[cj.james]

Hey dudes,

I am looking to head to Christmas on 2021. I want to start accumulating gear now for it so I can be fully prepped for when doomsday comes!

So far, I have an Echo Boost Salt with an orvis hydros 5 on it. I was looking to get maybe the same rods in a 7 and 11 wt or the EPR with the same reel or the allen kraken.

Any word out there if an 11wt would be enough for the GT's and milkfish around there?

I have an idea of the gear I'll need, just curious what kinds of lines I will actually need. I know coconutgroves loves the BTT and many like the Cortland guide around here. Any other line recs? I know the BTT is one size heavy, does anyone go down a line size for faster line speed?

Let me know what else I need!

 

[ifsteve]

An 11 is a fine rod for a GT. The real key to GT fishing is the reel (see what I did there).

 

[ifsteve]

Here's one of the better trip gear lists out there.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0022/3854/5969/files/Christmas_Island_Packing_List.pdf?1999

 

[jsnipes]

I went last year and would say -
- 9wt for triggers
- 6-8wt for bones; whatever you are comfortable with; the fish are generally small but it can be windy
- 11-12wt either is fine for GTs
- can get away w a 9wt for milks but a 10 would be preferable; an 11 would also be fine

as far as fly lines, any of the normal WF floating saltwater lines are fine. the Cortland GT line is probably the best for that. for the other lines, tons of options.

agree that reel is more important than rod for GTs. you might only get 1 shot for the week there...if it's on a garbage reel good chance of getting smoked!

 

[cj.james]

I went last year and would say -
- 9wt for triggers
- 6-8wt for bones; whatever you are comfortable with; the fish are generally small but it can be windy
- 11-12wt either is fine for GTs
- can get away w a 9wt for milks but a 10 would be preferable; an 11 would also be fine

as far as fly lines, any of the normal WF floating saltwater lines are fine. the Cortland GT line is probably the best for that. for the other lines, tons of options.

agree that reel is more important than rod for GTs. you might only get 1 shot for the week there...if it's on a garbage reel good chance of getting smoked!

I appreciate your feedback! I already have a 9wt (echo boost feels about a 9.5wt), I suppose an 11 and a 7wt are in order.

How much backing should I look to fill on these reels?

 

[ifsteve]

I appreciate your feedback! I already have a 9wt (echo boost feels about a 9.5wt), I suppose an 11 and a 7wt are in order.

How much backing should I look to fill on these reels?

You put as much backing on a reel so that its properly filled up when you have a fly line on the reel. Now I suspect you are really asking how much backing you need. 7wt would be fine with 150 yards. 9 wt would be good to have at least 200. For the GT reel....well it depends. On you going to use IGFA leaders or go big? If you are using IGFA then you better have at least 300 yards. At least. But if you are going to go big leaders then 250 would work.

Just remember one thing about backing. Its a helluva lot better to have and not need than the other way around.

 

[cj.james]

You put as much backing on a reel so that its properly filled up when you have a fly line on the reel. Now I suspect you are really asking how much backing you need. 7wt would be fine with 150 yards. 9 wt would be good to have at least 200. For the GT reel....well it depends. On you going to use IGFA leaders or go big? If you are using IGFA then you better have at least 300 yards. At least. But if you are going to go big leaders then 250 would work.

Just remember one thing about backing. Its a helluva lot better to have and not need than the other way around.

Just what I was looking for! You da man! I only ask because I have a few reels that'll hold 150-200 yards of 20lb backing. However, I'll just swap it out for some GSP and fit more on that SOB. Thanks mate!

 

[Scott Kor]

I went last year and would say -
- 9wt for triggers
- 6-8wt for bones; whatever you are comfortable with; the fish are generally small but it can be windy
- 11-12wt either is fine for GTs
- can get away w a 9wt for milks but a 10 would be preferable; an 11 would also be fine

as far as fly lines, any of the normal WF floating saltwater lines are fine. the Cortland GT line is probably the best for that. for the other lines, tons of options.

agree that reel is more important than rod for GTs. you might only get 1 shot for the week there...if it's on a garbage reel good chance of getting smoked!

No advice here. Just frigging jealous of both of you.

 

[cj.james]

I'm signed up for the week of april 19th, 2021 if anyone wants to join!

 

[Scott Kor]

I'm signed up for the week of april 19th, 2021 if anyone wants to join!

Well now, I need to do some thinking. Thanks!