Fly fishing offshore brings a whole new set of variables to fly anglers seeking a change or challenge. Finding fish in a seemingly endless void of blue water may leave anglers frustrated. However, the potential for huge fish is the reward for a little education and persistence.
The offshore arena allows for a wide array of species. One can troll and tease-in pelagic species, chum over reefs or seek cover like flotsam or sargassum lines to cast along. But some of the best resources for fly anglers are shrimp trawlers. Bycatch from the nets is discarded overboard and provides phenomenal opportunities. Shrimp boats work through the night processing their catch into the early morning. The window for activity around shrimp boats can be brief during daylight hours. But it is a frantic window when open!
A mix of species can be drawn to shrimp boats during processing including large offshore tarpon, tuna, huge crevalle, bonita, mackeral, kingfish, cobia and ever-present sharks. An angler hooked into fish behind a shrimp boat will never be sure what they have until it is landed, but it will likely rip hundreds of yards of line off the reel.
Offshore angling of this nature requires solid gear. Heavy 10- to 12-weight rods are critical. High capacity, large arbor reels with good drag systems, like those from Nautilus, are a must. They should be loaded with upwards of 300 yards of backing. I prefer gel-spun backings, as they are more abrasion resistant, pack tighter and stand up over time better than typical Dacron backing.
Fast-sinking lines are necessary, like Rio’s Leviathan series or SA’s Streamer Express lines. Make sure to get tropic cores, and 500-grain sink-tip or full-sink lines are best. Heavily weighted flies also help in reaching fish quickly. Heavy Clousers in chartreuse and white have always been my go-to offshore flies. Although classic Clousers are tied with bucktail, I opt for synthetics like SF Blend Materials, Puglisi Fibers or Ultra Hair, which are flashy and far more durable. Epoxy over fly eyes adds durability. Lastly, select heavy, strong and sharp hooks like the SL12 Big Game hooks by Gamakatsu.
I usually opt for a straight piece of 40-pound fluorocarbon leader. Be cautious with “over-leadering.” Too much strength in the leader makes some other component of your system the weak link. Breaking or losing a fly line many miles from a store is no fun when the water is exploding as Bonita crash the surface.
The hardest part of this process is locating the ever-moving shrimp boats. It is pretty easy to hook fish once boats are located, and casts are usually short. In fact, this sort of offshore fly fishing is perfect for beginners or youngsters, as there will always be loads of action.
Tom Karrow is an avid saltwater fly fisherman. He is currently researching the Bahamas bonefishing industry as a component of his PhD dissertation and is sponsored by R.L. Winston Fly Rods, Nautilus Reels, Fishpond Gear and Rio. Contact Tom through his website at tomkarrow.wix.com/bahamas-guide-tek
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