The dolphin on fly is awesome. Same for La Chancla. Great day for this thread.
Saltwater Flyfishing
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Last: 24 days ago by Dogdoc
Taking a break from Saltwater to hit miami up for some Peacocks and snakeheads! Hopefully will have good updates today, I've wanted both for a long time.
What kind of fly rod is that with the foam grip?
My tying desk has been too clean for too long so I decided it was time to do something about it.
I started messing around with a new pattern that I could throw at reds when they're way up in the flooded spartina. It needed to be general enough to imitate a shrimp or crab that usually inhabits these areas, be heavy enough to drop through the grass stalks and still land softly or at least with a natural-ish plop. So was born the Greens Beret. A buggy sum***** that'll be air dropped into hostile redfish territory to seek and destroy.
Under all of that fluff are a few wraps of lead wire that'll make it fall level and hopefully add just enough weight to be able to get through the grass and get on bottom. Dropped it in a full sink and the arctic fox seems to dampen some of the splat from the weight. Sitting on bottom the arctic fox has a ton of action and kind of breathes with the slightest movement. Originally I intended this fly to be a toss and crawl on bottom type fly but it rides hook up and has a shrimpy looking jigging action when stripped that makes me hope it could be a good all around pattern. Only one way to find out though and I'm looking to beta test it on Sunday.
Staying with arctic fox, I tied up another crab pattern. I tried adding some blue accents with a marker but it turned out kinda dorky looking. Oh well, I'm sure the fish won't mind.
This crab has a little secret hiding under its skirt
I've really started to like using Avalon keels on my EP/merkin crab patterns. Big reason being that it allows me to strip the fly and swim it through the water column hook up without it waffling or rolling. The clicking of the beads is always a plus too.
I started messing around with a new pattern that I could throw at reds when they're way up in the flooded spartina. It needed to be general enough to imitate a shrimp or crab that usually inhabits these areas, be heavy enough to drop through the grass stalks and still land softly or at least with a natural-ish plop. So was born the Greens Beret. A buggy sum***** that'll be air dropped into hostile redfish territory to seek and destroy.
Under all of that fluff are a few wraps of lead wire that'll make it fall level and hopefully add just enough weight to be able to get through the grass and get on bottom. Dropped it in a full sink and the arctic fox seems to dampen some of the splat from the weight. Sitting on bottom the arctic fox has a ton of action and kind of breathes with the slightest movement. Originally I intended this fly to be a toss and crawl on bottom type fly but it rides hook up and has a shrimpy looking jigging action when stripped that makes me hope it could be a good all around pattern. Only one way to find out though and I'm looking to beta test it on Sunday.
Staying with arctic fox, I tied up another crab pattern. I tried adding some blue accents with a marker but it turned out kinda dorky looking. Oh well, I'm sure the fish won't mind.
This crab has a little secret hiding under its skirt
I've really started to like using Avalon keels on my EP/merkin crab patterns. Big reason being that it allows me to strip the fly and swim it through the water column hook up without it waffling or rolling. The clicking of the beads is always a plus too.
Saltwater-ish update for the day(there were tarpon and mullet so it counts here)
Took the kayaks up the canal in South Miami! Found peacocks, largemouth, mayan cichlid, King Midas cichlid, Jaguar guapote, striped tilapia, tarpon, and armored suckerfish. Tough fishing but we managed to catch a bunch on beds!
Took the kayaks up the canal in South Miami! Found peacocks, largemouth, mayan cichlid, King Midas cichlid, Jaguar guapote, striped tilapia, tarpon, and armored suckerfish. Tough fishing but we managed to catch a bunch on beds!
Archer, you're livin' right bud!
I can't find the "skiff porn" thread so I'll post this sweet restored 22' Panga that @salt of the water sent me via Instagram yesterday.
22' doesn't really scream "skiff" but the open layout and tiller set-up qualify IMHO.
Click the little right-arrow in the pic to see the actual layout.
https://instagr.am/p/BVFXxiBDnfx
22' doesn't really scream "skiff" but the open layout and tiller set-up qualify IMHO.
