Inshore & Fly Fishing Trip Checklist

These are recommendations of items that you will need on your trip. Being prepared will increase your success and it will be more enjoyable. Please understand there are no tackle shops or big box stores close to the lodges to purchase these items. The weather will change and you need to be prepared for it. We do this for a living and know what works and is essential for you to have. The below are recommendations of equipment that we use. If you have any questions, please call or send us an email and we will provide an answer for you. We look forward to fishing with you.

  • Polarized sun glasses with Amber lenses. We prefer Costa Del Mar 580’s glass with Green Mirror Finish.
  • Some type of hat make sure under bill of hat is a dark color. For face protection Simms Sun Gaiter.
  • Sun Gloves we prefer the Simms Solarflex Sun Gloves
  • Shirts that are lightweight and UV Protection built in. Simms Guide Shirt, Ebbtide, or Stone Cold Shirt in neutral, blue, or bright colors make for great pictures.
  • Shorts and Pants that are lightweight and UV Protection built in. Simms Skiff Short or Simms Arapaima Pant.
  • A true small dry bag to carry personal stuff in. Simms Dry Creek Z Backpack is great.
  • Sunblock of at least 30 for body and sunblock for lips as well.
  • Rain Gear tops and bottoms. Simms Pro Dry Parka & Bibs or Simms Vapor Elite Jacket and Pant.
  • Cold weather gear is a must from October to March. Base layers and gloves from Simms products will work great.
  • Non-skid and non-marking boat shoes or tennis shoes. No boots. We don’t like flip flops as you have a good chance of slipping or a hook going into your foot and ending your trip early.
  • Ice chest to take home fish, if that is your plan. If flying you will need to pay to have your fish shipped or make sure to have fish frozen and ready for your airline’s guidelines. We can help with this.

Tackle

  • We provide all the rods, reels, line and lures for light tackle trips. This includes jigheads, topwaters, plastics, etc. This is included in your trip rate.  If you want to bring your own that is fine, just see what we provide and use that as a guide.
    • We provide Shimano Stradic Spinning Reels 3000’s & 4000’s and Chronarch baitcasters.
    • GLoomis spinning E6X rods 7 to 7.5 feet in 8 to 17 lb line rating
    • GLoomis baitcaster NRX rods in 6’8 to 7 ft in 8 to 17 lb rating
    • We use Sufix performance braid in the 20lb for spinning rods and 30lb for baitcasters. We prefer green. We use a Sufix Fluorocarbon leader in 30 to 40lb.
    • If you break or lose provided gear you will be charged full retail price for the broken or lost rod & reel.
  • We provide fly rods and reels for fly fishing.
    • 8, 9 & 10 wt. rods are sufficient for the redfish in the marsh. We use GLoomis and Sage 4 piece 9 foot rods and Sage 6000 reels
    • 11 & 12 wt. rods for tarpon fishing
    • WF floating lines with plenty of backing. We prefer one line size up from your rod weight.
    • 12 to 16 pound leader material. If we need heavier we will provide.
    • We use Steelie Bros Fly Co flies. Check them out at www.steeliebrosflyco.com and look under Gulf Coast Redfish.
    • If you break or lose provided gear you will be charged full retail price for the broken or lost rod & reel.

Licenses

  • Current Fishing License for the state you are fishing in.
    • Texas fishing license website http://tpwd.texas.gov/business/licenses/online_sales/
    • Louisiana license website http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/licenses/fishing/recreational
      • You will need to purchase a 3 day non-resident Louisiana fishing license for all red fish trips. The cost is $10.00/person and you can purchase it by phone w/ a credit card (Visa or Master Card). The phone # is: 1(888)-765-2602 and operators are available 24/7. You will need to ask for a (code 79) non- resident license, the operator will have you write down an authorization number which you will need to bring on the boat. Make sure the license is valid for the dates of your trip. You can purchase it in advance.

Other

  • Notify Jason Catchings or captain before trip of any special accommodations you may require.
  • Any medications you may need while on board.
  • Any special dietary needs.