Gold Frizzy. For large redfish, you will want to employ a 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0 circle hook. Standard hues include gold, silver, copper, burnt orange, silver prismatic, pink-and-black and black prismatic. For more about chasing redfish with a fly rod, find Chico Fernandezs book Fly Fishing for Redfish. Kwan is the fly to have for those quiet, cold winter days on the water. Additional tail materials can consist of marabou, bucktail, calf tail or Krystal Flash. Plan a winter fly-fishing trip around an afternoon rising tide. Unless you know the area and own a flats boat, youll need a guide. 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. Ten of the other 14 fly-tippet-class records came from Louisiana. Head down south to the Louisiana fishing playgrounds in and around New Orleans and the Biloxi Marsh area, an estuary network of 210,000 acres of coastal wetlands located on the eastern side of Louisiana, which borders the Gulf of Mexico, you will find yourself in the mecca of redfish fly fishing. So our guides have begun to compile a collection of our favorite patterns here, for all to see. For targeting bulls over 20pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. The fly has a monofilament weed guard and burnt-mono eyes. She coaches clients in advance of these opportunities: Drum prep is like a fire drill, she says. You want to be in Port Aransas during the Fall Run to catch your next personal best sight casted Texas red drum on the fly. Galveston. East Cut Redfish Popper Possibly the most unique redfish destination is Mosquito Lagoon in east central Florida. Jim, note Prof Salt's recent use of size 8 hooks on redfish flies. The wind did what it usually does to a spoon-fly and sailed it several feet off target. The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. Truthfully, there are a lot of different redfish fly patterns that all work well. Redfish can be found all along the coast, stretching from Texas, around the Gulf to Florida, and up the Atlantic to parts of the Northeast, preferring water temperatures between 65-85 degrees. The customary natural colors of brown, tan, orange, and white are a very popular choice among saltwater fly fishermen. That expert also comes with a trained pair of eyes to help spot the fish before they spot you. Mens and womens redfish fly records top out with the 43-pounder caught by Greg Braunstein on 16-pound tippet in 1995 out of the Banana River Lagoon in Florida. Offshore, in the surf, or next to deep channels are the ideal locations to use this fly. Boat shoes are great, so you dont slip and slide around on deck. For small stream trout, smaller fly fishing hook sizes like a 6 or 10 may be sufficient. Read where to go in this article > Where to Fly Fish in Florida, How big do Tarpon, Redfish and Snook get? He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. Its just a matter of selecting the right flies. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. Out in the St. Johns River channel, the bull reds congregate. For food and shelter, they seek out sea-grass beds, mangroves, marshes, oyster bars, mud and sand flats and beaches. It is a day that will live forever in infamy for Americans: the date of Dec. 7. Factors that affect casting, such as wind and bushy flies, also affect rod choice. My favorite redfish fly pattern is a fuzzy variation of Tim Borskis Chernobyl shrimp. The Spoonfly is made of flashy Mylar covered and sealed with clear epoxy on a long-shank 2/0 Mustad. Many tyers will add in some small bead chain or lead eyes depending on the depth of water you intend to fish and additions such as silicone legs and/or mono-eyes into the tail section will give the fly a buggy look that Redfish cannot resist. One fish though, when it's a nice redfish like those we caught that day, can do the soul a world of good. Starting at $6.16. A couple of small rubber legs are tied fore and aft of the Furry Foam body, which is then coated with a quick-drying two-part epoxy. But if you've fished long enough, you've almost certainly experienced the times where they tend to focus on one prey type exclusively and seem to ignore every fly you tie on. Ive caught a lot of big fish in my day, but nothing like this. Just deals and news! It would be great to book a fishing charter to fish for redfish. You can play with tippet strengths but stick to what you are happy to fish and go from there. In the coastal waters off North Carolina, captains have found enormous schools of redfish in 20 to 60 feet of water. Generally, the Deceiver fits into a open-water category as these flies are rather large compared to others. As with all flats-fishing, you look for wakes, tails and bodies. 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. The cost is $16.00 per person per day. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. Youll find good numbers of 18- to 27-inch fish. Quickly toss the fly in front of the fish before it heads back out to sea. The daily bag on redfish in Texas is three fish in a slot limit of 20 to 28 inches . Port O' Connor. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Our passion is saltwater fly fishing and we aim to provide top quality flies and fly tying materials designed for the Gulf Coast fly fisherman. However, if you venture out in the summer evenings, youll quickly understand how the area acquired its name. Use Light Flies and Long Leaders. We could fill a whole book with discussions of what Redfish eat in any given situation, but when deciding which fly to tie on,start with "matching the hatch". You need a set of flies in your arsenal that covers the entire water column, from topwater, to bottom crawling, and everything in between. With excellent year-round populations of Redfish, Speckled Trout and Black Drum. If youve fished for Redfish before or are researching Redfish flies, you will undoubtedly run across the Kwan fly. Let a good casts worth of line drag behind you and start wading in about a foot of water. Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . The spoon fly excels by flashing and emitting low frequency vibration sounds as its being stripped. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. During the full-moon periods both months, anglers anchor along the edges of the channel between Blount Island and Mayport. Miniard fishes primarily for tailing redfish in tough, tangled spartina grass along the northeast Florida coast. He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. What are the top reasons to fly-fish at Bay Flats Lodge? Keep flies with bead eyes and lead eyes available. Recommended Guide/Charter Service: Bones Fishing Guide Service (San Antonio, Calaveras Lake) This is one of the best guide services operating on Calaveras Lake for big redfish and catfish. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. The EP fibers really changed how we could tie baitfish patterns, and the advancements are spectacular. 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 fly is only available in one size, but colors are almost limitless. Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine, "Exposure" Photo Essay, April 2015. Take for example, the Shrimpadillo fly, its a combination of a crab fly, shrimp fly, and a spoon fly thats guaranteed to get engulfed by a hungry Redfish. The fly is tied to look like a gaudy shrimp, which is something to keep in mind when viewing it. . Dupre can make custom colors if necessary. Some popular patterns include the Merkin, KungFu, Contraband, Flexo, Fleeing Crabs, and many more. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesnt make much disturbance when it lands. Everglades National Park offers prime redfish habitat with miles of flats. Galveston is one of the best places to target redfish in Texas and its surrounding areas. Fly fishing trips are limited to two anglers per boat. 2023All Rights Reserved -www.sightcastfishing.com - Sight Cast Fishing Company, Saltwater Fly Fishing - Apparel, Flies, and Tying Materials, Sheepshead, Fly Fishing, Sight Fishing, Sheepshead Flies, texas fly fishing, sheepshead fly fishing, how to catch sheepshead on fly, best sheepshead flies, sight fishing to sheepshead, sheepshead fly, best way to catch sheepshead. Launch - Louis's Bait Camp 3510 Texas 6 / Hitchcock, TX 77563 / (409) 935-9050. Traveling angler and world-record holder Meredith McCord lives in Texas and fishes its flats for redfish every chance she gets. Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. I think the craft fur body profile moves so well and has all the triggers. The fish reside in the lagoon year-round, making it the best area to target trophy redfish on the flats along Floridas east coast. That allows her to keep an eye on the fast-moving schools instead of focusing on tying knots and digging for tackle. If youre not ready when a school appears, youre out of luck. 100% of our funding comes from your gear purchases, so if this blog post helps you on your next fly fishing adventure, please support us by buying your gear from us. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important . Fished in the Gulf Coast region, you cant go wrong with a chartreuse and white color that has a large eye. It is very productive in a root beer color with gold tinsel and redhead profile. But a fishing trip can also go terribly wrong without the right gear. Most are designed to have the perfect amount of weight to slowly flutter down to the bottom and not rapidly sink into the weeds where fish cant see it. Winter Redfish are often larger, especially Bull Redfish, and typically are fished with flies in the 1/0 - 2/0 size range. Sometimes the bite is on and game fish will aggressively smack anything thats thrown in front of them. Sight Cast Saltwater Fly Shop. He and his clients fish it slow, slower and slower still. I set the hook, and the fish rocketed along the shoreline, throwing mud and water. Most of them imitate the crabs, shrimp, and baitfish that make up the majority of the redfish diet. Here in North Florida, this is usually in mid to late spring. If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! Zap-A-Crab Here is a list of the best nine places to fly fish in Texas: 1. Gene Montgomery (334-478-7440) is a Mobile, Alabama, high-school teacher with a passion for fly fishing. Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. You can keep a maximum of 3 fish per angler per day. 4. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. The Redfish tend to like its smaller profiling in the colder months, especially on the clearer days. I like the neutral colors for the Kwan in sizes #4. ), water conditions the fly excels in, and how you like to fish it. There are various signs to look for to help us decide how to fish for them. The straight style, like the Straight-Shooter Crab pictured, has the hook shank positioned perpendicular to the crab body. Candy Corn Crawler is a great choice when targeting redfish. Fly Tyer Magazine, "Guide Flies for Louisiana Redfish", Spring 2016 "Texas Redfish", Patagonia Blog, 2015. These omnivores, with their underslung mouths, scour the grass and mud for prey. 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. 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. They succeeded by producing a smaller, thumb-size fly version of the Johnson lure that every inshore saltwater angler worth his skiff owns. The water is air-clear. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. Gjuro Bruer, maneuvered his skiff into casting range, and I managed to place one of my best redfish flies just a few feet ahead of this thing, which looked like a giant koi. The Devils River is legendary to anglers in Texas. On some versions, the chenille body is wrapped with a contrasting-color hackle feather, which gives the fly very buggy shrimp look when the hackle is trimmed with scissors to simulate legs. But the visual experience can be breathtaking. The Kung Fu Crab is a must when fishing the mangroves and grass plains. Polling around on that flood tide is a special time to fish, and it should be cherished. Sharks can also be a drum indicator, she adds, because they like the same foods. Red drum is a fast growing fish reaching approximately 11 inches and one pound in its first year, 17-22 inches and 3 1/2 pounds in two years, and 22-24 inches and 6-8 pounds in three years. This is an excellent fly for tailing fish digging crabs out of the mud. The EP Baitfish is a Gurgler-like pattern that moves water and pops on the surface to trigger an aggressive Redfish eat. These anglers are chasing red drum, the target of choice for a growing legion of fly anglers, thanks to the fact that there are more red drum in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters today than weve seen in years. Gear up with giant Clouser flies and sinking lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. The Kinky Muddler means business. The shrimp-tipped jig is the icing on the cake, and the redfish can't resist the smell. Those regions abut the narrow, winding canals of the back marshes and ponds near Galveston and Freeport. Microscopic Monsters of the Ocean: King Mackerel, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control. There's probably no reason to use larger than a size 2 hook on a redfish fly (I've caught kings on size 2 fly), and my go-to is size 6 for small shrimp and dock-fishing-size minnows. Sheka Shrimps tied in subtle browns and cream colors perform best in stained water. If you cast this in front of a Redfish, allow it to slowly flutter down, and then give it very short small strips, youll be hooked up in no time. 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. Saltwater Flies. Longtime Georgia fly-fishing guide Larry Kennedy, owner of Bedford Sportsman Fly Shop (912-638-5454) on St. Simons Island, says that while a number of different flies work for Georgia redfish, his favorite is a small, all-black classic Wooly Bugger streamer. For deeper redfishing, Sheka includes lead under the chenille or substitutes lead eyes for nylon ones, and he ties it large to be a more visible target, usually with a marabou tail that absorbs water to help it get down. To round out our species-centered blog posts, we've written this post to help you choose the best flies. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds. From throwing flies to tailing fish in the marshes to chasing large bulls in the surf, there is a place in the Lone Star State for everything. Virtually every region of salt or brackish water in the greater Jacksonville area holds reds, according to local anglers. Most any color combination will work, but I like brown or white and hardly ever use anything else. The carnage happens fast. Magnify that sound and it results in a musical popcorn symphony performed by an entire school of reds feeding on fleeing white shrimp. Try white, chartreuse or black colors on a 2/0 Gamakatsu stinger hook. Redfish weighing less than 15 pounds can be landed using most any fly rod. The fly is best used in the colder months when the shrimps and crabs are absent. The author, left, made his first trip to Louisiana waters after bull reds on fly in 2006. Most of the flies featured in this article are available for sale in the Saltwater Fly Shop and are designed to target inshore species in the Gulf Coast region. January and February is redfish time in the many sheltered potholes and ponds of the Biloxi, Mississippi, marsh. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. I'll gladly give up February or August to expand the finest month on the calendar along the Texas coast. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. This article will cover the flies that every fisherman should have in their box and the ones that work best when sight fishing to Redfish and Speckled Trout in the Gulf Coast region. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. I love this! The fly body is black ice chenille wrapped Palmer-style with black hackles, and a black marabou tail. 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. Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast. Size #1 and #2 are best. The setup you choose to use depends entirely on your ability as a fly fisher. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. . Usually a wake is seen, or a small part of the fish is spotted breaking the waters surface. Waders and boots are great to have. If all goes as planned, hooking reds well over 30 pounds is the welldeserved reward.. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. Yet it has good fish-hooking capabilities. The Razmatz is an excellent choice for a shallow, dirty water fly pattern. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. In spring, the reds work the edges of bars and creek mouths. The Deceiver is another famous pattern known by many fly fishermen. Floating on the surface, they pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. Check out, Picture Source A huge thanks to the great folks at, Some of the amazing redfish pictures were provided by my buddies at. 3. True trophy fish can mean being in the right place, with the right flies, setup for success. The Merkin Crab is widely considered the most effective Permit fly ever conceived. The key is to use a fly-and-line combo that will drop down in the water column. 