Everyone has their own idea what to pack for a destination fly-fishing adventure. Whether you are going after freshwater or saltwater species, there are a lot of factors to consider. However, if you want to take the guesswork out of your next adventure, please check out the list below that I have curated after 10+ years of hosting trips to the Bahamas.
If you’ve ever dreamed of trying saltwater fly fishing, Bonefish are a great species to start with! They are pound for pound some of the toughest fighting creatures found in the ocean and they provide a great introduction into flat-style due to their aggressive nature.
We suggest heading to a destination with plenty of them, like the Bahamas. The more fish, the better—if you miss a shot, no worries! The flats in the Bahamas are full of targets all around. So, chances are you won’t have to wait long for your next shot at the “Grey Ghost”
The best part is that Bonefish are often stalked on foot in shallow water. Just like what you will find back home on your favorite trout stream. Success for these fish is often determined by an angler’s ability to spot fish, to be stealthy in the approach, and to make a quality presentation. Often, if you can get those things right. You are rewarded with a solid eat, and a knuckle-busting run (watch your hands.)
Without further ado, lets jump into gear recommendations to make your 1st or 50th trip a success.
Gear Recommendations for a Successful Trip
Fly Rods
The gold standard “do it all” Bonefish rod has been the 9 foot 8 weight for years. However, I would personally recommend having a 9 weight on hand for days when the wind really picks up, and possibly a 7 weight for those times when the wind is calm or for when you need a rod with a little bit less gas and more feel. This comes in handy if you find yourself on foot.
Whichever rod or rods that you go with please ensure that they have a faster action that can generate a fair amount of line speed. This will allow you to deliver your flies both quickly and efficiently even if the wind decides to pick up.
- 9-weight rod – Ideal for windy conditions
- 7-weight rod – Great for calmer days or when wading
- Fast-action rods – Generate higher line speed for quick and efficient casting
Recommended Rods:
Fly Reels
Bonefish are some of the fastest fish on the flats. They can run hard once hooked. So, anglers looking to outfit themselves for bones should be looking at saltwater grade reels with smooth, sealed disc drags and durable anodized aluminum frames built to stand up to the torque that these fish can put out. Lastly, make sure whatever reel you choose has plenty of room for backing. Reels should be outfitted with no less than 200 yards during any Bonefishing trip.
Top Reel Choices:
Fly Lines
ATTENTION READERS! Yes, that means YOU! Pay close attention to this portion of the article. The fly line is the most important piece of any outfit. However, most anglers tend to overlook it. Please ensure that you are outfitting your Bonefishing setup with a line that is designed for tropical saltwater fishing. These lines are built with monofilament cores that will maintain stiffness and castability in the hottest of conditions. Also, consider finding a line with a slightly overweighted taper. This will allow for your rod to load quickly to present your fly to a moving target as fast as possible
Recommended Lines:
Leaders & Tippet
For leaders I would recommend 9’-12’ tapered saltwater leaders built from either mono or fluorocarbon. Usually, for most of your Bonefishing situations, having a range of #12-20lb leaders will be ideal. Also, make sure to take additional spools of tippet with you out on the flats. Bonefish tend to run into the mangroves that are found all over the flats. These mangroves will chew up the toughest leader material and fish will be lost. But, like we said before, the next shot isn’t too far away. For additional tippet material, we would recommend #12, 16, 20lb.
- 9’–12’ tapered saltwater leaders (Mono or Fluorocarbon)
- 12–20lb test strength
- Extra spools of 12, 16, and 20lb tippet for when fish run into mangroves
Flies
Having a diverse selection of Bonefish flies available will most often make the difference between a good trip and a great trip. When selecting your flies, make sure that you have flies that will cover all the different depths of the water column. This means flies with mono eyes or no eyes for the shallow tailing and others with lead eyes for those fish holding deeper. Close to the bottom. Most often, you will find yourself fishing flies with bead chain eyes. These often sink slower and are easier to present.
👉 Check out our Bonefish Fly Selection Guide for more details!
Clothing & Apparel
Anglers should look at choosing lightweight, moisture wicking clothing that dries quickly when looking to get outfitted for the flats. Quick drying material is often the best, as you may be wading flats multiple times a day. My personal favorite flats attire has got to be the Howler Brothers Loggerhead Hoodie. This hoodie is the definition of portable shade. It dries quick and keeps the breeze flowing. Pair that with the innovative Simms Latitude Bicomp Bottoms and you have an outfit purpose built for all day flats fishing.
