Follow up question to types of flies for redfish - I am in the process of converting from conventional setups to fly fishing and am doing so on my own - w/o a friend to show me the ropes. You need a set of flies in your arsenal that covers the entire water column, from topwater, to bottom crawling, and everything in between. The customary natural colors of brown, tan, orange, and white are a very popular choice among saltwater fly fishermen. It's one . 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. 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. All the way from Florida to Texas anglers and tyers are hard at work designing patterns to fool redfish. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. Texas Redfish Limits. Most come with bead eyes, are weedless and measure about 3inches long. With all these factors in mind, lets go over five of the top producing Redfish fly patterns that every angler needs in their box. It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. March 24 - 2023 Texoma Ducks Unlimited Spring Event at the Mayor Arena of Loy Lake Park. I, for one, have a boat bag that has all my gear and flies in. 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 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. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. I think the craft fur body profile moves so well and has all the triggers. Anglers who dont know the areas can find a lot of trouble very quickly, but the fishing is amazing. These eyes are much lighter and will give you a slower sink rate. Fly fishing for redfish on the flats of Texas in a video from WildFly Productions. I like it in the colors of tans, beiges, and reds with some crystal flash and legs. Fast, free shipping, expedited shipping available, earn 5% Rewards.A list of the most popular flies in Texas, along with hatch charts, river reports, and other helpful information to make your next trip to Texas the best trip yet. Microscopic Monsters of the Ocean: King Mackerel, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. 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. These Texas reds demonstrate typical shallow-water feeding behavior. 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 Everglades Special is one of those baitfish patterns that will just about catch any predatory fish. Because reds often cruise in murky water, anglers must throw a big enough fly for them to see. Just deals and news! To illustrate, he tells of the time he and another captain were wading a grass flat three years ago when he was first experimenting with the fly. 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. For food and shelter, they seek out sea-grass beds, mangroves, marshes, oyster bars, mud and sand flats and beaches. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. This Kwan pattern, or sometimes called the Redfish Toad, has a long history of proven success. 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. 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. We spent 3 days exploring the area in search of Redfish. This stunning shot was taken by professional photograher Marjie Goldberg from Florida. All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish up on the shallow flats of Gulf Coast fisheries. Thanks for signing up! 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. We respect your privacy. Michael Stravato for The . Rick Hartman, an expert fly fisherman and guide, poles a skiff in the Lower Laguna Madre while a friend casts for redfish. 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. Yet it has good fish-hooking capabilities. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. The redfish game is simple. Tie it on a 1/0 hook and use bead eyes, even though its a shallow-water fly. Also, take note of the depth of the water and the type of bottom (grass, sand, etc)you are fishing in. I use large, black bead eyes most of the time, but always tie some flies with lead eyes for deeper water. The pattern excels in stained/murky water thats very common along the Texas and Louisiana coast. An oversized head with a long tail made of saddle hackles. Plan a winter fly-fishing trip around an afternoon rising tide. 2. You can play with tippet strengths but stick to what you are happy to fish and go from there. When you select Wyld on the Fly as your guide for your next adventure, you can expect the . 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. As far as fly anglers are concerned, it is primarily a super-shallow water redfish destination . Read -> What is the Biggest Redfish Caught. Having the right fly for these conditions is essential. 1. The dumbbell eyes can vary from tungsten to bead chain for weight changes. by Ron Mc Tue Mar 10, 2020 10:18 am. Much of the action is found around spartina grass marsh, where reds forage for crab when the tide is high. 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. But, thanks in large part to the Coastal Conservation Association that day is long gone. Almost any fly that imitates such forage works well. Anywhere you can flats-fish for Texas reds, youll find that sensory overload. The key to this flys success is its slow sinking rate combined with the fluid pulsing motion of the hackles on the tail. These patters offer a solid profile and tied with the right materials and weight move beautifully throught the water. Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. with Rick Hartman. The Kwan is a hybrid pattern and imitates shrimp, crab, and baitfish. They tolerate a wide range of water temperatures and salinities, and eat everything from crustaceans and mollusks to baitfish. Its time Florida starts similar program.Snook 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. The fools gold pattern is ideal for this as it sinks fast and has excellent movement in the water. Big Y Fly Co best fishing flies for Texas, for your next fly fishing trip. The fly doesnt really resemble anything specific, but it catches 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. In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. My hands shook. All rods, reels, tackle, and flies are provided- all you need is a current Texas fishing license, snacks, and polarized sunglasses. If all goes as planned, hooking reds well over 30 pounds is the welldeserved reward.. 2023All Rights Reserved -www.sightcastfishing.com - Sight Cast Fishing Company, Saltwater Fly Fishing - Apparel, Flies, and Tying Materials, Sheepshead, Fly Fishing, Sight Fishing, Sheepshead Flies, texas fly fishing, sheepshead fly fishing, how to catch sheepshead on fly, best sheepshead flies, sight fishing to sheepshead, sheepshead fly, best way to catch sheepshead. SUMMARY. It rides high in the water column and will attract a red from some distance off. Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. Marsh grasses remain a favorite destination for anglers hoping to hook reds. The productive color combinations are plenty, but the pattern always remains the same, a dark back with a light belly. They will usually eat a well-placed fly with reckless abandon and can even be caught on topwater flies for redfish. 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. But as every angler knows, there are days where the fish are picky and are only keying in on one food source. 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. Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. The weighted versions can help in the deeper waters, and a weed guard is imperative for this pattern. 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. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. 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. 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). It's a great pattern for sight fishing. The Spoonfly is about as weedless as the Johnson lure. Flies for Redfish. Potential Freshwater Walk in outing - (from Rob McConnell's Fly Fishing Houston book) Feb 28: Monthly Mtg. