Texas Sporting Journal, "Light Tackling Tarpon", May 2015. The fly hit the water and the redfish inhaled it like it was the best meal it had ever seen. Winter Redfish are often larger, especially Bull Redfish, and typically are fished with flies in the 1/0 - 2/0 size range. 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. While these large flies are still useful to have during the summer . 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 . Sight Cast Saltwater Fly Shop. He uses a No. Everyone has to know where the big rods are on the boat and how to quickly stash albie gear. Its all sight fishing from small kayaks, canoes and flats skiffs, and the fish go crazy for popping bugs, according to Wesley Parks, avid fly rodder and manager of McCoy Outdoors Fly Shop (334-432-3006) in nearby Mobile. Starting at $6.16. It has a deer hair head thats designed to push water and has a perfect baitfish profile that fish find hard to resist. Use a 9- to 10-foot leader with a 50-pound butt section tapered to a 20-pound class tippet and add afoot of 30-pound fluorocarbon as shock tippet for insurance. Here in North Florida, this is usually in mid to late spring. The Redfish will follow this fly until it commits. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish and Sheepshead in the Gulf Coast region. Most of your casting will be done in . Gear up with giant Clouser flies and sinking lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. Youll definitely need 10-weight rods and 400-plus-grain sink-tip lines with big lead-eye flies. Offshore, in the surf, or next to deep channels are the ideal locations to use this fly. Sarah Gardner, out of Nags Head on the Outer Banks, actually target them. The Merkin Crab is widely considered the most effective Permit fly ever conceived. 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. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and imitating a fleeing shrimp or wounded baitfish. Best Time: Fall months: late August through November. 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. However, if you venture out in the summer evenings, youll quickly understand how the area acquired its name. 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. Use a smaller hook in seasons with small game in great numbers, such as the Spring and Summer. Texas claims two others, and North Carolina one. 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). 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. Fly fishing for redfish on the flats of Texas in a video from WildFly Productions. Leaving them with the "shell" on makes the filets look amazing too. Aransas Pass Fly Fishing. Tied on a #1 or 1/0 hook in the color that best covers your area. For the leader, a standard nine-foot leader with a tippet rating of 15 to 20-pound test works best. Before you go, know the rules for reds in your target area. I like the neutral colors for the Kwan in sizes #4. 1 artificial lure of all time for redfish. Dupre can make custom colors if necessary. Texas Redfish Limits. March 24 - 2023 Texoma Ducks Unlimited Spring Event at the Mayor Arena of Loy Lake Park. The wind did what it usually does to a spoon-fly and sailed it several feet off target. The result is a fly that is sleek and has little air-resistance during the back cast, but in the water it swims well with a blooming action. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. The Chornobyl Crab is similar to the Ragin' Craven, with a deer hair body that traps air bubbles and makes a commotion in the water. Rick Hartman, an expert fly fisherman and guide, poles a skiff in the Lower Laguna Madre while a friend casts for redfish. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. . Those are the good days. Plan a winter fly-fishing trip around an afternoon rising tide. with Rick Hartman. Fly fishing has been my passion and pursuit for the past 20 years. To see more of his photography go to patfordphotos.com. Gene Montgomery (334-478-7440) is a Mobile, Alabama, high-school teacher with a passion for fly fishing. It has a large head that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. The Texas Toad, pictured above, is a good example of one such variation. Year-round you can fish redfish, but in the changing season, you also have black drum, sheepshead, sea trout, tarpon, and . I love nothing more than being out on the water chasing a few reds with friends. It needs to be small. Getting down quickly also avoids the albies, which grab the lighter offerings, she says. Redfish fishing tips for fly anglers should include examples of the right gear for the job. In fall and winter months, the Biloxi Marsh and the coast of Louisiana can properly boast the best redfishing in the world. East Cut Redfish Popper It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important . Factors that affect casting, such as wind and bushy flies, also affect rod choice. All the way from Florida to Texas anglers and tyers are hard at work designing patterns to fool redfish. I like the fly in the mud crab color of dark brown /green in size #2. My choice would be a medium to fast action rod with some backbone to roll over the larger patterns. The redfish run from average, 4 to 7 pounds, to big, 12 to 15 pounds. 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. In the southern parts of Florida and Texas, redfish generally run smaller than their cousins in other regions, and they spend most of their time on the flats. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. 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. 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. Im all set to go a simple boat fly box with the above patterns! These 2hours are golden and what every redfish angler dreams of. Consider Fishing The Flats: Flat fishing is a great way to go sight fishing for redfish. Below are some articles to guide you to a TROPHY. Texas Red Fish Adventures. For targeting bulls over 20pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. 