Tied on a #1 or 1/0 hook in the color that best covers your area. Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast. What makes the fly different from other crab and glue-body designs, however, is that its extremely weedless. 1.3 3. The productive color combinations are plenty, but the pattern always remains the same, a dark back with a light belly. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. Plus, we've also written about the best fly reel for Reds and the best fly line for Reds. If your interested in having true experts teach how to chase reds get ahold of INDIGO GUIDE SERVICE. 3. Electric Slider Fly. If youre not ready when a school appears, youre out of luck. Reds customarily feed on small crabs, shrimp and baitfish, such as mullet and mud minnows. It needs to be small. For targeting bulls over 20 pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. We have a lot of folks ask us about the flies we are using while fly fishing the flats in Rockport and the surrounding area. The Kwan fly is a great shrimp imitation as well. Potential Freshwater Walk in outing - (from Rob McConnell's Fly Fishing Houston book) Feb 28: Monthly Mtg. One or two flying sharks is worth a look, but a dozen simultaneous eruptions deserves full throttle and a shout on the radio, she says. August 30, 2022 by Brent Pollock. The cost is $11.00 per person per day. This one-two punch is a tried and true classic for catching reds. Gene Montgomery (334-478-7440) is a Mobile, Alabama, high-school teacher with a passion for fly fishing. Dont try to feed a redfish a bonefish-size gotcha. This fish is looking for a meal, and it will eat just about anything it thinks it can fit in its mouth. Traditionally it is tied with a Craft Fur tail, a little flash, a small attractor/egg hot spot, a palmered hackle collar, segmented sections of yarn or EP fibers, and some beadchain or lead eyes. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. In addition, the predominant species you might encounter in Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing is the red [fish] and black drum. Outsmart Louisiana Yellowfin Tuna in Clear Water, Unbelievable: A Swordfish Caught on Fly from Shore, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control, Protect the Blue Islamorada: The Bones Brigade, Florida Approves Mandatory Venting Tool Use. If there's any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. If you're wondering which fly rod you should choose to chase Reds, we've covered that topic here. Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. Look for big redfish laid up at the surface like tarpon. Whether stalking some grass flats, making your way through the Everglades, or heading to the marsh to try and land that big bull red, make sure your fly box is properly stocked. His favorite is the East-Cut Redfish Popper, made commercially by T.J. Neal of East Cut Saltwater Flies in Driftwood, Texas (512-461-4473). Texas Sporting Journal, "The Real Laguna Madre", July 2013 Sheka Shrimp come in weighted and unweighted versions, with or without weed guards. A good deviation of this pattern that works well from Texas to Florida is the Brown-Noser fly. Youll end up tying this fly on very often because once you get that rush of adrenaline watching Redfish and Trout blow it up out of the water, you'll be addicted. Gin clear water makes these fish very skittish when in shallow water situations. Marsh grasses remain a favorite destination for anglers hoping to hook reds. Let a good casts worth of line drag behind you and start wading in about a foot of water. The fools gold pattern is ideal for this as it sinks fast and has excellent movement in the water. The lagoon runs from the southern tip of New Smyrna Beach to the north end of Merritt Island and encompasses more than 21,000 acres of shallow, clear flats with less than a foot of tidal flow. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. Location: Houston, Texas. Creating high quality flies made for those that live and breathe the shallow flats and backwater marshes is our main focus. Im one of those fly fishers. All you need is a nine foot long 7 or 8 weight rod matched with a floating line and a fly reel that can carry 150 yards of backing. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. Its a pretty basic fly, with a small head and burnt nylon eyes. He ties the fly on a barbless 34011 Mustad size 4 hook, with a bright-gold cone head to help get it deep. Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. They can be in water from 6 inches to 3feet, based on varying conditions of tide and temperature. Jim West, 409-996-3054 Sight fishing with a fly on the coast is one the most challenging types of fishing. Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. For medium-sized species such as salmon or redfish, you might use a size 4, 2 or 1/0. In the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. My favorite hi-tie, I'll often use a 4x-long size 6 . It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesn't make much disturbance when it lands. Out in the St. Johns River channel, the bull reds congregate. On a calm day, you can see spinner sharks launch out of the water from a mile away. