[Thrasybulus]

Book a travel trip in 2018 to fish a new saltwater destination or fishery that intrigues you. Don't think, just do it. Sign up, pull the trigger, say "Yes"! No more delaying that dream trip. Budget now, Borrow the gear, Go with a friend or family member. Hire a guide, book a lodge, or plan a DIY trip. Once you commit to it you are launching an exciting new chapter in your life, and it is not all about the fish you catch. The research and preparation will be fun. The travel will take you outside your comfort zone and expand your horizons. New friends will be made, new species of fish caught, and new lands and cultures explored. Don't wait until next year, retirement, a specific birthday. Do it now!

I was a complete hypocrite to all of the above until a few years ago. Now I am a partial hypocrite. I wish I started doing saltwater destination trips much earlier! This evening I started laying out my gear for a trip coming up in January, and I'm getting stoked. My preparations started last winter. I still have some flies to tie up, lines to test cast, and books to read. Will the fishing be great? I have no idea, but I will encounter many new opportunities along with some old favorites. Some fish is going to kick my ass guaranteed .

 

[Nick Clayton]

First I need to get over my irrational fear of flying lol.

I'm down to take a boat there though!

 

[Thrasybulus]

First I need to get over my irrational fear of flying lol.

I'm down to take a boat there though!

I fear the airport hassle the most! Getting TSA PreCheck makes it more tolerable, but never fun. Thankfully I don't have a phobia of flying, but have experienced some interesting landings and take offs.

 

[Nick Clayton]

Flying and snakes. That's my biggest weaknesses. Flying and snakes can both suck it lol

 

[Adam Saarinen]

Snakes on a plane?

 

[Jim F.]

First I need to get over my irrational fear of flying lol.

I hear you, Nick. I once did a lot of flying - 2 too many close encounters put me off. Snakes I can handle. If I can't drive there, I reckon I won't be fishing that place.

 

[SilverFly]

First I need to get over my irrational fear of flying lol.

I'm down to take a boat there though!

Well, you can still hit a number of destination level places if you're up for a serious road trip. The Gulf coast, Florida, East Coast, and even Baja are all within a few-ish days drive. Hell, you can be in San Diego tuna land within a day if you trade off driving with someone.

Yeah, driving that far sucks big time - but is generally cheaper and keeps you on the ground. So, in theory, you can fish for redfish, speckled trout, tarpon, snook, dorado, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, bonefish, permit, sailfish, marlin, stripers, bluefin tuna, rooster fish, yellowtail and many, many more without ever leaving the ground.

Not saying that's how I'd do it, just that it's possible. Another, more practical road trip, that is definitely worth the drive is the west coast of VI. Especially if you have a trailerable boat. Barkeley Sound is small boat fly fishing heaven for salmon, rockfish and lingcod.

 

[Buzzy]

Book a travel trip in 2018 to fish a new saltwater destination or fishery that intrigues you. Don't think, just do it. Sign up, pull the trigger, say "Yes"! No more delaying that dream trip. Budget now, Borrow the gear, Go with a friend or family member. Hire a guide, book a lodge, or plan a DIY trip. Once you commit to it you are launching an exciting new chapter in your life, and it is not all about the fish you catch. The research and preparation will be fun. The travel will take you outside your comfort zone and expand your horizons. New friends will be made, new species of fish caught, and new lands and cultures explored. Don't wait until next year, retirement, a specific birthday. Do it now!

I was a complete hypocrite to all of the above until a few years ago. Now I am a partial hypocrite. I wish I started doing saltwater destination trips much earlier! This evening I started laying out my gear for a trip coming up in January, and I'm getting stoked. My preparations started last winter. I still have some flies to tie up, lines to test cast, and books to read. Will the fishing be great? I have no idea, but I will encounter many new opportunities along with some old favorites. Some fish is going to kick my ass guaranteed .

I'm looking forward to another of your most excellent trip reports: Kiritimati- be good to your group!

 

[Steve Saville]

I've already booked my trip; May 28th to Christmas Island. Never been but it's been on the bucket list for 25+ years. I've tied about a hundred bonefish flies and keep finding new and interesting patterns. Sheeeeeesh!

 

[Thrasybulus]

I've already booked my trip; May 28th to Christmas Island. Never been but it's been on the bucket list for 25+ years. I've tied about a hundred bonefish flies and keep finding new and interesting patterns. Sheeeeeesh!

Very cool Steve! I've been told (and experienced) that folks fishing Christmas Island for the first time have unusually good luck catching fish. Don't forget to tie flies for GT, Bluefin Trevally, Golden Trevally, Triggerfish, Milkfish, Barracuda. Also, rig up for blue water Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Billfish, GT, etc.

 

[Thrasybulus]

Well, you can still hit a number of destination level places if you're up for a serious road trip. The Gulf coast, Florida, East Coast, and even Baja are all within a few-ish days drive. Hell, you can be in San Diego tuna land within a day if you trade off driving with someone.

Yeah, driving that far sucks big time - but is generally cheaper and keeps you on the ground. So, in theory, you can fish for redfish, speckled trout, tarpon, snook, dorado, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, bonefish, permit, sailfish, marlin, stripers, bluefin tuna, rooster fish, yellowtail and many, many more without ever leaving the ground.

Not saying that's how I'd do it, just that it's possible. Another, more practical road trip, that is definitely worth the drive is the west coast of VI. Especially if you have a trailerable boat. Barkeley Sound is small boat fly fishing heaven for salmon, rockfish and lingcod.

