All fishing gear and tackle is completely included on our Cancun and Isla Blanca trips. For our Ascension Bay day trip, a couple of rods are provided on board, but terminal tackle (flies, leaders, and lures) is not included, so you should plan on bringing your own or purchasing flies on-site in Ascension Bay.
The best rods for this local area are 9-foot, fast-action fly rods in an 8-weight. We recommend matching them with saltwater fly reels made for 7, 8, or 9-weight lines, spooled with weight-forward floating fly line and at least 150 to 200 yards of backing.
For Tarpon/Snook, build a 9ft leader using a 4ft 20-25lb butt, 3ft 16lb section, 1.5ft 12lb section, and a 6-inch shock tippet of 20-25lb. For Bonefish/Permit, use a 9-10ft leader with a 3ft 20-25lb butt, 2ft 16lb section, 1ft 12lb section, and 3-4ft of 10lb tippet. Pre-made targeted leaders are also available for purchase.
Pack hooks in size 1/0 or 2/0 for Tarpon/Snook (Cockroach, Deceivers, Clouser Minnows, Seaducers, Tarpon Toads, Whistlers, and Schminnows). Pack hooks in sizes 2, 4, and 6 for Bonefish/Permit (Crazy Charlies, Gotchas, assorted shrimp, and crab patterns like the Raghead Crab, Merkin Crab, and McCrab Fly).
Pack 6ft and 7ft medium-to-fast action spinning rods paired with spinning reels holding 150ft to 200ft of 10lb, 12lb, or 15lb line. Best lures include assorted 1/8 and 1/4oz feather jigs, topwater baits (Yo-Zuris, Rapalas, MirrOlures), and soft baits like shrimp or minnow imitations on jig heads.