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 9 ft leader is standard with 25-30lbs breaking strain tippet. Most times, anglers fish shallow water thats clear enough to spot a 30-pound red, but it can quickly become quite murky after a cold front. Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. This one-two punch is a tried and true classic for catching reds. Reds there are primarily crab eaters, especially little oyster crabs and fiddler crabs, and the Turkey in the Straw is dead ringer for a little crab. I fell in love with the Spoonfly the first time I held one. Electric Slider Fly. These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. Redfish are resourceful and feed on a variety of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. When it comes to fly fishing, Texas is an up-and-coming state with a lot to offer anglers. This is followed up with some flashing and then some buck tail tied towards the front of the hook on all sides that extends just beyond the hook bend. Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at[emailprotected]. This stunning shot was taken by professional photograher Marjie Goldberg from Florida. Sheka Shrimp Most come with bead eyes, are weedless and measure about 3inches long. Miniard adds that when a red takes the fly and crushes down on it with its mouth, it feels the hard Furry Foam body coated with epoxy. This is the story behind the action in Marjie's words: "In August 2014, I was taking photos of Ospreys in flight at the . 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 best colors are chartreuse and pink chenille, and I will fish this pattern if nothing else is working. 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 . Its a pretty basic fly, with a small head and burnt nylon eyes. (Editors note: Wherever you plan to fish, check that states redfish regulations for licensing, season and bag-limit information.). This is a great fly for shallow water and smaller fish that aren't looking for a huge meal. With flat boats, casting can be done within 50 feet. With that said, I will break down my favorite redfish flies and explain why and when I fish them. The tackle. I had never seen a tail that big or that color. Fly Fishing for Texas Redfish: Dolphin and Redfish photo by Marjie Glodberg: We're a big fan of awesome photos showing action and drama! Fast, free shipping, expedited shipping available, earn 5% Rewards.A list of the most popular flies in Texas, along with hatch charts, river reports, and other helpful information to make your next trip to Texas the best trip yet. Most have been well tested via the school of hard fishing knocks endorsed by the anglers who cast them and the redfish that eat them. The full recipe for Redfish on the Half-Shell can be found here. Do some research beforehand by asking local experts and guides which flies are likely . Conditions - 55-degrees. No top ten list can be without the most used and prolific fly in the world, the classic Clouser Minnow pattern. Id heard stories about redfish in the Biloxi Marsh, but on my first trip to Louisiana for monster drum in 2006, I saw a golden tail the size of a shovel break the surface 50 yards ahead. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish from a distance, in murky water, or when the visibility is low. Anglers may choose to light-tackle rods or fly gear to fish the expansive, shallow-water flats of the 100 square mile Baffin Bay . The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. Almost any fly that imitates such forage works well. Wyld on the Fly offers fly fishing guide services for the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Laguna Madre, Land Cut, and Baffin Bay waters. Iknow it works because the guides keep all my leftovers. Learn More. You do not want to miss your chance to experience the classic Fall Run along the Texas Gulf Coast. After enduring day after day of heat, humidity and seemingly incessant southwest winds; October will give . Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. Of course, flats-fishing requires some level of experience and the ability to cast 50feet accurately regardless of weather conditions. Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. He uses a No. Re: Redfish Flies. This allows the crab to "swim" while being stripped. Tied on a #1 or 1/0 hook in the color that best covers your area. Much like all other crab flies, it should be able to perform crawling along the bottom and the legs and claws should flutter with bite-enticing movement. Now healthy populations of reds root in the coastal shallows from Massachusetts to Mexico. The Redfish will follow this fly until it commits. . It's a great pattern for sight fishing. Swan Point Landing Fly Shop Location: Rockport, TX Waters: Texas Coast Fish: Redfish Website. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! With hundreds of creeks, bays and tidal washes that abound in the area, this region is a vast labyrinth of dark-stained tidewater. 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). Alderman is careful to keep the fly small, never more than 2 inches overall, so few redfish are missed at the strike. Use a smaller hook in seasons with small game in great numbers, such as the Spring and Summer. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish and Sheepshead in the Gulf Coast region. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. Therefore, tackle choices revolve more around casting and presentation ease than on fighting the fish. 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. They also have to know when to cast and how long to let their offerings sink.
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