6 replies to this topic

[Perry Poke]

I'm heading to Florida to the Sanibel area and planning to fly fish from a yak and some wading/beach area. Will be fishing for anything. I'm taking two 10wgts, one loaded with a clear tarpon line, the other has a floating line and also a 8wgt with floating line........ What type of leader system would anyone recomend for the clear tarpon and what would you recomend for the bite tippet? I will be throwing any size fly from 8-1 including EP's and Clousers and shrimp patterns... Some people are saying 30# Maxima for bite on a loop knot... What are some thoughts on this.. Thanks for any info to a trout steedhead guy..

Perry Poke

[Chefben4]

I go on fishing trips to the sanibel area at least few times every winter/spring. Headng down in March/April I believe and for sure again memorial day. weekend? When are you heading down there? Last year we were down memorial day Tarpon fishing memorial day weekend and the Tarpon hadn't made it to the area yet, or at least good. So we ended up shooting north to Boca Grande in the boat.

Sorry I cant help with your question. I can tell you I was just in the keys and the guide used 30-50# fluoro for leaders. Worked great, even with the teethy spanish macks. That not saying that a few arent swimming around with my flys in their mouth but for the most part it was fine.

[Flyman2010]

Maybe Norm could help you out.


Mr. Norm Zeigler
Fly Shop
Norm Zeigler Fly Shop

2242 Periwinkle Way Unit 1
Sanibel Island‎ FL‎ 33957
United States of America
(239) 472-6868

[Perry Poke]

1328211273[/url]' post='492506']
I go on fishing trips to the sanibel area at least few times every winter/spring. Headng down in March/April I believe and for sure again memorial day. weekend? When are you heading down there? Last year we were down memorial day Tarpon fishing memorial day weekend and the Tarpon hadn't made it to the area yet, or at least good. So we ended up shooting north to Boca Grande in the boat.

Sorry I cant help with your question. I can tell you I was just in the keys and the guide used 30-50# fluoro for leaders. Worked great, even with the teethy spanish macks. That not saying that a few arent swimming around with my flys in their mouth but for the most part it was fine.

Thanks for the reply. Every tip counts, I'll be in Sanibel in two weeks, I know that's early even though it's been warm for Jan. Also, yes, Norm Zigler would be the right guy to ask.... I hope to get back in some of those warmer back waters with the yak... Thanks again

[Peterjay]

If you think you'll be dealing with heavy fish, you'd be well advised to make sure your leader strength is well below your backing strength. If you're using 50# backing and a 50# leader, you risk losing your line or even breaking your rod. If you put too much pressure on a fish, something's gonna give, and there's no way to tell what it'll be if all things are equal. If you've never fished the salt, bear in mind that just about any saltwater gamefish is stronger than a trout or even a steelhead of equal size. I use a two-stage leader for almost everything, including small tuna. My typical setup consists of a 40# or 25# butt section with double surgeons' loops, and a 20# or 15# fluorocarbon tippet connected to the butt with a Bimini and to the fly with a no-slip mono loop. Bite tippets depend on species, but just about anything with serious teeth will chew through 30# mono with ease. I don't know what to expect in the area you'll be fishing, but throwing a few wire bite guards in your bag might not be a bad idea.

[Perry Poke]

1328224265[/url]' post='492531']
If you think you'll be dealing with heavy fish, you'd be well advised to make sure your leader strength is well below your backing strength. If you're using 50# backing and a 50# leader, you risk losing your line or even breaking your rod. If you put too much pressure on a fish, something's gonna give, and there's no way to tell what it'll be if all things are equal. If you've never fished the salt, bear in mind that just about any saltwater gamefish is stronger than a trout or even a steelhead of equal size. I use a two-stage leader for almost everything, including small tuna. My typical setup consists of a 40# or 25# butt section with double surgeons' loops, and a 20# or 15# fluorocarbon tippet connected to the butt with a Bimini and to the fly with a no-slip mono loop. Bite tippets depend on species, but just about anything with serious teeth will chew through 30# mono with ease. I don't know what to expect in the area you'll be fishing, but throwing a few wire bite guards in your bag might not be a bad idea.

Great advise... I wonder what to expect to catch in the Ding Darling area....

[Chefben4]

Its probably to too early for the tarpon, but you never know! Got an email from a capt I have used a few times who fishes that neck of the woods. Says the fish are running all over the flats right now. Especially since the temp at 8pm last night was 75 degrees! Good luck down there! Make sure to post some pics!