Guided Fishing Trip- Bring your own gear?

MarshRat

MarshRat

Steelhead
We are throwing around the idea of visiting Belize or the Keys this winter. The internet is full of fly fishing "gear guides" and "packing lists" for such trips, but I know my fishing would be guided. Most outfitters state that they provide the necessary tackle. Although I've done it on several occasions, I think flying with my gear is cumbersome and only adds stress to the travel. However, the fly fishing marketing machine tells me that everyone is spending $$$$ on the latest tropical lines, sealed reels, and fast action 8-10wts to take with them on their trip. Only way I'm packing gear is if I'm positive that I'll be doing some DIY fishing outside of the guided day trips. I'm not picky about what gear I use, and I'm sure what the guide provides would work fine.

Do y'all bring your own stuff when fishing a guided trip? Saltwater or otherwise.
 
MarshRat said:
We are throwing around the idea of visiting Belize or the Keys this winter. The internet is full of fly fishing "gear guides" and "packing lists" for such trips, but I know my fishing would be guided. Most outfitters state that they provide the necessary tackle. Although I've done it on several occasions, I think flying with my gear is cumbersome and only adds stress to the travel. However, the fly fishing marketing machine tells me that everyone is spending $$$$ on the latest tropical lines, sealed reels, and fast action 8-10wts to take with them on their trip. Only way I'm packing gear is if I'm positive that I'll be doing some DIY fishing outside of the guided day trips. I'm not picky about what gear I use, and I'm sure what the guide provides would work fine.

Do y'all bring your own stuff when fishing a guided trip? Saltwater or otherwise.
Click to expand...
I always bring my own gear. I’m far more comfortable and familiar with my own gear…on a couple occasions, the guide’s gear was not very well maintained. However, I’m usually receptive to using the guides flies…
 
Brute said:
I always bring my own gear. I’m far more comfortable and familiar with my own gear…on a couple occasions, the guide’s gear was not very well maintained. However, I’m usually receptive to using the guides flies…
Click to expand...
That is somewhat true. But I feel like most of my gear is targeted for PNW species. I mean good salt rods are kinda a different beast. They can pick up a lot of line and re-shoot so much better ….The gear I have for salmon-steelhead is meant for a different job. At least that is my take. I do have a couple salty rods I know they perform different. Reels are a different issue. I really don’t want my old Lamsons and Bauers doing much salt. Let some other reel suffer than yours. Unless this is gonna be an every year thing.
 
Brute said:
I always bring my own gear. I’m far more comfortable and familiar with my own gear…on a couple occasions, the guide’s gear was not very well maintained. However, I’m usually receptive to using the guides flies…
Click to expand...
I almost always bring my own gear unless I know for sure that the guide/lodge has top grade equipment. I have also had bad experiences counting on using the guides gear and being frustrated with what they provided.
 
I BMOG if I have suitable rods and reels for the trip.
 
If you are going primarily to fish, take your own stuff, including flies. Part of the joy. Guides will have flies and operators will likely have suitable rods and reels with the right lines, if your stuff isn’t quite right.

But if you are going mainly for the beach and warm weather, and maybe going to fish only a day or two then don’t bother to gear up ahead of time. My experience tells me it’s not worth the bother.

And I have experience.
 
I love using my own stuff and I love using my own flies, so I always bring my own....but, try not to be as stubborn about using the guides flies as I sometimes can be. :LOL:

to the OP: sounds like you may want to utilize your guides stuff (especially local flies) from the description in your original post
 
For fresh water trips I bring my own. For salt, I use the boat's equipment. I am lazy and do not want to bother to shower with the reel & rod to get rid of the salt.
 
clarkman said:
I love using my own stuff and I love using my own flies, so I always bring my own....but, try not to be as stubborn about using the guides flies as I sometimes can be. :LOL:

to the OP: sounds like you may want to utilize your guides stuff (especially local flies) from the description in your original post
Click to expand...
I do agree about the flies…I usually tie them specifically for a trip. I would usually open my box and ask the guide to pick a winner…but on occasion will go with the guides fly; if they don’t get an eat after awhile, I’ll cut it off and tie on one of my own. It’s very satisfying after doing that to hook up immediately…
 
Guides in places like Belize and Mexico do not usually have gear for clients to use, and if they do it’s stuff that previous clients have left behind and therefore either bad or in poor condition.

Add to that how demanding the casting can be to catch those fish - you probably want a setup that you have actually practiced with.
 
