In honor of the New Year holiday, we won’t be posting on Friday (but we’ll keep our eyes peeled for breaking news). The Real Deal wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday, and a joyous 2016! Be sure to check back bright and early on Saturday, for the start of TRD‘s weekend edition.
Tools for keeping your fly line tangle-free and ready to shoot.
Line Lair, from Carbon Marine is a great option to keep line corraled on the deck.
Line management is the single biggest issue for fly fishermen. A wet beach towel placed over offending projections might solve your problems. Sometimes duct tape will do it. When that isn’t enough, you may need a line management tool.
You have several options. One is to use a product made for another purpose and adapt it to fly fishing. As an example, the pop-up laundry or leaf baskets made by Rubbermaid, Toro, Worx and others, available for about $20, work well as fly line baskets. They can be folded up so they take very little space when not being used. A section of garden hose cut to fit inside the basket and filled with lead sinkers holds the basket on the deck when the wind blows.
The main disadvantage of these products is that the spring that pops the basket up is made of steel. Steel rusts around saltwater. Rust stains your boat’s deck. Still, you can get a couple years out of one of these baskets before it’s time to dispose of it.
Belly Bucket from Sea Level Adventures, which also makes larger designs for boats.
A few companies make modern iterations of the now-defunct Fly Line Tamer. One is called the Strip and Feed Ultimate Fly basket from Strip and Feed Research, another is The Bucket from Sea Level Flyfishing Adventures, and still another is the Line Hut from Carbon Marine.
What I like about these types of products is that you can place them where you want them relative to you so that you do not have to alter how you work the fly. They adapt to you, rather than requiring you to adapt to them.
If you don’t like the bucket-style tools, you may prefer a mat. A couple of popular mats for fly fishers include the Line Lair from Carbon Marine, which comes in both a round and a square version, and the new Toad Loader from Strip and Feed Research. Both of these are made from a soft, rubbery material. The Line Lair has little rubber “fingers,” while the Toad Loader has cones. Both are designed to trap your line so the wind can’t blow it around. I have a Line Lair and like it a lot.
You may like wearable stripping baskets. Certainly for beach fishing these are a necessity. In a boat they are somewhat cumbersome. Many companies offer these, including Sea Level Fly fishing, Orvis, William Joseph, L.L. Bean, and more. Stripping baskets are also pretty easy to make yourself. Wearable baskets generally require you to alter your stripping motion to accommodate them.
A product which I have not personally used, but which looks very promising, is the Stripper Clip from Peter Hayes. The clip sits on a belt on your hip and holds coils of line as you strip it in, then allows you to cast without the line tangling.
My research found several line management products similar to those currently available that are no longer made. If you find a product you like you might think about getting several of them. Regardless of which tool you choose, line that’s not tangled will catch more fish for you. That’s the beauty of using these tools. FS
First published Florida Sportsman September 2014
Serena Williams and Carla Suárez Navarro face off at the 2015 Miami Open (Credit: Christophe95)
1. Court slams Miami Open’s bid to expand [Miami Today]
2. Feds move to seize 16 South Florida properties from alleged marijuana trafficker [SFBJ]
3. Top 5 interior design trends for 2016 [Wall Street Journal]
4. Superfood franchise to open its first Florida cafe in South Beach [SFBJ]
— Sean Stewart-Muniz
Oysters Extraordinaire, photo by Tommy Thompson. Looking for a festive seafood appetizer for the holiday celebrations? Check out Tommy Thompson’s Sportsman’s Kitchen column in the December issue of Florida Sportsman.
