At No Name Lodge, every day on the water is a mix of preparation, presentation, and just enough chaos to keep things exciting. Guests often ask two big questions: what fly should I throw? and what should I bring with me on the skiff?

Jake—your favorite fishing guide—has thoughts on both. We’ll let him take it from here.

The Fly Debate

Anglers have been debating fly choice for generations. It’s almost as classic as “chicken or the egg.”

  • What fly do I throw?
  • What color should it be?
  • How deep should it ride?
  • And the big one: do I feel confident in it?

Here’s the truth: tarpon are quirky. They like to look up at flies, and they like them moving a certain way. In Puerto Rico, most generic poon patterns will get the job done. It’s not really about having the magic fly—it’s about the strip and the placement.

  1. Tarpon like the fly moving away from them. If you and your guide aren’t working as a team, you’re already behind.
  2. Tarpon are lazy by nature. The fly needs to match their speed and mood.
  3. When their body language changes and they key in, that’s when you give the fly a little shake without pulling it away too fast.

Some days, the fish make you feel like tarpon Jesus reincarnated—they’ll eat anything, even a bad cast. Other days, every tiny mistake matters: pausing too long mid-strip, dropping your line, letting the fly sit too long. That’s when most anglers blame the fly. But let’s be honest—it’s usually the Indian, not the arrow.

So instead of overthinking patterns, focus on your cast, strip, and presentation.

Leaders & Terminal Tackle

When it comes to leaders, I’m a bit of a nerd. Knots, tapers, little details—they matter. But here in our fishery, it’s actually pretty simple.

For tarpon (10–11 wt):

  • 6 ft of 60 lb
  • 3 ft of 50 lb
  • 3 ft of 40 lb

That’s it—you’re cooking with peanut oil.

For permit (9–10 wt):

  • Calm day: under-line your rod
  • Windy day: normal line weight
  • 6 ft of 50–60 lb
  • 3 ft of 30–40 lb
  • 12–20 lb tippet (12–16 over grass, 20 over reef)

No breakaway sections are needed here—unlike other fisheries, we don’t have a shark problem.

And for those who want to fish IGFA leaders? Power to you. But on days when we’re putting 20+ fish in the air, don’t expect me to spend half the morning retying them for you.

What to Bring on the Skiff

Here are a few things you might not think of but will thank yourself for packing:

  • Baby wipes
  • Lens wipes for sunglasses
  • Plain socks (if you’re not used to standing barefoot in the sun)
  • Gloves or finger condoms (if you’ve got office hands)
  • A good attitude
  • Listening skills

The last two matter more than any fly in your box.

Final Word

Flies, leaders, gear—it’s all part of the game. But don’t forget: presentation and teamwork with your guide are what really put fish in the air. Keep it simple, stay prepared, and let the silver kings teach you a few lessons along the way.

Tight lines,
Jake
Your Favorite Fishing Guide

Closing Thoughts from No Name Lodge

We want every guest at No Name Lodge to feel confident stepping onto the skiff. Whether it’s dialing in your leader, packing the right essentials, or learning how to strip a fly so a tarpon can’t resist it, our guides are here to walk you through it all.

Ready to test your skills in Puerto Rico? Plan your trip with No Name Lodge today.