Fishing Megathread: Looking For Big Girls Who swallow

[davidg 4038]

Don’t go half way around the world and cheap out Troph.

Get the Abel, two of those less expensive rods (find an online shop that allows returns and buy one right before your trip if you think you might return it), buy two lines and two sets of backing, a ton of leader shit and a half dozen pairs of flip flops to make “flies” and you’ll be good to go.

Send pics. (And get a decent 8 weight setup for those bonefish too)

[fattyflattie 4639]

22 minutes ago, davidg said:

Don’t go half way around the world and cheap out Troph.

Get the Abel, two of those less expensive rods (find an online shop that allows returns and buy one right before your trip if you think you might return it), buy two lines and two sets of backing, a ton of leader shit and a half dozen pairs of flip flops to make “flies” and you’ll be good to go.

Send pics. (And get a decent 8 weight setup for those bonefish too)

Agree.  There’s no difference in $795 and $1350 on a 20k trip across the world.  You could almost assuredly sell it for 80% of what you paid upon your return if you wanted.  
 

*I don’t consider prices when it comes to my fishing equipment.  Just tell me what the best there is, and I’ll figure out a way to justify it. 

[troph 24851]

Help me gauge the stupidity of a novice doing this and expecting success? Seems surly level of stupid. 

[troph 24851]

5 hours ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

I have that Redington Grande. It’s a great reel for the money, but probably not a GT reel. Perfectly serviceable as a Tarpon reel, though. If your going to go half way around the world to chase a GT, don’t skimp on a reel to save a couple hundred bucks. That Ross is interesting. The Evo R Salt is the same drag that’s in the Abel STS (Ross owns Abel) I have it in a 9-10 size on my Louisiana Bull Red rod. The drag knob is a little hard to find in the heat of battle, but with practice it’s not so bad. The drag is super smooth, though. I probably need to go by living waters in RR this week to pick up a pack of #4 hooks. I’ll peep their rod racks and see what they have in stock. They carry Scott, TFO, and Echo. 

Let me know !  I need off the shelf I’m afraid.  Red’s online has a tibor gulf stream GT fly reel  in stock. Don’t like the colors but whatever. $800. 

[Pescado_Rojo 19422]

10 hours ago, troph said:

Help me gauge the stupidity of a novice doing this and expecting success? Seems surly level of stupid. 

Fuck that, go get’em. You don’t learn how to Tarpon fish by catching trout in the guad. You learn by getting on a boat and going Tarpon fishing. You miss shots, you do the wrong thing with the rod tip, you break off fish…but that’s how you learn to catch one. You’ll probably make mistakes, but you’re out there doing it which is more than most get to do. 

[Masshole Horn 775]

The rivers have been high since it rained mostly all of July and my normal spots are still blown out. So, in looking for flowing smallie water, I scoped out a place last Thursday and went to it after work yesterday with my sit on top kayak. About 200 yds downstream of launch, my drag chain got caught and I capsized (PFD was on). I righted the kayak, got it to some water where I could touch bottom, and caught my breath. Luckily I travel very light in the kayak and only lost a spinning rod and chain, but damn, that all happened very fast. Wear your pfd in moving water y'all!

I ended up catching 4 smallmouth and a northern pike.

Edited August 3, 2021 by Masshole Horn

[davidg 4038]

6 hours ago, Masshole Horn said:

 Wear your pfd in moving water y'all and tether anything you don't want lost.

Fixed that for the truth.  Sucks about the rod but something like that will wake you up in a hurry.

[troph 24851]

Can’t fish without a guide grrrr.  I may have to bail on fly fishing and go off shore fishing. 

[Pescado_Rojo 19422]

[troph 24851]

100 fucking percent. I’m super annoyed too the guide company won’t respond they are assuming I won’t spend stupid money for one day of fishing. Like hell I won’t can’t take it with me might as well blow it all. 

[mapplewhite132 309]

Anyone have thoughts on a LA bull red fly rod setup? I have an orvis 7wt and a scott 8wt, would like this next rod to be good for bull reds in Louisiana and big permit/smaller tarpon in Belize. 

Have been thinking about another scott in 10wt plus a nautilus reel.

[Pescado_Rojo 19422]

1 minute ago, mapplewhite132 said:

Anyone have thoughts on a LA bull red fly rod setup? I have an orvis 7wt and a scott 8wt, would like this next rod to be good for bull reds in Louisiana and big permit/smaller tarpon in Belize. 

