Your deposit is in and you’re going to Ascension Bay with us! Now what? The trip may feel like a long way out but it’s time to start thinking about gear. Below is a complete list of our Mexico gear recommendations. The trip requires us to bring all our own gear, including rods, reels, fly lines, tippets, leaders, tools and flies. If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call and we will go over the gear requirements, 509-674-2474 Fly Shop.
We setup an online shop for Ascension Bay Mexico gear, go to our website or click link below:
Ascension Bay | Troutwater Fly Shop (troutwateroutfitters.com)
Saltwater Fly Rods:
8 weight rods for Bonefish or Permit
9 – 10 weight rods for Permit, Baby Tarpon, Snook and Barracuda
11 – 12 weight rods Big Tarpon, Snook and Barracuda
We recommend using saltwater fly rods; freshwater rods will get ruined in the saltwater. 9 ft rods are preferred for accuracy and combating the wind. However, longer and shorter rods will work.
If you’re in the market for saltwater rods, please let us know as soon as you can. Give us a call if you need help picking out a rod. Brands we carry at the shop:
Echo Fly Rods: www.echoflyfishing.com
Scott Fly Rods: www.scottflyrod.com
Winston Fly Rods: www.winstonrods.com
Reels:
Saltwater Reels should have at least 150 yards of backing for bonefish and 200 yards for Permit, Tarpon, Barracuda and Snook. Saltwater Reels should be fully sealed and anodized.
Any reel purchase will receive saltwater backing for free.
We carry Hatch saltwater reels at the shop, they are amazing for saltwater and freshwater.
Hatch Reels: www.hatchoutdoors.com
Fly Lines:
Weight forward SALTWATER lines are a must! If you have a saltwater intermediate sinking line, bring it, you can use it for deeper water Tarpon. It is not necessary to buy a sinking saltwater line. We offer Scientific Angler (SA) saltwater lines through the shop.
Scientific Anglers: www.scientificanglers.com
Flies:
We recommend bringing at least 5 dozen flies. We put together the ultimate Ascension Bay fly packages including a saltwater box, we highly recommend our custom proven fly patterns.
Boxes | Troutwater Fly Shop (troutwateroutfitters.com)
If you choose to buy flies elsewhere, here’s a good outline:
18 – Bonefish Flies – Charlies, Gotchas, Shrimp patterns – Sz. 4-8
18 – Permit Flies – Crab and Shrimp patterns – Sz. 2-6
18 – Tarpon/Snook Flies – Tarpon Toads and Deceiver patterns – Sz. 1/0 – 4/0
6 – Barracuda Flies – Poppers and Needlefish patterns – Sz. 2/0
Tools:
We recommend using anodized saltwater tools, this will help to make sure your tools don’t rust.
You will need to bring:
Saltwater Plyers
Saltwater Nippers
Leaders:
Saltwater fishing isn’t like trout fishing, you don’t need to be perfect with your set-up length. Strong knots and accurate casts are the most important things. Below is a range for the most common set-ups we use in Mexico. We carry SA leaders and Frog hair at the shop.
Scientific Anglers: www.scientificanglers.com
Frog Hair: www.froghairfishing.com
We recommend you bring a minimum of:
6 – Bonefish Leaders: 8-10 ft leaders (8-12 lb), with 2 feet of 8-12lb fluorocarbon tippet
6 – Permit Leaders: 8-10 ft leaders (15-20 lb), with 2 feet of 15-20lb fluorocarbon tippet
6 – Tarpon and Snook Leaders: 5-9 ft leaders (20-80lbs), with 2 feet 40-80 lb fluorocarbon tippet
3 – Barracuda Leaders: 5-9 ft leaders, 20-40lb with 18-24” of wire tippet
Tippet/Leader Material:
Listed below are the minimum requirements for tippet and leader materials. Fluorocarbon is highly recommended. Don’t trust a fish of a lifetime on old tippet and leaders! We carry SA, Seaguar and Froghair Tippet and leader material at the shop.
Scientific Anglers: www.scientificanglers.com
Frog Hair: www.froghairfishing.com
10 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
12 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
15 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
20 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
25 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
30 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
40 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
50 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
60 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
80 lb Fluorocarbon Tippet
20 – 80 lb Saltwater Leader Material
15 yards of 25 or 40lb wire tippet for Barracuda
Waterproof packs and bags:
Waterproof bags and packs are a must. We offer Patagonia through the shop.
Patagonia – www.patagonia.com
Sunglasses:
From our experience on the salt, a quality glass lens is critical. We recommend sunglasses with a glass lens and blue, green or silver mirror. Saltwater fishing is all about spotting the fish, quality sunglasses will help a ton. We carry Costa at the shop.
Costa – www.costadelmar.com
Sunshirts, Sun Hoodies, Shirts, Pants, Fleece, Wind/Rain Jackets, luggage:
Quality quick drying outwear with UPF is recommended; we carry Patagonia at the shop.
Patagonia – www.patagonia.com
Any gear questions please give us a call at the shop or send Ted an email! We’re here to help make your trip as successful as possible! Thank you!
Ted Truglio
Shop 509-962-3474
Shop 509-674-2144
Cell 425-466-9715