Question 1

What is FINATICS?

Accepted Answer

FINATICS is a fly fishing company with Louisiana roots. We offer a deep selection of saltwater and freshwater flies plus premium fly tying materials, hooks, apparel, and gear for serious anglers.

Question 2

Can I talk to a person?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. I can connect you with the FINATICS team by email at chad@finaticsflyco.com. What would you like to ask?

Question 3

How do I contact FINATICS?

Accepted Answer

You can reach the FINATICS team by email at chad@finaticsflyco.com. Tell me what you need and I can pass it along.

Question 4

What is your shipping policy?

Accepted Answer

Free shipping on orders over $50. Orders ship from the US. For order status, share your order number or email and I can connect you with the FINATICS team.

Question 5

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

If you are not completely happy with your purchase, we will make it right with easy returns or a full refund. No hassle, no worries.

Question 6

What fly should I use for redfish?

Accepted Answer

For redfish, crab flies, shrimp flies, spoon flies, and baitfish patterns all produce. In off-color or muddy water, choose a darker fly with a strong profile and some flash. Browse our redfish selection at /collections/redfish-flies. Want a few specific picks?

Question 7

What fly should I use for redfish in dirty or muddy water?

Accepted Answer

In off-color water, go with something that pushes water and shows a strong dark profile, like a dark crab fly or a baitfish pattern with flash. See our redfish selection at /collections/redfish-flies.

Question 8

What flies do I need for trout in a river?

Accepted Answer

For river trout, cover dry flies, nymphs, and a couple of streamers. Start with our trout selection at /collections/trout. Tell me the river or the bugs you are seeing and I can narrow it down.

Question 9

What flies work for tarpon?

Accepted Answer

Tarpon eat baitfish and shrimp patterns depending on the situation. See our tarpon selection at /collections/tarpon-flies. Are you fishing juveniles or bigger fish?

Question 10

What flies work for permit?

Accepted Answer

Crab flies are the go-to for permit. Browse our permit selection at /collections/permit-flies.

Question 11

What flies work for bonefish?

Accepted Answer

Bonefish key on shrimp and small crab patterns. See our bonefish selection at /collections/bonefish-flies.

Question 12

What flies work for snook?

Accepted Answer

Snook eat baitfish patterns. Browse our snook selection at /collections/snook-flies.

Question 13

What flies work for speckled trout?

Accepted Answer

For speckled trout (sea trout), baitfish and shrimp patterns work well. See our selection at /collections/sea-trout.

Question 14

What is a good all-around saltwater fly?

Accepted Answer

A Clouser-style baitfish pattern is one of the most versatile saltwater flies. See baitfish and clouser selections at /collections/baitfish-flies and /collections/clousers.

Question 15

What flies work for largemouth bass?

Accepted Answer

For largemouth bass, poppers, streamers, and baitfish patterns produce. See our selection at /collections/bass-flies-1.

Question 16

What flies work for smallmouth bass?

Accepted Answer

Smallmouth bass eat crayfish, baitfish, and topwater patterns. See our selection at /collections/smallmouth-bass.

Question 17

What flies work for panfish or bluegill?

Accepted Answer

Small poppers, nymphs, and soft hackles are great for panfish. See our selection at /collections/pan-fish.

Question 18

What flies work for carp?

Accepted Answer

Carp take crayfish, worm, and small crab patterns. See our selection at /collections/carp.

Question 19

What flies work for pike or musky?

Accepted Answer

Large streamers and baitfish patterns are the ticket for pike and musky. See our selection at /collections/pike.

Question 20

Where do I find crab flies?

Accepted Answer

Browse crab flies at /collections/crab-flies.

Question 21

Where do I find shrimp flies?

Accepted Answer

Browse shrimp flies at /collections/shrimp-flies.

Question 22

Where do I find poppers?

Accepted Answer

Browse poppers and gurglers at /collections/poppers.

Question 23

Where do I find dry flies and nymphs?

Accepted Answer

Dry flies are at /collections/dry-flies and nymphs are at /collections/nymphs.

Question 24

Do you sell fly tying materials?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we carry a deep selection of tying materials including dubbing, hooks, feathers, flash, tools, and more. Browse them at /collections/all-fly-tying-materials.

Question 25

Do you sell dubbing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Browse our dubbing at /collections/dubbing.

Question 26

Do you sell hooks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Browse our hooks at /collections/hooks.

Question 27

Do you sell fly boxes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Browse our fly boxes at /collections/fly-boxes.

Question 28

Do you have any deals or sales?

Accepted Answer

Check Bayou Bargains for deals at /collections/bayou-bargains, and see what is popular at /collections/best-sellers.

Question 29

What are your best sellers?

Accepted Answer

See our best sellers at /collections/best-sellers.

Question 30

Do you have new products?

Accepted Answer

See our latest at /collections/new-arrivals.

Question 31

What flies work best in spring?

