Thought you guys here might be able to help me. I will be taking a trip to Sanibel Island this June. I have been there on a number of occassion but never got a chance to Flyfish. I want to try and catch a Snook on a fly. Was wondering what flies you might suggest I tie? Also I will be using an 8wt Loomis flyrod and was thinking of a Orvis Battenkill Reel…any thoughts?. I don’t to spend to much as this outfit won’t get used alot as most of my fishing is here in central PA with my 4 wt’s & 5wt’s.
Thanks folks.
An #8 weight will be good & get the large arbor Battenkill because you never know what’ll strike a fly on the beach! A big spanish mackeral will take you deep into the backing, unlike a monster snook which will only run about 100 yards. Usually an intermediate flyline is better for beach snookin’ because the line isn’t affected by the waves, but a floating line will work. Norms’ krystal schiminnow on a #2 hook will work, and if you’ve fished the Susky or Potomac the fly known as a krystal bugger is the same pattern. Also small baitfish imitations in white or white with a greenish back imitate the greenbacks & white bait. Use a #20 fluorocarbon bite tippet for more strikes, but probable loss of more flies.
Just tie them up with mono eyes, as most of the baitfish are on or near the surface when the snook go on a feeding frenzy as you’re beach snookin’! If you venture into the mangroves & the backcountry then some bead chain eyes might be better on the flies.