You are $99.00 away from free shippingCongratulations, you've got free shipping!
Shop|Espiritu Santo Bay Equipment List
Espiritu Santo Bay Equipment List
Shop For Your Next Espiritu Santo Bay Fly Fishing Adventure
South of Ascension Bay, Espiritu Santo Bay is one of saltwater fishing's most sought after destinations. Permit, bonefish, tarpon, and snook can be found in great numbers throughout the year. Anglers traveling to this region should be prepared for targeting a diversity of species with a well-rounded fly box, gear, and terminal tackle.
Relevant to These Lodges:Playa Blanca Lodge, Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge
Having extensively traveled and fly fished the world, we are the industry’s foremost authority on destination-specific equipment, gear, and flies. Over a week of fishing in Espiritu Santo Bay, anglers can expect shots at bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, barracuda, and more. If you are fishing for less than five days, we recommend a bare minimum of twenty-four flies or a more adequate selection of thirty six flies.
What Sizes and Colors? Crab patterns should generally be size 4-6, with a few larger and smaller flies. Natural colors including olive, tan, and brown are recommended.
Important Notes: Anglers traveling to ESB to specifically target permit are encouraged to bring more flies.
How Many Flies? Twelve to eighteen bonefish flies.
What Sizes and Colors? A mix of size 4, 6, and 8, though smaller flies should make up the majority. Tan, pearl, pink, chartreuse, and orange are all commonly used.
Important Notes: A mix of bead chain and small lead eyes are recommended.
How Many Flies? An additional half dozen flies for snook, barracuda, and jacks are ideal for being fully prepared.
Sizes and Colors? To specifically target snook, unweighted baitfish patterns in white and combinations of white in size 2 are recommended. Chartreuse needlefish patterns in 2/0 and large poppers for barracuda and jacks, respectively.
Important Notes: Tarpon flies can be utilized in a pinch for snook, jacks, and barracuda, though flies designed specifically for them are better.
What Type of Rod Action? Fast-action rods capable of quickly delivering accurate casts are recommended.
What Weight? For permit, a 9 and/or 10-weight is ideal and a 7 or 8-weight is perfect for bonefish. A 9 or 10-weight is ideal for juvenile tarpon and snook, while larger tarpon require an 11 or 12-weight.
Important Notes: Currently, Mexico only allows travelers to bring in FOUR fly rods in their luggage.Anglers should pack their rods according to what species they aim to prioritize. For general, all-around fishing, one of each rod is ideal.
Bonefish: A weight-forward, tropical floating line is your go-to when fishing for bonefish. Beginner fly anglers should consider opting for a quickshooting line, while more experienced casters can perform with a more gradual tapered fly line. Ensuring a delicate presentation is crucial for most any bonefish scenario.
Permit: A weight-forward, tropical line that allows the angler to quickly load the rod, deliver an accurate cast, and turn over sometimes heavily weighted flies is a must. Longer fly line heads are handy here to both deliver flies at long distances, while also allowing for gentle presentations.
Tarpon: A floating, tropical line with a smooth taper for casting lightly weighted flies and delicate presentations is recommended for tarpon and snook.
Over time, dirt, grime, and other contaminants can accumulate on your fly line, which can negatively impact your casting performance. A dirty fly line can stick to your guides and drag through the water, resulting in poor casting distance and accuracy. Regularly cleaning your fly line can help extend its lifespan. Dirt and other contaminants can cause the coating on your fly line to degrade faster, leading to cracks and other damage that can weaken the line. A clean fly line can help you detect subtle strikes and improve your overall fishing experience. A dirty line can reduce your ability to feel the fly and detect when a fish has taken it.
How Many Leaders? Two to three leaders for each species are recommended for a week, though some anglers prefer to have fresh leaders each day.
What Size and Weight Leaders? A 9 or 10-foot 12# leader is most common for bonefish, while 16# test is recommended for permit. Anglers pursuing tarpon and snook can bring 20# leaders.
How Many Spools of Tippet? A single spool of each recommended size and a backup is always recommended.
What Size and Weight? Spools of 10#, 12#, and 16# can be used for bonefish, while the addition of 20# tippet will cover you for permit. For juvenile tarpon, a spool of 40# tippet is ideal for bite tippet, while large, migratory fish demand a shock tippet of 50-80#.
Important Notes:Anglers should bring a spool of wire bite tippet for barracuda.