May 21st 1999
This edition of GuideLines covers a wide range of subjects, from
stripers to tarpon reels to flies for South Africa. We're happy to see that we have
readers in such far away places. We received several responses to our requests for
information on these subjects, enough to overflow into the next GuideLines.
Question: Mid
Summer Deep Stripers
"I'm gearing up for early season stripers.
However, I'm also tying up trout flies in preparation for my midsummer striper
slump. I striper fish the south coast of Maine and have not figured out how to catch
mid-season stripers on a fly. I realize the fish may be a little deeper, and I've
got two shooting heads, but my success rate really drops off in midsummer. What is
the best way to catch midsummer deep
stripers (without bait)? Thanks," Chris B.
Answer:
Stu Bristol, FishWire Correspondent for Northern New England (sbristol@gwi.net), replied: "Your reader is
plagued by the common misconception that striped bass go deep in the summer. Here in
southern Maine as with anywhere else, striped bass holding patterns are governed by water
flow and low light conditions. Deep water only takes one of those factors into
account. We regularly find smaller stripers - up to 25 pounds - in shallow water
less than 5 feet, if the current is moving and it is overcast, or in early morning or late
afternoon. The only time you will find large bass - over 25 pounds - is in deep
water, generally at night, and by using live or natural baits. For midsummer
stripers on flies, tour the rivers and beaches at dead low tide, with new moon and full
moon the best target dates. Locate the sand bars and fish the incoming and outgoing
when current is moving over those locations. Sometimes that's just an hour or so on
each tide, giving most people the impression that the fish are in deeper water. Use
fast-moving flies such as poppers, or Clousers and Deceivers, for bulging the surface
film."
Answer:
Loren Johnston of Casco Bay Outfitters (meguide@biddeford.com) said: "You didn't say
what size fish you were looking for and I assume you mean July as midsummer.
Different areas have different conditions, however I can generalize with tactics that have
worked for me in many different spots. If it's schoolies that you want, I have been
able to find them all year around. I adjust my fishing times to evening and morning
(or anytime during the day when it's overcast and a front is moving in). Bigger
fish are more problematic; evenings and mornings are best, and I tie on a sinking tip to
my intermediate shooting heads and fish with weighted flies to get deeper. I also
target areas with structures close to deep channels and fish the last phase of each tide.
I have to admit that there are those days (especially if you are fishing on foot) that
defy every strategy, but most days those approaches work for me."
Question: Tarpon Reels
"I have been tarpon fishing for only three years
(i.e. three trips, usually four days per trip). I am ready to take the plunge into
getting my own gear instead of using the guide's. I would like two outfits: an 11
weight slime line rig (a use for my retired "big bunker" fly rod - an rplxi) and
a 12 weight for the floater. I build my own rods so the rod is not the problem.
The reels however are a serious [financial] hurdle (especially when I have to
scrape all my spare change together to pay for the trips!) So what reels are
available that will hold up to tarpon fishing that do not cost 1/2 the amount of the
entire trip? Keep in mind these reels will not get heavy use as they will be used
only once each year, and only a few days at that. Can I get away with large
"striper/blue fish" reels such as Tioga or the like and just replace parts
periodically? Any information and all opinions welcome.
Regards," Greg K.
Answer:
Capt. Dave Collins (keysflats@aol.com), who guides out of Marathon in the
Florida Keys, answered: "You say you usually book four days of tarpon fishing per
year. Your guide costs are probably about $1,600. Then there is 5 or 6 days of
lodging, plus air fare, rental car, etc. All that has got to total over $2500 per trip.
If you are serious about tarpon fishing (which you obviously are), why try to save
a couple of hundred bucks on such a vital component as the reel? Just think how you
would feel if a lesser quality reel were to blow up while you were fighting the fish of a
lifetime! Remember, it really isn't necessary to spend a thousand bucks for a
quality reel. My opinion - go ahead and get a Tibor Gulfstream and be set for life.
Well, maybe not for life, but certainly for a lot of trouble free tarpon seasons,
as well as for those offshore days which may well come along. The additional cost
pales in significance to your annual costs of pursuing the Silver King."
Answer:
Capt. Bob LeMay (LeMayMiami@aol.com),
who guides out of Miami, said: "For the angler that's looking to buy reels for the
big tarpon, here's my best advice: Most of today's middle-price range reels will hold up
to some really big fish. I have anglers who use Lamson and Scientific Anglers reels
with good results. On the other hand one of the top quality reels will outlast their
owner. I'm particularly fond of the Billy Pate reels (since they don't have
bearings, there's nothing to break -- that's a real handy feature on a reel that will be
in continuous use over a number of years). One real possibility is to look for a
used reel that has had little use. A lot of anglers buy gear for really big fish and
later sell it in almost new condition. Here in south Florida, fly shops regularly
get to handle sales on consignment for their customers. I've seen some real bargains
in the past few years. The only other tip that I can pass on is to be a little wary
if you do spend the money for a top quality new reel. Make certain that parts are
available from the manufacturer. A red flag for me would be if the manufacturer does
not handle after-market maintenance or repairs "in house". The owner of a
reel that can't be fixed has an expensive ornament. Good Luck!"
Answer:
Capt. Brian Yates who works out of The Saltwater
Angler in Key West (SaltAngler@aol.com) replied:
"Having your own gear for the annual tarpon trip is a good idea. You can
practice during the off season and develop the skill needed to pursue the fish that you
have only a few days to fish for. Plus, you will be familiar with how the rod and
reel responds to different situations (wind, the distance at which you can pick up line,
your casting range, etc.). My only question to you is why would you buy anything of
lesser quality than what would be available to you from your guide? If you plan to
do these trips for several years, why buy a reel that you will constantly be having to
replace parts for? My suggestion would be to hold off on buying the reel for another
season until you can save up enough money to buy the best that you can afford. Not only
will the premium fly reels last a lifetime (and probably the better part of your
children's), but they will be designed expressly for the purpose at hand, rather than
being simply a larger freshwater reel that can hold more line."
Question: Flies for South Africa
"I have recently started saltwater fly fishing (in
South Africa, Indian Ocean) and have read lots of web pages on what equipment to buy, etc.
But… Nobody tells you what flies to use for what fish - the shop
attendants that sell the fly fishing equipment here do not really know much about the
sport, so therefore can not give much assistance. Is there a web page anywhere on
the internet that can give you a slight hint as to what flies to use (one feels that it is
a huge secret as to what flies to use). Please, for the sake of me giving up before
I have even caught anything, could you assist me? Thank you very much."
Andrew
Answer:
Capt. Bob Rodgers said: "Don't
give up! Most fish eat other fish for a living, and your basic selection of flies
should include baitfish imitations like Lefty's Deceivers in various sizes and colors.
However, in order to answer your question in greater detail we need more
information from you - what are the common species in your area that you plan to target?
Fly fishermen have a long tradition of sharing information, and we'll be glad to
pass your questions along, or answer it ourselves."
Close:
Thanks for continuing to send in great questions. We'll
add them to the column as space allows. Please make them as detailed as possible.
This allows us to zero in on just the right answer. If your question is date
specific - like a planned trip to the Keys in two weeks, we'll do our best to send a
personal reply before your trip.
Bob and Sandy Rodgers |
