The race to get ready for Andros turned out to be a bit of a sprint. I was waiting on three packages that ended up all coming on Thursday (I left on Friday). One of those packages had gear from Redington… two rods, a 7 and a 10, and two reels. When they arrived I could finally really get serious about what I was bringing with me. So… here’s my quiver for Andros.
Main Bonefish Rod – Rise Level 9′ 8 wt. ($250)
Fun Bonefish Rod – Redington CPX 9’6″ 7 wt ($330)
Barracuda/Tarpon/Other Rod – Redington RS4 9′ 10 wt. ($220)
So, all told, $800 of rods along.
When I went to Belize in November I had three rods along, but the combined value was closer to $2,200 (two Sage Xi3’s and an Orvis Helios). So, I’m taking a different approach on this trip.
The two Redington rods are loaners and the Rise is a rod I own, but didn’t pay for (to fully disclose all that should be disclosed).
I’ve only cased the Rise rod once on grass and the Redington rods are totally virgin. In fact, I didn’t realize that the 7 wt. was a 9’6″er until a few minutes ago. Longer is usually not encouraged for bones due to windy conditions, but I caught my first bonefish on a 9’6″ St. Croix 7 wt., so, this is like coming home a bit.
I thought about bringing a 9 along, but in the end I figured three rods was probably good and I was pretty close to the recommendations made by Deneki for South Andros fishing.
As you read this, I’ll probably be in the air or waiting for flights on my way to FIBFest. By the time the day ends I will have a Kalik in hand and I’ll be on Androsian soil.
