Boats and equipment

Anglers at Mena Fly Fishing fish two per guide from spacious 18-foot pangas with level casting decks. All fly fishing is done from these stable, comfortable fishing platforms alongside our experienced guides.

For juvenile tarpon, 8- to 9-weight rods with floating lines are ideal. The water is shallow, with many shots in as little as 1 foot of water. Small 1/0 wet flies and gurglers are the go-to patterns. 40- to 50-pound monofilament leaders are preferred over fluorocarbon in the shallow lagoons because of their slower sink rate.

For larger migratory tarpon, 10- to 11-weight rods with an intermediate sinking line, 2/0 flies, and 60- to 80-pound fluorocarbon leaders are recommended.