The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and will trigger a natural reflex that makes fish want to eat. 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. The saltwater flats near Aransas Pass and Port Aranasas are a mecca for flyanglers hoping to hook redfish or speckled trout. 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. Earth-tone colors seem to work best, a sandy brown head paired with a striped light beige body that resembles the pattern of a shrimp. For targeting bulls over 20 pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. If all goes as planned, hooking reds well over 30 pounds is the welldeserved reward.. Thanks for signing up! Learn More. What the hell. . From the shape of the spoon, to the angle of the hook, to the amount of material tied at the bend of the hook; it all factors in to how the spoon sinks, wobbles, and flutters in the water. The kinky muddler is excellent for these summer conditions. 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. The flashing and the low frequency vibration sounds it emits when being stripped excels in murkier waters. The EP Baitfish is a Gurgler-like pattern that moves water and pops on the surface to trigger an aggressive Redfish eat. There are various signs to look for to help us decide how to fish for them. Colors run the gamut too, from pink to orange, and from yellow to hot green. 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. 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. Other examples include a modified Diver variant and the Popcorn Shrimp (pictured above). Its just a matter of selecting the right flies. 2. This allows the crab to "swim" while being stripped. 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. 11 Best Flies for Redfish (Plus Fishing Tips) - Guide Recommended For targeting bulls over 20pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. Weighted Gold Frizzies are very popular in Alabama, according to Wesley Parks of McCoy Outdoors Fly Shop (334-432-3006) in Mobile. This pattern has many variations, but the concept remains the same. Zap-A-Crab 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. Gold Frizzy Reds customarily feed on small crabs, shrimp and baitfish, such as mullet and mud minnows. Blue-Collar Bonefish: Wading the Texas Coast for Reds I set the hook, and the fish rocketed along the shoreline, throwing mud and water. The fly is tied to look like a gaudy shrimp, which is something to keep in mind when viewing it. But the visual experience can be breathtaking. 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. I use large, black bead eyes most of the time, but always tie some flies with lead eyes for deeper water. Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. 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. Fished in the Gulf Coast region, you cant go wrong with a chartreuse and white color that has a large eye. 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 Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. Fishalicious, is another baitfish pattern worthy of the fly box. I like tans, greens, and lighter colors. 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. If youre not ready when a school appears, youre out of luck. The most common color is reddish-bronze. 2 stainless Tiemco hook and keeps the Zap-A-Crab glue body well away from the hook point to improve the flys ability to hook reds. Keep your leader short and straightforward. In weedy water, the Sheka is tied with a monofilament-loop weed guard. Bags and packs are entirely optional. 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. Thats when Alderman became a believer in rattling redfish flies. 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. Fly fishing trips are limited to two anglers per boat. 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. Redfish are predominantly found in shallow waters, so a floating line will be just fine. It rides high in the water column and will attract a red from some distance off. Redfish are big crab and shrimp eaters, and the Ragin Craven does a great job of imitating both. The Redfish will follow this fly until it commits. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish and Sheepshead in the Gulf Coast region. 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. Below are some articles to guide you to a TROPHY. Copyright 2023 Salt Water Sportsman. Blackened Redfish. You might see individual fish or, in certain areas, schools of a dozen or more. This is my summer flats first choice in the colors closet to the mullet in your areatans and beige with whites and black markings. This Louisiana classic is an easy and delicious way to serve redfish. Fly Fishing Trip | Texas Red Fish Adventures | South Padre Island, TX When it comes to fly fishing, Texas is an up-and-coming state with a lot to offer anglers. 6 Texas Redfish Fishing Tips for First-timers 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. Devils River - Legendary Among Texas Fly Anglers. Fly fishing is more than catching fish, being in the outdoors with good friends and family is what it is all about. By the time you're done reading this, you'll be ready to head to Texas to . The body is bulky, shrimp-like, made of bright cactus chenille. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and imitating a fleeing shrimp or wounded baitfish. Factors that affect casting, such as wind and bushy flies, also affect rod choice. 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. 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. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. But because tides run so strong, flats fishing can be difficult, more difficult than that found elsewhere in the Southeast, even in areas as close as Florida and South Carolina. As you approach the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts, all that changes. