It is freezing in New England, and striped bass are still months from returning. While this may be an awful time for saltwater fly fishing north of the Mason-Dixon line, it is not time to hibernate! After all, we are fly anglers, and the fishing is going off somewhere. Tropical flats fisheries in Belize, the Bahamas, and the Yucatan are perfect for escaping winters' doldrums. If you are searching for bonefish, permit, tarpon, and more this winter, we have compiled a definitive two-part gear guide to help make preparation easier. Click HERE for part one on fly rods, reels, and lines.

Travel Bags

Like traveling for skiing, fly fishing requires specialized luggage to transport precious cargo. While four-piece rods pack nicely, you do not want to throw your Thomas & Thomas Sextant in your old duffel bag en route to Soul Fly. Your 4pc rod could become an 8pc without proper due diligence!

The right pack keeps your reels, spare lines, leaders, tippet, flies, and crucial accessories in check. Don’t show up to your dream destination disheveled and unorganized, looking like the college version of yourself on an ill-fated spring break trip. We’ve made this mistake, so you don’t have to!

Fishpond’s Dakota Carry-On Rod & Reel Case is the game changer that made our fly fishing travel lives much easier. The Dakota Carry-On features a padded fly rod compartment that safely stores four 4-pc rods without needing heavy rod tube holders. There are also dividable attachments to safely store your Hardy, Hatch, Cheeky, and Abel fly reels. The mesh compartments hold terminal tackle, spare lines, and multiple fly boxes.

Fishpond’s Teton Carry-On Luggage is perfect for clothing, toiletries, and non-fishing-related essentials. Of course, there’s room for fly fishing gear, but we recommend keeping them separate to avoid disorganization. However, the Teton Carry-On features a side strap to attach a single rod holder. If you do not want a separate rod case, Patagonia’s Travel Fly Rod Roll safely accommodates four fly rods and will cinch to the Teton Carry-On. 

Fishing Packs

A waterproof pack is necessary for daily fishing outings. It doesn’t matter if you’re wading or fishing from a skiff; your pack WILL get wet. There isn’t anything worse than your daily provisions getting soaked, and saltwater enclosed in a fly box will rust out hooks on those valuable flies faster than we can guzzle a Kalik lager after a day of baking in the sun. 

Backpacks, slings, and hip packs have their advantages as well as their drawbacks. Like stripping baskets, the perfect pack seemingly doesn’t exist, and it largely comes down to personal preference. Hip packs are ideal for wading and perfect for anglers with shoulder or back issues. However, some anglers might find another strap and bulky object around their waist quarrelsome if worn with a stripping basket.

Sling packs are a popular choice since they stay out of the way when fishing and are much easier to access supplies than a backpack. 

With a backpack, you can easily throw everything needed for a daily outing, including multiple water bottles, food, a camera, spare spools, fly boxes, and a rain jacket. You might spend extra time digging through and reshuffling your pack, but it’s the best option for carrying the kitchen sink. We are big fans of Fishpond’s waterproof Thunderhead series, available in backpack, sling, hip pack, and even duffel offerings to cover your needs. 

Apparel

Now that you’re ready to pack like a pro, it’s time to dress like a seasoned flats veteran. The adage ‘cotton kills’ might be a bit hyperbolic, but you’ll feel like the Grim Reaper is hoovering over the skiff without appropriate moisture-wicking apparel. 

We’re big fans of Patagonia’s Terrebonne Joggers, available in men's and women's. They breathe well, dry fast, and are equally flattering with a trim, streamlined cut. Unlike most fishing pants, wearing the Terrebonne Joggers won’t make you look and feel like Left Kreh in 1978. 

For a top, sun hoodies provide the best UPF protection to help combat those tropical rays beaming down on you like white on rice. We carry a range of Simms Solar Hoodies featuring Kismet Outfitter’s iconic logo. The only thing better than fishing safely and comfortably is looking good while doing it! 

Don't forget to bring a long sleeve fishing shirt that offers sun protection and breathability; preferably one you can wear at the lodge for dinner. Patagonia's Island Hopper shirt has become the unofficial uniform of Kismet's staff.

