Tailor on fly

[Tuna_Pie]

Hi my names Mitchell and I recently got into fly-fishing from my grandfather who fishes freshwater in Victoria but where I live in Newcastle there isn’t much in the way of freshwater so I thought id have a go at some saltwater FF but I know nothing about fly-fishing in saltwater, iv been fishing with conventional gear since I was 9...so 6 years, id like to try targeting tailor off Stockton break wall or Stockton beach and was wondering:

What kind of

*conditions like early morning or late in the afternoon
*types of fly I already have 2 prawn flies and a pilchard fly
*will I need a trailing hook so the tailor doesn’t just tear feathers of the back of my flies

Gear wise I have:

Rod: G.loomis GL4 - 8 weight
Reel: Gillies carina -8 weight

Will this stand up to a big tailor? [smiley=freak.gif]

I have some line and it looks a bit old so what type of line would be best sinking or floating or shooting head
How long should my leader be?
Will I need wire for the big nasty teeth?

Any other things I’ve missed? ???


Is there any other readily availible fish i can catch land based?

Thanks

Mitch [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

[pjfrad]

Hi,

I have found when fly fishing for Tailor that a trailing hook doesn't make that much of a difference as Tailor tend to strike at the 'head' of the fly. This is where the eyes are tied. To prevent them biting you off you have a couple of options.
1. You can get some wire trace (there is some good knottable stuff) and use that from your leader to your fly.
2. You can get flies tied on long shank hooks with the eyes tied back near the bend of the hook.

I generally just use clousers or deceivers in various colours for tailor and they don't seem to mind if the flies are a little old.

I strip as fast as I can as I find this entices more strikes from the tailor.

Around the Stockton break wall area you should also be able to target Bream and Flathead with flies.

Hope this helps
PJFrad