TACKLE NEEDS Fly/plug options are many. This is an attempt to keep it as simple as possible and still cover the basic needs. Ideally, for both fly and spin fishing, you would have three sets of equipment rigged and ready to cast in the boat so you re prepared for the variety of opportunities that can arise: light (bonefish), medium (snook, jacks, permit), and heavy (tarpon or trolling).

Spin Equipment (Penn model reels are only listed as an example and the model numbers may be outdated – many manufacturers make similar models that accomplish what’s needed) Light: Penn 4300SS reel with 8# line and matching rod Medium: Penn 4400SS reel with 12# line and matching rod Heavy: Penn 7500SS reel with 16-20# line and matching rod Lures: Many of the traditional plugs, lures, and poppers will be effective. However, the five lures below are the BEST selection we have found to take advantage of the fishing situations. These five could be considered a “must bring.” 1/8 ou. pink wiggle jig Mirro-lure model #65M11 Red head/ white body Lime green tube lures for ‘Cuda Bass Assassin model #SA10343 (5 inch) Crystal Shad plastic worm Yo-Zuri model #F6-C5 Redhead floating Crystal Minnow. Hooks for Bass Assassin Crystal Shad would be the 4/0 Owner model #5137-141 or Gamakatsu model #74414 25 yards of 40# and either 80 or 100# mono for medium and heavy shock tippets 6 to 12 inch coated wire leaders with snap and swivel (50#) Ordering info: Wiggle jigs - Gaines company at 814-435-2332 Bass Assassin - www.bassassassin.com Mirro-lure - www.mirrolure.com Yo-Zuri - www.yo-zuri.com Tube lures – Hook Up Lures www. hookuplures.com/hook_lures_offshore_fishing_rigs.htm

Fly Equipment Light: 8 wt. rod/line Medium: 9/10 wt. rod/line Heavy: 11/12 wt. rod/line Fly lines: floating plus a Teeney 450 or similar sink tip line is necessary for fishing for big tarpon in channels Leaders: 8 - 10# tippets for bonefish 12 - 15# tippets for permit 100# shock tippet on standard tarpon leader with 20# class tippet. 10 yards of 40# for medium shock tippets is good for snook, jacks, etc. #6 & #8 tan Crazy Charlies (both with eyes and without eyes for shallow flats). Bonefish Bitters in size 8 – colors: olive, amber, and hermit crab. #4 Merkin Crab and #4 Raghead Crab fly – get special ties with light eyes (see below). Most standard tarpon flies are effective - some favorites are the orange/grizzly hackle fly, black/red fly, red/white Whistler, and the old standard, the cockroach. 2/0 Blue/white and Green/white deceiver is a favorite "all-purpose" fly for jacks, snook, and many species. Swimming/diving flies (like the Dahlberg style “Swimming Baitfish”) and poppers can also be effective around shallow mangrove edges for snook. Barracuda flies with standard pre-tied wire leaders. For late evening tarpon fishing, dark colored flies with large eyes tied on a 4/0 hook are best. Fish First Fly Shop in the San Francisco Bay Area has the specially tied crab patterns as well as much of the other equipment listed – 510-526-1937

Some of the salt water dealers like Boaters World (boatersworld.com) or Bass Masters may have several of these lures available on one web site. Make sure you get the exact model, color, and size specified.