Attn: Experienced Flats Anglers

[JG63]

I’m headed for Ambergris Caye later this year - what tippet should I have with me on the flats? Targeting Bones, Baby Tarpon, Permit (hopefully), and whatever smaller reef fish are hungry - I have zero experience but high hopes in this arena

 

[TerrellBFly]

I’m headed for Ambergris Caye later this year - what tippet should I have with me on the flats? Targeting Bones, Baby Tarpon, Permit (hopefully), and whatever smaller reef fish are hungry - I have zero experience but high hopes in this arena

Ah lovely! Im going next spring. Ill share what I pick up in my research. What dates are you going? Will you be doing DIY? Thanks for starting a thread!

For now: I am taking 7wt, 8wt, and 10wt. Still need to buy line for the 8wt, I have SA Amplitude Smooth Bonefish plus on the 7, and Cortland crystal clear tarpon for the 10wt.

Very interested to hear in regard tippet sizes.

Also, from what Ive researched the bonefish are a tad smaller, so smaller flies in 6-8 should suffice.

A website I have used and there is quite a bit on youtube as well -

Belize Fly Fishing Trips, Lodges, and Guides | Yellow Dog Flyfishing

We book and provide gear for guided saltwater and freshwater fly fishing trips worldwide. Let us help you book and arrange the best fly fishing travel experience possible.

www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

 

[JG63]

All DIY - I have a mountain of info from years of reading books, watching YouTube, hearing lectures, tying the knots, rigging equipment for others, tying Binefish flies for others, even taking with Lefty - NONE of that qualifies me for being able to spot fish, set the hook correctly, or knowing when to judge a slack tide just right - I’m trusting in a generous portion of beginners luck - brings me back to the original question about tippet - is brand x flourocarbon specifically for freshwater or is it the same flourocarbon I can carry on the flats? I’m more concerned about abrasion resistance than stiffness - diameter/breaking strength is also a concern

 

[TerrellBFly]

All DIY - I have a mountain of info from years of reading books, watching YouTube, hearing lectures, tying the knots, rigging equipment for others, tying Binefish flies for others, even taking with Lefty - NONE of that qualifies me for being able to spot fish, set the hook correctly, or knowing when to judge a slack tide just right - I’m trusting in a generous portion of beginners luck - brings me back to the original question about tippet - is brand x flourocarbon specifically for freshwater or is it the same flourocarbon I can carry on the flats? I’m more concerned about abrasion resistance than stiffness - diameter/breaking strength is also a concern View attachment 1641253443View attachment 1641253443

Im in the same boat or "flat" without the years or advice from Lefty! - going to be a hell of a learning curve. I would assume any flouro would work, but I am aware that some are more resistant to abrasion than others. I was thinking something like Seaguar STS or Blue Label for that reason specifically. But am open to other suggestions.

 

[BrookieChaser]

12lb -16lb flouro for the bonefish and juvy tarpon. You could run 20lb too if the sharks aren't around.

I'd run 20lb for permit.

 

[MJMFlyfisher]

It's not Ambergris but I have a few years of solid DIY experience in the Bahamas and have learned a lot.
This year's trip splitting time between fishing on favorable tides and wifey time, I landed 65 bonefish..... and every one of them was on Seaguar Gold 15# flouro and a well tied loop knot.
I haven't found a need to drop down in tippet size for bonefish yet. I can play them quickly and get them on their way, which is helpful when there are big barracudas or lemon sharks around looking for a snack.
It's shockingly strong stuff for its diameter, and I don't recall breaking off a single fish this last trip. A couple were wound around mangroves like you wouldn't believe!
The biggest thing to remember with bonefish is that they don't eat from their butts. 😉
Get it in front of their line of travel with a good cast and I don't think tippet diameter is much of a concern.

Two primary rods.....8wt Sage Xi2 paired with a Rio Elite Bonefish line for those nice , not blowing your hat off days, and the same rod in a 9wt w/ a Rio Flats Pro if I need to punch it.
This trip I fished the 9wt the entire time.

 

[TerrellBFly]

It's not Ambergris but I have a few years of solid DIY experience in the Bahamas and have learned a lot.
This year's trip splitting time between fishing on favorable tides and wifey time, I landed 65 bonefish..... and every one of them was on Seaguar Gold 15# flouro and a well tied loop knot.
I haven't found a need to drop down in tippet size for bonefish yet. I can play them quickly and get them on their way, which is helpful when there are big barracudas or lemon sharks around looking for a snack.
It's shockingly strong stuff for its diameter, and I don't recall breaking off a single fish this last trip. A couple were wound around mangroves like you wouldn't believe!
The biggest thing to remember with bonefish is that they don't eat from their butts. 😉
Get it in front of their line of travel with a good cast and I don't think tippet diameter is much of a concern.

Two primary rods.....8wt Sage Xi2 paired with a Rio Elite Bonefish line for those nice , not blowing your hat off days, and the same rod in a 9wt w/ a Rio Flats Pro if I need to punch it.
This trip I fished the 9wt the entire time.

Those Bahama bones get big! In time, I hope to be able to say the same as you. This type of fishing is something I have been working towards and seems like the next step for a challenge.

 

[MJMFlyfisher]

Those Bahama bones get big! In time, I hope to be able to say the same as you. This type of fishing is something I have been working towards and seems like the next step for a challenge.

Some of them sure do get big! 😁
I'm 6'3" 225lbs so pics don't do this one justice!
And it was a whopping 20ft cast into the edge of some mangroves as he cruised by feeding. LOL
(And that was the same #15 Seaguar Gold flouro)