Have been thinking about another scott in 10wt plus a nautilus reel.

9 or 10 will be fine. I carry both. If you've got to pick one, go 10wt since you've already got an 8. 

[Chewbacca 7780]

On 6/7/2021 at 1:31 PM, MoJames said:

3 Day Gunnison float. Many browns, some rainbows. Some rapids. Much whiskey and fun.

You go down the Black Canyon?  Might be my favorite river in the state.  I need to get over there this fall.

[Chewbacca 7780]

On 6/14/2021 at 11:26 AM, MoJames said:

 

 

 

 

You hit the hatch, you dirty bastard.  Nothing more fun than throwing a 2" foam fly to big trout and watching them crush it.

[Chewbacca 7780]

On 6/15/2021 at 1:32 PM, MoJames said:

Right, we got lucky this round. Going to make it an annual thing but I doubt we will have as much luck every time. 

I've been down there chasing that hatch 5 times.  Only once did we catch it.

[Chewbacca 7780]

On 7/9/2021 at 12:35 AM, jofus said:

Wrapping up a king salmon fishing trip. Here are a few from yesterday’s haul:

Where did you go?  I'm heading up to Sitka with the boy in 2.5 weeks.  Can't wait...

[MoJames 8244]

19 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

You hit the hatch, you dirty bastard.  Nothing more fun than throwing a 2" foam fly to big trout and watching them crush it.

Yup was good times all around.

 

Went to Williams Creek this weekend and played with size 18 caddis and had luck, but much smaller rewards. Was still fun.

[Chewbacca 7780]

11 minutes ago, MoJames said:

Yup was good times all around.

 

Went to Williams Creek this weekend and played with size 18 caddis and had luck, but much smaller rewards. Was still fun.

I took the boy out on the Fraser river a couple weekends ago and he is finally getting the hang of fly fishing.  We'll go again this weekend.  Small fish are still fun when they're coming out of a small river or creek, for sure.

[Pescado_Rojo 19422]

On 7/31/2021 at 10:03 PM, troph said:

Let me know !  I need off the shelf I’m afraid.  Red’s online has a tibor gulf stream GT fly reel  in stock. Don’t like the colors but whatever. $800. 

I think your plans have changed now, but just to follow up...nothing bigger than a 9wt at Living Waters. 

[midtown 3346]

Can a few of you fine fishing folks forward a few recos for bay and flats out of Port A in September?

[jofus 2266]

Where did you go?  I'm heading up to Sitka with the boy in 2.5 weeks.  Can't wait...

Ketchikan. We went with a private guide that takes single groups out of a lodge he owns near Clover Pass.

alaskanfishingadventures.com

[troph 24851]

5 hours ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

I think your plans have changed now, but just to follow up...nothing bigger than a 9wt at Living Waters. 

thanks!  just got the email from the guide company, trying to reduce to two days for me, if they will do a morning and afternoon so we can dive one morning then I may just do this.  fuck the haters, this bitch just may be GT fishing in Tahiti.... 

...what is game? who got game? where's the game? ... I got game, she got game, we got game, they got game, he got game.... fuck the game if it ain't saying nothing.

 

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by troph

[Brew 3049]

Flew back down last weekend to get everything packed up to take home for the start of school. Decided to actually take the week off and try to get some end of summer fishing in. Worked out perfect with awesome weather of wind, wind, rain, more rain, wind, etc for the week. It has been an interesting summer of weather in SWFL. Did manage to catch some more snook/trout in crap water, but sight fishing big fish on the beach has been a lost cause. Time to start boat shopping again. I really like walking the beaches, but I need the option of getting out.

[Mac8111 2107]

Can a few of you fine fishing folks forward a few recos for bay and flats out of Port A in September?

Josh at Tejas Guide service is really good.

[DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt 12301]

@troph probably not what you want to hear but i'd have my expectation level on the floor if i was you. 

the key to anything in life is low expectations, but especially so for a complete noob trying to cast to a GT, get an eat, and then properly fight it.

in other news, @Pescado_Rojo MX-bound in T-48 hours for 6 days on the flats. if he doesn't bring a permit to hand it's going to completely break him. y'all send the surly juju his way.

 

edited to add: @troph are you trying to book 2 half days? one morning and then one afternoon?

