Gear Up for Your Fishing Adventure
Essential Equipment List
fly fishing
Rods
The ideal rod is an 8 wt. This will effectively handle most conditions and have the power to cast into a stiff breeze if need be. A 7 wt is a little light and tends to stress the fish. An excellent first or second rod is a 9 wt.
Reels
Reels should be saltwater reels that can hold a full fly line and 200 yards of 20lb backing. Reels with a high quality and smooth drags are essential. We recommend that you bring an extra line, rod and reel.
Fly Lines
A weight-forward floating saltwater bone line is ideal. Trout lines get way too limp in the warm salt water and will not cast properly. Carry at least one extra line – just in case!
Leader and Tippet
A tapered 8-9 foot leader is recommended with 10 and 12 lb tippets.
Flies
Matching the fly’s overall color to that of the bottom is important. For a week’s fishing consider taking 3-5 dozen of the flies listed below. Most should be #4 and #6 with some #8 for really spooky fish. Include eyeless, bead eyes and some lead eyes. You will need flies that are un-weighted, slightly weighted and a few heavy. We recommend that you pinch down the barbs on your flies.
Recommended colors include pink, brown (different shades), and white. Must have flies include: Clouser, Gotcha, Crazy Charlies, Puffs, Bunny Bones, and Shrimp.
Permit
You will see a Permit occasionally unless you are focusing on them. Ideally a 9 or 10 wt fly rod and crab-imitation fly patters in sizes #2 to 1-0, the McCrab fly, Merkin crab, and the Raghead crab are all proven producers.
CONVENTIONAL TACKLE
Rods
Rods should be 7-9 foot medium action spinning rods suited for 10 – 12 pound test main line.
Reels
Reels should be able to hold at least 200 yards of 10 or 12 pound test limp monofilament line. A smooth drag is essential.
Lures and Jigs
Popular jigs include 1/8 oz bucktail Gaines Phillips Wiggle Jigs in pink and tan, Spin Charlies in pink, white, brown and white/brown. Saltwater lead head 1/8 oz jigs attached to 2 inch or smaller soft plastic mister twister type grubs also work. Grub colors should include: white, pink, smoke, hot pink, brown and tan.
GENERAL TRIP GEAR
- Good pair of polarized sunglasses
- Long billed hat with a dark underside
- Lightweight rain gear
- Waterproof bag to put your extra gear in
- Fanny pack for gear and drinking water for wading the flats
- Wading boots
- Insect repellent** (Acklins has a healthy supply of very tiny sandflies. They are more common after rainfall – ask us for further recommendations but a good repellent is necessary)
- Sun block
- Extra hat and sunglasses
- Basic fishing tools and gear