Oysters Extraordinaire, photo by Tommy Thompson. Looking for a festive seafood appetizer for the holiday celebrations? Check out Tommy Thompson’s Sportsman’s Kitchen column in the December issue of Florida Sportsman." class="thickbox" rel="set_6">
Snipe, photo by Eric Orlando. Snipe: the accessible bird for the Florida wingshooter. Read Tim Lewis’ feature, “The Saturday Bird” in the December issue of Florida Sportsman." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Go with the Flow, photo by Sam Farkas. The location of schools of dolphin has everything to do with current flow, and knowing how to plan your fishing around those currents makes all the difference in your productivity. Read “Go with the Flow,” by Jeff Weakley in the December issue of Florida Sportsman." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Sea Bass: The Other Grouper, photo by Drew Wickstrom. Jarrah Garner holds a nice sea bass, as featured in December’s feature story by David Conway. Garner is also featured in the 2016 Women Anglers of Florida Sportsman Calendar, on sale now." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Ana Gent of West Melbourne with her trophy turkey from private land just west of Brevard County. Happy Thanksgiving!" class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Rainbow Springs, photo by Carlton Ward. Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunellon in Central Florida is a photographer’s paradise. Nature photographer Carlton Ward documents the natural world of Florida’s ecosystems. See more of his work at www.carltonward.com." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Running the Mangroves, photo by Greg Poland. Islamorada-based photographer Greg Poland is an accomplished angler and charter captain. See more of his photography at www.gregpolandphotography.com." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Biscayne Bay Halloween, carved and photographed by Will Claunch. A tarpon carved halloween pumpkin sits in front of a Silver King Mecca, Biscayne Bay in Miami, FL. Will you be handing out any "tarpon candy" this halloween weekend? " class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Go to the Light, photo by David Danforth. Snook in a docklight is fair game. For more of Danforth’s work, see www.relogear.com. For more insight into using light to create a chum line, see David Conway’s feature story in the October issue, “Go to the Light.”" class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
On the Pads, photo by Jeff Weakley. Crappie fishing on the pads on the St. Johns River." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Fall Redfish, photo by David Danforth. To see more or Danforth’s work, visit www.relogear.com." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
St. Marks Pier, photo by Carlton Ward. Nature photographer Carlton Ward documents the natural world of Florida’s ecosystems. See more of his work at www.carltonward.com." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Native Reflections, photo by Tammy Wilson. Step aboard a kayak or canoe and step back in time. Centuries ago, Florida’s Indian River Lagoon sustained the Ais and Timucue tribes. See the lagoon as they saw it. From the Florida Sportsman HD 2015 Calendar." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Surf Days, photo by Joe Richard. On Florida’s Atlantic coast, these anglers are setting up to score on pompano and other migratory species that run the coast in the fall. From the Florida Sportsman HD Calendar." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Somewhere in Florida, photo by Michael Grant. Find a spot to call your own this weekend. It’s out there." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Huge Snook, photo by Matt Hawksley.
Hawksley says, “Using only artificials we have been able to land quite a few lunkers this summer and all of them right off Tarpon Bay Beach on Sanibel - no boat or live bait needed. We've caught many smaller snook in the canals and passes as well which is a great sign, but the 40-plus inch monsters seem to be out cruising the beaches in droves.”" class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Grass Fishing, photo by Capt. Rich Santos. “The Jacksonville-St.Augustine big Spring tides during the MidSummer - early Fall seasons bring out the ultra light tackle and sight fishing angler to hunt for tailing redfish, sheepshead & black drum that are gorging themselves on fiddler crabs over the flooded grass flats," says photographer Santos. See more of his work at www.flyfishjax.com." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Fort Desoto, photo by Justin Tramble. Rebeka casting in the surf at Fort Desoto beach with the sunset in the background. Caught a small snook, but this picture is the best catch. " class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Bluefin Tuna, photo by Walt Stearns. Photographer Walt Stearns caught the incredible image of a bluefin as it makes its way in bluewater. The image accompanies David Conway’s feature story, “Bluefin: The Long Game,” about the sportfishery for bluefin off Cat Cay and Bimini and the Cat Cay Tuna Tournament, revived by Costa Sunglasses company. The story is in the August issue of Florida Sportsman magazine." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Snakehead, photo by Jim Polley. Angler Debbie Geisey gets hold of a jumping snakehead in Sunrise. Photographer Jim Polley says that snakeheads are pretty common in Sunrise." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Standup Redfish, photo by Patrick "Tupat" Eichstaedt.
