featured destination
So, how do we rig?
Rigging is pretty straightforward unless you are fishing for larger species during the warmer months. A six to seven foot rod loaded with 20 pound braid is a good allaround combination. Many saltwater fish have teeth or a very abrasive mouth, so a tippet of 30-40 pound mono or fluorocarbon is needed most times. If you’re targeting speckled trout 10 - 20 is fine. If you are targeting large tarpon, 80 pound tippet may be needed. If you are fishing tight, narrow creeks, you may want to shift down to a shorter rod that is more manageable amongst the trees. Fly fishing the backcountry, because your back cast, is limited to the lakes and ponds interconnected by the creeks. In the front-country, you do not have this issue. But here the wind and weather can dictate the weight of your fly rod. An eight weight is a good all-around rod for the Everglades. With an eight, you can get easily get “spanked” by a big snook or tarpon, however. As well, an eight can be too much rod for cichlids and speckled trout. However, some of the most fun I’ve had in a kayak has been with a 5-weight catching speckled trout, ladyfish, jacks and pompano with an incoming tide on an outside barrier island. 14 l Southern Kayak Fishing
l
January 2016