Hi I'm after some much needed advice please. I booked a holiday to Cayo Guillermo for next May the other day. Unbeknown to me but after doing some research online it turns out the fishing is pretty damn awesome here so I will be taking my stuff but I need to know what to take. As I've got a year almost to prepare I should be able to get sorted.

Will my fly rods be capable I have a 10ft 5/6, a 9ft 5/6 a 9ft 6 6/7 and a 10ft 7/8. Obviously if there no good I will look to get something that is.

Will I need wire traces for leaders and if so what breaking strains.

Also what fly patterns and where's best to get them from ?

Thanks

Lee

lee, you will need a minimum of #8 for tropical salt water - and reels with a GOOD drag. You simply cannot compare UK freshwater with tropical saltwater. You might scoff, but a 3lb bonefish will strip 100 yards of line off in one run against 6lbs of drag and still fight hard for more runs....until you hook a tropical saltwater fish you cannot begin to imagine the power and speed.....a 3lb bone (which is a small one) will fight harder than a 10lb spring salmon in fast water. No kidding.

Saltwater gear IS expensive (anything buit to last anyway) and for good reason, cheaper stuff just disintegrates. Look for some good quality second hand gear. I got a Billy Pate bonefish reel and spare spool last year for £150, it will live to be an heirloom and when I hook that fish of a lifetime, I know the drag will withstand the runs and the frame won't twist.

You are soending a lot of money going ot Cuba, don't ruin your trip by going with inadequate gear. In 3 weeks, when he is back from taking his guided trips out to Cuba and Cape Cod, get in touch with Oz at uksaltwaterflies.com and he will give you the proper advice for exactly where you are going. he can equip you too, not just with a rod and reel, but also with decent lines, leaders and the widest selection of proper flies in the UK.

Go with the right gear and you will really enjoy yourself. Go with gearthat is not up to the job and you will be annoyed and probably end up with trashed gear - those salt fish take no prisoners, so you would ruin your holiday and your current gear.

Yes I agree entirely with what's been said here. I've had bones out there from 3lb-8lb and they fight like nothing you'll ever experience here. Get all your gear and preparation right and you should have a great holiday. I'm going back to cuba in july and I've upgraded all my gear again.

One thing I would add is some suitable clothing and good quality mossy repellent. Trust me you'll need it.

Burhan

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I could fish deep into the night
Well past the light
But at the end of the day
It's the end of the day

Burhan

mc_death187@yahoo.com

Hi thanks for the replies. What rods and reels are recommended ? I can't justify spending 100's on new gear so will look to buy second hand. We booked the holiday as it was cheap it's only when I did a bit of research that I realised the fishing was so good. I mainly do coarse match type fishing but fly fish through the winter.

I see Shakespeare do a couple of saltwater rods which you can get reasonably priced would these be any good ?

I have an Airflo C8 reel would that be up to the job and are pp's lines ok for saltwater ?

Thanks

Lee

Your problem is not uncommon! Plenty of gear but not the right stuff. If cash is tight (and I don't know anyone who has any to spare!), then you might do well to have a good think about what you actually hope to catch. Everyone, me included raves about bonefish, and with good reason. However, there ARE other fish in the sea. Such as Tarpon, Jacks and Barracuda. Assuming you can only really justify buying one set of kit, you might consider going for a nine weight. Sure, it's a bit heavy for bones, and a bit light for large Tarpon, but I used a 9wt Powell Tiboron (quite old now!) together with a Redington AL 9/10 for a whole day in JDR last November. Result? Several bones to 5lb, three baby Tarpon between 6 and 15lbs, several snappers to a couple of pounds, and a Jack Crevalle of about 10lbs. I also took abuse from the guide concerning my ability to spook (and therefore fail to catch any) a nice shoal of Permit, these being the main reason for the 9wt. Now, that day's catch may impress some, and seem poor to others, but my point is that you CAN manage with a small budget outfit if you think about it, and choose carefully. Concerning PP's lines, I can't comment, except to say that an inadequate line will possibly bring more grief than an inadequate "anything else". Incidentally, whilst much is said (quite rightly) about the benefits of a good drag on a reel, it is actually possible to manage without, by palming the spool. I tend to have my drag, even on the Tibors, which have train-stopping drags, set fairly light, and brake the spool with my (gloved) hand; just make sure you keep you knuckles well clear of the handles when the fun begins. If you are going to wade, get some decent foot-wear. You will also need polarising sun-glasses and protective clothing; If you search back through posts on this forum, you will find pretty well everything you need to know.

I'm also getting ready for my first trip to the Bahamas but have done several trips to the Florida Keys and Long Island NY so I'm not a total stranger to SW fly fishing. All the advice I have been given and have read boils down to this...

1. Today most rods are very good indeed so spend more money on a quality reel instead that will last a lifetime. For the reel, it's not the ultimate breaking power which is so important but how smooth and consistent the drag is. As a rough guide you should be spending anything over £200. For rods, I use Sage Xi3's but I also suggest you check out the Temple Fork Outfitter rods (no affiliation). I just bought their 10wt as a back-up but have yet to cast it. BTW, I believe you can now rent rods which may be a viable option. Also, if you hire a guide (which you should) they will have all the gear you need except sunglasses (see below).

2. I know it sounds a bit strange but perhaps your most important piece of gear are your sunglasses. They really make all the difference. I use Smith Optics with polarized glass 'ignitor' lenses but have tired Costa 580 glass ones and they are really worth the (huge) money.

Have a great trip!!

Cheers for that, I guess there's plenty of research to do thankfully I've got a lot of time. I wouldn't be going to target one particular type of fish just anything that swims ! Like I say the fishing is an added bonus to the holiday not the reason I'm going. I don't know how long the Mrs will allow me to play in the sea anyway !
With regards to the rods what should I be looking for other than a saltwater proof reel seat ? And I guess the drag is important for the reel. I've seen Greys do some saltwater safe rods for about £100.

With regards to clothing I was thinking for wading in the sea a shorty wetsuit would be good or is this not practical ?

Thanks

Lee

Take a look at the Airflo Bluetooth Nano. Unlike the Greys it's been designed and built for saltwater use, as opposed to some dubious looking, alledgedly saltwater safe, reel seats and small rings. A very good rod for the money and very capable of throwing bulky and heavy flies in less than favourable conditions.

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In 30 degrees a wet suit will melt you.

You really want light weight purpose designed nylon shirts and trousers. They keep the sun off and dry quickly. Columbia stuff is cheaper than most and perfectly decent.

If you suffer at ALL from sunburn (ie you dont have swarthy looks) then you really need long sleeves and long trousers (or the ones with zips at the knees). And factor 50.

Im pale - so I keep every inch of skin covered except for the ends of my fingers. That means socks/gloves/buff and shades + big hat in addition to the above. I've seen too many peple ruin an expensive trip through getting badly burned.

I use windsurfing type boots for Cuban wading. They work for me.

Hope this helps.

Hi what is the Sonik gear like ? I can get a rod and reel for about £200.

I've also seen some Orvis Battenkill reels are these any good for saltwater ?

Thanks

Lee