiCr-X are good choices.
For reels, pick a good tarpon reel with enough capacity for a 12 line and 150-200 yards of 30 lb. backing. A strong, smooth drag is necessary. Our favorites are the Tibor Gulfstream or the Abel 4N or Super 11. Two of the best less expensive reels are the Ross Momentum #5 or TFO 425.
For tarpon lines on your big rod, you will want three different lines. A floating line, an intermediate (slow sink) and then a fast sinking head like the RIO DC-400 for the big channels which are up to 15 feet deep with strong tidal currents. All should have loop-to-loop connections to your backing. Less experienced casters will often do better with a floating line but the Slow Sinking line is perhaps the best all around line to use in the deeper channels. Out on the shallower flats, a floating line is a much better choice.
6 – Bonefish leaders -12 foot OX or 15 lb.
1 - Spool of 0X Fluorocarbon tippet for bones.
1 – Spool of heavier 01X Fluorocarbon tippet for bones. The bonefish are not at all leader shy so it is an advantage to use very heavy tippet allowing you to land many more fish and handle them more easily when releasing them.
4 – Permit Leaders 9-12 foot, 16-20 lb. fluorocarbon tippets.
1 - Spool 02X (20 lb.) Fluorocarbon tippet for permit
6-10 - Quick Change Tarpon leaders. These should be tied with 20 lb. shock tippet and 80 lb. Fluorocarbon shock tippet. Use 3 feet of shock tippet so that you can use each leader for several fish or re-tie on several different flies. Note: You can use 60 lb. shock tippet for the baby tarpon that are under 40 lb. but for the larger fish, go up to 80 lb or they may cut or abrade through the 60 lb. You can catch the smaller tarpon on 80 lb. also, so most anglers just use 80 for shock tippet. These tarpon are not at all leader shy.
1 – 200 yd spool of extra 20 lb. fly line backing
1 – 200 yd. spool of extra 30 lb. fly line backing
1 – tarpon fly stretcher or Zip lock bags for your tarpon flies on leaders
FLIES:
Bonefish flies
Bring two to three dozen bonefish flies in various patterns for a week of fishing. You need mostly medium weight flies to fish in water depths of 1-2 feet. You’ll also need at least half dozen flies that are very light with no bead chain eyes, to fish on shallow turtle grass flats for tailing fish. Bring a few heavy lead-eye flies for fishing bones in mud where the water can be 3-4 feet deep. Some of the best patterns are the Tan Squimp, Borski Bonefish Slider, the Kwans and of course the Crazy Charlie style flies. Sizes should be mostly 6’s with some 4/s. You’ll find that the bonefish are usually not very selective since the fishing pressure is so light. Most flies should be darker patterns – tan and brown but you also need some very light or white patterns for white sand flats.
Permit flies
Bring 6-12 flies for permit; mostly crab patterns in sizes 1/0 down to #4. The smaller permit crabs are also ideal for big bonefish. Some of the most effective crab patterns here are the Enrico Puglisi Palometa crabs in Tan and Beige (1/0 and 2) and the Anderson McCrab in size 2. There are many good crab patterns though, so bring several patterns. Mantis Shrimp patterns are also quite good, especially when you encounter schools of “floaters”. These should be tied in size 2-4, and light colors mostly white, light tan and olive.
Tarpon flies
For larger tarpon in the big channels close to Gerona, the Enrico Puglisi Black and Puple Peanutbuttrer in size 3/0 is unbeatable. Often this water is slightly discolored with visibility that is only 4-6 feet. Larger, darker patterns are deadly. Brown or Brown and Orange Enricos have also been very good, again in 3/0. You’ll want some of these same patterns in 2/0 for smaller tarpon out on the flats. Feather Keys style patterns are very good on the flats for baby tarpon in size 2/0. The best patterns are the Orange/Yellow/Grizzly, Brown Cockroach, Black Death and a White/Grizzly Cockroach Deceiver. If you are tying your own, tie all these tarpon flies on the Gamakatsu SC-15 hooks, in either 2/0 or 3/0.
Snook flies
Some of the 2/0 tarpon flies above will also double as good flies for snook but the best are the Enrico Puglisi patterns like the Mullet streamer, mangrove baitfish, baby mutton snapper, all in 2/0. For big snook in slightly discoloured water you’ll find at times near the channels, a 3/0 Black and Purple tarpon fly is hard to beat. For really big snook, between 30 and 40 inches, a 3/0 size fly is a better choice. Have a few heavy lead eye flies like Clouser/Deceivers in both white and yellow/olive. Sizes for these should be 1/0 or 2/0.
Flies for Other Species
In the IDJ there is terrific fishing for a variety of other flats fish like Mutton Snappers, Jack Crevalle, Barracuda and small sharks. Here are the flies you’ll need. Muttons –tarpon flies and snook flies in size 2/0 and 3/0 will work well. Best colors seem to be Brown/Orange, Mullet (green/black gray back and white underside) and Tan/brown on top and white underside) Jack Crevalle – larger tarpon flies are best, but any big crab pattern will work great too. You often are fishing for other fish and don’t have time to switch, but if you can put on a brown or black/purple Enrico in 3/0. The key is to cast close to these fast moving fish and strip the fly as fast as you can. Cudas – the best patterns are tied with mylar flashabou tubing, with a green thread head to look like a needlefish. These should be 2/0 and tied 8 inches long with a stinger hook. Sharks – poppers are deadly for any sharks you’ll find on the flats. The new Enrico Puglisi Flex Popper is perfect in size 2/0. Best colors are Chartreuse and Red/White.
Clothing : Light weight quick drying ultra violet proof non cotton long and short sleeved shirts. Shorts and long trousers, alternatively trousers with zip off legs. All clothing should be in light natural colors. Peaked cap with protection flap for ears and neck. Polaroid sunglasses with amber and yellow lenses. 12 to 30# strength waterproof sun cream. Insect repellant.
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