Moret discusses popular Grand Slam fly choices
Sandy Moret Permit Flies
Those familiar with late-night jaunts to the popular Denny's restaurant chain know that getting the Grand Slam is almost mandatory. While sometimes you get more than you bargained for, it offers variety and satisfies your hunger.
This week, the 32 competitors at the Florida Keys Outfitters IGFA Inshore World Championship are approaching the marquee event much like a trip to Denny's. Get the Slam and walk away happy.
With a scoring system skewed towards anglers who accomplish a SLAM, catching all or most of the five scored species — permit, tarpon, redfish, bonefish and snook — competitors will be honing their strategy around accomplishing the elusive task. Of the species, permit — though strong in numbers — would seem to provide the biggest challenge to the competitors.
This year, IGFA has added a new wrinkle in the tournament format. A fly division was introduced to complement the existing lightweight tackle and to acknowledge the expertise, skill and technique needed to master either style.
For a little insight into the new fly division, ESPNOutdoors.com visited with tournament director Sandy Moret. Moret, an ultra-accomplished angler who also owns the popular Islamorada fly fishing shop, Florida Keys Outfitters, felt that the fishing would be stellar with near-ideal conditions in the area this week.
Here is more information on the four videos available above:
Permit
Bonefish
Two distinct flies would be key in this division, said Moret. His go-to bait, similar to the permit, would be a crab fly. But considering bonefish feed on a baitfish called toadfish, Moret thought a fly, the Brewer's toad, which emulated the forage could be successful in landing the elusive bonefish.
Snook/Redfish
With the finger mullet serving as the primary food source for both species, flies that emulate the mullet would by key, said Moret. Moret felt minnow flies also could prove to be productive.
Tarpon
Even though competitors need to land a tarpon measuring at least 36 inches, anglers were most likely to use flies that could land a smaller tarpon that would still satisfy the size requirement. Considering this, Moret felt smaller flies with stronger hooks would be best.