Click the little right-arrow in the pic to see the actual layout.
https://instagr.am/p/BVFXxiBDnfx
That thing looks like it'd be a beast of a boat for fishing the jetties and nearshore for jacks and poontar. Maybe even run it to some of the nearshore rigs for snapper amberjack fish that aren't federally mismanaged. I really like that deck layout he's got. The additional weight of the false floor would make running the chop more comfortable. Probably loses a little draft from it but it's not like I'd want to poll that beast around.
There's a smaller and larger pangas for sale in TX right now if anyone is intrigued.
25' in Aransas Pass - https://corpuschristi.craigslist.org/boa/6168771980.html
18' in Port Isabel - https://brownsville.craigslist.org/boa/6119232849.html
Got my big one today!
Great fish! Surprised she didn't wrap you up in the marina!
She did temporarily but thankfully she turned and came back out! I caught her on the very end of the dock so had plenty of open water to fight in
Cabelas glass rod is on sale for $60 right now normally $130. It's 7'6" so I think it's a great microskiff or kayak rod. Loads easy for short shots in close quarters.
The 7/8 wt is on backorder but it's a heck of a deal if you can wait it out.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-rods/fly-fishing-rods%7C/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/105573780/cabelas-cgr-ii/2459266.uts
The 7/8 wt is on backorder but it's a heck of a deal if you can wait it out.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-rods/fly-fishing-rods%7C/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/105573780/cabelas-cgr-ii/2459266.uts
Didn't have a fly fishing related "Monday Small Projects" project but just came here to say **** that wind on Sunday. Marsh was blown out and I couldn't find water that didn't look like my toilet water after a long night of tequila and street tacos. Found a few reds in smaller creeks and drains but didn't see them until I was right on top of them. On a positive note, I did find some new water and put a track on the back entrance into Greens. That's a fun little route to take, very Mario Kart-esq.
On a not so positive note, after that trip I changed my lower unit oil and found there was water in it and the oil came out thick almost like it had coagulated into a jelly like substance. I'm no outboard mechanic but this is most certainly not copacetic. So stay tuned bc El Naco will most likely be pulling the lower unit off and assessing the damage to the gear case. My thinking is the only way that oil could turn into that jelly like substance is if things got rather hot in there so I'm not expecting good things. Best case scenario, I'll be replacing a prop shaft seal. Worse case, I'll be looking for a new lower unit/ buying a new 5-6hp outboard. Luckily Salt of the Water is a dadgum Craigslist sniper when it comes and skiff related and has already located a potential new motor should it come to that.
On a not so positive note, after that trip I changed my lower unit oil and found there was water in it and the oil came out thick almost like it had coagulated into a jelly like substance. I'm no outboard mechanic but this is most certainly not copacetic. So stay tuned bc El Naco will most likely be pulling the lower unit off and assessing the damage to the gear case. My thinking is the only way that oil could turn into that jelly like substance is if things got rather hot in there so I'm not expecting good things. Best case scenario, I'll be replacing a prop shaft seal. Worse case, I'll be looking for a new lower unit/ buying a new 5-6hp outboard. Luckily Salt of the Water is a dadgum Craigslist sniper when it comes and skiff related and has already located a potential new motor should it come to that.
Prolly just cheaper if you buy my Beavertail Micro from meelnaco said:
Didn't have a fly fishing related "Monday Small Projects" project but just came here to say **** that wind on Sunday. Marsh was blown out and I couldn't find water that didn't look like my toilet water after a long night of tequila and street tacos. Found a few reds in smaller creeks and drains but didn't see them until I was right on top of them. On a positive note, I did find some new water and put a track on the back entrance into Greens. That's a fun little route to take, very Mario Kart-esq.
On a not so positive note, after that trip I changed my lower unit oil and found there was water in it and the oil came out thick almost like it had coagulated into a jelly like substance. I'm no outboard mechanic but this is most certainly not copacetic. So stay tuned bc El Naco will most likely be pulling the lower unit off and assessing the damage to the gear case. My thinking is the only way that oil could turn into that jelly like substance is if things got rather hot in there so I'm not expecting good things. Best case scenario, I'll be replacing a prop shaft seal. Worse case, I'll be looking for a new lower unit/ buying a new 5-6hp outboard. Luckily Salt of the Water is a dadgum Craigslist sniper when it comes and skiff related and has already located a potential new motor should it come to that.