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. Redfish are big crab and shrimp eaters, and the Ragin Craven does a great job of imitating both. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. But if youre targeting Redfish here along the Gulf Coast, usually over grass flats and skinny water, you want a lighter weight fly with a little more bulk so that it will slowly flutter down to the bottom and not rapidly sink into the grass where fish cant see it. The main exception exists in the rugged beauty of the south Texas, Port Mansfield and South Padre areas. The bull reds, on average, top the 20-pound mark, and they seem to number in the thousands. Travel pristine Matagorda Island as you stalk redfish along 38 miles of uninhabited shorelines teaming with hundreds of species of birds, alligators, deer, and various other These omnivores, with their underslung mouths, scour the grass and mud for prey. The original pattern was tied with a tan Craft Fur tail, an orange/red Catcus Chenille body, and an olive streamer brush head; but, this fly is highly versatile and can be tied in many different colors, materials, and eyes. The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. Kennedy nicknamed this all-black cone-headed Wooly Bugger the American Express Fly because he never leaves home without it. In most cases, this will include a 9 or 10 weight fly rod, a 25 lb to 30 lb test 7.5 to 9 foot tapered leader, and crab patterns or poppers (depending on conditions). While other colors are effective I have found these to be best . The Fishing Experience at Baffin Bay! Waders and boots are great to have. Much like other flies designed for the flats, it lands soft and quiet, sinks slow, and when tied with a weed guard can be used in the skinniest of water. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesnt make much disturbance when it lands. So, get out there and get your rod bent, line stretched, and net wet. The weed guard is essential to the success of the fly. Its simple design is very deadly for many species, especially Redfish. Theyre not as explosive or exciting as tarpon, or as elusive as bonefish and permit, but for East and Gulf coast fly-rod anglers, theyre easily accessible and extremely fun to catch. Other examples include modified Divervariants and the Popcorn Shrimp. In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. To find the best guides, contact a local fly shop. The Clouser is a classic saltwater pattern for a variety of species, and for good reason. Sneaky speckled trout can also be caught year-round moreover the seatrout here grow to trophy proportions like in the Laguna Madre. Anglers who dont know the areas can find a lot of trouble very quickly, but the fishing is amazing. Image hooking into a red weighting over 50lbs. The Texas Toad, pictured above, is a good example of one such variation. Most of them are caught in the marshes and coastal waters, but a few are targeted offshore. I fell in love with the Spoonfly the first time I held one. When handling and releasing any fish, particularly the larger bull reds, remember to hold them horizontally to support their internal organs. Sometimes the bite is on and game fish will aggressively smack anything thats thrown in front of them. ), water conditions the fly excels in, and how you like to fish it. Let's take a closer look at what awaits you on a Texas redfish adventure. Plan a winter fly-fishing trip around an afternoon rising tide. Take a look at the Sight Cast Spoon, it comes after years of research and field testing. Fishalicious, is another baitfish pattern worthy of the fly box. If youre going to have an arsenal of Redfish flies at your disposal, then you need to cover the entire depth of the water column, and that includes topwater! Because reds often cruise in murky water, anglers must throw a big enough fly for them to see. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Luckily, for coastal anglers in Virginia all the way to the southern tip of Texas, redfish, also commonly referred to as red drum, can be successfully targeted with a fly rod via kayak or stand-up paddle . Its important to remember that thousands of redfish flies work very well. The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds. Almost every saltwater fly shop will have a selection of spoons available and if you pay close attention and compare different patterns you will notice slight differences. They also have to know when to cast and how long to let their offerings sink. Flats-fishing equals sight-fishing, which is what makes it fun. Polling around on that flood tide is a special time to fish, and it should be cherished. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. The Texas coast between Port O'Conner and Rockport offers excellent opportunities to sight cast for redfish, as well as occasional shots at black drum, speckled trout, and sheepshead. Its tied on a size 1 through 2/0 Mustad 34007 hook, unweighted or with lead dumbbell eyes. Here in North Florida, this is usually in mid to late spring. Sometimes, they can be a bit more technical. The Kinky Muddler means business. Here are our favorite flies for Redfish. Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . Some of the most consistent saltwater fly fishing available today can be found on the grass flats of any number of states in the Southeast, where anglers by the thousands search every day for telltale tails rising above the surface. The Kwan fly is a great fly for sight fishing to Redfish in a few inches of water because its light weight allows it to land softly on the water, is easy to cast far distances, and has a slow sink rate that suspends with great movement. It rides high in the water column and will attract a red from some distance off. In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. When poling in the marsh, anglers look for wakes, tails and bodies near oyster bars and mud flats. The tackle. Good luck out there on the water! He and his clients fish it slow, slower and slower still. After enduring day after day of heat, humidity and seemingly incessant southwest winds; October will give . Jim Dupre (352-371-6153), a Gainesville, Florida, fishing guide who, with his father A.J., spent countless hours testing and perfecting a fly-rod lure that had the same fish-attracting action as the venerable Johnson Weedless Minnow. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Umpqua Signature Tyer Bob Quigley designed the Film Critic to match mayflies at their most vulnerable stage of the hatch while emerging from nymph to dun. He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. If youre fortunate enough to hit a warm day, youll find hordes of reds rushing up on the flats to feed over the warm, dark mud left exposed by an earlier low tide. The carnage happens fast. Because redfish usually feed in grass and often cruise in murky water, fly anglers must throw something the fish can see. For small stream trout, smaller fly fishing hook sizes like a 6 or 10 may be sufficient. Days a . Whats interesting about Texas is its variety of venues. Light tackle and fly fishing charters for redfish are world renowned on these inshore flats for because of the crystal clear water and numerous shots . Re: Redfish Flies. For large redfish, you will want to employ a 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0 circle hook. This Louisiana classic is an easy and delicious way to serve redfish. Victor Browning Lake and Calaveras Lake. Redfish are resourceful and feed on a variety of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. My hands shook. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. Virtually every region of salt or brackish water in the greater Jacksonville area holds reds, according to local anglers. It's an extremely beautiful river filled with large and catchable bass. The best colors are chartreuse and pink chenille, and I will fish this pattern if nothing else is working. These patters offer a solid profile and tied with the right materials and weight move beautifully throught the water. Saltwater Flies. It has a large front collar that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. A 6-10wt setup will work just fine. One of the elements of fly fishing for reds that I enjoy so much is the variety of experiences it offers from one location to another. It is a mix of a number of different patterns and works great as a shrimp, crab or even a baitfish. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. All the way from Florida to Texas anglers and tyers are hard at work designing patterns to fool redfish. Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Copano and Aransas Bays, and nearby San Antonio and Matagora Bays, Rockport, TX is our home and base of operations. They will generally eat a second time if they spook or miss the fly. I like to think of it as the woolly bugger for reds. Getting the fly to drop deep gains more bites. Zap-A-Crab This is a great fly for shallow water and smaller fish that aren't looking for a huge meal. My own personal favorite stomping grounds for redfish include South Florida and Louisiana. If youve fished for Redfish before or are researching Redfish flies, you will undoubtedly run across the Kwan fly. Its simple design and ease to fish are what I love about it. Use a smaller hook in seasons with small game in great numbers, such as the Spring and Summer. Texas Redfish Limits. Earth-tone colors seem to work best, a sandy brown head paired with a striped light beige body that resembles the pattern of a shrimp. A local captain knows where the fish were yesterday and runs a proper skiff designed to navigate the target waters. Colors I do not leave home without are: Black/Purple, and Brown/Tan. The bulls chase baitfish in the shallows, and the Everglades Special is the key! Devils River - Legendary Among Texas Fly Anglers. All rods, reels, tackle, and flies are provided- all you need is a current Texas fishing license, snacks, and polarized sunglasses. Microscopic Monsters of the Ocean: King Mackerel, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control.
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