Fly Tackle and Spin Tackle

Fly Fishing Tackle

My standard answer to the "what should I bring?" question is a nine foot, eight-weight rod with a floating, weight forward line. I usually recommend over-lining the rod by one line size. It helps load the rod faster and speeds up fly delivery. The SA Bonefish Taper and other tropical lines are not recommended.

Can you use a bigger or smaller rod? Absolutely. If you are a good caster (and you know who you are) then a lighter rod is a good idea.

Normally, in my boat I keep two nine foot seven-weights. All my reels are right hand retrieve.

I make my own leaders, simple, two piece affairs of just a butt and a tippet. Tippets are either 12 pound or 15 pound Seaguar fluorocarbon.

I make almost all of my own flies. Lagoon flies range from #4 to about 1/0, some unweighted, some lightly weighted, some moderately weighted. Some flies must have weedguards. Carrying a few poppers (#2, 1) is always in good taste. See the FAQ page for a list of effective flies.

For tarpon fishing you need a twelve-weight outfit. Either an intermediate or sink-tip line will work. Of course I have the necessary tackle, and I still over-line the rods, for the same reason. My leaders have 20 pound class tippets and 60 pound fluorocarbon bite tippets. I make almost all of my own flies, mostly on 3/0 Gamakatsu SC-15 hooks.

Spin Fishing and Plug Tackle

I use Shimano spinning reels, Stradics and Spheros', 3000 series. The reels are spooled up with braided line, either Power Pro or Stren Super Braid, from 10 to 20 pound test. Leaders are fluorocarbon.

Most of my rods are seven feet long, a mix of Shimano, Cape Fear, and custom rods.

I use a rather small selection of lures. Four and five inch jerk baits from various manufacturers are tremendously versatile and practically weedless. The RipTide Weedless jig with their shrimp tail is another tremendous, and weedless, bait. The DOA Standard 3" Shrimp, and the DOA Shallow Running Bait Buster, are two more very effective, highly useful lures. Finally, I always carry several 1/4 ounce Johnson Minnows in gold and silver.

All these lures use single hooks. I'm not a fan of gang hooks for a number of reasons, and although I'll usually have a popping plug or two I seldom use lures with gang hooks.

For tarpon fishing I use Stradic 6000's matched to appropriate rods. The jerk baits and DOA Lures (4" shrimp instead) get the job done. Storm swim baits are proving their worth.

I do not supply plugging tackle. If you want to use it you will have to bring your own.

Mike and Maxx with a fine redfish from the Indian River Lagoon.

All photos and text copyright © John A. Kumiski 2005. It is illegal to reproduce or distribute anything on this website in any manner or medium without written permission from its author, John A. Kumiski, 284 Clearview Road, Chuluota, FL 32766; 407.977.5207; spottedtail@spottedtail.com.


	Fly Fishing Tackle My standard answer to the "what should I bring?" question is a nine foot, eight-weight rod with a floating, weight forward line. I usually recommend over-lining the rod by one line size. It helps load the rod faster and speeds up fly delivery. The SA Bonefish Taper and other tropical lines are not recommended. Can you use a bigger or smaller rod? Absolutely. If you are a good caster (and you know who you are) then a lighter rod is a good idea. Normally, in my boat I keep two nine foot seven-weights. All my reels are right hand retrieve. I make my own leaders, simple, two piece affairs of just a butt and a tippet. Tippets are either 12 pound or 15 pound Seaguar fluorocarbon. I make almost all of my own flies. Lagoon flies range from #4 to about 1/0, some unweighted, some lightly weighted, some moderately weighted. Some flies must have weedguards. Carrying a few poppers (#2, 1) is always in good taste. See the FAQ page for a list of effective flies. For tarpon fishing you need a twelve-weight outfit. Either an intermediate or sink-tip line will work. Of course I have the necessary tackle, and I still over-line the rods, for the same reason. My leaders have 20 pound class tippets and 60 pound fluorocarbon bite tippets. I make almost all of my own flies, mostly on 3/0 Gamakatsu SC-15 hooks. Spin Fishing and Plug Tackle I use Shimano spinning reels, Stradics and Spheros', 3000 series. The reels are spooled up with braided line, either Power Pro or Stren Super Braid, from 10 to 20 pound test. Leaders are fluorocarbon. Most of my rods are seven feet long, a mix of Shimano, Cape Fear, and custom rods. I use a rather small selection of lures. Four and five inch jerk baits from various manufacturers are tremendously versatile and practically weedless. The RipTide Weedless jig with their shrimp tail is another tremendous, and weedless, bait. The DOA Standard 3" Shrimp, and the DOA Shallow Running Bait Buster, are two more very effective, highly useful lures. Finally, I always carry several 1/4 ounce Johnson Minnows in gold and silver. All these lures use single hooks. I'm not a fan of gang hooks for a number of reasons, and although I'll usually have a popping plug or two I seldom use lures with gang hooks. For tarpon fishing I use Stradic 6000's matched to appropriate rods. The jerk baits and DOA Lures (4" shrimp instead) get the job done. Storm swim baits are proving their worth. I do not supply plugging tackle. If you want to use it you will have to bring your own. Mike and Maxx with a fine redfish from the Indian River Lagoon.		Navigation Bookmark This Page! Guided Fishing: General Fishing Information About Our Fishing Tackle Who Brings What? Fishing From the Skiff Fishing From Canoes and Kayaks Tarpon Fishing! This Week's Fishing Report Subscribe to the Fishing Report Lodging and Restaurants Photo Album Testimonials FAQ's Directions Fly Fishing Lessons About Capt. John Book a Trip! Links Books, Maps, Videos, and Special Reports: Argonaut Publishing Company Argonaut Publishing On-Line Store Flies and Fly Tying: SexyFlies! Fly of the Week And Last But Not Least: Contact Us!

	All photos and text copyright © John A. Kumiski 2005. It is illegal to reproduce or distribute anything on this website in any manner or medium without written permission from its author, John A. Kumiski, 284 Clearview Road, Chuluota, FL 32766; 407.977.5207; spottedtail@spottedtail.com.

Fly Fishing Tackle

Spin Fishing and Plug Tackle

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