Edited August 5, 2021 by DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt

[Pescado_Rojo 19422]

14 minutes ago, DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt said:

@troph probably not what you want to hear but i'd have my expectation level on the floor if i was you. 

the key to anything in life is low expectations, but especially so for a complete noob trying to cast to a GT, get an eat, and then properly fight it.

in other news, @Pescado_Rojo MX-bound in T-48 hours for 6 days on the flats. if he doesn't bring a permit to hand it's going to completely break him. y'all send the surly juju his way.

[Pescado_Rojo 19422]

Also, I may just stay there until I catch one. 

[troph 24851]

2 hours ago, DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt said:

@troph probably not what you want to hear but i'd have my expectation level on the floor if i was you. 

the key to anything in life is low expectations, but especially so for a complete noob trying to cast to a GT, get an eat, and then properly fight it.

in other news, @Pescado_Rojo MX-bound in T-48 hours for 6 days on the flats. if he doesn't bring a permit to hand it's going to completely break him. y'all send the surly juju his way.

 

edited to add: @troph are you trying to book 2 half days? one morning and then one afternoon?

well I was told I couldn't hook a Tarpon either and hooked two and had one the guide says was over 40 lbs tight on the line as she (or he) flew out of the water.  I will have low expectations, just being there is awesome.  but I also know that I have been known to catch on quickly and have been told that by now 4-5 guides. so I will have low expectations with the knowledge that James Brown had going into the 96 game... maybe *I* will win by three touchdowns... and I win period just being there.

don't make me show a roll left video on top of public enemy!

Edited August 5, 2021 by troph

[Chewbacca 7780]

16 hours ago, jofus said:

Ketchikan. We went with a private guide that takes single groups out of a lodge he owns near Clover Pass.

alaskanfishingadventures.com

His rates look pretty good.  How was the fishing?  Were you too early for Silvers or are they just not pictured? How about rockfish?  How much fish did you bring home?

One of my favorite things about going up there is coming home with a shitload of fish to put in the freezer and eat for the next couple of years.

Also, how was it getting there?  My favorite part of going to Sitka is they have an airport that can handle 737s.  So I can fly Alaska from DEN-SEA, hit the lounge for an hour or two, then nonstop SEA-SIT.

Edited August 5, 2021 by Chewbacca

[troph 24851]

and the only way to drop the n00b label is to get the fuck out there and catch one... no time like the present to start trying.

[4th and 5 4914]

On 8/4/2021 at 11:45 AM, mapplewhite132 said:

Anyone have thoughts on a LA bull red fly rod setup? I have an orvis 7wt and a scott 8wt, would like this next rod to be good for bull reds in Louisiana and big permit/smaller tarpon in Belize. 

Have been thinking about another scott in 10wt plus a nautilus reel.

looking for a HD model on the "big girls who swallow" thread.....I gotta say, the user name checks out!

[jofus 2266]

His rates look pretty good.  How was the fishing?  Were you too early for Silvers or are they just not pictured? How about rockfish?  How much fish did you bring home?
One of my favorite things about going up there is coming home with a shitload of fish to put in the freezer and eat for the next couple of years.
Also, how was it getting there?  My favorite part of going to Sitka is they have an airport that can handle 737s.  So I can fly Alaska from DEN-SEA, hit the lounge for an hour or two, then nonstop SEA-SIT.

The fishing was great. We limited on kings and halibut each day, and caught a bunch of supplemental silvers and sea bass. We caught a ton of rockfish, but they were either out of season or protected in that area. We also caught a few lingcod.

We brought home about 80lbs of fish each, so we’re set for quiet a while.

We flew DFW-Sea, sea-ktn, so the trip was easy. The guide leaves a car at the airport for his guests to use. The guests leave it at the airport for the next guests; we actually did a drop off lane hand off to the next group. The only downside is car does not get cleaned between guests.







One fun thing is the bald eagles are like rats out there. They throw the carcasses down to the rocks and they fight over them.

[Chewbacca 7780]

2 minutes ago, jofus said:

The fishing was great. We limited on kings and halibut each day, and caught a bunch of supplemental silvers and sea bass. We caught a ton of rockfish, but they were either out of season or protected in that area. We also caught a few lingcod.

We brought home about 80lbs of fish each, so we’re set for quiet a while.

We flew DFW-Sea, sea-ktn, so the trip was easy. The guide leaves a car at the airport for his guests to use. The guests leave it at the airport for the next guests; we actually did a drop off lane hand off to the next group. The only downside is car does not get cleaned between guests.







