Q: I have fished for a long time but have never fly-fished. I want to learn so I can chase permit, bonefish and tarpon. What size and type of rod do I need?
Darren Woodard
Princeton, North Carolina
A: If you were expecting to catch permit, bonefish and tarpon not exceeding 50 pounds, a compromise rod would be a 9-weight. It is a little overgunned for bonefish but a bit light for tarpon and permit, especially when you need to throw weighted crab flies. Ideally, I would buy a 10-weight for permit and for tarpon under 70 pounds. For bonefish, I’d go with an 8-weight.
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