Accepted Answer

Spring is prime across the country. For river trout, start subsurface early with Pheasant Tail nymphs in size 14 to 18 and tungsten Hare's Ear in 12 to 14 at /collections/nymphs, plus Zebra Midges in 18 to 20 at /collections/midges. On overcast days fish Blue-Winged Olives in 16 to 20 at /collections/mayflies, and as hatches build add mayfly patterns like Quill Gordon and Hendrickson in 12 to 14 at /collections/dry-flies. In stained water a black Woolly Bugger in 6 to 8 at /collections/leeches-and-buggers is hard to beat. Warmwater bass wake up for streamers and poppers at /collections/streamers and /collections/poppers. On the flats, redfish and specks push shallow, so shrimp and crab patterns shine at /collections/shrimp-flies and /collections/crab-flies. Match the size first, then shape, then color. Tell me your target species and I can narrow it down.

Question 32

What flies work best in summer?

Accepted Answer

Summer is dry fly and terrestrial season. For trout, fish Elk Hair Caddis and Parachute Adams in size 14 to 16 at /collections/dry-flies and /collections/caddisflies, plus hoppers, ants, and beetles at /collections/terrestrials, sizing hoppers around 8 to 10 and ants and beetles 12 to 18. Bass and panfish crush poppers and gurglers at /collections/poppers. On the salt, tarpon, permit, and bonefish are on the flats, so see /collections/tarpon-flies, /collections/permit-flies, and /collections/bonefish-flies. When it is hot, fish dawn and dusk for the best action.

Question 33

What flies work best in fall?

Accepted Answer

Fall is streamer season. Trout get aggressive before winter, especially brown trout pre-spawn, so swing bigger baitfish streamers like Clousers, Zonkers, and Woolly Buggers at /collections/streamers and /collections/clousers. Fish fall Blue-Winged Olives in 18 to 22 at /collections/mayflies and October Caddis in 8 to 10 at /collections/caddisflies. Bass feed heavily on baitfish, so try baitfish patterns at /collections/baitfish-flies. On the coast, redfish bunch up in the marsh and flats, prime time for crab and shrimp flies at /collections/redfish-flies.

Question 34

What flies work best in winter?

Accepted Answer

Winter fishing is slow and deep. For trout, go small and subsurface with midges and nymphs in size 18 to 24 at /collections/midges and /collections/nymphs, and try euro nymphing at /collections/euro-flies with a 4 to 6 weight rod. Slow your retrieve and fish the warmest part of the day. On warmer coastal days, redfish and black drum still eat a slow-presented crab or shrimp fly at /collections/crab-flies and /collections/shrimp-flies.

Question 35

What is hatching right now?

Accepted Answer

Hatches vary by region and season, so it helps to know where you are fishing. Broadly: midges hatch year-round at /collections/midges, mayflies run from late spring into October at /collections/mayflies, caddis from early summer through October at /collections/caddisflies, and stoneflies from late spring into midsummer at /collections/stoneflies-attractors. Terrestrials peak in summer at /collections/terrestrials. Tell me your home water or nearest river and I can point you to the right patterns and sizes.

Question 36

Do you have a match the hatch selection?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For matching insects, start with mayflies at /collections/mayflies, caddis at /collections/caddisflies, stoneflies and attractors at /collections/stoneflies-attractors, midges at /collections/midges, and terrestrials at /collections/terrestrials. Carry a couple of sizes and colors of each so you can match what fish are keying on. When in doubt, match the size first, then the shape, then the color.

Question 37

What fly should I use in muddy or dirty water?

Accepted Answer

In off-color water with under about 18 inches of visibility, fish hunt by feel and silhouette. Go big and bright with white, chartreuse, or hot pink, or a high-contrast black and gold, and slow your retrieve so fish can track it. Bulky baitfish at /collections/baitfish-flies, dark crab flies at /collections/crab-flies, and noisy topwater like poppers and gurglers at /collections/poppers all help. For trout, size up your nymphs to 12 to 14 at /collections/nymphs.

Question 38

What fly should I use in clear water?

Accepted Answer

Clear water past about 3 feet of visibility calls for small, dark, and natural. Fish sparse patterns in olive, brown, tan, or grey, downsize your fly, and lengthen your leader with a longer fluorocarbon tippet. For flats fish this means smaller shrimp and crab patterns at /collections/shrimp-flies and /collections/crab-flies. Lead the fish and land the fly soft so you do not spook them.

Question 39

What color fly should I choose for the conditions?

Accepted Answer

A simple rule: bright day and clear water, go lighter and natural; low light or dirty water, go dark for a stronger silhouette. Remember that red disappears first underwater, while black, purple, and white hold contrast the deepest. Gold flash tends to beat silver in stained water. Add flash in chop or stain, and cut it when it is calm and clear. Tell me your water and light and I can suggest specific patterns.

Question 40

How does tide affect fly choice on the flats?

Accepted Answer

Moving water concentrates bait and turns fish on. The best windows are usually about two hours before high tide and two hours before low. On an incoming tide fish push shallow to hunt, so work shrimp and crab flies at /collections/shrimp-flies and /collections/crab-flies. On a falling tide, target drains, edges, and pinch points with baitfish patterns at /collections/baitfish-flies. Fish the moving water and give them something easy to eat at slack tide.

