Cancun and Isla Blanca Flats and Fly Fishing - What To Bring
All fishing equipment and tackle is included in your trip, including lures and flies. However, if you have your own equipment or plan to purchase your own gear for this trip, below are our recommendations for the area. We've also listed a couple other important items that you should definitely have for your trip such as polarized sunglasses and sun protection!
Fly Fishing Gear
Fly Rods - The best rods for the area are 9ft. fast action fly rods in an 8wt.
Fly Reels - Fly reels made for 7-8-9wt. with weight forward floating line is recommended and they should hold at least 150yds to 200yds of backing.
Fly Fishing Leaders
For Tarpon and Snook we use a 9 ft. leader starting with a 4 ft 20lb to 25lb butt then a 3 ft 16lb section followed by a 1 ½ft 12lb section then a 6 inch long shock tippet of 20lb to 25Lb.
For Bonefish and Permit we'll use a 9 or 10ft leaders starting with 3 ft 20lb to 25lb butt then a 2 ft of 16lb section followed by a 1 ft section of 12lb and then 3 to 4 ft of 10 lb tippet.
You can also purchase pre made leaders designed for Tarpon, Bonefish, and permit.
Saltwater Flies
For tarpon and snook we recommend 1/0 or 2/0 hooks.
For bonefish and permit we recommend hooks in size 2, 4 and 6.
Tarpon - The Cockroach, Deceivers, Clouser Minnows, Seaducers, Tarpon Toad, and the Whistler Fly. Popular color patterns would be brown, root beer, tan, olive, white with red, black, and purple.
Permit - Plenty of crab patterns in tan, brown, olive, and tan with green. Popular patterns include the Raghead Crab, The Merkin Crab, and The McCrab Fly
Bonefish - Crazy Charlies and Gotchas in tan, pink, olive, and brown as well as assorted shrimp patterns.
Snook - An assortment of Clousers, Deceivers, and minnows in white or white and red. One of the best Snook flies is The Schminnow,
Popular Saltwater Flies For Tarpon, Snook, Bonefish, and Permit
Light Tackle Spin Gear
Light Tackle Rods - Medium and Fast Action Rods. 6ft and 7ft Rods.
Light Tackle Spin Reels - 10lb, 12lb, and 15lb capacity Reels with 150ft to 200ft of line.
Lures - Assorted feather jigs in 1/8 and 1/4 in brown, root beer, tan, white/pink, white/chartreuse, and olive. Top water include Yozuri's, Rapala's, and Mirror lures in the same size category. Soft baits including shrimp, minnow imitations, and grubs with jig heads.
Additional Recommended Items
Polarized Sunglasses - We recommend amber or copper lenses for the flats.
Sun Block - The day is long, sunny, and hot! If you are going to use sunblock please put it on at the hotel and make sure you wash your hands.
Light Clothing - Light long sleeve shirts are recommended and a better option than sun block.
Hat & Buff - Everyone should bring a hat with neck protection or a buff.
Camera - You'll have some nice memories you'll want to remember.
