We highly recommend 3, 4 and 5 piece “travel rods” that you can usually take with you on an airplane.

If the destination you’re visiting offers large Tarpon, an 11-weight or 12-weight is standard. You may want to bring a 10 weight rod for permit, barracuda, or sharks. They are practical under extremely calm conditions, but 8 and 9 weight rods are preferable under normal/windy conditions and you can still make a delicate presentation with an 8 weight rod and a long leader with an unweighted fly. Some people recommend light rods (6 or 7 weight) for bonefish, but we’ve not found these light rods to be versatile enough. Unless your Angler Adventures itinerary letter clearly states that the lodge you are going to provides a full inventory of rod and reel rentals, leaders and flies, we recommend you bring all your own tackle and flies, including a minimum of two rods per angler. Some lodges carry a smattering of flies and lures, but always seem to be “out of” the best patterns. However, even this equipment is often in poor condition or has been poorly maintained. Some lodges have a minimal amount of “back-up” rods and reels for use in case of rod loss or breakage. Remote fishing lodges that provide tackle are clearly in the minority. Every location or guide will have its own “hot flies”, and those will be listed in your Angler Adventures itinerary, but most are variations of the flies listed here. This information will serve you well whether you’re fishing the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Mexico, Belize, Venezuela, Seychelles, Christmas Island, or Mauritius.

This information has been tested over 28 years and dozens of fishing trips and we stand behind it. We have expanded our list with suggestions and tips to help you understand not only what to bring, but why to bring it. Actually, it is more than a list because a list, in and of itself, is not analytical. We refer to the information you’re now reading as our “What to Bring” list.

Flats cat fishing boat