Question 41

What flies work in windy conditions?

Accepted Answer

Wind calls for heavier, more castable flies. Step up one rod or line weight, shorten your leader, and cast low and sidearm. Weighted Clousers at /collections/clousers and dumbbell-eyed baitfish and crab patterns cut the wind and sink faster, and nymphs and streamers punch through better than dries. If you tie your own, see dumbbells and bead chain at /collections/dumbbells-bead-chain.

Question 42

Should I use a weighted or unweighted fly?

Accepted Answer

Match the weight to the water depth, current, and wind. Use weighted flies with dumbbell or bead-chain eyes to get down in deeper water, current, or wind. Use unweighted or lightly weighted flies in skinny water and for spooky fish so the fly lands soft. If you tie, see eyes and weight options at /collections/dumbbells-bead-chain and /collections/eyes.

Question 43

What leader and tippet do I need for saltwater?

Accepted Answer

For most flats and inshore work, a 9 to 10 foot tapered fluorocarbon leader covers you. Redfish run 16 to 20 pound, bonefish 8 to 12 pound, and permit 12 to 20 pound on a 10 foot leader, no longer. Tarpon step up to a 20 to 40 pound class tippet plus a 60 pound shock. Browse leaders and tippet at /collections/leaders-tippet. Tell me the species and I can nail down the size.

Question 44

What leader and tippet do I need for trout in rivers?

Accepted Answer

For river trout, a 9 foot tapered leader is the most versatile; go to 7.5 feet for wind, big flies, or tight streams, and 12 feet for clear, spooky water. Match tippet to fly size: 5X for size 14 to 18, 4X for 12 to 16, 6X for 16 to 22, and 3X for streamers and flies in the 6 to 10 range. See leaders and tippet at /collections/leaders-tippet.

Question 45

What hook size should I use for my flies?

Accepted Answer

Hook size follows the forage. Trout dries run size 10 to 24, nymphs 12 to 18, midges 18 to 24, and streamers 4 to 8. On the salt, redfish sit around 1/0 to 5/0 with sight-fishing flies down to size 2 to 4, bonefish 1 to 6, snook 1/0 to 5/0, and tarpon 2/0 to 8/0. Bass run 2 to 10. If you tie your own, see hooks at /collections/hooks. Tell me the species and pattern and I can suggest a size.

Question 46

How do I rig for redfish?

Accepted Answer

A standard redfish setup is an 8 weight rod, a 9 foot fluorocarbon leader in the 16 to 20 pound range, and a weighted crab, shrimp, or baitfish fly so it gets down quickly. Sight-fishing flies commonly ride hook size 2 to 4. See redfish flies at /collections/redfish-flies and leaders at /collections/leaders-tippet. In muddy marsh water go darker and bulkier.

Question 47

How do I rig for trout in a river?

Accepted Answer

For river trout, a 5 weight rod is the default, with 4 weight for smaller water and 6 weight for bigger flies and wind. Use a 9 foot leader for most situations. Fish dries on a drag-free drift, nymphs under an indicator or euro-style, and streamers on a shorter 3X leader. Browse trout patterns at /collections/trout, nymphs at /collections/nymphs, and euro setups at /collections/euro-flies.

Question 48

How do I rig for tarpon or permit?

Accepted Answer

These are big, technical fish. Tarpon want a 10 to 12 weight rod with a 20 to 40 pound class tippet and a 60 pound shock leader; baby tarpon flies run hook size 1/0 to 2/0 and adults 2/0 to 8/0. Permit call for a 9 weight, a 10 foot fluorocarbon leader in 12 to 20 pound, and crab flies fished on the bottom. See /collections/tarpon-flies, /collections/permit-flies, and leaders at /collections/leaders-tippet. Tell me the fish size and I can walk you through it.

Question 49

What else do I need besides flies?

Accepted Answer

To be ready on the water, round out your flies with a matching leader and tippet at /collections/leaders-tippet and a fly box to keep them organized at /collections/fly-boxes. If you tie your own, check tools at /collections/fly-tying-tools. Tell me your species and I can suggest a complete starter setup.

Question 50

Do you sell fly boxes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, keep your flies organized and dry with fly boxes at /collections/fly-boxes. If you are building a species kit, a slotted or foam box paired with a leader wallet keeps everything in one place.

Question 51

Can you build me a complete setup for a species?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Give me your target species and water and I will pair the right flies with a matching leader and tippet at /collections/leaders-tippet and a fly box at /collections/fly-boxes so you show up ready to fish. What are you chasing?

Question 52

Do you have assortment or destination fly boxes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for a ready-made selection see our assortment and destination fly boxes at /collections/destination-fly-boxes. These are a great way to cover a species or trip without picking each fly individually.

Question 53

I am going on a trip, what should I bring?

Accepted Answer

Tell me the destination and target species and I will build you a fly list plus the leaders, tippet, and a fly box to carry it all. For a fast start, our assortment and destination fly boxes at /collections/destination-fly-boxes cover the essentials, and leaders and tippet are at /collections/leaders-tippet.