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. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. They also have to know when to cast and how long to let their offerings sink. The Redfish will follow this fly until it commits. 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. 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. When redfish are tailing on the flats and are cruising super skinny, placing a popper or streamer quietly in its path may be the only way to catch them. Its just a matter of selecting the right flies. If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. . Saltwater Flies. Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. The best colors are chartreuse and pink chenille, and I will fish this pattern if nothing else is working. East Cut Redfish Popper Equip your fly line with cast foam poppers, deer-hair bugs or shrimp and baitfish patterns for the classic approach to Snook fly fishing. Easy to cast, and light enough to manipulate in a variety of ways once in the water. It has a large front collar that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. 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. 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. Sometimes the bite is on and game fish will aggressively smack anything thats thrown in front of them. The middle Texas coast can offer world class sight-fishing opportunities for Redfish, Black Drum and Trout. 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. Building off this recipe and making a few modifications to resemble a juvenile blue crab, this pattern becomes a must-have for targeting Sheepshead and Redfish along the Gulf Coast. What are the top reasons to fly-fish at Bay Flats Lodge? I am a South African based fly fisherman who loves nothing more than spending a day on the water. There are many variants of topwater flies, the classic Gurgleris just one example. During the winter months, the water on the flats clears. It's one . These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. He guides when not teaching and devised the Gold Frizzy for redfish because it does a good job of imitating a gold, flashing and wobbling spoon likely the No. This one-two punch is a tried and true classic for catching reds. Redfish are strong, hearty, and fight really good. It has a large head that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. 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. 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). The Redfish tend to like its smaller profiling in the colder months, especially on the clearer days. If you're wondering which fly rod you should choose to chase Reds, we've covered that topic here. This is a great fly for shallow water and smaller fish that aren't looking for a huge meal. 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". He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. Sight cast to schools of tailing redfish in ankle-deep, gin-clear water. To see more of his photography go to patfordphotos.com. For targeting bulls over 20pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. My idea of a nice red was a 7-pounder in Floridas Everglades National Park. Chasing schools of bull reds offshore is an entirely different operation than flats-, channel and surf fishing, but that spectacular scene happens from North Carolina through northeast Florida and in the Gulf from Floridas panhandle past Louisiana. The central-coast redfish waters include the jetties of Port OConnor and the grass flats of Rockport, all with shorelines similar to those in Louisiana. Dustin's Destroyer, Chartreuse and White. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! I bump up to a 5- to 6-inch mostly synthetic yet very puffy white fly for the big bull reds. The weed guard is essential to the success of the fly. Galveston is one of the best places to target redfish in Texas and its surrounding areas. Candy Corn Crawler is a great choice when targeting redfish. 3 thoughts on " Redfish Flies " Scott Kor says . No spam. The flats-fishing techniques and tackle for Texas mimic those elsewhere. These fish, without a doubt, make for an incredibly memorable fly fishing trip. The fishing is good, but different, and the type of fly required to dupe reds is different too. 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. We are lucky in that Redfish tell us how they are feeding. The fly body is black ice chenille wrapped Palmer-style with black hackles, and a black marabou tail. 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. Baitfish, crab, and shrimp patterns are . Normally, youll scout reds in less than 2 feet of water by looking for wakes, tails and bodies. Starting at $6.16. At the eye a few turns of crystal-red chenille are wound on to produce a head. All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish and big Trout up on the flats. . With all these factors in mind, lets go over five of the top producing Redfish fly patterns that every angler needs in their box. Next there is the side style like the Sidewinder Crab,this pattern has the hook shank parallel with the crab body. 9 ft leader is standard with 25-30lbs breaking strain tippet. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. While I tend to agree in most aspects, I know this pattern catches fish. Guide Tip: My buddies Kevin and Steve run Indigo Guide Service, theyre proving out to be some of the best redfish guides on the Louisiana Coast. The author says many fly patterns tempt red drum, but he usually keeps a selection of bead-eye and lead-eye flies on hand. 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. 