RickSawyer said:Prolly just cheaper if you buy my Beavertail Micro from meelnaco said:
Didn't have a fly fishing related "Monday Small Projects" project but just came here to say **** that wind on Sunday. Marsh was blown out and I couldn't find water that didn't look like my toilet water after a long night of tequila and street tacos. Found a few reds in smaller creeks and drains but didn't see them until I was right on top of them. On a positive note, I did find some new water and put a track on the back entrance into Greens. That's a fun little route to take, very Mario Kart-esq.
On a not so positive note, after that trip I changed my lower unit oil and found there was water in it and the oil came out thick almost like it had coagulated into a jelly like substance. I'm no outboard mechanic but this is most certainly not copacetic. So stay tuned bc El Naco will most likely be pulling the lower unit off and assessing the damage to the gear case. My thinking is the only way that oil could turn into that jelly like substance is if things got rather hot in there so I'm not expecting good things. Best case scenario, I'll be replacing a prop shaft seal. Worse case, I'll be looking for a new lower unit/ buying a new 5-6hp outboard. Luckily Salt of the Water is a dadgum Craigslist sniper when it comes and skiff related and has already located a potential new motor should it come to that.
I've tried to send a couple dudes your way. I'm guessing they haven't contacted you.
I am $1,000 apart with one guy, with a fed up wife in my ear yelling "Sell the ****ing boat Rick!"
RickSawyer said:Prolly just cheaper if you buy my Beavertail Micro from meelnaco said:
Didn't have a fly fishing related "Monday Small Projects" project but just came here to say **** that wind on Sunday. Marsh was blown out and I couldn't find water that didn't look like my toilet water after a long night of tequila and street tacos. Found a few reds in smaller creeks and drains but didn't see them until I was right on top of them. On a positive note, I did find some new water and put a track on the back entrance into Greens. That's a fun little route to take, very Mario Kart-esq.
On a not so positive note, after that trip I changed my lower unit oil and found there was water in it and the oil came out thick almost like it had coagulated into a jelly like substance. I'm no outboard mechanic but this is most certainly not copacetic. So stay tuned bc El Naco will most likely be pulling the lower unit off and assessing the damage to the gear case. My thinking is the only way that oil could turn into that jelly like substance is if things got rather hot in there so I'm not expecting good things. Best case scenario, I'll be replacing a prop shaft seal. Worse case, I'll be looking for a new lower unit/ buying a new 5-6hp outboard. Luckily Salt of the Water is a dadgum Craigslist sniper when it comes and skiff related and has already located a potential new motor should it come to that.
Does the Beav cost $1000 like a 6 hp tiller? I gots cash yo, just say when.
Yes, just 15 easy installments of $1,000.
RickSawyer said:
I am $1,000 apart with one guy, with a fed up wife in my ear yelling "Sell the ****ing boat Rick!"
A couple weekends ago we rented a house on Lake Travis with Mrs. Finn's step-mother's side of the family (it's a long convoluted story but the gist is that Mrs. Finn's step-mother hasn't been married to Mrs. Finn's father for many years but Mrs. Finn and her former step-mother are still extremely close) and got a pontoon boat to cruise the lake and hang out in a cove somewhere so we could swim, etc.
Mrs. Finn is now on board with getting a second boat, provided it's a pontoon.
Several years back when I had to let my bass boat go, the wife said we could look into another boat if it was a pontoon.
Touche
Ya guey! If I didn't have baby number 2 on the way and oil was north of $70/ barrel I'd buy up that skiff in a heartbeat.
Finally got the time to prove to myself and this thread's regulars that my boat still floats! Drove down to SPI for the night and fished from there this morning in less than stellar conditions. The wind was ripping early but the real issue was the massive amount of water, up everywhere, and the cataract color of so much of it. Despite the lack of a tug on the line today it was fun get back out there - hopefully it was a gateway trip that will lead to more. The boat ran well so I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for some good days to use it again.