Great advice above! In my experience, Florida is home to the most skilled American fly fishermen. There are many big game species to chase with a fly rod throughout the year in Florida (Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Cobia, Tripletail, Barracuda, Shark, Seatrout, Jacks, Dorado, etc, etc). It is usually not easy fishing, and you need to work hard to prepare before your trip. Louisiana is another great domestic fly rod destination, and good fishing is close to New Orleans. NE Stripers! Outer Banks! San Diego offshore Makos, Yellowtail, etc.

 

[Bagman]

My trip is coming up Nov of 2018, leave out of San Diego on a boat for the blue water fly fishing off Baja, with 11 or 12 other fly fisher men/women. It's a 10 day trip, fishing for 8 days. I think I have my gear set up but could use some info on fly lines if anyone is willing to share their experance. Also some fly patterns, DimeBrite do you think I would have any luck with flatwing's?

 

[SilverFly]

Great advice above! In my experience, Florida is home to the most skilled American fly fishermen. There are many big game species to chase with a fly rod throughout the year in Florida (Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Cobia, Tripletail, Barracuda, Shark, Seatrout, Jacks, Dorado, etc, etc). It is usually not easy fishing, and you need to work hard to prepare before your trip. Louisiana is another great domestic fly rod destination, and good fishing is close to New Orleans. NE Stripers! Outer Banks! San Diego offshore Makos, Yellowtail, etc.

One trip that sticks in my mind would be Gulf coast offshore. The chummed yellowfin tuna action next to the shrimp boats as they dump bycatch is tailor-made for fly fishing. Finding a charter that would let you fly fish would be the real challenge. Hitting the offshore oil rigs for pelagics and structure-based species like amber jack is another thing I'd love to try with a fly rod. And since you're fishing the Gulf coast, you'd have to spend a few days inshore for redfish and specks.

 

[SilverFly]

My trip is coming up Nov of 2018, leave out of San Diego on a boat for the blue water fly fishing off Baja, with 11 or 12 other fly fisher men/women. It's a 10 day trip, fishing for 8 days. I think I have my gear set up but could use some info on fly lines if anyone is willing to share their experance. Also some fly patterns, DimeBrite do you think I would have any luck with flatwing's?

This is another that's definitely on my bucket list! I'm especially jealous if your going on the Shogun.

 

[Thrasybulus]

My trip is coming up Nov of 2018, leave out of San Diego on a boat for the blue water fly fishing off Baja, with 11 or 12 other fly fisher men/women. It's a 10 day trip, fishing for 8 days. I think I have my gear set up but could use some info on fly lines if anyone is willing to share their experance. Also some fly patterns, DimeBrite do you think I would have any luck with flatwing's?

I'm sure flatwings would work if tied up in very large multi-hackle sizes. You'll need big double hook rigs to tie up your Wahoo and Tuna flies.

 

[Bagman]

This is another that's definitely on my bucket list! I'm especially jealous if your going on the Shogun.

Yes I'm going on the Shogun. The last time I spoke to Ray Beadle he said there were still two open spots left open at the rail if your interested.

 

[JohnB]

I'm headed to Belize in a month, while the trip isn't fishing specific I'm excited to try out bonefishing and whatever else I can find.

 

[SilverFly]

My trip is coming up Nov of 2018, leave out of San Diego on a boat for the blue water fly fishing off Baja, with 11 or 12 other fly fisher men/women. It's a 10 day trip, fishing for 8 days. I think I have my gear set up but could use some info on fly lines if anyone is willing to share their experance. Also some fly patterns, DimeBrite do you think I would have any luck with flatwing's?

I'm extrapolating based on my albacore experience and having followed SD tuna fishing online for a few years now. But yeah, I would think flatwings should work. From what I've seen, the keys to getting tuna to eat a fly are (1) getting it deep (2) making it move like it's alive, and (3) looking like the real thing that's locked in their targeting computer (match the hatch).

Do all 3 and you probably don't need chum. That said, I can't emphasize depth enough. If I were going I'd take several of the deepest sinking lines you can get. If you can't get deep, like at least 50 feet, you'll probably have to wait your turn at the corner where the chum is being thrown.

Rio Leviathan lines have worked well for me at modest drift rates. But I want to get deep even on a fast drift, and much deeper (like 150+) at normal drifts. So I'd look into getting a spool of Jerry Brown hollow core gel-spun braid that you can thread a whole bunch of T-whatever through. Casting isn't going to be much of a concern on a long range boat. Getting deep, line-handling, and not getting broken or cut-off will be the make-or-break concerns.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[SilverFly]

Yes I'm going on the Shogun. The last time I spoke to Ray Beadle he said there were still two open spots left open at the rail if your interested.

You're killing me man! . We've got 2 weddings to subsidize this year, so I already had to pass on an X-mas island invite in April!

Edit: Hmm, this is a ways out being in November. Hypothetically I'd be open to getting details via PM. Just out of curiosity. of course (so I can figure how many more hours of OT I'll need).

 

[Steve Saville]

Very cool Steve! I've been told (and experienced) that folks fishing Christmas Island for the first time have unusually good luck catching fish. Don't forget to tie flies for GT, Bluefin Trevally, Golden Trevally, Triggerfish, Milkfish, Barracuda. Also, rig up for blue water Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Billfish, GT, etc.

Great advice. I have about a hundred bigger flies, poppers, etc from the numerous trips I've made to Mexico and also a bunch from tuna trips, all different sizes, styles and colors. I've also tied a few in the 7" range for onshore and the ones recommended by the shop. I'm still working on my selection.