30A FISHING: LEARNING CENTER

Florida Fishing Tackle: What Our Guides Use

What’s in our tackle box?

All of our 30A fishing guides are experts when it comes to the tackle they use to pursue our area’s species. Everything on this page is gear our guides have chosen from years of experience on these specific waters.

A few things to know before we get into it:

All tackle is provided on every charter. You do not need to bring anything.
Clients are welcome and encouraged to bring whatever gear they are most comfortable using.

Conventional Florida Tackle Charters: Spinning Rods and Reels

For conventional tackle charters, our guides use spinning rods and reels. Over the years we have learned that we can teach just about anyone to proficiently cast a spinning outfit. Even if you have never held a fishing rod before, a few minutes with one of our guides and you will be up to speed.

Why spinning rods and not casting rods?

Many anglers, especially here in the South, grew up fishing with plug or “casting” rods. Plug casting rods have some great advantages, but a shallow learning curve is not one of them.

Spinning gear is approachable for any experience level, which means more time fishing and less time figuring out gear.

One exception: for bottom fishing specifically, we may use larger open-faced reels.

Spinning Rods: Bull Bay Sniper

Not every species along 30A fights the same. Our guides match rod power to the target. For spinning rods, they reach for the Bull Bay Sniper, a 100% carbon fiber rod built for inshore saltwater fishing, designed for distance, accuracy, and sensitivity.

For medium species:

Bull Bay Sniper: 7’6″, Medium-Fast
Line rating: 6 lb to 12 lb

For larger species:

Bull Bay Sniper: 7’6″, Medium-Heavy Fast
Line rating: 10 lb to 20 lb

Spinning Reels: Florida Fishing Products Osprey CE Pro

A rod is only as good as the reel paired with it. For spinning reels, our guides have settled on one: Florida Fishing Products Osprey CE Pro.

Saltwater is hard on gear. The Osprey CE Pro is built for it: ultralight, corrosion resistant, and smooth cast after cast. It is what our guides reach for, trip after trip.

Fly Fishing Tackle Charters

Every one of our guides is well versed in the rigging, knots, and subtleties of fly fishing tackle. Our fly fishing guides have expert knowledge of this gear and rarely leave the dock without plenty of rigged fly rods in the boat.

Fly fishing tackle has three main components:

the rod, which delivers the cast
the fly line, a weighted line that carries the fly through the air
the leader, the connection between the fly line and the fly itself.

Getting all three right for the species and conditions is where guide knowledge makes the difference.

What to know before your 30A fly-fishing charter:

All fly tackle is provided. Most fly fishermen and women like to bring their own rods and reels, and you are welcome to do that too.
Fly casting instruction is available through Old Florida Outfitters, our outfitter shop located in Watercolor Resort right along 30A.

Fly Rods:

The Orvis Helios (4th gen) in 8, 10, and 12 weight covers just about any situation we encounter here in the Florida Panhandle.

Rod Weight	Target Species
8 wt.	Redfish, bonito, mackerel, bluefish, tripletail, pompano
10 wt.	Jack crevalle, cobia, red snapper, amberjack, king mackerel
12 wt.	Tarpon (primary rod), blacktip shark, amberjack, jack crevalle, king mackerel

Fly Lines:

Our fly lines choice: Scientific Anglers Magnitude Series Smooth Infinity Salt.

Benefits of the Scientific Anglers Magnitude Series Smooth Fly Line:

Clear floating line that is nearly invisible to fish in the water
Built heavier than standard to drive large saltwater flies through the air
Designed for accurate presentations at longer distances

Line sizes by target species:

8 wt. for redfish
10 wt. for cobia, jacks, amberjacks, and king mackerel
12 wt. for tarpon

Leader Material:

The last piece of the puzzle is the leader, the thin line that connects your fly line to your fly. For that, our guides have used one product for years: Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon.

100% fluorocarbon, nearly invisible in the water, and the best we have used for knot strength and abrasion resistance. When you are fighting a tarpon or working a redfish on the flats, that connection has to hold.

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Raingear: What Our Guides Wear

We use raingear all the time, not just for rain. When seas pick up and there is spray from running the boat, good raingear is essential. If you are going to invest in raingear, buy SITKA. They make the best raingear available, hands down.

SITKA pieces our guides recommend:

Stormfront Jacket: Our recommendation for spring, summer, and fall fishing. Waterproof, breathable, and built for a full day on the water.
Stormfront Pant: The best choice for a light, packable rain pant.
CAT-5 Jacket and Bib: Our favorite outerwear, built for serious weather. With these on, you will not get wet. Bulletproof.

WELCOME TO SHALLOW WATERS EXPEDITIONS

Whether you are a veteran fly fisherman hunting Tarpon on the Fly, or a novice who is looking for a patient introduction to the sport, we can accommodate, we welcome all levels of anglers.

Our goal is to deliver an enjoyable, relaxing, productive day on the water. Providing an enjoyable experience and involving everyone in this sport is the future of Shallow Water Expeditions!

Creating a rapport between guide and client is a crucial part in developing long standing guide/client relationships, leading to our ultimate goal: creating friendships. Shallow Water Expeditions is a guide service, and we provide just that, professional service! We cater to each charter’s expectations, and it is our hope to exceed those expectations and keep you coming back for more!

Shallow Water Expeditions Guide Service is based out of Old Florida Outfitters, the exclusive outfitter located in the Watercolor Resort. Strategically positioned between Destin and Panama City Beach, along the beautiful Beaches of South Walton, we can be found fishing 30A and the entire North Florida Gulf Coast.

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