Vallilee’s Permit On March 22, 2020, Kathryn Vallilee set the new IGFA Women’s 3-kg (6 lb) Tippet Class World Record with this amazing 9.53-kg (21-pound) permit! Kat was fly fishing in Key West, Florida, and enticed the record permit to eat a Skok’s strong-arm merkin fly.
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What do I need for saltwater fly fishing?

How do you get a fly fishing permit?

Can you fly fish in salt and fresh water?
One of the finest aspects of fly fishing is its adaptability. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you’ll be able to throw a fly into both freshwater & saltwater. While the method stays the same, some of the gear & also the best areas & species to capture tend to vary significantly.
Can you use a normal fly line in saltwater?
G’day Bucky, There is no issue using Freshwater lines in saltwater, it does not effect the PVC in any way. The difference with Fresh and saltwater is usually based around the core and different climates they are used in. Generally saltwater lines are used in warmer climates therefore they have stiffer cores.
Do I need tippet for saltwater fly fishing?
Slicked-off conditions require a longer, softer-landing tippet than when fishing in choppy water. But when the wind picks up, try a shorter, heavier tippet to help turn over the fly. ON A WINDY MORNING a couple years ago, a friend and I were chasing reds when a spring squall hit.
What weight fly rod for salt water?
If you’re fishing saltwater and say you want to fish for redfish, trout, or bone fish, a solid 8wt fly rod is going to be best. If you plan to target permit or striped bass you’re probably going to want a 10wt. Anything larger like tarpon or sharks I would suggest going with a 12wt.
How much is a backing Permit?
A 10โฒ to 12โฒ long, 10โ12 lb test leader is plenty for Permit fishing. A line basket will help you control your line during those long retrieves. You’ll want a reel with a good disc drag, and at least 100 yards of backing on your reel. Permit can be stubborn at times, and take out a lot of line.
Do Permit fish fight hard?
Permit do fight hard but will not stress the fly tackle like a tarpon, tuna or sailfish. A quality reel designed for saltwater use should be fine as long as it contains a disc drag made of cork or modern materials. Specialty lines have been created for permit fishing and do work well.
Is there a difference between freshwater and saltwater fly rods?
The obvious difference between a saltwater and a freshwater rod of the same weight is the fittings. Salt water environments corrode, so the fittings are all made from corrosion resistant materials. Saltwater rods work fine in fresh water, but not vice versa.
Can you catch big fish fly fishing?
Fly fishing is much more than catching really big trout, but the fun factor definitely hits 100% when you tie into the biggest fish in the run. Every red blooded fly fisher person should have the luxury of experiencing fighting and landing a truly massive trout at some point in their life.
Do you fly fish for salmon?
While some people may think fly fishing is only for certain species, that’s a myth. Fly fishing anglers can target almost any type of salt or freshwater fish, including king salmon.
Do you need special line for saltwater fishing?
While high-visibility saltwater line is easier for the angler to see, camouflaged or clear line is generally considered the best saltwater fishing line as it is virtually invisible to the fish. Once you’ve settled on the pound test and color of the line, the next step is to choose monofilament, fluorocarbon or braid.
How long does saltwater Flyline last?
A typical fly line lasts for 100-250 uses before needing replaced, but by cleaning it regularly, stretching the memory out of it often, and removing wind knots, you can significantly increase the life of a fly line. Cleaning a fly line regularly is the number one way to make it last longer.
Can I use cold water fly line in warm water?
Tropical lines have ‘memory’ in cold temperatures (meaning they hold the rounded shape of being on the reel). This makes them difficult to cast. Cold water lines get ‘sticky’ in warm temperatures which also makes them difficult to cast.
How long should a saltwater fly leader be?
There’s a good reason for this 9-foot leaders work great for 90 percent of all fly fishing scenarios in both freshwater and saltwater. A 9-foot leader is long enough to achieve good presentations and drag-free drifts, yet not so long that it’s unwieldy to cast.
Can I tie fly directly to leader?
Always avoid tying flies directly to the end of the leader. You will ensure the length and proper taper of the leader by always adding tippet to it instead of taking away leader material from it.
How long should a leader be on a fly rod?
Leader length depends on the type of fishing you are doing and the conditions, but a general guideline would be 6-12 feet long. A good place to start is with a 9-foot tapered leader. If you are fishing to spookier fish, add a section of tippet and lengthen that out to 12 feet or so.
What is the best fly rod for saltwater fishing?
- Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod.
- St. Croix Imperial.
- Thomas and Thomas Zane Fly Rod.
- SAGE Maverick Saltwater Fly Fishing Rod.
- G. Loomis NRX+ Saltwater.
- Winston Saltwater Air.
- Epic Boca Grande Fly Rod.
- L.L.Bean Streamlight Ultra II Saltwater.
How do you set up a saltwater fly line?

Is an 8wt too big for trout?
The 8-Weight Rod This rod is ideal for stripers, redfish, black drum, sea trout, flounder, largemouth and smallmouth bass, carp, catfish, snakeheads, pickerel, bluefish, pike, bonefish, big trout, salmon, small tarpon and can be used for panfish.
What’s the best bait for Permit?
Baits and Lures Most anglers on spin tackle will be using live baits for Permit. In this, silver dollar-sized crabs are ideal, alongside jumbo-sized shrimp (hooked through the tail). Chunks of crab, and even lobster, can be worked on naturally colored jig heads as well.
What lures to use for Permit?
Jigs are productive and used if bait is not available or if anglers want more of a challenge. Standard 1/4 ounce flat head jigs or wiggle jigs work well. The most productive colors have been yellow and white for me. In calm conditions go to an 1/8 ounce jig.
What is the world record tarpon?
The all-tackle world record (additionally certified as the 80-pound class record) for a giant tarpon is 286-pounds, 9-ounces caught by Max Domecq in Rubane, Guinea-Bissau, Africa on March 20, 2003.
What’s the difference between pompano and Permit?
Adult pompano and permit can be distinguished from each other by their size. Pompano rarely grow larger than seven pounds, whereas permit weighing 40 pounds are common. The body of a juvenile permit is deeper than that of a pompano of similar length; also, the anal fin of the juvenile permit is orange.