With how much variety there is in the Puerto Rico fishing at No Name Lodge, it can be tough to know just how much, or how little to bring. After our recent experiences at navigating the mangroves and getting soaked on the flats, here’s our first-hand opinion on what to leave at home, and what to bring to Puerto Rico.

9,10,11wt rods

We fished a variety of scenarios during our time at No Name Lodge. If I had a wish list, and lots of space, I would take a multi-rod quiver to make the most of each situation.

• 9wt – with a slightly slower action, this would be great for those tight mangrove tunnels and the smaller-sized tarpon lurking back there. This would also be handy on the permit flats as many of the shots were up close and a delicate presentation became more important than a long-distance cast.
• 10wt – if you can only take one rod (I made this self-imposed limit) then a 10wt is my choice. Maybe a little over-gunned for the deep mangroves (in both length and action) but it was perfect for the open lagoons, and it gets the job done on the open flats. Unlike destinations such as the Yucatan or Belize, you are not going to encounter permit while looking for tarpon, or vice-versa. There is time to switch out your leader and fly between the two areas. The permit we cast to were large and fed on some rough reef terrain – the 10wt gave a little confidence boost in knowing the extra backbone was there to stop a hooked permit from blasting out to sea.
• 11wt – Our guide carried an 11wt on board, and although it may not be necessary for many of the situations in Puerto Rico, it was nice to have when the wind picked up, or the rollers that appeared a bit further out. Though we did not see any large sharks during our visit, it’s always a good idea to land fish as quickly as possible for a healthy release, and the 11wt certainly helps speed up the fight.

Sturdy Wading Boots

Think about some ankle protection! We’ve found the neoprene flats booties to be too light for permit fishing, and a boot-style option is the way to go. The lodge typically has a good selection of boots on hand, but we’ve been there after the season’s end, and the boot rack showed the scars and wear of a long season’s usage. A lightweight neoprene sock is advised to wear under your flats boot.

Glasses

Photochromatic polarized sunglasses or a low-light backup pair are a must. The mountainous inner island made for a few days of everchanging light conditions, and of course, the mangrove tunnels have much less light than the open flats. I thankfully had light-adjusting lenses. On another note—some of the runs were splashy, and some lens wipes or a good cleaning cloth is recommended.

Pliers & A Solid Tarpon Loop Knot

Make sure you’re comfortable with your tarpon loop knot. You can maximize fishing time by being able to tie and/or re-tie a fly without calling your guide down from the platform. We had many situations where a fish came unbuttoned after a jump or three, and the tippet was frayed. Being able to re-tie will give you the most time with a line in the water.

Waterproof Backpack

A good boat bag will work and you’ll probably have it very organized, but they can be a pain to travel with. A good roll-top dry bag will also work, and they pack beautifully, but they lack organization, making it tough to find what you need quickly. The clear winner here is a waterproof backpack. Load it up as your “personal item” for the plane ride, then put it to work on the boat. Any model with a zipper is going to be my go-to, for the quick and easy access, as well as the wide opening. Most have an external pocket or two, and some lash points for rod tubes, tippet spools, and other items that you’ll want to keep handy.

Rain Gear, Lightweight Clothes, & Sun Protection

Pack your rain gear as light, and as packable as possible. You’re going to be hanging out in the tropics, you’re likely to get wet at some point, either via rain or on the skiff rides. Play it safe and pack some rain gear, but it’s not something you should overly stress about. Aside from the rain gear, your clothes should be breathable and lightweight. With the sun beating down on you, expect to get cooked on the water. Definitely don’t forget some SPF protection.

Contact me, Joe Koziara, to learn more about the fishing in Puerto Rico.

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