The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Several of us are heading to Puerto Vallarta in late May and plan to spend a little time fly fishing the salt. I have not yet done salt water in Mexico and I have several questions about gear. We are looking at taking a guide and Panga off the beach and working the shallow bays and rocks south of Puerto Vallarta. Additionally, we will likely cast off the beach. I am learning about various fly patterns, so think I have this covered. What leaders are required....tippet size?? Do you need steel leaders? What are recommendations on lines? Has anyone tried topwater?? And what patterns? Gurglers, poppers?

Appreciate any help I can get!

Phil

Phil,
Go to Dan Blanton's Board and search archives with your specifics and you will be well rewarded

http://www.danblanton.com/bulletin.php

Long time lurker. First post. So, please, don't flame me.

Phil,
I haven't been to PV, but I have fished similar situations. You have a chance to get some Roosters, Jacks, Pargo, and Sierra Mackerel in the rocks. I would use a 10 weight off the panga. Make sure to have two rods rigged with different lines, leaders, and flies. You can have fun with an 8 weight, but you can get undergunned if a 20 pound Rooster or Jack takes your fly.

Panga Rod 1: Floating line. Connect a 2 foot butt section to the fly line with an Albright knot. Tie a perfection loop to the end of the butt section. Tie a perfection loop on the end of your class tippet. That loop will connect to the other loop on the butt section. The other end of the class tippet is connected to a 30 pound bite tippet using an Albright knot. Use a non-slip loop knot to connect your fly. Recommended flies are ALF Sardina, Blanton's Sar-Mul-Mac, Blados Crease Fly, Ron Dong Crease Fly, Lefty's Deceiver, Clouser Minnow, Bull Candy.

Panga Rod 2: Fast sinking line. For a 10 weight, I like Rio's Deep Sea 400 grain line. Use the same leader set up as above. Recommended flies are ALF Sardina, Blanton's Sar-Mul-Mac, Lefty's Deceiver, Clouser Minnow, Bull Candy, or any other baitfish type pattern.

Beach Rod: You can get away with an 8 weight, but 9 and 10 weights are the norms for the beaches. Take your choice of floating line, intermediate, or ghost tip (float/int). I like the ghost tip since I can track my line with the floating part, and let the intermediate part cut through the waves. I prefer my line uplined by 1 line weight, so it loads my rod quicker. I use 6 to 7.5 foot 20 pound test fluorocarbon leader connected to my 2 foot butt section with a loop to loop connection. If you want to use a welded or braided loop on your fly line, just use a 9 foot leader. I don't use bite tippets since the fish off the beach are generally smaller. Plus the narrower diameter cuts through the waves more efficiently. Use sardina type baitfish patterns.

Before you go on your trip, tie a leader wallet full of leaders. You can make quick leader changes to your setup since connection between butt section and class tippet is a loop to loop connection. You may want to make a few of your leaders with wire just in case you get into school of Sierras. Those guys are pretty toothy.

Enjoy your trip,

AB