2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

RICHY

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Joined
Jun 29, 2002
Messages
15
My new years resolution is to learn how to fly fish. But i have no idea what to start with. I don't want to buy a cheap rod and then have to go up to a better one.What is a good combo. What line should i use . Where can i get the best info on this method of fishing. i'M planning to fish inshore for snook and tarpon. :eek:
 

neumanns

Lieutenant Commander
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Mar 1, 2003
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1,926
Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

I would recomend you purchase a cheap 8/9 weight flyrod, and match it with 8/9 floating weight forward shooting head line. Then go out and practice practice practice. The differances between a good rod and a cheap one will not be evident to you untill after you have learned several casts proficiently. Once you can perform decent with this rod you will know what to look for in a higher grade rod. This will allow you the knowledge to understand what you want in a better rod, and may save you buying several $400+ "better ones" to get the one you like.
 

Fly Rod

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Oct 31, 2002
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Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

A nice #10 weight 2 piece rod in what ever brand that you may like. Cortland makes a good inexspensive reel #140d for about $100.00 And a nice intermediate clear line {what ever brand}<br />In deep water I use an Orvis depth charge sinking line. Get a rod that has a life time warranty.<br />With an itermediate line you could use that also like a floating line.<br />I use a #10 Sage rplx which I like very much.Try this for suggestions www.hookhack.com<br />I know that you have some good size tarpon down there.<br />How big do your snook get???<br />Also it would be best if you had a fly shop where you could try out rods. There are stiff rods tips to soft tips.
 

RICHY

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Jun 29, 2002
Messages
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Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

If any of you guys have a bass pro or cabelas catalog, take a look at it and recomend me a combo from there if there is no problem.<br />the snook here in pr are all sizes. i have caught 12lb. max because i'm new to this species. but i have seen a 51 lbs a year ago and 25 ponders are caught almost every week where i fish.you are invited if you ever come to pr.
 

Fly Rod

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Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

If you are sayig that 20-25lb snook are comon and I know that tarpon down there can go over 100lbs. you do need a #10 weight. Picking a fly rod for some one isn't that easy. It depends on the individual. There is med action,[inbetween soft and stiff]; fast action [which is stiff action]<br />What are you looking to spend??? Like I said earlier the reel will cost you for a Cortland 140d about $100.00 an extra spool will cost ya about $30- $40 bucks. That reel will hold about 200 yards of 20-30lb backing. An intermediate line will cost about $50-$70 bucks and about the same for a sinking line.<br />You can try this web site www.kitterytradingpost.com They have a good selection of rods.<br />I'm away until Saturday I may be able to help you then. Or maybe someone else in this forum may be able to help!!!!
 

PAkev

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Sep 9, 2002
Messages
665
Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

My recommendation goes slightly against the grain of some other posters: <br /><br />Although catching larger species such as snook and tarpon on fly tackle is addictively challenging, you first may wish to consider a weekend workshop or a one on one guided trip for smaller species such as trout or smallmouth bass (or something similar in your area). A sure way to develop a bad experience right out of the gate is to have your fingers caught in tangled line as one of those big fish take their first run. Have you ever tried tying your shoes without using your thumb or index finger? It won't be much fun when you have to rely on someone else to tie on all your flies and make all your knots.<br /><br />Most guides are more than willing to endorse the sport that supports them by enabling beginner clients to use some of their good quality outfits to learn with. The guide will also be one of your best resources to provide good recommendations for an appropriate outfit of your specific fly fishing interest. <br /><br />Although there are some very good entry level outfits available, an investment in the best quality rig you can afford may help maintain your enjoyment and commitment to learning. Anyone who ever tried learning to play music on a cheap instrument knows how frustrating an experience it can be. You work harder to produce the sound and regardless of how well you hit the correct notes, the music does not sound as you may intend. Likewise, cheap fishing equipment makes you work harder and is less forgiving, therefore compromising enjoyment of the sport.<br /><br />my .02 worth<br />Kevin
 

Fly Rod

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Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

Did you go to the Hook Hack web site??<br />If you did up in the right hand corner there is a box, fly fishing tips click on that and read it. And just because it talks about a #5weight just don't run out and buy one. get yourself a little bit of knowledge.<br /><br />Also you can click on www.sageflyfish.com and they also have some tips on what you may want. Read about the rpxl . They have a medeium and a fast action selection.<br />Do you live in the San Jaun area?? <br />I heard that they have some excellent Tarpon fishing. How good is it???<br />I was on Veagas Island for 6 months with the marine corp. Never did have a chance to do any fishing.
 

RICHY

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Joined
Jun 29, 2002
Messages
15
Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

The island is calles vieques. yes i did go to the sight and found it interesting.i think i might go for a #5. We do have a lot of good fishing here in pr.go to puertoricotarpon.com<br /> http://www.rainforestsafari.com/Fishing.html so you can see what have been missing.
 

Fly Rod

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Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

Maybe I misunderstood you.<br />Are you going snook and tarpon fishing?? If so a #5weight rod will not do<br /><br />Or are you going mostly for fresh water fish like largemouth bass and crapie?? Then the #5 weight would be good.
 

RICHY

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Joined
Jun 29, 2002
Messages
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Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

I WANT TO TARGET 3LBS TO 5LBS TILAPIA. WHERE I FISH I GO FOR SNOOK AND TARPON. BUT I AM SEEING THESE TILAPIAS AND I WANT TO TARGET THEM. IF A SNOOK OR TARPONWANT A BITE MAYBE I'LL LOSE THE ROD OR THE FLY BUT THAT'S O.K.<br />DO YOU THINK A #5 IS O.K???
 

Fly Rod

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Oct 31, 2002
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Re: 2004 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION... FLY FISHING.... NEED HELP!!

Now that we know what you are targeting.<br />You stated in your 1st post targeting snook &tarpon.<br />A good rod for what you are targeting 3-5lb fish would be a 5-6 weight rod.That would be considered light weight and give ya a good feel of the fish when fighting.<br />For my own use I have an #8 weight for fishing them 3-12lb+ fish.<br />Good luck with your fly fishing!!!!
 
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