Saltwater Fly Fishing

[BigG]

For the avid fly fishermen / and ladies

I am really keen on giving this a go, never attempted saltwater fly fishing before

Any tips advice for a good starter / rod, reel combo ( what is the recommended average weight class for medium to large fish? )

If any one is able to share some pics of some species that they have landed on fly, that would be awesome !

Are you able to fish the surf ? I have only seen people fly fish from the boat and in estuaries

Thanks in advance

[Rory]

Howzit Gavin!
Surf Flyfishing is a super facet of flyfishing, but can be seriously hard and frustrating as well. But then I suppose most fishing can be as well! The big issue with fly tackle, especially salt water reels and heavier rods, is the price. Compared to the price of conventional tackle, fly tackle is a rip off, a big rip off.  For light to medium, you won't go wrong with an 8 to 9 weight. The 9 weight is probably the best all rounder. If you plan on fishing off the reef at Kosi mouth then a 10 weight would be the lightest. A 12 weight for surf flyfishing is your go to stick that the boys who hunt big Kingfish use. If you only want one rod, my personal and humble opinion would ne a 10 weight. Stealth rods, which is a local brand, have an incredible range of good value for money rods and reels. Otherwise for rods look at TFO and Horizon. All the Saltwater reels nowadays have good drag systems. This is the one area where you must fork out the cash, and get the best you can afford, agian Stealth have a very good range. Don't laugh when pricing saltwater flyfishing reels, they're not cheap. For the surf you need a fast intermediate or a fast sinking line to break through the surface. Also a stripping basket for your line, otherwise you'll spend have the day sorting your knitting out!

[BigG]

Rory, that's awesome bud, you answered all my questions...great pics by the way

I like the sound of the 12 weight and the Kingies off Kosi Reefs   
But i imagine the lighter stuff as with any light tackle fishing is also good sports

For the little 3 spot in your pic, what weight rod were you using ?

[BigG]

I assume those stripping baskets are standard stock items at the tackle stores, haven't really seen them, but then again haven't really looked for them

.... can I use a Spar or checkers basket ?   

[Rory]

Rory, that's awesome bud, you answered all my questions...great pics by the way

I like the sound of the 12 weight and the Kingies off Kosi Reefs   
But i imagine the lighter stuff as with any light tackle fishing is also good sports

For the little 3 spot in your pic, what weight rod were you using ?

No probs man!
Lol I was fishing an old beat up 6/7 weight rod, I was catching them in knee deep rolling water on salty buggers. One of the larger specimens was introduced to my slide trace......

[WalkersKiller]

Hi Big G as Rory said saltwater fly fishing is hard work and in most case4s is dissapointing but when you get a fish its the most rewarding feeling ever! I fished a bit in the Eastern Cape estuaries with a 9 weight perfect for fishing the rivers off the bank... Ive caught a few striped mullet and a few harder mullet as well as stumpies my father caught a Leerie a while back just under a kilo... All the best bud its awesome to fight a saltwater fish on fly no matter of its size!

[Rory]

I assume those stripping baskets are standard stock items at the tackle stores, haven't really seen them, but then again haven't really looked for them

.... can I use a Spar or checkers basket ?   

The only problem I've encountered with the store bought stripping baskets is that they aren't deep enough. But i suppose its up to the individual. I use an old shopping basket with about 10 heavy cable ties tied onto the bottom, pointing up at 90° These help stop the knitting from getting to tangled! Bunji cord for a belt, quick and easy to release when you get dumped!!!

[BigG]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, really appreciate it, as i said i am really keen to give it a try

Rory, as soon as i am ready to commit I will give you a bel and you can help me go shopping if that is ok with you ?

[Rory]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, really appreciate it, as i said i am really keen to give it a try

Rory, as soon as i am ready to commit I will give you a bel and you can help me go shopping if that is ok with you ?

No probs. I'll PM you my cell no.

[MichaelS]

HA, so this is where the illusive Rory hides as well as some of the other usual suspects! Good "seeing" you guys again!

BigG - Like you I got the saltwater FF bug last year (I had actually tried hard in 2000 but I really didn't know what I was doing) but the bug bit really hard! I had to do a lot of reseacrh and spoke to a lot of people. The common denominator - spend the cash on a reel, this is paramount and yes, FF gear is a RIP off! There are some nice rods about like Rory suggested which suit perfectly. I ended up settling for a locally made rod - worked like a charm. Your go to line I found to be an intermediate as you can strip poppers and flippers in the estuary and shallows but also still have enough weight in the surf. The next line certainly is a sinking but again dependent on what your 'majority' fishing area is going to be.

A good point I was given was don't be to hasty in buying a 12wt setup unless you know you really going to use it. I settled for a 9wt as I also do 1 - 2 Tiger trips a year with the same gear literally but also good for chasing barbel and maybe a LM Yellow!! (I hope to get one that big!) I am now saving for a 12wt setup as I went and did my first Kosi trip just a couple weeks back and got really hooked. The 9wt performed really well but the next step up for me could only be a 12wt, especially when the wind picked up. I did cast a couple HUGE Sempers out with the 9wt to almost a full line out, but the 12wt made it MUCH easier. Also, you would have enough stick should you hook a decent Kingie (on my dream list still!), but you have to be VERY specific when you target fish on fly I found out.

A shopping basket with bungy cord is the only ay to go, an essential piece of equip as you can also transport your gear to the beach and back.

Make sure you do drag Rory along with yu to the shops, he has given me so much guidance and help, really worth your while! He does know a couple good spots to drink at after your shopping!!

[Rory]

Mike! What took you so long to get here???

[John F]

 

[MichaelS]

Thanks guys for the welcome, albeit rather delayed and I did miss your Vaal stomp at Eastco the other weekend, but sounded like good fun!

Been hiding behind a desk, doing something calld WORK. A bloody four letter word that who ever invented it, should've finished it, but all good nonetheless. Really needing a decent fishing trip soon!

[HaroldF]

I saw on ESA, some time ago, they went to Sodwana (Mile 9) or something like that, where there's flat rocks on the beach, with nice pools with Pompano etc. in them ...I think my next saltwater fly destination will be to those holes ... I think it will be a BLAST! ... has any of you tried to FF those flat rocks at Sodwana yet?

[WalkersKiller]

 

[Gerhard]

One day...

I so wish I had a 12wt set up when I worked in Luanda...

Would have had a lot of fun with those 15kg  + class     

[MichaelS]

I am wishing I had a 12wt setup as well. But, I am also considering a drop shot for scratching around rocks and getting it over the larger back breakers. Could be very useful?!

Rory was also educating me R&S stuff which seems very interesting, need to do a trip for sure to try it out!