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 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. First there's the weather. I fell in love with the Spoonfly the first time I held one. It needs to be small. In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. 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. 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. Silver Krystal Flash is used liberally on many patterns, snce its a long-range attractant in clear water. Working that fly to get the eat, fighting well, and then gently releasing the fish after a few photos is what its all about. These patters offer a solid profile and tied with the right materials and weight move beautifully throught the water. Port O' Connor. It lands lightly, hangs in the water column, and when tied with a weed guard, it is the perfect fly to fish over grassy structures in shallow water. The King Fu Crab swims hook point up, which is excellent, and the weed guard just makes double sure there arent any snags. Boat shoes are great, so you dont slip and slide around on deck. Kwan is the fly to have for those quiet, cold winter days on the water. Look for big redfish laid up at the surface like tarpon. Anglers can accidently bump into these schools, but many guides, such as Capt. Cone-Head Wooly Bugger Snook thrive in water temperatures 70 degrees and above, so they'll be more easily spotted in the flats year-round or around coastal bays and beaches by late spring. Do some research beforehand by asking local experts and guides which flies are likely . As a general rule,the darker/muddier the water, the darker the fly should be; and, when the water is gin-clear you should pick flies that are more of a natural color such as tans, whites, and browns. There are many variants of topwater flies, the classic Gurgleris just one example. Often this sound carries across the marsh from two or three coves over. This has all the characteristics of the Seaducer yet adds more of a shrimp look. Sheka Shrimp come in weighted and unweighted versions, with or without weed guards. Your fishing license can be purchased 24/7 online or over the phone (800) 895-4248 Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm central time. Blackened Redfish. Redfish weighing less than 15 pounds can be landed using most any fly rod. Its important to remember that thousands of redfish flies work very well. Texas Redfish Limits. 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. If needed contact info -, Snook, Reds and Tarpon can be found all over Florida. This is where the big boys live. 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. In Georgia the water is dark and turbid, and the tides run hard and high. These are the times when having an arsenal of flies that resembles all the prevalent bait fish in your particular location is a must. The bright shiny spoon-fly is the furthest thing from the typically suggested drab sheepshead flies as you can get. Because reds often cruise in murky water, anglers must throw a big enough fly for them to see. It is hand-tied by Jim Dupre and finished with an epoxy coating, making it bulletproof. 1 artificial lure of all time for redfish. 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. Swan Point Landing Fly Shop Location: Rockport, TX Waters: Texas Coast Fish: Redfish Website. Fishalicious, is another baitfish pattern worthy of the fly box. Consequently, those are the best hues for Aldermans Zap-A-Crab. This is an excellent fly for tailing fish digging crabs out of the mud. Youll definitely need 10-weight rods and 400-plus-grain sink-tip lines with big lead-eye flies. 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. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish (and Sheepshead) in the Gulf Coast region. I think the craft fur body profile moves so well and has all the triggers. It always lands with the hook point up and away from snags; it swims very crab-like when retrieved; and most important, Ben says, it comes with a pair of small, redfish-attracting rattles. Texas Fly Caster Location: Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX Waters: Lake Ray Roberts, Lewisville Lake, Trinity River, Other Local Waters Fish: Bass, Carp . Sarah Gardner, out of Nags Head on the Outer Banks, actually target them. Welcome to the Texas Coastal Bend. Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. The Electric Bunny doesnt seemingly resemble one particular redfish menu item, but they find its crabby silhouette irresistible. Retrieve this fly with steady, slow strips and it will mimic the movement of a fleeing crab. For a slow-sink fly, a bucktail tail is good. 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. 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. Getting the fly to drop deep gains more bites. Often, you'll need flat, calm conditions to consistently see fish. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. Colors run the gamut too, from pink to orange, and from yellow to hot green. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. This stunning shot was taken by professional photograher Marjie Goldberg from Florida. Usually most crab flies you find in the big box stores are designed to target permit or bonefish. The customary natural colors of brown, tan, orange, and white are a very popular choice among saltwater fly fishermen. Wyld on the Fly offers fly fishing guide services for the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Laguna Madre, Land Cut, and Baffin Bay waters. And Id bet striped bass and salmon would go bonkers for em too. Floating on the surface, they pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. Crab flies mainly fall into two different categories and can be fished a few different ways. Also, take note of the depth of the water and the type of bottom (grass, sand, etc)you are fishing in. (Editors note: Wherever you plan to fish, check that states redfish regulations for licensing, season and bag-limit information.). This Louisiana classic is an easy and delicious way to serve redfish. Keep your leader short and straightforward. Consider Fishing The Flats: Flat fishing is a great way to go sight fishing for redfish. View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop. If all goes as planned, hooking reds well over 30 pounds is the welldeserved reward.. The fly is then adorned with a bit of colored hackle and a wire weed guard. Saltwater fly fishing is another craze that has taken root from Texas to Florida, and for good reason. The great thing about redfish patterns is, for the most part, they are pretty darn simple fly and easy to tie. 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. Flats-fishing equals sight-fishing, which is what makes it fun. But many cutting-edge anglers are using flies that are constantly being tested by the ever-growing numbers of fly-rod redfishermen. Thats when Alderman became a believer in rattling redfish flies. Like Charleston, certain parts in the South have what we call a flood tide. 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 . The fools gold pattern is ideal for this as it sinks fast and has excellent movement in the water. For targeting bulls over 20 pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. I love nothing more than being out on the water chasing a few reds with friends. Microscopic Monsters of the Ocean: King Mackerel, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control. As we mentioned above, you can keep one Redfish measuring over 28 inches per year with your Red Drum Tag. 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. It retrieves through pencil reeds, spartina grass, over rocks, oysters and through brush as well as any weedless lure. For small stream trout, smaller fly fishing hook sizes like a 6 or 10 may be sufficient. All rights reserved. Its an excellent pattern for the muddier waters where some surface movement is needed to grab the fishs attention. You can keep a maximum of 3 fish per angler per day. The Kinky Muddler means business. To round out our species-centered blog posts, we've written this post to help you choose the best flies. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. 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. If you find redfish feeding near the surface, a topwater fly works really well. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Bags and packs are entirely optional. Reds customarily feed on small crabs, shrimp and baitfish, such as mullet and mud minnows. Size #1 and #2 are best. Having the right fly for these conditions is essential. If the fish arent committing fully to the fly, it doesnt mean they arent interested in it, and it could mean its a little big or isnt swimming correctly. Offshore, in the surf, or next to deep channels are the ideal locations to use this fly. A Redfish is a Redfish, no matter if you are in Texas, Florida, or Virginia. From the gulf coast of Texas to Virginia, redfish can be found along nearly 2000 miles worth of coastline. Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. 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. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. The Kwan fly is a great shrimp imitation as well. Some quick online research will show you hundreds of Crab patterns available. 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! Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. Fly Fishing for Texas Redfish: Dolphin and Redfish photo by Marjie Glodberg: We're a big fan of awesome photos showing action and drama! Ponte Vedra Beach skiff guide Larry Miniard (904-285-7003) has a pet redfish fly he uses in this area called the Turkey in the Straw, which he and fishing pal Brent London devised. For larger species, you might try a 2/0 to 4/0. The Electric Chicken was originally tied to mimic the electric chicken plastic bait. 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. Great fly-rod redfishing in northeast Florida can be found in the creeks and bays off the Intracoastal Waterway just north and south of the St. Johns River. It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. The angel hairs hollow body gives bulk, and the bucktail and long hackle feathers give the tail lovely movement. by Ron Mc Tue Mar 10, 2020 10:18 am. The Spoonfly is an epoxy creation of Capt. Aransas Pass Fly Fishing. If you cant get the fly to the fish, you wont catch any, period. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. They eat with ease and love to chase the fly. This simple fly has heavy eyes and sinks quickly. Use a smaller hook in seasons with small game in great numbers, such as the Spring and Summer. Anglers must be ready to cast as soon as the boat lines up. Dupre Spoon Fly is one of those debatable patterns that some purists argue isnt a fly but more a lure. When youre seeing lots of Redfish up on the flats, tie this fly on and let the good times roll. Ford is a founding member of the conservation group Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, has held multiple IGFA world records and published two books on fly-fishing destinations. 