Footwear
The footwear category is straightforward. For the boat, I would consider a shoe with a non-marking sole that will give you plenty of support and traction on the deck of a skiff. My personal favorite is the Simms Pursuit shoe which also double as a good wading shoe for those times you may find yourself on a foot patrol mission. For those who don’t want to wear shoes on the deck, make sure to pack a few pairs of your favorite socks or plenty of sunscreen to keep your feet happy during a day of fishing. The last thing you want on a trip like this is a nasty sunburn.
Other boots to consider include the Orvis Christmas Island Bootie, The Patagonia River Salt or The Zipit Bootie from Simms.
Eyewear
Some would argue that MOST important part of any flats fishing trip is your eyewear. Simply put, to catch the fish, you need to be able to see the fish. That’s why it is often referred to as “sight fishing”. Lenses that provide a high level of contrast are critical to your success as an angler. Being able to differentiate the fish from the bottom is a lot easier said that done. Given that most of the flats in the Bahamas are mud or sand, my personal favorite lens color is the Rose Mirror found in many popular styles of frames from Bajio. These lenses are a lighter shade of pink and work well when the sun is high, and even in variable light. If the forecast calls for nothing but clouds, make sure to also have a pair of “low light” lenses that are often built using a yellow base color and make it easy to spot the trickiest of fish. Check these out in any of the Sunrise Silver Mirror options from Costa.
Lastly, whatever you do, don’t simply rely on one pair of glasses. Make sure to pack at least two pair so you are covered just in case something goes wrong.
Some of my favorite pairs for the flats include the Bajio Bales Beach, Costa Reefton Pro or Smith Guides Choice.
Packs & Bags
For discussions sake, I would break this category down into two subcategories. 1st. being your boat bag. This bag will serve as your base of operations for the day and will contain all the gear that you need for a day out on the water. It should be large enough to hold fly boxes, leaders & tippet, your spare sunglasses, camera, and sunscreen. Even though it is not completely necessary, it is strongly recommended that your boat bag be waterproof.
Check out the Patagonia Great Divider, Orvis Pro Boat Bag, or the Fishpond Cut Bank Gear Bag
The 2nd category would be a pack used for wading. There are many days in the Bahamas where you may wade for hours or even the whole day. Be sure to bring a pack that you are comfortable hauling around all day with enough room to carry flies, tackle, tools, adequate hydration, and your snacks and lunch. Waterproof fabric is also a must for this category to combat errant splashes, torrential rain, and the occasional spill all of which can happen while wading the flats.
A few packs that hit the mark here are the Patagonia Guidewater Hip Pack, Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Lumbar Pack, or the Orvis Pro Sling
Luggage
Since anglers are not subject to weight limits in the Bahamas, having the right luggage to store all this in makes a big difference on your travel days. A wheeled rolling duffel is great for transporting clothes, footwear, packs, and other non-mission critical gear through the airport. The tried-and-true favorite of many destination anglers is the Fishpond Stormshadow
Having a second bag to carry all your essentials like rods, reels, flies, sunglasses, and a change of clothes to fish in is an absolute must. This way, if there are any issues with your luggage and it gets lost or misplaced, you can still get out on the flats with all your necessary gear. There are a bunch of great bags that fit the bill here, but I would strongly recommend the Riversmith Convoy Travel Pack or the stalwart Dakota Rod Case from Fishpond
Other Items (Misc) to include:
- Sunscreen (waterproof, SPF30+), lip balm, and Aloe
- Bug Spray w/ deet – Bugs in the Caribbean can be no joke
- Piliers & Nippers
- Hook Sharpener
- Sungloves, Stripping Guards, or sports tape to protect fingers
- Buff or similar face covering (x2)
- Hats with dark under brim (x2)
- Headlamp
- Lightweight rain jacket + pants
- Water bottle and electrolytes (Gatorade, Liquid IV, ect) – HYDRATION IS KEY
This list contains a ton of information and can be altered to your end destination. If our team can help you prepare for you next Bahamas adventure give our travel department a call at 435.783.6791
