Fly Rods
The choice of rod length is important. Nine or nine-and-a-half foot rods are optimum. More line can be picked up off the water with the longer rods with less surface disturbance. Also, for the vast majority of fly anglers, greater distances can be covered with less effort using the longer fly rods.
We use a 7-wt. rod strictly for Bonefish, which is lighter line. The 8-wt. rod is perfect for Bonefish and small and medium-size Bonefish and Permit. The 9-wt. for medium and large Permit and baby Tarpon, and 10-wt. for medium and large Permit, and baby and medium-size Tarpon. 11-wt or 12-wt is used mainly for large Tarpon, 60 pounds and over.
Fly Reels
Fly Lines
A weight-forward tropical, saltwater taper floating line is ideal for most of the sight fishing you will encounter. There may be a few times when an intermediate sinking line is the answer for Tarpon and Permit fishing.
Anglers should also bring along some sort of line cleaner for the lines as well, since saltwater has a way of making them sticky after a few days use.
Leaders
Tarpon – Custom Fly Leader 9’ long, 30 pound class tippet with 60, 80 and 100 pound bite tippets.
Bonefish – Tapered Leaders 10’-12’ long, –ending in 8, 10 and 12 pound tippets.
Permit – Tapered Leaders 10’-14’ feet –ending in 16 to 20 pound tippet.