As a pusher man I felt like shallowricksawyer for a minute poling up this skinny mangrove snake of crystal clear water. The water was rushing in and up so fast I thought we were going to be sucked through like a toilet bowl.
The flora and fauna of the Mother Lagoon on display. These mangroves are sharing the water's edge with Palma Pita and a *****ly pear whose toes are in the super high water today. All that is missing is a nilgai posing the picture. This is representative of the shoreline from SPI to the mouth of the Arroyo Colorado; specifically this is Cullen's bay for those familiar with it.
Your's truly; and all this time y'all thought I was just a horses's ass.
ETA sorry for the poor clarity of the photographs. methinks my lifeproof case has seen better days and the cover over the camera lens appears to be about as scratched as the screen cover.
As a pusher man I felt like shallowricksawyer for a minute poling up this skinny mangrove snake of crystal clear water. The water was rushing in and up so fast I thought we were going to be sucked through like a toilet bowl.
The flora and fauna of the Mother Lagoon on display. These mangroves are sharing the water's edge with Palma Pita and a *****ly pear whose toes are in the super high water today. All that is missing is a nilgai posing the picture. This is representative of the shoreline from SPI to the mouth of the Arroyo Colorado; specifically this is Cullen's bay for those familiar with it.
Your's truly; and all this time y'all thought I was just a horses's ass.
ETA sorry for the poor clarity of the photographs. methinks my lifeproof case has seen better days and the cover over the camera lens appears to be about as scratched as the screen cover.
Looks like a fun day outside, slime be damned.
Salt of the water
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O sheet!!!
Not sure which pic I like the most.
I have a lot of footprints in Cullen's Bay.....
Horsepower?
He's alive!
Got to fish for about 30 minutes today. Had a bonefish trail a fly to within 10 feet ofme with no bite and then thunderstorms rolled in.
Okay I'm in need of some assistance again as someone who wants to learn to fly fish. I know the Orvis encounter outfit is excluded from their full warranty, but is that a deterrent from buying it? or should I buy everything separately instead of one of the outfits?
Where are you fishing?BirdhunterAg13 said:
Okay I'm in need of some assistance again as someone who wants to learn to fly fish. I know the Orvis encounter outfit is excluded from their full warranty, but is that a deterrent from buying it? or should I buy everything separately instead of one of the outfits?
What target species / method of fly fishing (skiff, kayak, wading)?
Have you had casting lessons?
What rods have you thrown before?
My go to recommendation is always the same but tried and true:
Rod -TFO BVK 8wt $240
Reel - Orvis Hydros SL 4 $250
Line - Cabelas Prestige Plus Saltwater $30 (manufactured by Scientific Anglers for Cabelas)
You will have some miscellaneous costs for backing, tippet / tapered leader, flies etc... but that gives you a very cost effective and competent set up that will fish well for a long time without the need to upgrade within a year or two. Additionally, you could look at going down to a 6 or even 7 weight if you want a more versatile setup for bass, carp, redfish etc...
RickSawyer said:Where are you fishing?BirdhunterAg13 said:
Okay I'm in need of some assistance again as someone who wants to learn to fly fish. I know the Orvis encounter outfit is excluded from their full warranty, but is that a deterrent from buying it? or should I buy everything separately instead of one of the outfits?
Either lakes around BCS or down at the coast
What target species / method of fly fishing (skiff, kayak, wading)?
For now, bass/trout/reds from the kayak and wading. Probably in 5-10 years I'll add a skiff to that list.
Have you had casting lessons?
No, I'm wanting to go down to Orvis to take their free lessons, but it seems they are done for the year unless I read it wrong.
What rods have you thrown before?
Never thrown a fly rod. Complete beginner here.
My go to recommendation is always the same but tried and true:
Rod -TFO BVK 8wt $240
Reel - Orvis Hydros SL 4 $250
Line - Cabelas Prestige Plus Saltwater $30 (manufactured by Scientific Anglers for Cabelas)
You will have some miscellaneous costs for backing, tippet / tapered leader, flies etc... but that gives you a very cost effective and competent set up that will fish well for a long time without the need to upgrade within a year or two. Additionally, you could look at going down to a 6 or even 7 weight if you want a more versatile setup for bass, carp, redfish etc...
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