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. But the visual experience can be breathtaking. Take a look at the Sight Cast Spoon, it comes after years of research and field testing. The Clouser closely resembles a glass minnow, one of the most plentiful bait fishes seen in back lakes and coves. The cost is $11.00 per person per day. But many cutting-edge anglers are using flies that are constantly being tested by the ever-growing numbers of fly-rod redfishermen. In addition to redfish, we have the option to target inshore and offshore species such as tarpon, jacks, kingfish, cobia, bonito, snapper, etc when conditions allow in a 23 foot . Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Anglers must be ready to cast as soon as the boat lines up. Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine, "Exposure" Photo Essay, April 2015. There are various signs to look for to help us decide how to fish for them. Its tied in a size 2 hook, with a dark Furry Foam diamond-shaped body and lead eyes tied on the shank top, just forward of the hook bend. The bright shiny spoon-fly is the furthest thing from the typically suggested drab sheepshead flies as you can get. Image hooking into a red weighting over 50lbs. They can be in water from 6 inches to 3feet, based on varying conditions of tide and temperature. 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 . Gold Frizzy Most of the fish weigh less than 15pounds, but every so often youll find a school of 20-pounders. Its a pretty basic fly, with a small head and burnt nylon eyes. Just deals and news! Weighted Gold Frizzies are very popular in Alabama, according to Wesley Parks of McCoy Outdoors Fly Shop (334-432-3006) in Mobile. 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. For medium-sized species such as salmon or redfish, you might use a size 4, 2 or 1/0. Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at[emailprotected]. They eat with ease and love to chase the fly. 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. 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. Summer Redfish Flies. The original was white and silver but the color combinations and sizes are infinite. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. Georgia also has vast areas of inshore spartina grass flats. The fly doesnt really resemble anything specific, but it catches fish. Often, you'll need flat, calm conditions to consistently see fish. The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. Keep flies with bead eyes and lead eyes available. In the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. Featuring a textured shell body and bright orange claw tips, they closely resemble a juvenile blue crab. I love this! Rockport fly fishing is some of the best on the entire Texas Coast. Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast. Possibly the most unique redfish destination is Mosquito Lagoon in east central Florida. Look for big redfish laid up at the surface like tarpon. Its an excellent pattern for the muddier waters where some surface movement is needed to grab the fishs attention. My favorite hi-tie, I'll often use a 4x-long size 6 . Youll find good numbers of 18- to 27-inch fish. When youre seeing lots of Redfish up on the flats, tie this fly on and let the good times roll. 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. Current fly fishing reports and conditions for Gulf Coast Rockport in TX! 1.4 4. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. The fly is best used in the colder months when the shrimps and crabs are absent. 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. 1. Fishalicious, is another baitfish pattern worthy of the fly box. 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. Size #1 and #2 are best. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Check this first and try again. As mentioned in the above setup section, fly rods, reels, and lines are entirely up to you. The Redfish Crack fly is a proven and very successful fly increasing in popularity in the Texas and Louisiana fisheries. If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. 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. 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. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. 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. 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). On a calm day, you can see spinner sharks launch out of the water from a mile away. Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. 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. Post by ellisredfish Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:50 pm. Fished in the Gulf Coast region, you cant go wrong with a chartreuse and white color that has a large eye. I like tans, greens, and lighter colors. The bull reds are singular fish, generally a lot bigger, and are more specific in what they eat. This brute weighed more than 30 pounds. Redfish range from Virginia (technically Massachusetts) south to the Keys, and then north and west along the entire Gulf Coast. 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. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds. Kwan is the fly to have for those quiet, cold winter days on the water. 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. I bump up to a 5- to 6-inch mostly synthetic yet very puffy white fly for the big bull reds. Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over. The marsh features a series of shallow ponds connected by channels, all of which come lined with even shallower oyster bars and mud flats. The fools gold pattern is ideal for this as it sinks fast and has excellent movement in the water. Let a good casts worth of line drag behind you and start wading in about a foot of water. Caudal and dorsal fins poking above the surface usually give away the fishs presence. Colors run the gamut too, from pink to orange, and from yellow to hot green. They tolerate a wide range of water temperatures and salinities, and eat everything from crustaceans and mollusks to baitfish. 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. From the gulf coast of Texas to Virginia, redfish can be found along nearly 2000 miles worth of coastline. Baitfish, crab, and shrimp patterns are . A Bonnier LLC Company. 