Fishing with Capt. George Tunison | Learning to fly fish easier than you think
Top reasons why hard core anglers don’t fly fish: #1 — “I heard it was complicated, hard to learn;” #2 — “It’s too expensive to get started;” #3 — “That’s only for catching little pond fish or dinky trout;” #4 — “We don’t live out west in trout land. Can you fly fish in saltwater?”; And #5 — the biggest reason is, see #1.
If you spent much time behind a spinning rod, I’m able to teach most folks the fly basics in 15 minutes and within 30 minutes most would be able to fool a seatrout or Southwest Florida’s most unappreciated gamefish/baitfish, our high jumping ladyfish. Fly fishing is not hard to learn and for millions worldwide, it’s still the most enjoyable and thrilling way to trick and then battle any fish. Step up!
Too expensive? Considering the price of today’s typical snook outfit, you’ll end up paying at least $200 for an adequate rod, reel and line starter combo. Anything of quality, double even triple that figure. Presently, BPS is selling their World Wide Sportsman Silver King fly combo for $140. That’s rod, reel and line. Add some flies, leader material, etc., you’re still in $200 territory and that outfit is fine to get started with and enjoy for years.
Just for little fish and only out west in pristine trout streams? Southwest Florida’s shallow flats and Gulf are made for fly fishing. Little fish? Records like a 490-pound tiger shark, a 288-pound blue marlin, an 83-pound cobia, practically any fish, can be fought, caught and enjoyed on the long rod.
Ladyfish, or “poor man’s tarpon,” on lite weight fly rods are a true blast. When I moved here 25 years ago I spent the first 2 weeks chasing ladyfish with flies. Matlacha locals were shaking their heads and snickering but I didn’t get it, I was too busy having fun. Then I discovered bulldozer jacks. I was in heaven!
A full grown tarpon or shark on a fly rod is truly amazing and to many, a life changing experience. Snook, trout, redfish, mackerel, jacks, tarpon, bass, sharks, bonito, tripletail, all will gladly inhale a well presented fly.
Plenty of free instruction on YouTube, ask a friend or take a short course. I’ve hosted an all-inclusive, 2-hour total beginner’s course for years and have heard many diehard spin anglers say, “I truly regret that I didn’t try this year’s ago!” Email for course availability.
Boca Grande is still tarpon and shark central with Captiva Pass not far behind. Not to be outdone, there’s still lots of action down St. James City way, all along the coast and on the inside along the Intracostal channel all the way up to Useppa Island. From the Keys to the Cape, my favorite way to catch tarpon is at night around bridges with big plastic swimbaits, flies and hard plugs. At one time or another every bridge from below the Franklin Locks down to the Sanibel Causeway hosts tarpon and for right now, the causeway is where I’m throwing my Hogy Eels and paddletails. An unweighted Hogy eel, nose hooked with an in-line circle hook slowly reeled across the surface causes huge explosions especially in shallow water.
The same can work well for tarpon pods along the coast. Take along a selection of 1 to 2-ounce jig heads for deeper bridge work. Hogy’s unique Barbarian Jig Heads really stay pinned when tarpon jump as long as you do your part and bow to the king. When they want something smaller, try the classic DOA Baitbuster or NLBN paddle tails.
Sharks on flies? Definitely! Just add some single strand wire to your leader. Albright Knot, Haywire Twist, chum, cast and hold on.
Snook and reds are biting under the mangroves around the harbor, with mixed tarpon, sharks and trout throughout Pine Island Sound, all looking for a fight.
Don’t forget your dermatologist. Protect your hide.
Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at captgeorget4@yahoo.com or (239) 440-1621.