What To Bring

Saltwater Fly Fishing Gear Checklist

you can use this information for your next adventure to the Bahamas, Mexico or anywhere you go for a saltwater fly fishing trip. It was written by our own Bruce Stolbach, who has been to Salty World more times than we care to count. It is also available in PDF format if you would like to download and print it.

WEAR before plane: Winter clothes as necessary; leave in duffle bag in car.

WEAR on plane: Tropical pants, long sleeved shirt, socks, boat shoes, hat (essentially what you would fish in, just in case your luggage is lost or you can carry it on).. Add fleece shirt, rain coat, rain pants as necessary.

PERSONAL ITEMS (Carry On)

• money belt or pouch
• business cards
• luggage keys
• phone numbers
• tickets
• itinerary
• passport, visa, or birth certificate
• eyeglasses
• wristwatch
• checkbook
• pen & notebook
• credit cards
• cash
• travelers checks
• health insurance card

LUGGAGE

You will want to specify what gear goes in which bag on your own checklist. When you fly, air pressure changes, especially in the cargo hold, and liquids can leak. Items with an * should be packed in zip-lock bags to prevent lines and flies from contamination by leaks. You should also assume that at some point your luggage will be exposed to either a tropical rainstorm or salt spray. Pack clothes in large (1, 1 ½ and 2 gallon sizes) zip-locks, as well as anything else (maps, books, etc) that could be damaged by wetness. Carry on whatever you can that you can’t do without. Check the carry on rules for the airlines so you don’t get caught off guard going through security.

FISHING

• reels
• spare spools
• fly boxes
• rod tubes & rods
• stripping basket
• 30# boga-grip
• flats boots, dive booties
• leaders & tippets
• spare fly lines
• water bottle
• tide chart
• dry bag or waterproof gear bag
• wade belt
• flats pack
• recycle box
• polarized sunglasses
• croakies
• line cleaner
• Abel reel kit
• sungloves/finger socks
• dry box
• scissors/nippers
• windproof lighter
• stainless pliers/Leatherman
• AA flashlight &/or headlamp
• stainless knife
• tying materials & tools
• whistle
• compass
• UV knot sense
• *5-min epoxy packets
• **eventuality repair kit
• hook sharpener
• *goo bag for …..
• *DEET/insect repellant
• *Avon Skin So Soft
• *sunblock/sunscreen
• lip balm

Micro First Aid kit - be sure it has

• Neosporin
• Cortaid for bites
• Benadryl
• aspirin/ibuprofen
• band aids
• disinfectant
• tape/gauze
• antibiotics

CLOTHES

• short-sleeved shirts
• long sleeved fishing shirts
• warm or fleece shirt
• socks
• pants (for fishing-zip offs are great)
• shorts
• raincoat/pants
• underwear
• sneakers/shoes
• light hiking boots
• long-sleeved cotton shirt(s)
• sandals
• hats
• belt
• windbreaker

OTHER

• binoculars
• measuring tape
• camera, film
• power bars/snacks
• car key
• candles
• spare luggage keys
• maps
• towel
• guideboo
• nylon straps
• 2C flashlight
• vision kit (cleaner, wipes)
• extra zip locks
• mosquito net
• photocopy of passport, etc.
• full size first aid kit
• spare batteries
• **repair kit: speedy stitcher, sewing kit, *sally hansen, scalpel blade, tip tops/guides/hot glue, bobbin/thread, asst needles/heavy thread, Jr Leatherman, scissors, parachute cord, rip-stop tape

TO DO: update first aid kit, exchange $ for foreign currency, photocopy papers

TO DO ON ARRIVAL: fishing license, groceries, Cuban cigars, maps, secure storage