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. Getting the fly to drop deep gains more bites. 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! Most reds top 20 pounds, and again, if they see your fly, theyll eat it. The Crafty Shrimp is one of those flies that should always be in your fly box. My choice is an 8wt setup, but you should fish what you feel comfortable with. Its a great pattern that has worked on many species for years now. Gene Montgomery (334-478-7440) is a Mobile, Alabama, high-school teacher with a passion for fly fishing. The bull reds are singular fish, generally a lot bigger, and are more specific in what they eat. 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. If you cant get the fly to the fish, you wont catch any, period. 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 . Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. The redfish run from average, 4 to 7 pounds, to big, 12 to 15 pounds. Excellent numbers of redfish will come out of the woodwork. This stunning shot was taken by professional photograher Marjie Goldberg from Florida. While I tend to agree in most aspects, I know this pattern catches fish. Mosquito Lagoon Redfish - Indian River Redfish - Florida Redfish The Clouser closely resembles a glass minnow, one of the most plentiful bait fishes seen in back lakes and coves. I had never seen a tail that big or that color. They simply cannot resist the flicker and flutter as it moves through the water. Offshore, in the surf, or next to deep channels are the ideal locations to use this fly. Most any color combination will work, but I like brown or white and hardly ever use anything else. 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. What a rush. This is the story behind the action in Marjie's words: "In August 2014, I was taking photos of Ospreys in flight at the . Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. Best Month on the Calendar - Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine He wants the fly right on the bottom, where a redfish can find it. Fly Fishing for Redfish in the - Laguna Madre Outfitters In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. It all depends on the flies you are using and what depth of water you are fishing in. But as every angler knows, there are days where the fish are picky and are only keying in on one food source. Alderman is adamant that the rattles make a big difference in attracting redfish. Its an excellent pattern for the muddier waters where some surface movement is needed to grab the fishs attention. I have found that light flies and long, long, long leaders are the ticket in these situations. No top ten list can be without the most used and prolific fly in the world, the classic Clouser Minnow pattern. Boat shoes are great, so you dont slip and slide around on deck. 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. No more sweat-soaked shirts the first hour into poling and smelling like a gym locker by the end of the day. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. But many cutting-edge anglers are using flies that are constantly being tested by the ever-growing numbers of fly-rod redfishermen. 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. Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing - Kenjo Fly Fishing Charters If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. To round out our species-centered blog posts, we've written this post to help you choose the best flies. Truthfully, there are a lot of different redfish fly patterns that all work well. Fishing for redfish in the surf | Hatch Magazine - Fly Fishing, etc. It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. All of the fish you choose to keep must measure between 20-28 inches. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. The best colors are chartreuse and pink chenille, and I will fish this pattern if nothing else is working. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. (Editors note: Wherever you plan to fish, check that states redfish regulations for licensing, season and bag-limit information.). 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. Read -> What is the Biggest Redfish Caught. Sheepshead: Too Weird For Confidence Anglers may choose to light-tackle rods or fly gear to fish the expansive, shallow-water flats of the 100 square mile Baffin Bay . For information, visit . We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. Retrieve this fly with steady, slow strips and it will mimic the movement of a fleeing crab. 9 Best Places to Fly Fish in Texas (Maps, Flies and More) Sheka Shrimp The fly is only available in one size, but colors are almost limitless. 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. The Best Way to Cook Redfish [10 Amazing Redfish Recipes] 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 Fishing Experience at Baffin Bay! Image hooking into a red weighting over 50lbs. Redfish, big ones, are abundant, with fish in the 20- to 30-pound class available at times on barrier-island shoals that kiss the entire coastline of the Peach State. 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. Try a white or chartreuse pattern, and if that doesnt work, switch to something dark in black or purple. 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.. The bull reds, on average, top the 20-pound mark, and they seem to number in the thousands. 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. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. Featuring a textured shell body and bright orange claw tips, they closely resemble a juvenile blue crab. These fish fight strongly and stubbornly, but they dont make long runs and theyre usually caught in shallow water. This recipe is extremely fast and easy! This small collection are the top flies for Redfish that we have found. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski.com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. Guide Tip: Redfish grow to true trophy sizes. Plus, we've also written about the best fly reel for Reds and the best fly line for Reds. My hands shook. Description - Fly fishing for red drum in the shallow marshes near Galveston using kayaks right after a cool front. 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. 3 thoughts on " Redfish Flies " Scott Kor says . Anglers who dont know the areas can find a lot of trouble very quickly, but the fishing is amazing. However, the Electric Slider's dark coloration, coupled with the intelligent use of ingredients, gives it great movement, making it the perfect choice for the marsh. Michael Stravato for The . If you find redfish feeding near the surface, a topwater fly works really well. As far as fly anglers are concerned, it is primarily a super-shallow water redfish destination . 1.2 2. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. 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 . Mayfly emergers are often stuck in the film for quite some time making them easy pray for hungry trout. It is a day that will live forever in infamy for Americans: the date of Dec. 7. The Redfish Crack fly is a proven and very successful fly increasing in popularity in the Texas and Louisiana fisheries. If you find schools of glass minnows, tie on a Clouser and youll find the fish. It just seems to work and change my day around. The fly hit the water and the redfish inhaled it like it was the best meal it had ever seen. Read about, Both Tarpon and Redfish can haunt the same waters. He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. Fly fishing in Texas doesn't get the credit it deserves, and we're here to change that. A local captain knows where the fish were yesterday and runs a proper skiff designed to navigate the target waters. Texas claims two others, and North Carolina one. So our guides have begun to compile a collection of our favorite patterns here, for all to see. 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. 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. Best of all, redfish love it. Winter Redfish on the Fly | Coastal Angler & The Angler Magazine So, get out there and get your rod bent, line stretched, and net wet. My guide, Capt. The Spoonfly is an epoxy creation of Capt. In the summer, mullet start to move through the surf, and that signals game on for fly fishermen. 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. I am a South African based fly fisherman who loves nothing more than spending a day on the water. Experience world-class accommodations and cuisine. In the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. From WildFly Productions: "Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. 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. What makes the fly different from other crab and glue-body designs, however, is that its extremely weedless. They simply cannot resist the flicker and flutter as it moves through the water. However, if you venture out in the summer evenings, youll quickly understand how the area acquired its name. Whats interesting about Texas is its variety of venues. Theyll even attack poppers with gusto, at times. Sight fishing with a fly on the coast is one the most challenging types of fishing. 1.4 4. Getting the fly deep gets more bites, even when the reds are busting on top. The original was white and silver but the color combinations and sizes are infinite. The productive color combinations are plenty, but the pattern always remains the same, a dark back with a light belly. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesnt make much disturbance when it lands. Anywhere you can flats-fish for Texas reds, youll find that sensory overload. State regulations throughout the redfishs range have helped these hardy gamesters to rebound. Conditions - 55-degrees. . Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. I like the fly in the mud crab color of dark brown /green in size #2. 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. It flashes and dances so well that its easy to spot even 100 feet out in thick grass and cattails. Traveling angler and world-record holder Meredith McCord lives in Texas and fishes its flats for redfish every chance she gets. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . The angel hairs hollow body gives bulk, and the bucktail and long hackle feathers give the tail lovely movement. Welcome to the Texas Coastal Bend. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Additional tail materials can consist of marabou, bucktail, calf tail or Krystal Flash. The pattern excels in stained/murky water thats very common along the Texas and Louisiana coast. 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. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. The bright shiny spoon-fly is the furthest thing from the typically suggested drab sheepshead flies as you can get. If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! 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. 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. It is a mix of a number of different patterns and works great as a shrimp, crab or even a baitfish. I like to think of it as the woolly bugger for reds. Each area offers something to the fly fisherman. 1.1 1. The great thing about redfish patterns is, for the most part, they are pretty darn simple fly and easy to tie. The water is air-clear. In reds and greens on a size #1, this pattern wiggles and swims like an injured baitfish or crab. 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. Sometimes, they can be a bit more technical.
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