One fun thing is the bald eagles are like rats out there. They throw the carcasses down to the rocks and they fight over them.

That sounds like a great setup.  Very similar to where I go in Sitka, just on a smaller scale.  I go to Kain's https://www.kainsfishingadventures.com/.  They have more of a lodge setup but no more than 5-6 on each boat.  

[Pescado_Rojo 19422]

On 8/5/2021 at 8:53 AM, DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt said:

@troph probably not what you want to hear but i'd have my expectation level on the floor if i was you. 

the key to anything in life is low expectations, but especially so for a complete noob trying to cast to a GT, get an eat, and then properly fight it.

in other news, @Pescado_Rojo MX-bound in T-48 hours for 6 days on the flats. if he doesn't bring a permit to hand it's going to completely break him. y'all send the surly juju his way.

 

edited to add: @troph are you trying to book 2 half days? one morning and then one afternoon?

Woke up at 4:00, LFG

[troph 24851]

@DefinitelyNotHollywoodColt yes trying to dive one morning so afternoon and morning fishing. Half day or 3/4 day or whatever. Still waiting to hear back. 
 

we are in Cozumel now but only diving.  Going to mix in more fishing (not just offshore) down here in the future. 

Edited August 9, 2021 by troph

[ChickenSandwich 9843]

West Bay gave up the goods this morning. Windy as hell but great day. 
 

TX City doing TX city things. 

Sunrise

Slaughter

And sting ray 

 

[Mr. Drummond 2199]

45 minutes ago, ChickenSandwich said:

West Bay gave up the goods this morning. Windy as hell but great day. 
 

 

Speaking of West Galveston, I just bought a house on the beach, ready to start surf fishing soon.   Helpful hints or forums to get started?   TIA.

[Player 4575]

Daybreak.
First cut.
Superspook jr in Bone.

[ChickenSandwich 9843]

17 hours ago, Mr. Drummond said:

Speaking of West Galveston, I just bought a house on the beach, ready to start surf fishing soon.   Helpful hints or forums to get started?   TIA.

got nothing on surf fishing, if you find some good info, please share

[4th and 5 4914]

17 hours ago, Player said:

Daybreak.
First cut.
Superspook jr in Bone.

That, but I'd add the regular size superspook, white with red head, 30 pound leader, first gut first light, then move to the second. Cast into the current. Look for bird/bait action or birds sitting on the beach. And choose a light rod you can cast repeatedly, not a surf rod. Spinning reel with Power Pro superslick. Wading belt, stringer, set of pliers.

[troph 24851]

Hell yes. Guide confirmed for 2 days!!

[troph 24851]

fishing 3pm to sunset on one day, then back up the next morning to fish until early afternoon.  figure I'd fish for both bonefish and GT both days.  see what bites.  I've got a decent feeling I can land on the fish and get a bite, whether I can bring them in, well we will see about that.

 y'all have convinced me not to skimp on my reel, I think I'm going with the able 12wt.  so here's what the guide said about it all:

Quote

I generally use a 9ft 20lb fluorocarbon leader, cut off the last foot and tie 3-4ft of 16lb fluorocarbon to your bonefish fly. have a good range of weights and colours on tan coloured gotcha style patterns. a little bit of UV orange thread near the eye of the hook certainly helps.  For your 12 weight, a rod length of 100lb leader to a 6/0 tan brush fly or similar.

sounds like two set ups, curious if my fresh water set up is good enough for bonefish?  and then invest in the GT rod/reel and buy an extra rod?  right now I'm looking at two 11 wt off the shelf at SF in bee cave.  I do think I'll get the abel as mentioned.

thoughts?

also, where do you like for these flies ... I've seen some on ebay of all places, need to double check SF selection.  the guide is there to help and I have questions into them about technical help but it does appear that I am 100% on my own for 100% of all my gear, flies, weights, leaders, all of it.

 

 

Edited August 15, 2021 by troph

[CHIEF 5092]

1 hour ago, troph said:

fishing 3pm to sunset on one day, then back up the next morning to fish until early afternoon.  figure I'd fish for both bonefish and GT both days.  see what bites.  I've got a decent feeling I can land on the fish and get a bite, whether I can bring them in, well we will see about that.

 y'all have convinced me not to skimp on my reel, I think I'm going with the able 12wt.  so here's what the guide said about it all:

sounds like two set ups, curious if my fresh water set up is good enough for bonefish?  and then invest in the GT rod/reel and buy an extra rod?  right now I'm looking at two 11 wt off the shelf at SF in bee cave.  I do think I'll get the abel as mentioned.

thoughts?

also, where do you like for these flies ... I've seen some on ebay of all places, need to double check SF selection.  the guide is there to help and I have questions into them about technical help but it does appear that I am 100% on my own for 100% of all my gear, flies, weights, leaders, all of it.