Footwear 

Fishing sans footwear is the preferred choice of most anglers on the boat since it gives a better sense of feeling the fly line wrapping around your feet. However, wading barefoot is only optimal for those willing to risk the health of their Plantar Fascia from corral, sharp rocks, and various sea critters. Consider picking up the Simms Zipit Bootie to prevent an avoidable and utterly embarrassing disaster. They are lightweight, comfortable, and the next best thing to fishing barefoot.

Conclusion 

After reading both blogs, you should be well-prepped for your next destination flats trip. Remember, if you're heading on a hosted trip with KO, you'll receive 10% off any items for the trip! Tight lines.

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Ideally, we would bring rods from six through eleven to cover every conceivable fishing situation encountered during saltwater trips. Unfortunately, like many reading this, we are bound to the gates of a reality constrained by monetary and spatial limits. We know it is not feasible for most to bring a quiver of rods down to Soul Fly or Ascension Bay, and most of us are lucky if we can pack a couple of rods. Let’s focus on nailing the right rod for our destination and intended species.

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With the holidays around the corner, we thought we'd put together a list of gift ideas for the fishy, and non-fishy loved ones in our lives. 

Stocking Stuffers

 You're never too old to dump out your stockings first thing on Christmas morning! Here are some of our top choices that go well beyond Reese's Peanut Butter Trees and candy canes.

RIO Premier Outbound Short Fly Line

The perfect striper line! RIO's Outbound Short was designed to cast large and heavy flies easily and built with a short, aggressive front taper that loads rods deeply and quickly for fast, easy shots to stripers, bluefish, albies, and more! A full range of densities makes this a very versatile line for the New England saltwater angler. Best of all, the line is built with Slickcast, the slickest, most durable coating on the market.

We love this line for fishing the rips and from shore. 

$99.99

Purchase HERE

Sightline Bracelets

 Genuine leather wristband with several outdoor-themed options for the stainless steel badge. 

From $65

Purchase HERE

RIO Fluoroflex Bonefish/Saltwater Leader

Abrasion-resistant, knotless fluorocarbon leaders that are perfect for saltwater fishing in clear water to spooky fish. From Andros to State Beach, these leaders are must-haves for technical fishing situations!

$15.99

Purchase HERE

Striper Bottle Opener

Your loved one will be ready to show up to happy hour in style! Beautiful needlepoint pattern with our favorite island fish or fly!

$25.00

Purchase HERE

EP® FIBERS The Original

The Original - an extremely durable, translucent synthetic fly tying material with an action between marabou and bucktail.

Perfect for imitating any baitfish pattern for fresh or saltwater, wide or thin profile, even the smallest of baitfish imitations as well as crab and shrimp patterns.  Keeps any profile and will not absorb water making for effortless casting.

$8.99

Purchase HERE

Kismet Outfitters Gift Card

Picky loved ones on your Christmas list? Give them the gift of choice with a Kismet Outfitters gift card. Gift cards are delivered by email and contain redemption instructions.

All of our gift cards can be used for anything in our shop, paddleboard tours, casting lessons, or guided trips. 

Purchase HERE

Scientific Anglers Regulator Spool

 

 

New England saltwater fly fishing notoriously requires a multitude of fly lines, which can be a pain to switch and expensive to carry multiple reels and spools. Switching out fly lines off your favorite fly reel got less complicated thanks to Scientific Anglers' ingenious Regulator Line Winder.

 $29.95

Purchase HERE

 Gifts for the Angler

As fly anglers, we can think of few things better than finding fly fishing-related gifts under the tree. If your fishy loved ones have been extra nice this year, here are some items we know they'll be stoked on

Thomas & Thomas Sextant Fly Rod

When tackling the challenges we face while fly fishing Martha's Vineyard and saltwater destinations around the globe, there is one rod we rely on more than any other. The Sextant by Thomas & Thomas checks all the marks: Power for long-distance, wind-piercing shots to stripers off Cuttyhunk, yet delicate enough for soft presentations to spooky permit in Belize. Not to mention, T&T rods are hand-built in Greenfield, Massachusetts, with the finest components available. If you want to get the very best for your loved one this holiday season, look no further. 

