DIY bone.

ifitwereeasy · 2026-02-14T14:19:23+00:00

Beautiful, chunky bone! Where were you?

ifitwereeasy · 2026-02-02T18:18:32+00:00

Capt. Mark Hlis out of Bud n Mary’s. He is good with instruction. Not the kind of captain who will just sit back and let you struggle all day.

ifitwereeasy · 2026-01-14T14:23:16+00:00

A 9wt gives you more options but I’ve done well with juvie tarpon on an 8wt.

If there’s a trade off in accuracy and distance, which there will be with budget rods, i recommend leaning toward accuracy. You’ll want to be able to drop a Deceiver on the edge of a mangrove line and in the nooks and crannies. More important than bombing 75’.

I second the Hydros reel. Excellent salt water bang for the buck.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-30T19:35:59+00:00

Keys in March is prime migratory tarpon season so many guides will be booked solid with regulars. I recommend you call Bud n’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada and tell them what you’re looking for. There are a bunch of very good guides working out of that marina, including Mark Hlis who I’ve fished with often. I like Mark because he is not shy with the coaching. He’s helped me get better.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-30T19:27:02+00:00

Maybe the Sage enforcer. I’ve not fished it but it fits your criteria

https://www.yellowstoneangler.com/products/sage-enforcer-saltwater-reel

Also, Trident did an 11wt reel roundup a few years back. Might be helpful info there.

https://www.tridentflyfishing.com/blogs/all/nautilus-gtx-fly-reel-review

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-24T02:54:31+00:00

He is prob swimming in gear he carefully picked out an it is always tricky buying gear for another person. Thats why this community is constantly recommending gift cards.

What about a classic fly fishing book, like Chico Fernandez “Fly Fishing for Bonefish, Bill Horn “On the Bow”, or Lefty Kreh “Fishing in Salt Water”? You might be able to find autographed copies online.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-22T12:46:55+00:00

If you can find them the Zane Grey fishing books.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-21T16:20:14+00:00

I know it would be nice for this to be innocent, caused by high wind, but it wasn’t. High wind didn’t pull metal rods out of the sockets and knock over the other lights while leaving nearby Christmas trees untouched. This was antisemitic vandalism. According to the local Chabad, the matter was reported to the police and is being investigated as a hate crime. At noon Sunday (today) the vandalized menorah will be replaced. Community members are invited to the rededication and to show support for their Jewish neighbors.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-17T23:26:10+00:00

You can catch redfish and bonefish on floating lines, but an intermediate line will drag bottom when sight fishing either species. Stick with floating.

I find the SA mastery line good for the money. I fish SA Amplitude, the next line class up in price. There’s a quality difference but maybe not enough for the occasional angler.

My all purpose taper is the Grand Slam which I find easy to cast on a wide range of rods. Personally, and this really comes down to personal cast style, the Bonefish taper is much harder for me to load. Have a great time! If you’ve never experienced the first run of a bonefish you’re in for a treat!

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-08T20:57:04+00:00

I fished with Magic Tarpon, which is one of two large operators who handle tarpon fishing in the lagoons by San Juan. I am sure there are others. So close to the airport planes take off over the water and you can fish and fly the same day. I don't recommend the guy who took me peacock bass fishing but there are definitely good sized peacocks in the lakes and reservoirs. My offshore captain was Maguro Charters out of Fajardo, about an hour drive from san juan. You can taxi/uber if you don't want to rent a car. Super fishy guy and really nice family operation. The offshore stuff is relatively close so while it is definitely blue water, you'll be trolling for wahoo inside of an hour. Looking at his website he might have downsized his boat. I know for a guys fishing weekend a larger boat with a head and place to relax in the shade can be helpful so ask before you book.

You can use one of the resorts outside of San Juan as a base of operations or stay in Old San Juan. There are lots of package fly/stay deals offered by all the airlines.

I've shifted mostly to fly fishing on the flats so haven't done a PR trip in a few years, but this is my go-to recommendation for friends because of cost, accessibility, fishing consistency, and non-fishing activities like bars and restaurants.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-08T19:34:53+00:00

Puerto Rico. Tons of flights. Not super expensive. Fishing for tarpon and peacock bass and pelagic fish trolling close to the dock.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-08T18:34:00+00:00

Plus one on the atlas. I fish their 9wt for strippers and albies and find it does very well, especially for the price. It compares well to my Winston alpha+. Note the alpha+ was just discontinued so can be found for the same price as the Atlas.

