It flashes and dances so well that its easy to spot even 100 feet out in thick grass and cattails. The fishing for trophy trout and redfish on Texas' Baffin Bay is nothing short of spectacular and our experienced guides can't wait to show you our neck of the woods. Furthermore, be aware of the water clarity as this will factor into the colors of flies that will tend to be more effective. They simply cannot resist the flicker and flutter as it moves through the water. The bright shiny spoon-fly is the furthest thing from the typically suggested drab sheepshead flies as you can get. The Redfish Crack fly, or maybe youve heard of the variations Redfish Cracklin, Redfish Meth or Redfish Ritalin, is another fly with a proven track record. . With a mix of unpredicted weather conditions, we were in for quite the weekend. Size #1 and #2 are best. Reds can spot a bright Sheka Shrimp fly from a long distance and can be counted on to home in quickly for a fast meal. As far as fly anglers are concerned, it is primarily a super-shallow water redfish destination . SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. The key is to use a fly-and-line combo that will drop down in the water column. While we have only been able to add a select few for now, we will continue to add to this page as we can and . The weighted versions can help in the deeper waters, and a weed guard is imperative for this pattern. The EP Baitfish is a Gurgler-like pattern that moves water and pops on the surface to trigger an aggressive Redfish eat. Imagine the crystal-clear waters of Mexico and the Caribbean, and then add in the bright copper of redfish cruising the white-sand flats and brilliantyellow grass beds. Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish and will trigger a natural reaction bite that Redfish can simply not resist. When these marks started erupting in huge, gold splashes, we figured out that they were huge schools of redfish and that we had to be ready for them to pop up at any time.. He uses a No. In this guide, we'll take you through the top species you can target, the best locales to cast your fly in, and much more, such as seasons, gear, and rules and regulations. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesn't make much disturbance when it lands. Observe the size and type of baitfish that are up on the flats in high numbers and pick a fly that most closely resembles that. Use Light Flies and Long Leaders. Factors that affect casting, such as wind and bushy flies, also affect rod choice. The redfish run from average, 4 to 7 pounds, to big, 12 to 15 pounds. Fly fishing is more than catching fish, being in the outdoors with good friends and family is what it is all about. The original was white and silver but the color combinations and sizes are infinite. 2. They are known as bull reds. This is a great fly for shallow water and smaller fish that aren't looking for a huge meal. Days a . Almost every saltwater fly shop has a variation of the traditional Kwan fly, or sometimes referred to as the Redfish Toad. 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. 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. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. 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. No matter if you are chasing them in the muddy mangroves or off a pier amongst some weed banks, if you find the fish feeding, you should be able to hook one. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. This area is chalked full of bayous and canals, dotted with innumerable lakes, bays, ponds, and . with Rick Hartman. Year-round you can fish redfish, but in the changing season, you also have black drum, sheepshead, sea trout, tarpon, and . The Charleston, South Carolina, area has vast inshore areas offering fly rodders great opportunities for red-drum fishing. Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. Fished in the Gulf Coast region, you cant go wrong with a chartreuse and white color that has a large eye. But the visual experience can be breathtaking. Fly fishing has been my passion and pursuit for the past 20 years. Blackened Redfish. Devils River - Legendary Among Texas Fly Anglers. The other captain stalked close to two big foraging reds and worked the fish with different flies for 10 minutes without a take. Try a white or chartreuse pattern, and if that doesnt work, switch to something dark in black or purple. A tailing red may be one of the easiest reds to catch, but they can be very particular at times as well. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . Everglades National Park offers prime redfish habitat with miles of flats. The flashing and the low frequency vibration sounds it emits when being stripped excels in murkier waters. In Texas,the redfish population was going into a serious decline in the80's..So with help of CCA one was started with later help of a $10mil.grant from Federal fish and wildlife.Now every year,they put 10-20 millions redfish fingerlings back into the water. You still must put the fly in the right place, but you definitely need a 10-weight rod and a really big fly. After enduring day after day of heat, humidity and seemingly incessant southwest winds; October will give . Usually most crab flies you find in the big box stores are designed to target permit or bonefish. Potential Freshwater Walk in outing - (from Rob McConnell's Fly Fishing Houston book) Feb 28: Monthly Mtg. In the coastal waters off North Carolina, captains have found enormous schools of redfish in 20 to 60 feet of water. Most guides say the best fly rod for redfish is a 9-foot, 8- or 9-weight rod paired to most any brand of saltwater reel and spooled with a warm-water, weight-forward floating line. A small orange grizzly feather is tied in at the head to look like a fiddler-crab claw, with a single stiff mono weed guard positioned from the head toward the hook point. Fish it near the bottom with slow and erratic retrieves for best results. Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over. Add the sizes you fish most often too. I love this! Best of all, redfish love it. If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. Port O' Connor. It has a deer hair head thats designed to push water and has a perfect baitfish profile that fish find hard to resist. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski.com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. Watching redfish forage for crabs in mud or grass, or hunt mullet on an oyster bar is one of the most exciting experiences in flats fishing. For larger species, you might try a 2/0 to 4/0. The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. He ties the fly on a barbless 34011 Mustad size 4 hook, with a bright-gold cone head to help get it deep. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Montgomery designed the fly for chasing world-record-size reds around the clear waters of the Chandeleur Islands in Louisiana, which he does with client Robert Cunningham Jr., who has boated several potential record fish wit this streamer. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. Let's take a closer look at what awaits you on a Texas redfish adventure. Trinity Bay and East Bay. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. While these large flies are still useful to have during the summer . 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. Corpus Christi, Texas, guide Bill Sheka (512-991-7191) has fished Baffin Bay and lower Laguna Madre for many years and devised a bright-colored fly called the Sheka Shrimp. Possibly the most unique redfish destination is Mosquito Lagoon in east central Florida. In the summer, mullet start to move through the surf, and that signals game on for fly fishermen. Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. The King Fu Crab swims hook point up, which is excellent, and the weed guard just makes double sure there arent any snags. He called in Alderman, who cast, dropped the Zap-A-Crab 4 feet from one of the fish and waggled his fly rod to make the rattles pulsate, and instantly the red turned to the fly, rushed it and took. 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. In Georgia the water is dark and turbid, and the tides run hard and high. By the time you're done reading this, you'll be ready to head to Texas to . Galveston. Spoonfly The best is to get the fish to see the fly, and you will generally hook them. Is this getting you excited? For food and shelter, they seek out sea-grass beds, mangroves, marshes, oyster bars, mud and sand flats and beaches. 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. Im one of those fly fishers. These Texas reds demonstrate typical shallow-water feeding behavior. Michael Stravato for The . These omnivores, with their underslung mouths, scour the grass and mud for prey. Redfish fishing tips for fly anglers should include examples of the right gear for the job. The kinky muddler is excellent for these summer conditions. Scientists have documented this redfish population as the first ever known to spawn in an estuary (versus offshore). The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp and crabs, and can be tied in countless color variations to suit all water clarities. There are various signs to look for to help us decide how to fish for them. Getting the fly to drop deep gains more bites. The Razmatz is an excellent choice for a shallow, dirty water fly pattern. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. I like the neutral colors for the Kwan in sizes #4. Its a pretty basic fly, with a small head and burnt nylon eyes. Having the right fly for these conditions is essential. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or synthetic fiber tail. He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. 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. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. We respect your privacy. We spent 3 days exploring the area in search of Redfish. If your interested in having true experts teach how to chase reds get ahold of INDIGO GUIDE SERVICE. Sometimes, they can be a bit more technical. Carry an intermediate line for the deeper waters, just in case. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! I like the fly in the mud crab color of dark brown /green in size #2. Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. 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. You can play with tippet strengths but stick to what you are happy to fish and go from there. All rights reserved. 1.4 4. . 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. The only difference between here and southern Florida and Texas: These reds range from 15 pounds up to almost 50. Additional tail materials can consist of marabou, bucktail, calf tail or Krystal Flash. The straight style, like the Straight-Shooter Crab pictured, has the hook shank positioned perpendicular to the crab body. Fly Fishing Laguna Madre on the Texas Coast. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. This makes the fly feel exactly like a crab in the fishs mouth, he says, so a redfish rarely rejects the fly before an angler can set the hook. Fly fishing trips are limited to two anglers per boat. Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. 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. 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. Welcome to the Texas Coastal Bend. Watching a redfish try to suck a surface fly or popper into its underslung bottom-feeding mouth can be hilarious. Your fishing license can be purchased 24/7 online or over the phone (800) 895-4248 Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm central time. Rockport fly fishing is some of the best on the entire Texas Coast. The carnage happens fast. Colors run the gamut too, from pink to orange, and from yellow to hot green. In the colder months having the waders is excellent to have to keep you warm and dry. Redfish are strong, hearty, and fight really good. Fly fishing in Texas doesn't get the credit it deserves, and we're here to change that. Kennedy nicknamed this all-black cone-headed Wooly Bugger the American Express Fly because he never leaves home without it. These trips are great for 1-2 anglers of all skill levels. In reds and greens on a size #1, this pattern wiggles and swims like an injured baitfish or crab. Before you go, know the rules for reds in your target area. 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. Description - Fly fishing for red drum in the shallow marshes near Galveston using kayaks right after a cool front. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. For targeting bulls over 20 pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. Most of them are caught in the marshes and coastal waters, but a few are targeted offshore. 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. This recipe is extremely fast and easy! Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. While flies with bead chain eyes (or no eyes at all) are best in water depths of 1 foot or less when you want your fly to stay out of the grass and near the surface. A 6-10wt setup will work just fine. The Redfish will follow this fly until it commits. From the gulf coast of Texas to Virginia, redfish can be found along nearly 2000 miles worth of coastline. Most of the fish weigh less than 15pounds, but every so often youll find a school of 20-pounders. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and will trigger a natural reflex that makes fish want to eat. Colors I do not leave home without are: Black/Purple, and Brown/Tan. It retrieves through pencil reeds, spartina grass, over rocks, oysters and through brush as well as any weedless lure. It just seems to work and change my day around. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. The Merkin Crab is widely considered the most effective Permit fly ever conceived. Proven fly patterns for summer Redfish are baitfish and shrimp patterns! When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. A local captain knows where the fish were yesterday and runs a proper skiff designed to navigate the target waters. The fly has a monofilament weed guard and burnt-mono eyes. However, once the guide finds fish, the rest is up to you. Thanks to its heavy lead eyes, it drops like a crab, but its movement is more shrimp-like. Seriously, it is less than 25 minute's total prep time! This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. As you work up either Florida coast, the flats-fishing remains similar from a technical point of view. As much as I love wading the south Texas flats, redfish in the Laguna Madre are smallpuppy drum, in local parlancethat rarely weigh more than 6 or 7 pounds. 3 thoughts on " Redfish Flies " Scott Kor says . But, thanks in large part to the Coastal Conservation Association that day is long gone. The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. The author says many fly patterns tempt red drum, but he usually keeps a selection of bead-eye and lead-eye flies on hand. In addition, the predominant species you might encounter in Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing is the red [fish] and black drum. The water systems in the South are rich in food sources, and this is where the redfish concentrate. Call Captain Kenjo direct ASAP 361-500-2552 or BOOK NOW online! Georgia also has vast areas of inshore spartina grass flats. When the cork pops in the water it creates a slurping sound, and this gets the fish interested. On the inshore saltwater scene the Spoonfly has few peers. Clouser Minnow needs no introductions or explanations! But beyond that quintessential visual, if youre targeting reds in Texas, you might also hear the sound. The sound of a single red popping, gulping and smacking on shrimp. All fishing is done out of a 2016 Hell's Bay Professional poling skiff, although we do occasionally wade fish. It's a great pattern for sight fishing. 1 artificial lure of all time for redfish. I had never seen a tail that big or that color. Use a smaller hook in seasons with small game in great numbers, such as the Spring and Summer. I bump up to a 5- to 6-inch mostly synthetic yet very puffy white fly for the big bull reds. The colors can be mixed and matched in an endless array, but here on the Texas Coast a blend of natural browns with orange flare seems to be a winning combination. Wyld on the Fly offers fly fishing guide services for the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Laguna Madre, Land Cut, and Baffin Bay waters. Crab flies mainly fall into two different categories and can be fished a few different ways. These eyes are much lighter and will give you a slower sink rate. What a rush. Its simple design and ease to fish are what I love about it. 9 ft leader is standard with 25-30lbs breaking strain tippet. If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. 