Bonefish line AND reel ideas needed...

[kevin2]

I originally got into fly fishing because I wanted to go hunting for bone fish on some great island flats. I've spent the last 10 years fly fishing for trout here in Northern Michigan for the most part. But a recent broken fly rod got me back on the track to getting to those bonefish again.

So, I've got 6 and 8 weight rods that should cover me for the bonefish, but don't think my Harris Solitude reel is Saltwater ready. So, I'm looking for a reel that is saltwater rated, and isn't to awful heavy on the pocket or hand! I also need some idea about 2 good lines that would get me going while down in florida. I'll be in the Keys, and I'll also be in Venice.

Can't wait to be on the flats!

Kevin

[Tarpon41]

I originally got into fly fishing because I wanted to go hunting for bone fish on some great island flats. I've spent the last 10 years fly fishing for trout here in Northern Michigan for the most part. But a recent broken fly rod got me back on the track to getting to those bonefish again.

So, I've got 6 and 8 weight rods that should cover me for the bonefish, but don't think my Harris Solitude reel is Saltwater ready. So, I'm looking for a reel that is saltwater rated, and isn't to awful heavy on the pocket or hand! I also need some idea about 2 good lines that would get me going while down in florida. I'll be in the Keys, and I'll also be in Venice.

Can't wait to be on the flats!

Kevin

Kevin:

Reels I,m partial to USA machined...i do not fly fish orient...that said. new machined usa reels low end Teton...check ebay for used higher end models or check for obsolete models e.g. Ross Big Game...make sure you get the largest spool diameter you can handle...because you want to retrieve line quickly when they reverse direction even if your in a boat and traditional salts used to say switch hands you can crank faster with your right hand than your left...with a large spool diameter at least 3.75 or larger you can offset the slower crank sped of your left when compared to your right...my tarpon guide in KW does it that way casts right reels left...his other reason is why pressure the fish with your weaker arm...

Line: In the tropical salt flats particularly Keys and islands...get the stiffest core...and floating.
I use RIO' tropical bonefish/permit; Cortland's 444 Tropic plus and have just put on Airflo's new Ridge tropical 9 wt to try out.

Rod: In keys 8 is just ok for under 10 kts wind but a 6 is a dead calm rod unless you can cast like joan wulf, lefty kreh, etc. The best school in the keys is sandy moret's in islamorada. before you buy another rod for bonefish in the tropics try various weights 8, 9, 10 in wind.... for every day on the flats under 10 kts of wind there are 20 days above 10.

The bottom line in wind... get the fly in front of the fish whether it is done with an 8, 9, 10 or even an 11 is immaterial....when the wind is there a 10 or 11 plop does not spook when there's no wind a 9 or 10 with a 12 foot leader will not spook more often than not...if no wind then use 6 or 8.

But try in the conditions you fish before you buy another rod. Reel you can buy...for bonefish the drag need only perform at 1.5-2 lb sustained any more use your hand on the line or palm spool need two hundred yds backing high up in/on the spool so you get more retrieve per crank

[kevin2]

Thanks for the tips Tarpon41.

Would over lining the 8wt rod with 9wt line give me any edge on the wind?

Where is a good place to buy flies on line? If you have any fly recommendations, that would be great too! I need to find another fisherman in the area I'm heading to, that would really make it a breeze.

Thanks, Kevin