Salt Water Setup
 

Heading to Hawaii this winter and I plan on doing some DIY fishing around the islands.

I have an 8wt rod Ill be bringing, but was wondering if anyone (from the south preferable) has a designated salt reel with line available to borrow/rent. Willing to pay cash/flies/beer, you name it.

If not...

My plan is to buy reel and WF clear floating line. Any suggestions on lines? I have zero experience salt water fishing.

I'll reccomend a redington behemoth reel. Very affordable and many good reviews!! As far as line there are many options, I'm sure any reputable fly shop can help you out. I'm not familiar with hawaii, but my set up for Cuba will be a tfo bvk 9 wt and a 3-tand reel. Bones and permit.

I have a 7-8wt behemoth for my streamer rod, I just assumed that If I purchase an extra spool and use it that the salt water would harm it. Maybe I should have done a little more research... ha-ha

Thanks

Make sure you rinse it really well with freshwaterafter each use and clean it really well when you get back. Wipe the rod down as well, all the guides and reel seat.

I was thinking of fishing when there also and reached to a person I trust about it, and he said that fish there can be really slow with a fly rod they have flat but they are grass flat so walk and wade was going to be hard.
I'm leaving my gear at home.

If you have reef areas or shelfs under 100ft or some cliff faces to fish off, and access to a boat, you can have some fun on the slack tides and the turns. Can't see why Hawaii should be any different than the west coast that way.
Have to use stuff like heavy shooting heads or fast sinkers, but, those areas can be fished, just make sure you have LOTS of backing.

I have fly fished a lot of different tropical locations. The line I have used dozens of times is just a Rio Versa tip. It is a dry line that you can swap out the tips for different conditions. Having said that though I have only used a sink tip on it a few times. Most times I've just used the floating tip, and I use different flies to get my down to different depths.

For example I will use a Crazy Charlie tied with a bead chain head to fish water 24" and shallower. If I'm fishing deeper, say 2 to 5 feet, then I will still use the same Crazy Charlie but tied with a lead or brass barbell head. If I'm fishing deeper than 5 feet then I will go to a sinking tip.

Crazy Charlies, clouser minnows, and shrimp patterns tied in different weights should get you into some fish.

I agree with others here about rinsing your rods and reels after a day of salt water fishing. I usually fill the tub and submerge the full rods and reels in the water. If there is no tub then take them into the shower and give them a really good rinse. Take the reel and put it in a sink full of water if you can. Just a few minutes of care will help your equipment last for years.

Are you going to Oahu? Do you know where to fish for bonefish there? I can give you directions, if you dont know yet.

Just a thought but if you are on a tight budget you could just use the reel you got. I spent 6 weeks salt water fly fishing with my 8wt and just rinsed it really well after and I have no issues. Obviously that won't work if you live in the salt year round but for short term it's doable.

Im going to Maui. I've done some research on Maui and it sounds like the bones are there, maybe just not as accessible or plentiful as the Oahu Bones.

the idea did cross my mind.. But I found a fairly decent reel down in montana over the weekend. Im all set now.. just gotta start tying some salt patterns.