First Fish on Fly

Ryan91027

Went to the backyard to practice casting, and spotted some peacocks, I hooked a smaller one earlier but it broke me off in the grass, then hooked this guy twice but he spit it. Went inside for a while then hooked this guy again. I took this fight a lot slower and as soon as he was out of the weeds, I knew I had a really good chance and lead him to my neighbors dock. Didnt bring a net out with me, so I had to risk it and grab the leader. Just before I lipped him, the leader snapped, so I grabbed him around the body with both of my hands and dragged him on shore.

Im still bad at casting, but after this, you can bet that Ill be practice every moment I can

Ryan91027

I revived him and he swam off and sat in the grass. Just went out and he's gone, so he's definitely ok

Caught on a 5/6 wt rod

Ryan91027

On a side note, what lb leader would you reccomend I upgrade to? Im looking at throwing more streamers for tarpon or snook on a couple of backcountry trips I have planned

John McKroid

Nice looking Pea, Congrats.

sunflower

Nicely done. I have caught a lot of things, but never a peacock. That is a trophy.
Leader depends on the size of tarpon (and snook), structure, and water clarity.
Little tarpon are probably fine on #30 (they are much more likely to throw a fly than break you off).
If you are catching tarpon or snook amongst mangroves or pilings, you might need #40.
Personally, I'd rarely go much heavier than that. Most people would.
I use #50 for hundred-pound tarpon in deep water ... they might eventually wear through the leader, but I 'd rather get more hook-ups and fewer landed fish.

SUPER D

Great job, better than my first. With Tarpon, and Snook it's all about size. In the back country as you say, the water will have a tannin color and not be very clear. During winter I fish back water creaks with a 7#, and a 8# I use 8 pound tippet with a 20 pound shock. This works great on Trout, Red fish, Snook to around 25", and small Tarpon to around 15 or 20 pounds. During summer I target Tarpon from 40 to over a hundred pounds, and I have settled on 16 pound Masons hard mono with 40 or 60 pound shock. Mostly use the 60. My 8/20 is all floro, my 16/40 16/60 is mono/floro. When fishing docks for Snook, I use 14/30 all floro. on the 8#. while targeting Tarpon in summer I use 9# and 10# rods. Being a beginner, I would suggest starting with a solid leader system, starting for say a 8 or 9 weight rod 5' of 40# tied to fly line, then Blood knot to 2 or 3' of 30 with a non slip loop on end. This is your butt section, unless damaged you can fish this all year long. After a big fish, or lots of little ones re tie the loop at end. Then pre tie all your tippets, 8/20, 14/30, 16/40, 16/60, or whatever you choose. Use a loop on one end of tippet, and your shock on other end, place on old line spool, then mark spool with size IE 8/20, 16/60. After catching a Snook, Tarpon, Lady fish your shock will be scraped up so you just loop on a fresh tippet and your fishing in seconds. This works for me every weekend. Get a book of knots, and learn to tie them correctly. Good luck. 

Ryan91027

I got some 8.5lb 3x tapered leader.
Im looking at either an 8 or 9 wt for heavier flies. Im leaning towards the 9 because I already have my 5/6 for light fishing, and there is a slight chance I would take it offshore for some small mahi or small bonita

bostonsox2904

3x is definitely light. If you're fishing for peacocks around structure or grass, I would step up to 20.
Slot sized snook and tarpon of similar size, you're generally good with 30. 

CWFlies

Nice first catch.

For peacocks some 15lb would work fine.
For snook and tarpon under 60lbs i would 25 with a bit tippet of 40lb.
For bigger tarpon scale up as much as needed but small enough to not spook them if leader shy. 

Always a hard choice between 8 or 9.