$995

Purchase HERE

Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod

Hardy is a newer brand for Kismet, and our partnership couldn't have come at a more exciting time. The storied Alnwick, England-based brand has produced groundbreaking fly rods and reels for 150 years. From the first reel designed for big game fishing, the Zane Grey Multiplier Reel, to the groundbreaking Sintrix blank material, saltwater fly anglers have always relied on Hardy products to get the job done. The Marksman Z is their latest saltwater-specific rod, released to rave reviews this past year. The 8wt could be the perfect eight for the Vineyard thanks to its uncanny blend of raw power and feather-light swing weight. The 'Z is the perfect fly rod for those who have to have the latest and greatest. 

$995

Purchase HERE

Cheeky Spray Fly Reel

The new Spray Fly Reels are the premium fly reel from Cheeky Fishing. They have been engineered and rigorously tested for performance and efficiency. With a new and improved carbon fiber sealed drag, a new lightweight design, and exciting colors, the Spray is up to the task for any fly fishing adventure you throw at it.

From $399

Purchase HERE

Simms Zip It Bootie II

The ultimate bootie for hard-charging pursuits, Simms ZipIt II Flats Booties go on and off fast thanks to a cavernous gusseted opening and YKK® corrosion-resistant zippers. Wear them barefoot or stick a sock in them while storming big surf or skinny flats.

$99.95

Purchase HERE

Gifts for the Entire Family

From anglers to beachcombers, below are gifts everyone on your list will enjoy unwrapping Christmas morning! 

Wingo Convertible Blanket 

The All-New Convertible Blanket converts easily from a blanket to a pillow. With water-resistant rip-stop polyester on one side and Sherpa fleece on the other, this revolutionary indoor/outdoor blanket (or pillow) is chock full of innovative features. As a blanket, you can curl up in the hammock and nestle your feet into the innovative foot pouch designed to keep those tootsies toasty warm. 

$129

Purchase HERE

Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Backpack

 

From big hikes into remote reaches of water or the urban commuter landscape of the city, this fully submersible backpack is one of the toughest bags ever, constructed. Explore with confidence knowing that the new thunderhead submersible backpack will shield all of your gear from whatever Mother Nature throws your way!

$299.95

Purchase HERE

Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler

With the YETI Hopper M20 Soft Backpack Cooler over your shoulder, you'll never have to 'rough it' again. Whether paddling the Allagash or hiking to your favorite Rhododendron-chalked brookie spot, transporting a cold load of creature comforts has never been easier.

$325

Purchase HERE

Toadfish Crab & Lobster Tool Set 

 The most innovative crab and lobster tools on the market. Everything you need to open and enjoy fresh, hard-shelled seafood without the mess. Also, for every product sold, Toadfish will replant new oyster beds to help clean our coastal waters. Let’s Put ‘Em Back.

$99

Purchase HERE

Don't Forget Fido

At Kismet, we know how important our four-legged companions are, and we can't leave them off the list! Your furry friends will have as much fun tearing the wrapping paper off as you will watching them. 

Yeti Boomer Bowl

 

Show your dog some love with the Yeti Boomer Bowl. A dog bowl designed to be as dependable and adventurous as your best friend. It holds eight cups of refreshing water and tasty treats and is built with double-wall, non-insulated stainless steel making it incredibly durable, easy to clean, and resistant to rust and roughhousing.

$49.99

Purchase HERE

Kismet Dog Leash

Outfit your pup with an Artisan Dog Leash from Wingo Outdoors featuring your favorite fly shop's logo and even the fish will be complimenting your K9.

$30

Purchase HERE

Kismet & Island Collar

 Your best friend can rep Martha’s Vineyard and Kismet Outfitters all year long!! This collar is super durable and can withstand salt, sun, and everything our furry friends love. Machine washable

$21.60

Purchase HERE

Remember, this is just a small selection of our fully stocked shop! We're here to make your life easier this holiday season, so please do not hesitate to call 774-549-5921 with any questions.

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We have had an excellent season so far on Martha’s Vineyard. Not only have we seen large numbers of fish, but of good size, too. Big blues and bass are plentiful from the shore, boat, and paddle boards. The water is getting warmer, but the bite is still hot! 

