I am hopefully moving to the keys in the Spring and need a bonefish setup. What do the pros suggest? 8 wt?
This is what I’m considering, please feel free to tell me what you think.
Redington Rise Reel- http://www.redington.com/prod.php?k=46435&p=RDT5-3037R003&u=RISE
Redington 8wt CPX rod- http://www.redington.com/prod.php?k=50169&p=RDT5-2022T007&u=CPX%20Fly
Rio Bonefish fly line- http://www.rioproducts.com/product.php?recKey=39
Somebody told us Wall Street fell but we were so poor we couldn’t tell. Cotton was short and the weeds were tall but Mr. Obama gonna save us all
xHCFKx
With what little experience I have, 8wt is the way to go unless its windy, then 9 wt. Get ready to plunk some funds down on a good reel. Here the reel has nothing to do with it. Once one of those bonefish takes off, you need the smoothest drag there is.
I have a redington reel that I will give a good deal on. I would not trust it to a good bone for one trip, let alone for a season or more.
just my .02 cents.
chris.
This might be a case where the reel might be more important than the rod. Bones get on the reel very fast. The bones in Florida are typically not brutes. Maybe an 8wt and a good reel would be the standard.
I’ll PM you a link to a site that has good Florida fishing information if you want it. Has a lot of information for people who do minimal fishing down there; light boats and light gear.
Not sure why you aren’t looking at the TRO stuff. Redington stuff is OK. I have one. But, see if TFO has something that looks good to you. You built a boat. Maybe you could build one of the TFO kits?
I have to agree and disagree Ty one on…
Florida bones are on average bigger than their cousins in the bahamas… they’re big… and smart, which means you don’t have to worry to much rap, you’ll never fool one anyway… just kiddin…
but seriously they are big… a reel is gonna count for alot… I would say get a 9… not because of the size of the bones but because of the other species that are around that your gonna want to play with other than the bones… snook, baby poons, jacks, etc… these fish are gonna make you want a little more rod… so i would get a 9… with a good reel…
From what I know about the Rise Reel… your not gonna want to mess with it… I would go for like a lamson if I was gonna keep it cheap… but at least the velocity… none of the lower end stuff…
Better yet just get a Nautilus and you’ll never need another reel…
Just my .02
Mad Mike
"to hell with insane… I’m OUTsane!!! "
8 definately. its always good to have a rod with some cojones in case Mr. Permit makes and apperance:wink: save it up, eventually you will need and definately want the top of the line stuff…the situations and species an 8wt is capable of almost justify the massive initial upfront cost and will pay off much more later. I would get the rod first and a descent reel, then when the $flow allows, get a stellar reel. (my thinking on this is that if you cant deliver the mustard the extra 25’ that MIGHT be required, because of the wind, or whatever the reason …the reel is of no importance b/c you aint got no fush!) with 12 to 20lb fluro, a reels start up inertia is of little importance since it isnt gonna break the tippet (except on dirt cheap reels where the drag might lock or disengage into a freespoolin birdsnest.
now backing capacity is anutha story…MINIMUM of 150yds. 200 is good, 250 would make me wade a little taller.
Lemme know when and where…i’lll drag the skiff down for a little couch surfin!
if you wanna get really nasty…
http://www.abelreels.com/images/finishes/2011_Bonefish_lrg.jpg
www.flyfishingsc.com
Fyi, the florida bones are huge. I casted to one that I thought was a barracuda only to be about a 12lb bone. Even the schoolies are big.
I appreciate all the input. I’ll stay away from the Redington reel for the bones and such. How are Sage reels? I like the looks of the 8 wt 4500. It looks like it’s got a nice large arbor and a solid drag, anyone ever use them?
I’ve got two St. Croix 8wt rods already and I can cast decently well with them so if I’m going to drop much more money on a reel, I’ll probably stick with those rods for the time being.
Somebody told us Wall Street fell but we were so poor we couldn’t tell. Cotton was short and the weeds were tall but Mr. Obama gonna save us all
xHCFKx
Having fish Islamorada for bones I would suggest a fast 8 that you are comfortable with, and one you can throw all day with out rehab the next few days. I would also recommend a good reel. I use a Helios and Nautilus CCF 8 as my setup. The wind is going to blow so your casting may be as important as anything, and if it is not in tune you will not have to worry much about the reel.
Here is one I caught down there, wish it had been on the fly but it was on a shrimp. He ran for what seemed like a mile, but in reality it was more like 100 yds, and then the second run was a screaming 75+. The reel is important.
Far better it is to dare mighty things to win glorious triumphs even though checkered with failure, than to take ranks with those poor spirits who never enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
I just bought that Redington reel in 5/6 burnt orange color for trout and smallmouth bass. It’s pretty sweet and has a nice drag but I don’t know if its very good on a bonefish. I’ve never caught one. Keys bonefish are the biggest in the world. Reread an article the other day by Sandy Moret and he was saying you don’t need tons of backing i.e. 300 yards. Rarely do bones go much over 100. I’ll see if I can find the article and dig up the exact numbers.
I also just purchased a Ross Momentum LT for my new 7 weight. Most badass reel I have ever owned and the lightest by far. Haven’t used it yet, but the drag is incredible. Pricier at $350 but I would feel very comfortable dragwise hooking a big fish on it.
There is no normal life, there’s just life.
Tarpon 140
Knot the Reel World Fly Fishing LLC
What are you going to do in the keys by the way??
There is no normal life, there’s just life.
Tarpon 140
Knot the Reel World Fly Fishing LLC