 

 

What weight is your freshwater setup, and how big are their bonefish?

CHIEF

[Pescado_Rojo 19422]

4 hours ago, troph said:

fishing 3pm to sunset on one day, then back up the next morning to fish until early afternoon.  figure I'd fish for both bonefish and GT both days.  see what bites.  I've got a decent feeling I can land on the fish and get a bite, whether I can bring them in, well we will see about that.

 y'all have convinced me not to skimp on my reel, I think I'm going with the able 12wt.  so here's what the guide said about it all:

sounds like two set ups, curious if my fresh water set up is good enough for bonefish?  and then invest in the GT rod/reel and buy an extra rod?  right now I'm looking at two 11 wt off the shelf at SF in bee cave.  I do think I'll get the abel as mentioned.

thoughts?

also, where do you like for these flies ... I've seen some on ebay of all places, need to double check SF selection.  the guide is there to help and I have questions into them about technical help but it does appear that I am 100% on my own for 100% of all my gear, flies, weights, leaders, all of it.

 

 

You want a 9wt with a good drag for their bones. IIRC, they have big ones there. Tibor Riptide, Nautilus CCF X2, Abel SDS or Super 9/10, Ross Evo R Salt 9/10. For flies, check Ole Florida Fly Shop. They have a great online shop and I believe they sell mostly Umpqua and EP flies. Don’t know if they’d have much of a selection of GT flies, but they’ll have anything you need for bones. 

[troph 24851]

13 hours ago, CHIEF said:

What weight is your freshwater setup, and how big are their bonefish?

CHIEF

7-8lb bonefish but can exceed 10lb regularly. Yeah my freshwater set up is TFO 5wt / 9 ft; Redington 5/6.  It’s not enough. Furk. 

Edited August 16, 2021 by troph

[troph 24851]

10 hours ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

You want a 9wt with a good drag for their bones. IIRC, they have big ones there. Tibor Riptide, Nautilus CCF X2, Abel SDS or Super 9/10, Ross Evo R Salt 9/10. For flies, check Ole Florida Fly Shop. They have a great online shop and I believe they sell mostly Umpqua and EP flies. Don’t know if they’d have much of a selection of GT flies, but they’ll have anything you need for bones. 

Would that at least double for reds on the Texas coast ?  

[troph 24851]

10 hours ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

For flies, check Ole Florida Fly Shop. They have a great online shop and I believe they sell mostly Umpqua and EP flies. Don’t know if they’d have much of a selection of GT flies, but they’ll have anything you need for bones. 

This week at my desk will have some fantastic diversions! 

[Pescado_Rojo 19422]

Just now, troph said:

Would that at least double for reds on the Texas coast ?  

absolutely. Probably a little overkill for most Texas reds honestly, but not extremely so. It's also good to have the extra punch on a windy day. I fish an 8wt for Texas reds...sometimes a 6. A 7 is really the perfect Texas redfish rod. 

[hookemATL 11757]

2 hours ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

absolutely. Probably a little overkill for most Texas reds honestly, but not extremely so. It's also good to have the extra punch on a windy day. I fish an 8wt for Texas reds...sometimes a 6. A 7 is really the perfect Texas redfish rod. 

So I was in Port A two weeks ago and took a run at reds with not a lot of luck.  I was fishing out of a kayak in Wilson's Cut and saw lots of actions and some finning but wasnt able to get one hooked up.  I plan to try this out again as soon as possible, but I was curious about what I could do to help improve my chances.  For reference, I was using an 8wt rod with a Lamson reel (SA redfish flyline and 10ft leaders) while tossing out some clousers and shrimp patterns mostly.  

Edited August 16, 2021 by hookemATL

[troph 24851]

2 hours ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

absolutely. Probably a little overkill for most Texas reds honestly, but not extremely so. It's also good to have the extra punch on a windy day. I fish an 8wt for Texas reds...sometimes a 6. A 7 is really the perfect Texas redfish rod. 

I could just set the drag to light and still have a good time I'd think...?