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. Mylar is tied on both sides of the hook and on top. The Spoonfly is about as weedless as the Johnson lure. No more sweat-soaked shirts the first hour into poling and smelling like a gym locker by the end of the day. Turkey in the Straw 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. Theyll even attack poppers with gusto, at times. We respect your privacy. 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. The Electric Bunny doesnt seemingly resemble one particular redfish menu item, but they find its crabby silhouette irresistible. Flats-fishing equals sight-fishing, which is what makes it fun. These Texas reds demonstrate typical shallow-water feeding behavior. Anglers may choose to light-tackle rods or fly gear to fish the expansive, shallow-water flats of the 100 square mile Baffin Bay . We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! This Louisiana classic is an easy and delicious way to serve redfish. For targeting bulls over 20 pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. It's not uncommon to see Reds tailing in shallow water and some would consider sight casting to a 30+lb Bull Redfish the pinnacle of the sport. Is this getting you excited? Bags and packs are entirely optional. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The daily bag on redfish in Texas is three fish in a slot limit of 20 to 28 inches . These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. Its simple design is very deadly for many species, especially Redfish. Jim, note Prof Salt's recent use of size 8 hooks on redfish flies. The King Fu Crab swims hook point up, which is excellent, and the weed guard just makes double sure there arent any snags. Launch - Louis's Bait Camp 3510 Texas 6 / Hitchcock, TX 77563 / (409) 935-9050. He ties several versions of it, making it suitable for redfish in a wide variety of waters and angling conditions. Flies for Redfish. A floating line will be just fine for most scenarios, but an intermediate line is excellent for the deeper water. Im one of those fly fishers. Working that fly to get the eat, fighting well, and then gently releasing the fish after a few photos is what its all about. 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". If fishing for tailing reds, a crab pattern or spoon fly will do the job. They get a lot bigger. The fishing is good, but different, and the type of fly required to dupe reds is different too. I use large, black bead eyes most of the time, but always tie some flies with lead eyes for deeper water. 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! Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski.com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. Here is a list of the best nine places to fly fish in Texas: 1. When handling and releasing any fish, particularly the larger bull reds, remember to hold them horizontally to support their internal organs. Fly Fishing the texas coast. March 14: Exec Mtg - ZOOM March 10-12: Bolivar Marshes March 24-26: Harmon Creek Outing March 28: Monthly Mtg. 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. While I tend to agree in most aspects, I know this pattern catches fish. The fly is tied to look like a gaudy shrimp, which is something to keep in mind when viewing it. Once they spot your fly, they will open up their mouth and take it. 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. The best fly choice: a good-size shrimp that sinks quickly. The author says many fly patterns tempt red drum, but he usually keeps a selection of bead-eye and lead-eye flies on hand. The Deceiver is another famous pattern known by many fly fishermen. Ive also caught flounder, ladyfish, bluefish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and snook on Spoonflies. Mayfly emergers are often stuck in the film for quite some time making them easy pray for hungry trout. 3. Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. Captain Jeff offers fantastic half day, full day, and multi day trips fly fishing for redfish along the Texas Coastal Bend. You need a set of flies in your arsenal that covers the entire water column, from topwater, to bottom crawling, and everything in between. Here are our favorite flies for Redfish. I set the hook, and the fish rocketed along the shoreline, throwing mud and water. I fell in love with the Spoonfly the first time I held one. From baitfish to shrimp to crabs and almost anything in between, Reds are opportunistic feeders. 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. For information, visit . If you cant get the fly to the fish, you wont catch any, period. It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . Located in the southern portion of the state, this river doesn't seem to belong in the desert. Consequently, those are the best hues for Aldermans Zap-A-Crab. Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. 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. Port O' Connor. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. All rights reserved. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. Choose some bright colors and Redfish won't be able to resist. August 30, 2022 by Brent Pollock. On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. When you want a good all-around fly that will catch any game fish you can see, tie on one of the most well-known saltwater flies, the Kwan fly. Quickly toss the fly in front of the fish before it heads back out to sea. Its perfect to use right up against a grassy shoreline where shrimp are plentiful. Retrieve this fly with steady, slow strips and it will mimic the movement of a fleeing crab. Copyright 2023 Salt Water Sportsman. Most come with bead eyes, are weedless and measure about 3inches long. It retrieves through pencil reeds, spartina grass, over rocks, oysters and through brush as well as any weedless lure. My favorite redfish fly pattern is a fuzzy variation of Tim Borskis Chernobyl shrimp. 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. Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. Doors open up at 6 p.m. and tickets are $60 for individuals and $70 for couples. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important factor. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies.
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