I always bring my own gear. I have a trip coming up where I’ll bring everything except waders and boots. They are heavy and nasty by the end of a trip and can be a PIA to pack. As long as they keep my dryish, I don’t care what the lodge gives me on that end. Rods and lines, I have strong preference though. Even tropical trips of which I have done very few, I bring my own stuff for DIY and familiarity. Outside of waders/wading boots I don’t find it all that difficult to travel with gear.
 
jasmillo said:
I always bring my own gear. I have a trip coming up where I’ll bring everything except waders and boots. They are heavy and nasty by the end of a trip and can be a PIA to pack. As long as they keep my dryish, I don’t care what the lodge gives me on that end. Rods and lines, I have strong preference though. Even tropical trips of which I have done very few, I bring my own stuff for DIY and familiarity. Outside of waders/wading boots I don’t find it all that difficult to travel with gear.
Click to expand...
I bought a very lightweight pair of waders from Patagonia several years ago and bring an oversized low cut hiking shoes for just that occasion
 
Thanks for the responses, I may need to reconsider my stance. If I can schedule in some DIY days then maybe it would be best to bring my 8wt setup. It would fish well for the bonefish and snook. But when it comes to the permit/tarpon, I'm hesitant to invest in a 10wt setup that will only get used for a trip or two. I don't have much use for a 10wt locally.

Do y'all own gear that is exclusively used for destination fishing?
 
Been thinking about this a couple days.

I think if I was concerned about having the right gear my biggest concern would be having the right flies, lines and reels. I would just trust that I could adjust to whatever rods the guide provided.
 
MarshRat said:
Do y'all own gear that is exclusively used for destination fishing?
Click to expand...
Yes
I have gear for tropics trips that does not get used down here much.
If I fished tuna I suppose my 12 wt would get some use, and the 10 wt gets used for Chinook fishing a bit, but really those don't see much use up here.
 
MarshRat said:
Thanks for the responses, I may need to reconsider my stance. If I can schedule in some DIY days then maybe it would be best to bring my 8wt setup. It would fish well for the bonefish and snook. But when it comes to the permit/tarpon, I'm hesitant to invest in a 10wt setup that will only get used for a trip or two. I don't have much use for a 10wt locally.

Do y'all own gear that is exclusively used for destination fishing?
Click to expand...
You could buy a 10 wt setup, and then turn around and sell it for what you bought it for (or slightly less) and call it a rental. Just a thought.
 
MarshRat said:
Thanks for the responses, I may need to reconsider my stance. If I can schedule in some DIY days then maybe it would be best to bring my 8wt setup. It would fish well for the bonefish and snook. But when it comes to the permit/tarpon, I'm hesitant to invest in a 10wt setup that will only get used for a trip or two. I don't have much use for a 10wt locally.

Do y'all own gear that is exclusively used for destination fishing?
Click to expand...

How many days will you be fishing?
Have you already booked a guide?
What species will you be targeting?

At a minimum I would bring your own 8 or 9 weight rod/reel and species appropriate fly lines (bonefish, juvenile tarpon, snook, permit, snapper). SA Grand Slam taper is nice in most conditions. A clear head would help with spooky fish in the Keys I suspect. Belize has small bonefish, so a 7 or 8 weight would be fine. The key is to be very familiar and comfortable accurately casting your own set-up.

A second rod/reel in 10 or 11 weight would only be necessary for adult tarpon. A 10 weight could help with wind for permit, but a 9 weight can do the trick. I love fishing 9 weights as they can cover so many bases.

Fishing the Keys in the winter months might be tough weather wise until March or so.
 
MarshRat said:
We are throwing around the idea of visiting Belize or the Keys this winter. The internet is full of fly fishing "gear guides" and "packing lists" for such trips, but I know my fishing would be guided. Most outfitters state that they provide the necessary tackle. Although I've done it on several occasions, I think flying with my gear is cumbersome and only adds stress to the travel. However, the fly fishing marketing machine tells me that everyone is spending $$$$ on the latest tropical lines, sealed reels, and fast action 8-10wts to take with them on their trip. Only way I'm packing gear is if I'm positive that I'll be doing some DIY fishing outside of the guided day trips. I'm not picky about what gear I use, and I'm sure what the guide provides would work fine.

Do y'all bring your own stuff when fishing a guided trip? Saltwater or otherwise.
Click to expand...
Depends on the outfit. Some have “gear” and some have GEAR.

I tend to bring my gear because guides “only” spend 8 hours with you—sometimes less. That leaves at least 12 other hours of fishing time you’d otherwise miss out on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top