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The Fishing - Los Roques - Clients Comments - Book References - Contact Us - Home
FLY FISHING FOR BONEFISH
Fly Rods: For bonefish and most reef species, 8 1/2 - 9 1/2 ft. graphite for a 7-9 weight line, depending on your preference. We suggest taking at least two rods in case you break a tip. There is backup equipment at the lodge.
Reels: Have good quality, single-action reels in appropriate size to accommodate high visibility weight-forward lines and at least 150 yds. of 20 lb. dacron backing; 200 yds. would be better because you'll often need it if you get into bonefish over 6-7 lbs., which is likely to happen. Take a spare reel and/or extra spools so that you can regroup on the flats should you lose a fly line. Choose reels with reliable, smooth, adjustable drags. This will save many a large fish and is always easier on your hands.
Lines: High visibility weight-forward lines compensate for wind and can be seen in the air or on the water in bright light. Take an extra flyline and spool of dacron or micron backing. Floating lines are best; some prefer intermediates.Leaders: Clear 9-12 ft. tapered leaders in the 10-12 lb. range are recommended. We cannot emphasize how important it is that leaders are clear, even at Los Roques. Dark leaders lower your chances, especially if you're casting to larger, more wary bonefish. Al Los Roques, your will have an opportunity to cast to many tailing fish. If you're in an area with a lot of tailers, we recommend switching to a 12 ft. leader with an 8 lb. tippet. Take extra spools of 8-15 lb. leader material for bonefishing, as well as appropriate shock tippets for tarpon and barracuda, as explained below. Most anglers will use 6-12 leaders per week.
In saltwater fishing, line-to-leader, leader-to-tippet and tippet-to-fly connections are critical in light of the potential power of a running bonefish or barracuda. Many experienced flats fishermen re-tie knots after every hookup, a procedure that reduces breakoffs caused by coral and sand abrasion. So, tie knots carefully and practice knots before your arrival on Los Roques.
Flies: Fly selection is less critical than at other bonefishing destinations where the fish receive more pressure, but parties have noted patterns that are a cut above, namely: pink, grey and green Shrimp; yellow and brown Horrors (both weighted and unweighted); brown, off-white, pink, copper, green, silver, yellow and pearlescent flashabout Crazy Charlies; IMO fly; Mother of Epoxy flies (MOE's); tan and yellow Epoxy Bonefisher; Snapping Shrimp, Gotcha and Clouser Minnows.Using small crabs as a crossover pattern can be very effective as well. Anton, rung, or ghost crabs in size 6 are best. Soft bodied patterns (notepoxy) are best as they do not sink as fast. The pattern Silly Legs has worked well too - it is a rubber leg, crab-like pattern with a Gotcha body.
The concensus among returning anglers single out the lighter color Crazy Charlies, brown Horror or Puff flies, and brown Epoxy flies as the most consistent producers; thus, if you want to simplify your selection, purchase these patterns tied weighted on size 6 and 8 saltwater hooks with and without eyes. The relatively new Epoxy flies have been especially effective among recent visitors. Also, take a few glass minnow imitations tied with a body size of between 1-1 1/2 inches long. Many of the biggest bones caught thus far have been taken along the edges of flats in deeper water. Most fishermen use a minimum of 3 dozen flies in a week. Backup supplies are limited at the lodge, so plan on taking all you need.
Saltwater fishermen are developing scores of new patterns at this time. If you tie flies, use this opportunity to experiment with a variety of materials tied in differing weights. Otherwise, stick with basic bonefish flies and switch frequently until you find the "hot" fly.
TARPON, PERMIT, BARRACUDA, JACKS
Though they should be considered a bonus, it;'s good to be prepared for tarpon, especially during fall months. Much of the same tackle is applicable for barracuda fishing, which is much more certain. Take a 10-12 weight fly rod outfitted with a good quality tarpon reel intermediate weight-forward line, slime line. The guide will know how to tie on 40 lb. shock tippets to leaders. Take wire tippet material; they prefer that you do not use made-up leaders. Take an assortment of red/white and blue/white Deceiver (sizes 1/0 to 3/0); Apt Tarpon and Tarpon Glow (size 2/0 to 4/0) and the Cockroach in brown or orange. For barracuda, Needlefish flies in size 1/0 are very effective as well as Popping Bugs and conventional tarpon flies. Some tiers prepare long "cuda" flies with tandem hooks, joined by a wire connection. Make sure some are heavily dressed and heavy in weight.
Permit have been spotted throughout the year when high tides are fullest. Puff flies, MOE flies and, most especially, the new McCrab fly are all effective permit patterns as well as the "carpet fly" which is yellow with red rubber legs and lead eyes. Tippets should be kept stout, 12-15 lb. text. Permit move along at a faster clip than do bones and should be led accordingly, thus allowing the fly time to sink before it's brought to life with a sporadic series of strips.
Jack crevalle and horse eyes jacks, yellow tail snappers and mutton snappers are also available.Please pinch down the barbs on the hooks of your flies with long-nosed pliers. You don't lose one out of 15 fishing barbless. This makes it easier to release fish unharmed, and many people feel a barbless hook works better in penetrating the tough tissue of the bonefish's and tarpon's mouth.
The guides will wipe down rods and reels with a damp cloth in fresh water after each fishing day. Lubricate reels frequently, especially if they're not specifically designed for saltwater.
SPIN FISHING EQUIPMENT
We suggest taking two outfits. For bonefish, 6 1/2-7 ft. medium-action spin rod with intermediate-size rear drag control reel and 6-10 pound test line; and 8 ft. medium-heavy spin rod with large reel and 12-20 pound test line for tarpon and barracuda.
Lures: The best bonefish lure is the 1/8-1/4 oz. pink or white Willie Jig and Millie Jig. Spin fishermen should take at least two dozen bonefish jigs. Other lead-head plastic jigs, such as the Mister Twister, are also effective as are bucktails in white, brown, yellow, and pink. Orange and brawn have been productive colors at Los Roques. We suggest you take a supply of Boone Tiny Touts. These are very inexpensive, so buy three dozen heads and three times that many tails. Get a variety of color in both heads and tails. The tiny touts are dynamite bonefish jigs on sand or hard bottom.
Top-water plugs are really effective for the different types of jacks and snappers, so we recommend chuck bugs or top-water YO-ZURI.
Be sure to include one or two pocket-size plastic boxes for carrying spare lures or flies and a pair of fingernail clippers. Remember, you will be wading, and at times will be quite a distance from the boat and your tackle box.
For tarpon we recommend YO-ZURI TX Minnow 4 1/8 Length, they work as well for snappers and jacks.
Rental fishing Equipment: available at the lodge as well as flies to sell.
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