Hi all. I need help!
So my buds finally convinced me and I need to gear up and then practice for a trip next Christmas.
Jardines de la Reina in Cuba. Bonz mostly, small and medium tarpon, as well as Jacks in the afternoon.
I know I will need two rods. My 8-9 wts are all 10 footers, so I’ll look for some 9 foot rods, 8 and 10 wt.
I need help with reels! Ideas???
Thanks for any help from a salt flats newbie!!
Here’ my reel idea, leave your heavy coat home!
Sounds like you in for some fun in the sun…
Chris
SW reels can be very very very very expensive, if this is not something you are going to be doing regularly then RENT !!! the gear you need, contact the lodge or resort you are going to stay at and find out how much it would cost to RENT!!!,
Turneffe Flats only charges $200 for a full week you can’t by 1/4 of a SW reel for that much. a good one that is… that is just an example that I have been investigating, hoping for this spring or early summer…
You don’t need to spend big bucks on SW reels. Sure you can spend $700 for an Abel or Tibor or Hatch, or $1000 for a Mako, or $600 for a Nautilus but you can spend much less than that too. Reels suitable for bonefish can run $250 or less. Examples are Sage 1800 and 2000 series, Lamson Konic and Guru, Orvis Mid Arbor, Ross CLA, Redington Rise, Cortland Precision, and S.A. System 2 just to name a few. We have caught plenty of bonito, which are tougher than any bonefish, with a $55 Redington Crosswater, though I wouldn’t make this my primary reel on an a costly trip somewhere. The Redington CDL, Sea Level Tempest, and TFO LA are fine for for Dorado and Skipjack, Jacks, Sailfish, Trevally, Tarpon, bonefish etc) and these are all less than $300. The TFO Terry Hayden Reels at $400 to $450 are a solid as other reels that cost twice has much have have the Type III adonization that is much tougher than the Type II used on most reels including the more expensive Abel, Tibor, etc. (I have both TFO Terry Hayden and Abel reels in my collection so have compared them side by side.)
Hay Thanks, that is great info, gives me and I hope the OP a better chance at getting a good outfit to enjoy the SW and still be able to afford to get to the SW stuff…
I was wondering about Lamson reels in the salt. I like them and have never had trouble so may look into it.
As for the $$, I’ll probably look into buying gear and renting spares. A friend has a small shop and can rent out gear (Ross, GLoomis and Sage). I think I’ll look into SW gear for Bonz and rent if the Tarpon are too big. I’ll also see if my heavier salmon reels are up to snuff for SW.
Thanks for all the advice (keep it coming).
Sincerely,
Most gear used for salmon will be fine for bonefish and baby tarpon. Lamson reels are pretty good and fine for the salt.
The evolution of the quality of gear produced from factories in Asia over the last few years has really made high quality gear more affordable to the benefit of the angler. Top quality U.S and Canadian made gear (Islander) is great but much of the other stuff is very good too. I have three Abel reels, but I also use much less costly gear from Ross Reels, Orvis, TFO, Redington, and G Loomis in my saltwater adventures.
I’m gearing up for SW fishing too (flats in April and then locally in the Chesapeake Bay). The Colton T-810 has interested me but I can’t find much out about it. From their website (http://www.coltonfly.com/torrent.php) it is American made, has a good drag (which besides corrosion resistance and line capacity seems to be what separates SW reels from freshwater) and it costs $315. That isn’t cheap by my standards but makes renting a reel seem like a waste of money.
Anyone here familiar with the Colton reel or the company?
Greybeard
Hi Chris,
Ihad to gear up a couple of years ago and given that we fish Fla only a couple of times a year, I chose to go with moderately priced gear.Both the 8wt and my 10wt are TFO professional series I have a Ross CLA reel for the 8wt and a Cabelas XSS 10wt. This reel may now be discontinued.
Don’t overlook what Cabelas has in saltwater reels. Mine have held up beautifully but I am meticulous about maintaining my gear. I fish saltwater only a few times a year so I couldnot justify dropping huge amounts of money on more gear.
Hope this helps,
Gerri
Hi again Chris,
I made an error inmy original post. My SW rods are both TFOs and are the TiCr X series.The XXS reels are still available In fact, you can put together a package that includes backing and a mastery gps flyline for around $350 depending on your choice of reels. The price of the XXS reel/TFO combo ($350) does not include the line and backing.
The reels arewellmade andIhave nothad any problemswiththe 10 wt reel.
Thanks Gerri,
Actually, I am looking at the TFO rods. These will be 2-3 trips per year rods and we DO bring spares for the group.
I use a TFO rod for big trout and am really impressed.
Deanna had me try a Reddington product a few years ago too and I was impressed with the brand.
I’m still looking to gear up with a DH rod this year too, so I won’t be out to dump +600$ per rod for the salt.
Question, … in your personal opinion, is the TiCr X a relatively fast rod with enough in the butt?(that’s what I’m looking for).
Hi Chris,
Yes, I do feel that the TFO rods are relatively fast rods but I am not expert enough to evaluate the extent of functionality of the rod butt section. All I can tell you is that the equipment met my criteria as faras price range,durability and my own personal enjoyment in using and especially in casting with it. To me the gear is comfortable to use. THE GUIDE we used when we were fishing for tarpon loved the 10wt outfit with the XSS reel and was surprised at the quality of the reel. My 8 wt outfit was purchased at an Orvis shop in Titusville,Fla.(Mosquito Lagoon/Indian River…redfish mecca). Guide’s name is Captain John Tarr out of the Flyfisherman Shop. Super nice guy who really could not have been more patient with a trout fisherperson trying to learn saltwater techniques. Good luck in making your choices.
Thanks Gerri.
I’m having some rods rigged up for me so I can test 'em out. From what I’ve seen and heard, the casting and presentation isn’t quick what I’m used to.
On a salmon pool, I’ll sometimes take 10-15 minutes to watch a fish, measure out my line, set up and lay down a presentation. Apparently, … it’s not quite like that for Bonz :shock:
(does it sound like I’m getting excited ?? 
The TiCr X is a fast action rod, but not a broomstick, with fairly powerful butt section compared most of the competition in it price range. This applies to all the TiCr X models I have tried. I know a couple of very experienced anglers who after trying the 8wt TiCr X, started using it instead of other 9wt models because it was a bit lighter to cast but had enough muscle in the butt section for really putting the heat on hooked fish. I already had 5 8wt rods when I tried the 8wt TiCrX so I coudn’t come up with a reason to buy one.
Glad that Tailingloop jumped in here to help eval the TiCr X. I am responding to the casting techniques of saltwater. Oneof the toughest aspects for me was that in salt, there is no time to false cast because the shadows
can spook the fish. The casting must be accurate and fast. Don’t strip your line in completely and leave about 15 to20 feet in/on the water before you pick up to begin a forward cast. I had to practice a lot during the winter months
using a hula hoop to try to improve my accuracy.
Many thanks!!!
I know what y’all mean … Rods have improved so much over the past 20 years. A rod can be med-fast and cut a tight loop without being a broom stick! So far, I’ve been pretty impressed with the TFO products. I tried a bunch of 'em and I own an Axiom for big trout (in a 6wt). The Axiom is missing a bit of punch when I get the whole line out the guides, but from what I understand, this isn’t a necessary cast for Bonz. The rod casts fine, it just fades a bit on the power end while double hauling. This doesn’t affect fish fighting.
I’m looking around slowly. I still have almost 10 months to get rigged properly and to practice (does it sound like i’m starting to get excited!!!)