Flats fishing outfit

[Fascist Killer]

Hey guys- So I've been doing my homework here, and trying to figure out what's the best all around set up for flats fishing. It seems that for the NE the sort of go-to all-around falts fishing rod would be a 9 or 10 wt 9 footer, but for the caribbean it would be an 8wt. Any thoughts? What would be the drawbacks to using a 7'6" 8 wt. rod? any insight here would be helpful. bones and permit are on the horizon.

[alanb_ct]

I've never done it, but it seems like the short 8 weight might limit your casting, presentation and fighting big fish abilities. Unfortunately, I don't have the right rod to let you borrow.

[AaronJasper]

I will be a good friend and let you use my 9.5' 7 weight

[Troutbum from Griswold]

Rego,
My favorite rod for the flats is my 9.5 ft 7wt. Actually, my 7wt is my favorite salwater rod all around. It can handle big fish as well as the small ones. With saying that, let me get a little more in depth. My 7 wt is used from no wind to a moderate wind. The 8wt gets used from a moderate wind to a moderate heavy. When the wind is moderate heavy to heavy, the 9 and 10 wts get used. The lighter rods are better for flats fishing because of the line wt. Lighter line, less splash and spooking of the fish. But you also want to match your tackle with the species of course. The other thing that makes it nice to fish light rods on the flats is that you don't have to worry about the fish running for reefs, rocks, etc. You would want a heavier rod to be able to pull them out and or detour them if need be. You do however have to make sure you have got a good drag and enough backing. When I go to the bahamas this month, the 7 and 8wt are for bones, 9 wt for permit, and 10 for the tarpon. Around here in New England, I use my 7 wt on the flats almost exclusively but I do switch off with the 8wt when the wind is pushing a little to hard for me to work the 7wt like I want to as I mentioned above. And remember, when the wind is up and whipping, forget the site fishing. A lot of chop makes it very difficult to impossible to site fish unless you see swirls or see and hear splashs. So, you can use the 9 and 10 on the flats but you basically blind casting at that point. The salt and wind go hand in hand. It's wonderful when there is no wind but those days are few and far between so take advantage of them. But, just be prepared and rigged up for the conditions to maximize your fishing. When people ask me what to get for the salt it's hard to tell them to get just one rod. But if I had to, I tell them to go with the 7 or 8 and a 9 or a 10. This way, with any of those combos you have a lot of your fishing needs covered.

Hopes this helps man. THE SALT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!1111 ;D ;D ;D

[Fascist Killer]

Thank you Aaron!

Thank you Opie. That helps a lot. Now if I get into a permit on a 7 wt, am I gonna blow the rod up? Is it gonna melt all the line off my spool? I'm like 80% sure I'm headed to Southern Belize in April/May, which is the best part of Belize for permit. They are in big numbers starting in May. How much backing do I need?

Thanks again guys.

[Troutbum from Griswold]

I just wouldn't sight fish to a permit with a 7wt unless it was real small but even then I probably wouldn't do it. I would have a 9 or 10 rigged up for permit and the 7 for bones. That's how you have to roll in the tropics. Rods rigged up and ready to throw down with whats in your sites. No time for constant re-rigging and changing flies. I would have 200-250 yards of backing for permit. That's what I am at. But, I also rig up with enough backing for the salt around here so I am good with backing but that's what I would rig up with if I was you.

[AaronJasper]

Are you going with a guide? If you don't have a guide and a boat the permit are not really feasable. Catch bonefish. I have a client who goes there for two weeks a year for about fifteen years and has only landed about 30 permit on the fly. You need a boat to follow them into deeper water. He said its almost too easy to get them on bait though. So if you are having a rough day don't be too proud to throw a crab at them!

[Fascist Killer]

Oh I fully intend to get out the spinning equipment. Guess I'll mostly be hunting bones, but thought about one day with a guide after permit. I know they're next to impossible to catch, but would love to give it a shot.

[AaronJasper]

Good... get a guide and try for a while with the fly rod. However, don't be stubborn. If its not working out throw a crab at them just to get one.

[Fascist Killer]

What I'm really psyched about is spearfishing. I haven't been in years. Now that's fun! No way around it.