I am a South African based fly fisherman who loves nothing more than spending a day on the water. 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. Next the tubing is poked at liberally with a needle or ice pick to unfurl the mylar, giving it a frizzy appearance. Saltwater Flies. When: Summer and fall; Who: The following guides specialize in Texas redfishing: Middle Texas Coast: Capt. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. Saltwater Flies - Fly Fish Rockport For the leader, a standard nine-foot leader with a tippet rating of 15 to 20-pound test works best. Most of them imitate the crabs, shrimp, and baitfish that make up the majority of the redfish diet. The shrimp-tipped jig is the icing on the cake, and the redfish can't resist the smell. Traveling pro angler Pat Ford offers tips on tackle, flies and hot spots. The saltwater flats near Aransas Pass and Port Aranasas are a mecca for flyanglers hoping to hook redfish or speckled trout. To see more of his photography go to patfordphotos.com. The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. 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. There are various signs to look for to help us decide how to fish for them. Kennedy nicknamed this all-black cone-headed Wooly Bugger the American Express Fly because he never leaves home without it. Consider Fishing The Flats: Flat fishing is a great way to go sight fishing for redfish. 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 Electric Chicken was originally tied to mimic the electric chicken plastic bait. Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. Scientists have documented this redfish population as the first ever known to spawn in an estuary (versus offshore). To find the best guides, contact a local fly shop. View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. Spoonfly This small collection are the top flies for Redfish that we have found. A subtle fly or plug pulled gently in front of a . 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. Its tied on a size 1 through 2/0 Mustad 34007 hook, unweighted or with lead dumbbell eyes. Sheka Shrimp come in weighted and unweighted versions, with or without weed guards. 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! If you're not a Texas resident you need to purchase a non-resident one-day all water fishing license (code 214). 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. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski.com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. 1.4 4. While these large flies are still useful to have during the summer . It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesn't make much disturbance when it lands. Its a simple Superglue fly Ben can make in about 10 minutes. Alderman is adamant that the rattles make a big difference in attracting redfish. Polling around on that flood tide is a special time to fish, and it should be cherished. Dupre Spoon Fly is one of those debatable patterns that some purists argue isnt a fly but more a lure. Saltwater fish hatchery in Fl. Florida Sportsman Potential Freshwater Walk in outing - (from Rob McConnell's Fly Fishing Houston book) Feb 28: Monthly Mtg. Clouser Minnow needs no introductions or explanations! What size hooks for redfish flies? [Expert Review!] They succeeded by producing a smaller, thumb-size fly version of the Johnson lure that every inshore saltwater angler worth his skiff owns. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at[emailprotected]. 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. Out in the St. Johns River channel, the bull reds congregate. It is hand-tied by Jim Dupre and finished with an epoxy coating, making it bulletproof. 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. Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. 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. With all these factors in mind, lets go over five of the top producing Redfish fly patterns that every angler needs in their box. This is where the high tide pushes an extra few feet, flooding the muddy grass banks. But the visual experience can be breathtaking. Ive caught a lot of big fish in my day, but nothing like this. At the eye a few turns of crystal-red chenille are wound on to produce a head. From the shape of the spoon, to the angle of the hook, to the amount of flash on the back end; it all factors in to how the spoon sinks, wobbles, and flutters in the water. This is an excellent fly for tailing fish digging crabs out of the mud. Mylar is tied on both sides of the hook and on top. The fly has a monofilament weed guard and burnt-mono eyes. It's an extremely beautiful river filled with large and catchable bass. Hook Sizes for Redfish Flies? - TexasKayakFisherman.com If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. So, get out there and get your rod bent, line stretched, and net wet. It has a unique wobbling action when retrieved thats identical to a Johnson wobbling spoon. Read about the BIGGEST Caught >, Casting a Fly to Snook is amazing. Ive also caught flounder, ladyfish, bluefish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and snook on Spoonflies. And Id bet striped bass and salmon would go bonkers for em too. Year-round you can fish redfish, but in the changing season, you also have black drum, sheepshead, sea trout, tarpon, and . These anglers are chasing red drum, the target of choice for a growing legion of fly anglers, thanks to the fact that there are more red drum in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters today than weve seen in years. Here is a list of the best nine places to fly fish in Texas: 1. A floating line will be just fine for most scenarios, but an intermediate line is excellent for the deeper water. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish and Sheepshead in the Gulf Coast region. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Sneaky speckled trout can also be caught year-round moreover the seatrout here grow to trophy proportions like in the Laguna Madre. A local captain knows where the fish were yesterday and runs a proper skiff designed to navigate the target waters. Excellent numbers of redfish will come out of the woodwork. The kinky muddler is excellent for these summer conditions. The Devils River is legendary to anglers in Texas. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish (and Sheepshead) in the Gulf Coast region. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. 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. Image hooking into a red weighting over 50lbs. Low summer tides mean baitfish being flushed into the shallows and the reds having a field day. 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. 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. Texas Coast Alvin Dedeaux Fly Fishing Thanks for signing up! 9 ft leader is standard with 25-30lbs breaking strain tippet. Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. This is the story behind the action in Marjie's words: "In August 2014, I was taking photos of Ospreys in flight at the . Electric Slider Fly. Choose some bright colors and Redfish won't be able to resist. For targeting bulls over 20pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. What's Your Favorite Redfish Flies | Dedicated To The Smallest Of Skiffs Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. Texas Red Fish Adventures. . . When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. Top 10 Redfish Flies | Fly Fishing - Gink and Gasoline Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing - Texas Fishing Guide The Charleston, South Carolina, area has vast inshore areas offering fly rodders great opportunities for red-drum fishing. If there's any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. Its important to remember that thousands of redfish flies work very well. It can be tied in countless color variations and weights to suit all water clarities and depths. Learn More. Michael Stravato for The . The pattern excels in stained/murky water thats very common along the Texas and Louisiana coast. The full recipe for Redfish on the Half-Shell can be found here. The flats-fishing techniques and tackle for Texas mimic those elsewhere. 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. However, once the guide finds fish, the rest is up to you. The Mangrove Baitfish is great for Florida and Lowcountry redfish thanks to its wide profile and snag-resistant design. Its simple design is very deadly for many species, especially Redfish. If fishing for tailing reds, a crab pattern or spoon fly will do the job. Bags and packs are entirely optional. Getting down quickly also avoids the albies, which grab the lighter offerings, she says. The Kwan fly is a great fly for sight fishing to Redfish in a few inches of water because its light weight allows it to land softly on the water, is easy to cast far distances, and has a slow sink rate that suspends with great movement. 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. 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. Factors that affect casting, such as wind and bushy flies, also affect rod choice. About the Author: Now a retired Miami attorney, Pat Ford spends his time taking photos and writing about fishing destinations around the world. Guide Tip: Redfish grow to true trophy sizes. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. 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 . Fiddler, stone and mud crabs inhabit the Charleston marshes, and their colors are muted, from brown to a dark tan to almost chocolate. Use Light Flies and Long Leaders. This one-two punch is a tried and true classic for catching reds. Saltwater fly fishing is another craze that has taken root from Texas to Florida, and for good reason. Starting at $6.16. Gurgler flies are the top waters of saltwater fly fishing. The daily bag on redfish in Texas is three fish in a slot limit of 20 to 28 inches . It would be great to book a fishing charter to fish for redfish. 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. 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. In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. Most of your casting will be done in . Redfish Flies - TheFlyStop There are so many fish feeding its actually ridiculous. As you work up either Florida coast, the flats-fishing remains similar from a technical point of view. Fished in the Gulf Coast region, you cant go wrong with a chartreuse and white color that has a large eye. Blackened Redfish. These 2hours are golden and what every redfish angler dreams of. 5 Best Places to Catch Redfish in Texas - Freshwater Fishing Advice That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. I like tans, greens, and lighter colors. The fly doesnt really resemble anything specific, but it catches fish. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth.