|
Most of the
equiptment is just recomended. We can provide rod, reels, flies
and leaders.
Climate and
Clothes - Temperatures can range from 75E to 95E. During a norther
we
have seen temperatures drop into the 60's. This kind of weather
is not likely during our
scheduled months of fishing, but you never know. A sweat shirt and/or
light jacket are
good to have along.
Quick drying
clothing is recommended since you will be wading.
Here is the
stuff not to forget. Remember, in these remote areas the rule is
an extra of
everything. We'll cover fishing equipment later in this letter.
Proof of Citizenship
- Mexico requires a birth certificate or passport. Make a copy of
your passport and keep it in your stuff, separate
from your passport.
Sunscreen -
At least 15 SPF (A tip, keep sunscreen and other chemicals away
from your
flies, tippet, etc. - its awfully sad to learn you have been fishless
all morning because your
Chili Pepper flies smell like lotion.)
Insect Repellent
- Bring the good stuff....bugs are generally not a problem on the
water
but can be knarly inland. Skin So Soft, an Avon product, is good
but does not last,
requiring you to keep putting it on every hour or so. If you use
this product, use the oil,
not the lotion.
Camera - There
will be ample room in the boat to store your camera, but bring a
waterproof container if it is not already waterproof. Remember plenty
of film and
batteries.
Rain gear -
not likely you'll need it but good to have along
Polarized Sunglasses
- very important.....I like dark amber......some fisherpeople bring
several shades for varying light conditions. Bring an extra pair
if you've got them. Spray
glasses cleaner and a cloth are a good idea for removing salt spray.
Swimsuit and
Snorkeling Gear -
If you do not want to haul your gear around, the dive shops have
snorkeling gear for rent.
Good Wading
Shoes - Old tennis shoes work but a great wading shoe that doesn't
allow sand and rocks in is VERY nice.
Good Hat - Some
people like to supplement the bill hat with a bandanna underneath.
Bandannas are good for lots of stuff so bring one or two.
First Aid -
First aid equipment will be on each boat, but it is not a bad idea
to bring your
own kit and include your prescription medications. Common problems
include line cuts
from stripping or a running fish. These can be handled with Neosporin
or similar
antibiotic ointment and water proof tape. For those of you allergic
to insect bites, you
should keep epinephrine and/or Benadryl with you.
Montezuma's
Revenge - Some people get intestinal problems when encountering
the
varying bacilli of foreign countries. Everyone seems to have their
own remedy. Basics
include Pepto-Bismol. An herbal mixture called Montezuma's Relief
is often very helpful
(base of Sweet Annie and Quassia complex). Nutri-biotic pills (grapefruit
extract),
yogurt, and acidophilus are good preventatives. A severe case may
require
antibiotics...Cipro or a similar broad-spectrum antibiotic is most
recommended. Consult
with your doctor if want to bring along an antibiotic.
Water - Drink
and brush your teeth with bottled water.
Money - You
can change dollars to pesos at the airport in Cancun, dollars are
fine.
Dollars work in both areas but pesos are handy to avoid confusion
with the exchange rate. Bring twenty dollars in ones for tipping
airport bag boys, etc. Costa de Cocos will take dollars or pesos,
and so will the guides (tips).
Bags - Always
carry on your basic fishing equipment if possible. Your carry-on
bag
should also include some basic fishing clothes and anything else
you could not do without
for a few days.
Dangers
Stingrays -
There are rays in the area and they are generally large and therefore
easy to
see. Also, unlike Texas rays, these guys tend to not bury themselves
in the sand.
Nevertheless, stepping on a ray is no fun. Use the stingray shuffle
if your guide tells you
there are rays on the flat.
Suggested Rods,
Reels, and Lines
Bonefish - Rod
- 6 to 8 weight rod in 9 foot length
Reel - Saltwater reel which holds at least 200 yards of 20# backing
Fly Line - Weight forward floating fly line - specialty hard surface
lines are best to resist
coral abrasions or cuts
Leaders - plenty of 9 foot to 14 foot salt water leaders in the
8 lb. To 15 lb. range
(saltwater specific are best)
Tippet - tippet to match leaders (consider fluorocarbon if you plan
on fishing ocean-side
bonefish which tend to be spooky.)
Permit - Rod
- 9 to 10 weight rod in 9 foot length
Reel - Saltwater reel which holds at least 200 yards of 30# backing
Fly Line - Weight forward floating or slow sinking fly line - specialty
hard surface lines are
best to resist coral abrasions or cuts
Leaders - plenty of 9 foot to 12 foot salt water leaders in the
12 lb. To 20 lb. range
(saltwater specific are best)
Tippet - tippet to match leaders
Tarpon - Rod
- 10 to 12 weight rod in 9 foot length
Reel - Saltwater reel which holds at least 250 yards of 30# backing
Fly Line - Weight forward slow sink or floating - specialty hard
surface lines are best to
resist coral abrasions or cuts (slime lines are good)
Leaders - 9 foot 16 lb. to 20 lb. class tippet, bimini twists
Tippet - 60 to 100 lb. shock tippet.
(Several companies offer pre-tied leaders with pre-straightened
shock tippets)
Barracuda -
Rod - 8 to 10 weight rod in 9 foot length
Reel - Saltwater reel which holds at least 200 yards of 20# backing
Fly Line - Weight forward floating
Leaders - 9 foot to 12 foot salt water leaders in the 12 lb. to
20 lb range(saltwater specific
are best)
Tippet - shock tippet of nylon covered braided wire or kevlar; 20
lb. to 40 lb.
Important Bring line cleaner and clean your line every day after
fishing.
Suggested Flies for Xcalak (At the least have some of the flies
in italics)
Fish Species
Fly Sizes Colors Estimated Quantity
(bold denotes for one week of
most used size) fishing
Bonefish Bonefish Bitter 6,8 Amber 6-8 each color
Chartreuse
Bonefish Special
6 N/A 6-8
Chili Pepper
4,6 N/A 12 each size
some with lead eyes
Crazy Charlie
4,6,8 miscellaneous 3-6, each size/color
Salt Shrimp
8 Gold, Olive 4-6, each color
(weedless)
Clouser Minnow
2,4 Green/White 4-6
Mini-puff 6
Tan, Orange 4-6
Turneffe Crab
6,8 Olive, Tan 3-6, each size/color
Gotcha 4, 6
N/A 6-12, each size
(This is the number one fly day in, day out…pink nose, tan
rabbit strip wing.)
Permit McCrab
2,4 N/A 3-6 each size
(also good for large
bonefish)
Permit Crab
2,4 sand, brown, olive 3-6
Merkin (Del Brown)
Turneffe Crab
4,6 Olive, Tan 3-6 each size
(also good for large
bonefish)
Whitlock Floating
2,4 Tan/Olive/Brown 3-6 each size
Crab (weedless) (good for turtle grass)
Fleeing Crab
2,4 Tan/Sand 3-6 each size
I personally
like crab flies about the size of a quarter. Miscellaneous size
6
crab flies, like those for bonefish, also work well on small permit.
Note a few
weedless flies and flies with varying eye weights are good ideas
for permit
and bonefish.
Fish Species Fly Sizes Colors Estimated Quantity
(bold denotes for one week of
most used size) fishing
|
