For most situations I fish, I like to use a weight forward floating tropical line for fishing in the warmer months. The tropical fly lines are designed with a stiffer core for fishing in warmer climates and also have a harder coating that will not allow the line to become soft and to get tangled. The floating line will make it easier for you to cast since it does not require you to strip in all of the line before you make your next cast. This is useful when working shorelines or making multiple casts to fish on the flats. A floating line is not the only type of line you can use, however I prefer the floating line for the types of fishing that I do the most throughout the year. More specifically, I use RIO Bonefish Quickshooter line, which is an excellent line for casting out of a kayak, loading quickly and for making presentations close to the kayak. In the winter months, I switch to a cold water line designed for the drop in temperature.
First and foremost, presentation is key. Without a good presentation, your fly selection will not really matter. Keep a variety of different types of flies on hand depending on the species of fish you are targeting as well as different weighted flies for the various depths that fish can hold. Vary your retrieves when you are working a fly to best mimic the type of pattern you are using. Fly size will vary from area to area so it is best to get some local knowledge on which size and colors to go with.
Once you are all setup with your gear, now what? I cannot stress this enough: Practice, practice, practice! You need to be able to cast quickly and accurately while at the same time minimizing your false casting. Everything in saltwater fly fishing happens fast and sometimes you only have a few seconds to make your presentation. Throw into the mix the wind, your kayak’s movement and the fish constantly on the run. You won’t have time to make an accurate presentation and may only have one chance at it.
Fly fishing from a kayak can be a challenge and that is how you should look at it. Challenge yourself to leave your normal gear at home and only take a fly combo with you. It will take you out of your comfort zone and will open up a whole new world of fishing for you. One final note about fly fishing is to never stop learning. This is one of the biggest appeals of fly fishing to me: you will never master it but chasing after that goal is what keeps it exciting.
~Scott Jontes