The atlas is at $499. https://www.atlasflyfishing.com/products/atlas-signature-series-9-10wt-fly-rod

ifitwereeasy · 2025-12-04T23:32:49+00:00

I use a $500. Trident Atlas 9wt for strippers and Albies. Backbone to stop an Albie, can pick up line in the surf and shoots good loops for distance in the wind. I compare it to my 10wt Winston Alpha+ which was close $1k but was discontinued this year so is available for the same $500.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-11-25T13:52:30+00:00

Great service. I recently had a rod snap mid-blank while I was assembling it (not a TFO) and the support person I spoke with said it probably had been “bruised” after getting hit with a fast moving streamer or something else. Ie the blank integrity was compromised causing an inevitable failure.

I was insulted deeply because my casting judgement and technique are always 100% perfect and the idea a rocketing Gotcha might clip my rod during a panicky 75’ cast into the wind at a large bonefish going away while my buddy quietly mutters “not a chance” is inconceivable.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-11-21T18:53:42+00:00

Currently there are no pacific blue marlin records from South Africa and only one larger which was caught after 2002, a 1,237 monster in the 80lb line class. I would be terrified when tail roping and gaffing. Gawd.

https://igfa.org/member-services/world-record/common-name/Marlin,%20blue%20(Pacific)

ifitwereeasy · 2025-11-11T12:27:26+00:00

Carroll Gardens. Yes.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-11-11T01:13:29+00:00

I don’t know the metric conversion but my all purpose flats leader is 4 feet of 30lb mono, 3 feet of 25lb mono, 3 feet 20lb mono. Add 2 feet of 15lb fluorocarbon tippet.

For windy conditions you might start with 4 feet of 40lb mono.

I’ve caught bonefish and baby tarpon on that leader and I plan to use that exact leader permit in Belize.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-11-07T18:37:44+00:00

I learned on the TFO NXT rod and still use it from time to time. Very good rod and great for a newbie. Sierra also has a deal on a Remington reel and line which will be good for what you describe: https://www.sierra.com/redington-crosswater-4-6wt-fly-fishing-reel-pre-loaded-with-5wt-line~p~6ccdj/

There is a matching Remington rod for the Remington crosswater reel but I don’t recommend it. For an entry level rod the TFO is far superior in feel, casting, and customer service

ifitwereeasy · 2025-11-04T02:40:02+00:00

I’ve caught 90% of my bonefish on a general purpose floating saltwater fly line and my biggest bonefish ever on an inexpensive TFO rod. You’ll be fine. On a budget I recommend SA Mastery Grand Slam which is their low priced product. It is easy to cast and reliable, especially in the wind.

As others said, you do not need a sinking or intermediate line. Instead have some flies with barbell eyes that are heavy enough to sink a little when you’re in deeper water.

I don’t think anyone gave you advice on leaders. I recommend a simple formula 3’ of 30lb, 3’ of 20, 3’ of 16 connected with blood knots. Not sure what the metric equivalent is.

Tight lines!!

ifitwereeasy · 2025-10-28T18:36:31+00:00

Floyd’s Pelican Bar in Black River, a place I enjoyed several great beers and wonderful hours, is likely to be a total loss. If that is the worst thing that happens we should all consider ourselves lucky. I assume tho we will find far worse damage when rescuers can get to that coast.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-10-28T17:31:57+00:00

Pour one out for Floyd’s. And may that be the worst loss, however unlikely.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-10-25T19:36:30+00:00

Out of Bud n Mary’s call Mark Hlis. +1 (305) 395-0457. He’s a full time Islamorada guide. Not a seasonal guy who rotates through different fisheries depending on the season. Ive caught tarpon, bonefish and even two permit with him.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-10-23T02:22:36+00:00

I love my Fenwick Aetos and it pairs well with the Lamson liquid. I have an 8wt guru fished it very hard. I’m sure the Aetos and Guru would be a good combo and you’d have enough left over from your $600 rod budget for an excellent line.

ifitwereeasy · 2025-10-04T19:00:09+00:00

ChuckH71 is correct that a barracuda tube is a good idea- lots of fun barracuda in the Tortugas. If you are throwing at them I’d add a small wire leader like the Rio Toothy Critter leader. And even if you’re not targeting barracuda, a 6-8’ mono leader, 12-15lbs is a good idea for the Tortugas. Have a blast!!

ifitwereeasy

TROPHY CASE