Although we have a comletely stocked tackle shop at the lodge, with all the popular lures for the area, you might want to bring your own. The tackle shop does have a good supply of rods and reels, but again, if you have your own, we suggest you bring them. The following is strickly a guide line:
Best For Tarpon:
6500C or 7000C Ambassador reel (or comparable) with 17 to 20lb. monofilament line. Leader is 80 to 100lb. monofilament. The rod should be 6-1/2' to 7' casting with plenty of backbone. If you wish to use spinning tackle, be sure that you bring a reel with a good smooth drag system, and a line capacity of 150 to 200 yards of 17 to 20 lb. line and a rod with a good backbone.
Lures:
Coast Hawks (any color), Mirrorlures (both sinking and floating), Wiggle Divers, Rapalas (Magnum CD 11 or floating Mag); best colors are red and white, silver minnow, gold fluorescent orange and mackerel; 1 to 1-1/2 oz lead headed jigs (white, yellow).
Best For Snook:
5500C to 6500C Ambassador reel, (or comparable) with 12 to 17lb. monofilament line. Leader is 40to 60lb. monofilament. The rod should be 6 to 7' casting and able to carry a 1oz lure. If you wish to use spinning tackle, be sure that you select a reel with a good drag system, and a line capacity of 100 to 150yrds. of 12 to 17lb. line. Lures:
Rattle traps (1/2oz & 3/4oz), Rapalas (same as for Tarpon), 3/4oz to 1oz lead headed bucktail jigs, (Black, White, Yellow), Mirrolures, top water plugs, Sassy Shads.
Best For River Fish:
Lightweight spinning tackle with 6 to 10 lb. tst line. Rod should be flexible 5' to 6' in length, suitable for short accurate casts. Any small surface or subsurface lure that creates noise and commotion will work. Small jigs, popping and chugging type lures normally used for bass fishing are perfect.
Fly Fishing Tackle
Best For Tarpon:
10 to 12 weight anti-reverse reel, (Billy Pate, Finnor or comparable), 9' to 10' matched weight flyrod with a fighting butt extension. Your reel should have 200 yards of 30lb. backing and you will need various sink tip lines medium or fast sinktip. Flies should be hook size 3/0 to 6/0and your shock leader should be 80 to 100lb. monofilament.