 The rips have SO much bait it's crazy and a good sign for the August and fall run. We are seeing stripers and big blues in the rips, with the latter pushing 15 lbs from the boat and even the shore! The gator blues are eating larger profile yellow herring patterns, sand eels, and squid flies.  We have a lot of great flies in the shop and can happily put together a killer box for you. Due to the warmer temps, we have switched to sinking and intermediate lines. Leave the floating line on the spare spool until the water cools again. 

 

The stripers in the rips are keyed in on sand eels. However, we are still getting them on squid, especially if the water is too thick with sand eels. Slow, jerky strips work best with the fly suspended under a sinking line such as RIO’s Outbound Short or Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan Triple Density. The nice thing about both is that they are available in various densities, and their shorter, heavier heads allow them to load and shoot with fewer false casts. Don’t forget to add Cortland’s Tie-able Wire Tippet when pursuing blues because you will lose flies thanks to those piranha-like teeth!! 

The flats have yet to slow down, and I would be surprised if they did. The water clarity isn’t the same as in June, but the sight fishing is still very productive. We are using crab patterns and clouser minnows with intermediate or floating lines. A longer fluorocarbon leader with Scientific Anglers Sonar Intermediate Camo line has been our preferred setup when making accurate yet delicate presentations to these spooky fish.  Some smaller blues are on the flats, but we primarily sight cast to larger striped bass. We can show you our favorite crab and clouser patterns in the shop. If you are off the island, call us, and we can send you pics and flies today! 

 

We have heard from a few of our guides that smaller schools of bonito are slowly coming in. We are SO excited for them to hit full force, and we expect them to do so any day now.  There is so much bait in the water, so they better arrive hungry!

The shore fishing has been tougher during the heat-of-the-day, but very productive early morning, dusk, and night. The exception has been the rips, where hungry big blues are eating flies mid-day. Your chances of catching slot-sized stripers in numbers are increased substantially during low-light conditions. However, all is not lost if you only have a few hours to burn in less-than-optimal conditions. Consider these tricks from the pros:

First, the best striper fishing from shore is happening off the beaches up-island. If you haven't fished Aquinnah to Menemsha, it is worth the 40-minute drive from Edgartown. Not only is this a beautiful area, but there are still plenty of stripers getting caught! Overcast and cloudy days are your best bet, and it’s not unusual to see birds on bait and bass in hot pursuit. Classic sand eel imitations like Clousers with chartreuse and flash should crush it but don’t hesitate to throw darker flies. For bluebird days, forget flashy attractors in favor of lighter and more subdued natural offerings! 

 

If you’re seeing fish but not getting hits, size down your fly size and opt for lighter fluorocarbon tippet. I switched to 12lb fluoro on a recent trip up-island, and the results were substantial. Scientific Anglers’ Jungle Clear Tip is excellent for up-island since the most fishy spots are filled with rocks, pebbles, and other debris that can tangle a sinking running section. The intermediate clear tip gets down enough to put your fly in the zone and aids with stealthy presentations. Another nice touch is the line’s warm water core which prevents the running section from turning into a bowl of overcooked noodles with the midday sun baking over it. 

Since water temps are rising, please be mindful of our fish friends and apply mindful C&R practices. If you must take a picture, don’t hold the fish out of the water for more than a few seconds. The Fishpond Nomad net is perfect for keeping fish submerged so they aren’t flopping around on the sand for an extended period. The rubber netting is less harmful to fish, and flies don’t get stuck like traditional cloth netting. 

 

We are booking trips with our four guides. Call, stop in, or email the shop to book your trip today! We are so excited to get out and fish with you all!! 

--

Abbie Schuster

Owner/Head Guide at Kismet Outfitters

860-944-5225

www.kismetoutfitters.com

instagram: @abbie.on.the.fly

Stephen D’Angelo

Shop Manager at Kismet Outfitters

706-580-6712

stephen@kismetoutfitters.com

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What an incredible year of fishing so far! Our waters around Martha’s Vineyard are chock full of fish, and big ones. We are seeing fish on the flats, rips, jetties, and everything in between, including the best season for bluefish for both size and numbers in quite a few years. 

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