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! The Electric Bunny doesnt seemingly resemble one particular redfish menu item, but they find its crabby silhouette irresistible. Saltwater fly fishing is another craze that has taken root from Texas to Florida, and for good reason. Fly Fishing for Texas Redfish: Dolphin and Redfish photo by Marjie Glodberg: We're a big fan of awesome photos showing action and drama! About the Author: Now a retired Miami attorney, Pat Ford spends his time taking photos and writing about fishing destinations around the world. 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. It's one . If you find redfish feeding near the surface, a topwater fly works really well. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for Redfish, sea trout, tarpon, mackeral jack crevalle fishing in Gulf Coast with the top producing flies and recommended equipment to get you into fish. This pattern performs extremely well in murkier waters or on overcast days, and just like any other fly the spoon has many variants that can cater to any situation. At the eye a few turns of crystal-red chenille are wound on to produce a head. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. We spend a lot of time testing gear and writing reviews to give you all of the tools to make your next trip a success. These fish fight strongly and stubbornly, but they dont make long runs and theyre usually caught in shallow water. All rights reserved. They also have to know when to cast and how long to let their offerings sink. And Id bet striped bass and salmon would go bonkers for em too. These large-shouldered predators spend time cruising marshy coastlines searching for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. It rides high in the water column and will attract a red from some distance off. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or craft fur tail. From WildFly Productions: "Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. Winter Redfish are often larger, especially Bull Redfish, and typically are fished with flies in the 1/0 - 2/0 size range. For medium-sized species such as salmon or redfish, you might use a size 4, 2 or 1/0. Sight fishing with a fly on the coast is one the most challenging types of fishing. If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop. The Devils River is legendary to anglers in Texas. Good luck out there on the water! They succeeded by producing a smaller, thumb-size fly version of the Johnson lure that every inshore saltwater angler worth his skiff owns. The full recipe for Redfish on the Half-Shell can be found here. All rods, reels, tackle, and flies are provided- all you need is a current Texas fishing license, snacks, and polarized sunglasses. 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. I like to have an intermediate spool ready to roll if needed, but it isnt necessary. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | The Team | Advertise with Guide Recommended, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. 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. However, the Electric Sliders dark coloration, coupled with the intelligent use of ingredients, gives it great movement, making it the perfect choice for the marsh. Yes, there are a few minor differences, but they feed and act in the same way for the most part. The Mangrove Baitfish is great for Florida and Lowcountry redfish thanks to its wide profile and snag-resistant design. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and imitating a fleeing shrimp or wounded baitfish. It has a large head that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. Yet it has good fish-hooking capabilities. Most guides say the best fly rod for redfish is a 9-foot, 8- or 9-weight rod paired to most any brand of saltwater reel and spooled with a warm-water, weight-forward floating line. Fly Fishing the texas coast. It is hand-tied by Jim Dupre and finished with an epoxy coating, making it bulletproof. Do some research beforehand by asking local experts and guides which flies are likely . Redfish are generally in the surf when the water temperatures reach the mid-70s. It needs to be small. 7. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 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. Texas Sporting Journal, "The Real Laguna Madre", July 2013 March 14: Exec Mtg - ZOOM March 10-12: Bolivar Marshes March 24-26: Harmon Creek Outing March 28: Monthly Mtg. This fly has a slow sink rate and suspends just below the surface of the water making this a great choice when sight fishing on the shallow flats. Dupre can make custom colors if necessary. Redfish can be found in the waters of Galveston where the depth is about 6 - 12 feet. These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. The fly doesnt really resemble anything specific, but it catches fish. 1 Where to Catch Redfish in Texas. Alderman is careful to keep the fly small, never more than 2 inches overall, so few redfish are missed at the strike. Offshore, in the surf, or next to deep channels are the ideal locations to use this fly. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish from a distance, in murky water, or when the visibility is low.
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