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Yucatan Saltwater Equipment List

Shop For Your Next Yucatan Fly Fishing Adventure

This Yucatan Saltwater Equipment List was created by Yellow Dog’s Mexico Program Director, Sam Mebane, to include everything you’ll need for a successful trip to the flats and lagoons surrounding the expansive Ascension, Espiritu Santo and Chetumal Bays. From hand-selected flies and fly lines to leaders and tippet, this list ensures you’ll arrive completely prepared for the adventure ahead.

Relevant to These Lodges: Ascension Bay Lodge, Grand Slam Lodge, Fin Chasers, Kay Fly Fishing Lodge, Pesca Maya Lodge, Casa Blanca, Playa Blanca, The Palometa Club, The Xflats, Costa de Cocos, and Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge

HELPFUL LINKS:

+ Mexico Video Equipment List Series
+ Yucatan Fly Fishing Gear Guide: Everything You Need

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Destination Specific Fly Assortments

Having extensively traveled and fly fished the world, we are the industry’s foremost authority on destination-specific equipment, gear, and flies. Over a week of fishing in the Yucatan, anglers can expect shots at bonefish, permit, and potentially tarpon, snook, and more. If you are fishing for less than five days, we recommend a bare minimum of twelve to twenty-four flies, or a more adequate selection of thirty-six flies.

Permit Flies

How Many Flies? Twelve to eighteen flies.

Sizes and Colors? A mix of crabs and shrimp patterns ranging from size 2-6. Tan and white should be the staples.

Important Notes: Guides often prefer yellow, orange, and red lead eyes. Water depth can vary, but flies should be on the heavier side.

Bonefish Flies

How Many Flies? Twelve to eighteen flies.

Sizes and Colors? Shrimp patterns in size 4 and 6. White, cream, pink, tan, and pearl are all productive.

Important Notes: A mix of both bead chain and lead eyes are important for varying water depths.

Tarpon Flies

How Many Flies? A dozen total.

Sizes and Colors? 1/0-3/0 flies in the natural colors, black/purple, chartreuse, black, and white.

Important Notes: Baitfish style patterns can also be utilized for snook and jacks.

Other Flies

How Many Flies? An additional half dozen flies for snook, barracuda, and jacks are ideal for being fully prepared.

Sizes and Colors? To specifically target snook, unweighted baitfish patterns in white and combinations of white in size 2 are recommended. Chartreuse needlefish patterns in 2/0 and large poppers for barracuda and jacks, respectively.

Important Notes: Tarpon flies can be utilized in a pinch for snook, jacks, and barracuda, though flies designed specifically for them are better.

Saltwater Fly Fishing Rods

What Type of Rod Action? Fast-action rods capable of quickly delivering accurate casts are recommended.

What Weight? For permit, a 9 and/or 10-weight is ideal and a 7 or 8-weight is perfect for bonefish. A 9 or 10-weight is ideal for juvenile tarpon and snook, while larger tarpon require an 11 or 12-weight.

Important Notes: Currently, Mexico only allows travelers to bring in FOUR fly rods in their luggage. Anglers should pack their rods according to what species they aim to prioritize. For general, all-around fishing, one of each rod is ideal.

Saltwater Fly Fishing Reels

What Type of Fly Reel? Strong, smooth and fully-sealed drag systems are a must for saltwater fly fishing.

What Weight? A 7/8 rated reel for bonefish, 8/9 for 9/10 for permit, juvenile tarpon, and snook, and an 11/12 for migratory tarpon.

How Much Backing? For bonefish and permit, at least 150-200 yards of 20# backing. For tarpon and snook, 200 yards of 20-30# backing.

Saltwater Fly Lines

Bonefish: A weight-forward, tropical floating line is your go-to when fishing for bonefish. Beginner fly anglers should consider opting for a quickshooting line, while more experienced casters can perform with a more gradual tapered fly line. Ensuring a delicate presentation is crucial for most any bonefish scenario.

Permit: A weight-forward, tropical line that allows the angler to quickly load the rod, deliver an accurate cast, and turn over sometimes heavily weighted flies is a must. Longer fly line heads are handy here to both deliver flies at long distances, while also allowing for gentle presentations.

Tarpon: A floating, tropical line with a smooth taper for casting lightly weighted flies and delicate presentations is recommended for tarpon and snook. Between the months of May-September, an intermediate line can be helpful for migratory tarpon.

Fly Line Accessories

Over time, dirt, grime, and other contaminants can accumulate on your fly line, which can negatively impact your casting performance. A dirty fly line can stick to your guides and drag through the water, resulting in poor casting distance and accuracy. Regularly cleaning your fly line can help extend its lifespan. Dirt and other contaminants can cause the coating on your fly line to degrade faster, leading to cracks and other damage that can weaken the line. A clean fly line can help you detect subtle strikes and improve your overall fishing experience. A dirty line can reduce your ability to feel the fly and detect when a fish has taken it.

Leaders / Tippet Assortment

Saltwater Leaders

How Many Leaders? Two to three leaders for each species are recommended for a week, though some anglers prefer to have fresh leaders each day.

What Size and Weight Leaders? A 9 or 10-foot 12# leader is most common for bonefish, while 16# test is recommended for permit. Anglers pursuing tarpon and snook can bring 20# leaders.

Saltwater Tippet

How Many Spools of Tippet? A single spool of each recommended size and a backup is always recommended.

What Size and Weight? Spools of 10#, 12#, and 16# can be used for bonefish, while the addition of 20# tippet will cover you for permit. For juvenile tarpon, a spool of 30-40# tippet is ideal for bite tippet, while large, migratory fish demand a shock tippet of 50-80#.

Important Notes: Anglers should bring a spool of wire bite tippet for barracuda.

Fly Fishing Tops

Fly Fishing Bottoms

Fly Fishing Jackets

Fly Fishing Hats

Wading Boots

Wading Accessories

Sun Protection

Sunglasses

Saltwater Fly Fishing Packs

Fly Fishing Travel Luggage

Saltwater Fly Boxes

Saltwater Fishing Pliers

Saltwater Nippers

Water Bottles

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Yucatan Saltwater Equipment List

Shop For Your Next Yucatan Fly Fishing Adventure