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. This is where the high tide pushes an extra few feet, flooding the muddy grass banks. Gold Frizzy. Almost any fly that imitates such forage works well. Carry an intermediate line for the deeper waters, just in case. The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds. Seriously, it is less than 25 minute's total prep time! Guiderecommended.com and River Traditions LLC participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and others, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other companies." Watching a redfish try to suck a surface fly or popper into its underslung bottom-feeding mouth can be hilarious. Most are very bright-colored, which work well in the clear waters he fishes, where shrimp are an important forage. Virtually every region of salt or brackish water in the greater Jacksonville area holds reds, according to local anglers. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . She coaches clients in advance of these opportunities: Drum prep is like a fire drill, she says. We spent 3 days exploring the area in search of Redfish. 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). He ties several versions of it, making it suitable for redfish in a wide variety of waters and angling conditions. Its for this style of hunt-and-cast redfishing that guide Ben Alderman (843-906-3630) devised his favorite redfish fly, the Zap-A-Crab. Fly Fishing the texas coast. The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. Fools Gold Fly - a favorite for Redfish. Most of your casting will be done in . Its time Florida starts similar program.Snook 1. 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. As with all flats-fishing, you look for wakes, tails and bodies. 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. Much of the action is found around spartina grass marsh, where reds forage for crab when the tide is high. Redfish Backstory Back in the 1970s, red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (aka redfish, reds, or puppy drum) were rare as rocking horse teeth due to unsustainable harvests. A 6-10wt setup will work just fine. Sneaky speckled trout can also be caught year-round moreover the seatrout here grow to trophy proportions like in the Laguna Madre. Redfish will chase this fly from a mile away, so be ready. Generally, the Deceiver fits into a open-water category as these flies are rather large compared to others. Yes, there are a few minor differences, but they feed and act in the same way for the most part. If the precise concave shape isnt made, the spoon will plane to the surface during the retrieve rather than wobble. As you move farther north in the redfish's range, you may have to wait until later in the year to find reds in the surf. 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. 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. Its a simple Superglue fly Ben can make in about 10 minutes. Fly fishing for redfish on the flats of Texas in a video from WildFly Productions. But as every angler knows, there are days where the fish are picky and are only keying in on one food source. About the Author: Now a retired Miami attorney, Pat Ford spends his time taking photos and writing about fishing destinations around the world. Other examples include a modified Diver variant and the Popcorn Shrimp (pictured above). A tailing red may be one of the easiest reds to catch, but they can be very particular at times as well. This is my summer flats first choice in the colors closet to the mullet in your areatans and beige with whites and black markings. Standard hues include gold, silver, copper, burnt orange, silver prismatic, pink-and-black and black prismatic. If theres any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. The defining characteristics are a Craft Fur tail, a few wraps of chenille, and then some type of brush to build the head of the fly. The body is made from gold Mylar tubing with the cotton stuffing removed from the inside. You still must put the fly in the right place, but you definitely need a 10-weight rod and a really big fly. Other examples include modified Divervariants and the Popcorn Shrimp. January and February is redfish time in the many sheltered potholes and ponds of the Biloxi, Mississippi, marsh. All five of the flies featured in this article are available in the Sight Cast Redfish Pack and are designed to target Redfish in the Gulf Coast region. Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over. Dupre can make custom colors if necessary. After enduring day after day of heat, humidity and seemingly incessant southwest winds; October will give . So our guides have begun to compile a collection of our favorite patterns here, for all to see. Each area offers something to the fly fisherman. Alderman is adamant that the rattles make a big difference in attracting redfish. Caudal and dorsal fins poking above the surface usually give away the fishs presence. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. We respect your privacy. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. 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. Its a pretty basic fly, with a small head and burnt nylon eyes. My hands shook. If you're not a Texas resident you need to purchase a non-resident one-day all water fishing license (code 214). As mentioned in the above setup section, fly rods, reels, and lines are entirely up to you. Almost every saltwater fly shop has a variation of the traditional Kwan fly, or sometimes referred to as the Redfish Toad. As you move south and west to the Venice and Grand Isle areas of Louisiana, the fishing changes a bit.
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