“This particular image is a screen shot from a GoPro Hero4 HD video clip,” says pro photographer and surfer Patrick "Tupat" Eichstaedt. “When David caught this red I wanted to try and capture this moment, but I knew it would be difficult without shooting it in video mode. Fishing was insane. I myself caught 8 different species of fish and David caught his fair share as well. This image is a very unique perspective and SUP fishing is the way to go for getting as close to the catch as possible.” @therealtupat " class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Silent Predator, photo by Kristofer Landers.
Sargassum transmits golden sunlight while concealing the form of a freediver on the hunt for mahi and wahoo. From the 2015 Sportsman HD Calendar." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Carlos DeBruzos and the 45-plus pound black drum he caught in the Big Bend region using live bait, light tackle in calm waters while wading multiple oyster bars." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
End of the Day, photo by Jason Rebol. The final spot (Charlotte Harbor) after a long 4 days fishing of fishing. Heading back to our temporary abode on Useppa Island.
Left to Right: Steve Gilmer, John Donaldson, Dave Anthony, Rob Picard, Clay Rebol, Todd Rebol, Dan Mowrey." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Fishing the flats of the Florida Keys, paddleboard style. Photo by Robin Wicker." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Sheet Glass, photo by Collin Ross from the 2015 Sportsman HD Calendar.
Whisper of seabreeze and eruption of sunlight will soon divide water from sky. For now, you’re in a netherworld of stillness as you watch, and listen, for the pulse of tails disturbing the surface." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
West Coast Tarpon, photo by David Danforth. “When you have been out all day, watching the tarpon rolling and bursting into the air all around you, you milk every last ray of sun light in the day to catch just one more,” said Danforth. See more of Danforth’s work at www.relogear.com. " class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Lagoon Red, photo Cyril Tan. Michelle David and her redfish caught on a paddletail lure on an early flood tide season on Mosquito Lagoon." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Banana River NMZ, photo by Steve Clark. Photographer Steve Clark linked up with Capt Alex of Local Lines Charters and angler Jorge Salas to nail this shot in the Banana River No Motor Zone (NMZ). Shot at 1/1600 f5.6 iso200. An hour after this was taken they ended the day with 4 black drum, trout, and jacks all on fly. See more at www.sclarkphoto.com. " class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Big as the Boat, photo by Sam Root, from the 2015 Sportsman HD Calendar.
Huge tarpon takes to the air off Southwest Florida, where the term “big as the boat” isn’t just a fish story. " class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Chasing the Tide, photo by Richard Santos from the 2015 Sportsman HD calendar.
Kayaker watches for red drum, which raid the spartina grass on flood tide to eat snails and crabs. An hour ago, this was dry ground. And an hour from now, dry ground it will be again." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
A Fly in Hand, photo by Jason Stemple, from the 2015 Sportsman HD Calendar.
What determines tarpon fishing success? Casting distance and fly selection are secondary and tertiary to a simple function of line management: You have a fly ready to cast, enough line outside the rod tip, and the nerve to make your delivery with minimal fuss." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Another Day in Paradise, photo by Eric Wickstrom, from the 2015 Sportsman HD Calendar. Sportfisher heads for the reefline. Turn off the cell phone and turn on the radar. It’s game time." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Hunting the Cypress, photo by Collin Ross, from the 2015 Sportsman HD Calendar.
The swamp awakens around you. Squawking herons. Hooting owls. The occasional wood duck squeal. And then you pick it up: a few simple yelps, a hen turkey. You tense up, hoping she’s not alone. " class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Sea Bound at Sunrise, by Brenton Roberts. Small sport fish boat makes its way towards the ocean while the sun makes its way in the sky. Shot with a Canon 60D, 1/250 shutter speed, F/6.3, ISO 200, 135mm focal length." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
Frigate Low, photo by Jason Stemple. Professional photographer Jason Stemple (www.jasonstemple.com) shot this frigate bird snagging a ballyhoo offshore out of Hawks Cay. What a nice sight to see as the spring dolphin season gets set to start around Florida. D300s, 70-200mm 2.8, 1/1250, f5.6." class="thickbox no_icon" rel="set_6">
