Sailfish on the Fly

[Tom]

I am headed to south FL in March to try for a sailfish on the fly. Having lived in FL I know how many sails can be see free jumping/caught on a given winter day with the right conditions, but I never took a fly rod to the challenge. Any tips or guidance is much appreciated. I am going to by tying all winter for this trip so vice advice is also cool. hope to post success in April! Thanks

[cchobot]

Tom, sounds like a great adventure. I know one shop regular Bill has traveled to some pretty exotic locales in pursuit of sailfish on the fly. I remember one of the things that stuck in his mind was how exact the guides set the drag using a hand scale.

Now if I could just remember what they set it to sorry man.

[RRabiner]

why does 14 lb strike a chord ?

[thums up]

Tom,

Having gotten several on the fly out of Jupiter, FL and Golfito, Costa Rica. My best advice would be set the hook with the line, not the rod tip. If you set with the tip you miss them everytime.

Once teased up they will eat just about any large billfish fly!

Good luck!

[Tom]

Thanks guys... do you think I should use a shock tippet similar to Tarpon to protect from sharp bill? Bill, nice cyber-meeting you... how did you make your leader & tippet?

I had already assumed a strip set was in order, and drag around 12-15 seems right from other offshore trips I've done (although Atlantic sails are pretty tiny compared to those in the Pacific... so may stay on the lighter side)

Tied some monster flies the past few weeks... they are starting to swim around my desk!

Hope for pictures & a story soon

Any other info or stories to get my heart racing appreciated!

[thums up]

I would definitly use a shot tip it. There bills are like 80grit sand paper and wear thru pretty quick. I like flouro carbon 80- 100lbs shock, not because of the invis. properties but because it is harder than mono and chafs less. Good luck!