Destination saltwater trips have a way of reminding you what gear really works and what does not. The Caribbean may appear laid back, but bonefish flats fishing demands preparation. Heat, salt, and international travel all expose weak points in your system. A little thought before you leave saves frustration later.
Rods, Reels, and Getting Them There Safely
An 8-weight should be your starting point for bonefish. Pair it with a reputable reel with a quality drag, loaded with a tropical floating line. If your trip includes shots at permit or baby tarpon, a 9- or 10-weight is worth the extra space.
The Travel Pack is the perfect solution to get your gear from home to the flats through a multitude of airport checkpoints, rental cars, shuttle buses, and hotel rooms. It easily holds all the gear you need for three to five days of flats fishing and organizes impeccably.
Flies and Leaders
Caribbean bonefish are most often not overly picky, but they do notice bad presentations. Keep your fly box simple. Gotchas, Crazy Charlies, and small Squimps in pink, tan, and white will cover most flats. Mix in a few light bead chain versions for shallow water and heavier lead eye versions for deeper channels.
Leaders should taper to 10 or 12 pound fluorocarbon. I carry spools from 8 through 20 pound for changing conditions or when switching to permit or snappers. If you are like me, and simplicity is out, and traveling with a small fly shop is in, The Hauler 45L is the perfect waterproof solution for organizing and carrying these essentials.
Clothing and Protection
You will be in the equatorial sun all day. Long sleeve sun shirts, quick dry pants, a good hat, and perhaps even sun gloves are essential. Bring a lightweight hoody for when the wind picks up and two pairs of polarized sunglasses in amber or copper tint. Nothing ends a trip faster than losing your only pair to the surf.
Use reef safe sunscreen and apply it early in the day, not when your neck already feels hot, and especially when cloudy, as UV rays can be more damaging on overcast days. For footwear, flats boots or sturdy wading shoes with neoprene socks will save your feet from coral cuts. I have tried barefoot; it never ends well.
Packing for Travel
Airline travel to the islands can be unpredictable. Carry your rods and reels with you, along with a full set of clothes, sandals, and basic toiletries in your carry on. Lost luggage happens. Mark every bag clearly and avoid black duffels that look like everyone else’s. Many Central American countries prohibit rods and lines as carry-ons. While you may have been able to store them in the overhead bin on your travel to the lodge, you may have to check your precious and expensive gear on the way back.
This is where the Travel Pack shines. If you are forced to gate check the bag, it is still on the plane, and this bag is built to take a beating. Its durable construction and crushproof compartment shield your rods and reels, and lockable zippers provide added security. You can trust it to deliver everything you need to fish without worry.
Once you are there, simple organization helps. The Riversmith Duffel 45 is perfect for keeping clean clothes separate from musty saltwater gear. It is tough enough for boats and beach transfers, and the interior dividers make unpacking at the lodge easier. Once unpacked, its waterproof on demand functionality allows it to double as a waterproof boat bag for long days on the flats.
Practice Before You Go
The best prep you can do before a bonefish trip does not happen in your luggage, it is your casting. Spend time working on 40 to 60 foot shots with minimal false casting. Caribbean wind can be unpredictable, and bonefish do not give you second chances. The guides will spot fish for you, but it is your job to get the fly there quickly and quietly.
Luck Favors the Prepared
The guide points. You strip line and make the cast without thinking. The fly lands, twitches once, and the water ahead turns silver. The line comes tight, and the reel starts to sing. Every bit of packing, planning, and gear choice fades into the sound of that first run, a reminder that good preparation always earns its moment.