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 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. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. One fish though, when it's a nice redfish like those we caught that day, can do the soul a world of good. 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. Normally, youll scout reds in less than 2 feet of water by looking for wakes, tails and bodies. If you find redfish feeding near the surface, a topwater fly works really well. Travel pristine Matagorda Island as you stalk redfish along 38 miles of uninhabited shorelines teaming with hundreds of species of birds, alligators, deer, and various other Dustin's Destroyer, Chartreuse and White. That said, Im an 8wt shooter myself, and I feel an 8wt setup is ample to target most reds in their environment. 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. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. 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. Eric Glass, @captainericg, 956-434-1422; Galveston Bay: Capt. Electric Slider Fly. You might see individual fish or, in certain areas, schools of a dozen or more. Launch - Louis's Bait Camp 3510 Texas 6 / Hitchcock, TX 77563 / (409) 935-9050. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . Excellent numbers of redfish will come out of the woodwork. We use giant Clouser flies teamed with super-fast-sinking fly lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. When it comes to fly fishing, Texas is an up-and-coming state with a lot to offer anglers. Easy to cast, and light enough to manipulate in a variety of ways once in the water. Redfish are resourceful and feed on a variety of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. Its simple design and ease to fish are what I love about it. Use Light Flies and Long Leaders. Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. What a rush. Keep your leader short and straightforward. 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. This adds bulk to the streamer and allows the loose Mylar threads to catch and reflect light in every possible direction much like a spoon. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Redfish range from Virginia (technically Massachusetts) south to the Keys, and then north and west along the entire Gulf Coast. The best fly choice: a good-size shrimp that sinks quickly. 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. A lot of times they'll eat a fly just because it's moving drop it close to them, one strip, and they engulf it. I like tans, greens, and lighter colors. The fly is finished by tying in three dark but iridescent wild-turkey breast feathers that splay outward from the head over the hook point and bend, which makes it look very crab-like. Gardner always keeps two rods rigged and ready. Redfish are very forgiving in that they will eat again on a second attempt and often follow anything that looks like food. Keep flies with bead eyes and lead eyes available. Everyone has to know where the big rods are on the boat and how to quickly stash albie gear. Size #1 and #2 are best. 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. These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. If needed contact info -, Snook, Reds and Tarpon can be found all over Florida. 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. The best colors are chartreuse and pink chenille, and I will fish this pattern if nothing else is working. Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. It needs to be small. The straight style, like the Straight-Shooter Crab pictured, has the hook shank positioned perpendicular to the crab body. 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. Whether stalking some grass flats, making your way through the Everglades, or heading to the marsh to try and land that big bull red, make sure your fly box is properly stocked. Equip your fly line with cast foam poppers, deer-hair bugs or shrimp and baitfish patterns for the classic approach to Snook fly fishing. From the gulf coast of Texas to Virginia, redfish can be found along nearly 2000 miles worth of coastline. The angel hairs hollow body gives bulk, and the bucktail and long hackle feathers give the tail lovely movement. Caudal and dorsal fins poking above the surface usually give away the fishs presence. Outsmart Louisiana Yellowfin Tuna in Clear Water, Unbelievable: A Swordfish Caught on Fly from Shore, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control, Protect the Blue Islamorada: The Bones Brigade, Florida Approves Mandatory Venting Tool Use. The author says many fly patterns tempt red drum, but he usually keeps a selection of bead-eye and lead-eye flies on hand. 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." The middle Texas coast can offer world class sight-fishing opportunities for Redfish, Black Drum and Trout. The original was white and silver but the color combinations and sizes are infinite. 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. McCord says theres nothing like the sight of redfish cruising a skinny shoreline with their backs fully out of the water, waving electric-turquoise spotted tails that can be seen from a hundred yards away. Bushy shrimp patterns and white or chartreuse Clousers work best, depending on how deep the fish hold. During the full-moon periods both months, anglers anchor along the edges of the channel between Blount Island and Mayport. A popping cork is ideal when the fish are acting particularly lethargic. Texas Sporting Journal, "The Real Laguna Madre", July 2013 Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or craft fur tail. The Clouser is a classic saltwater pattern for a variety of species, and for good reason. But for Bill Harvey, a biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Aquatic Resource Protection . Let a good casts worth of line drag behind you and start wading in about a foot of water. This is a great fly for shallow water and smaller fish that aren't looking for a huge meal. Getting down quickly also avoids the albies, which grab the lighter offerings, she says. 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. Starting at $6.16. Redfish are strong, hearty, and fight really good. 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 Spoonfly is an epoxy creation of Capt. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish from a distance, in murky water, or when the visibility is low. Youll end up tying this fly on very often because once you get that rush of adrenaline watching Redfish blow it up out of the water, you'll be addicted. The bull reds are singular fish, generally a lot bigger, and are more specific in what they eat. I have found that light flies and long, long, long leaders are the ticket in these situations. My favorite hi-tie, I'll often use a 4x-long size 6 . The Devils River is legendary to anglers in Texas. The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. Just deals and news! When the cork pops in the water it creates a slurping sound, and this gets the fish interested. The fly is best used in the colder months when the shrimps and crabs are absent. It is very productive in a root beer color with gold tinsel and redhead profile. 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. Try a white or chartreuse pattern, and if that doesnt work, switch to something dark in black or purple. We are lucky in that Redfish tell us how they are feeding. Check out, Picture Source A huge thanks to the great folks at, Some of the amazing redfish pictures were provided by my buddies at. No more sweat-soaked shirts the first hour into poling and smelling like a gym locker by the end of the day. Wading the surf with a fly rod ranks right near the top of most peoples list of favorite things to do, and the only guidance youll need can come from a quick visit to a local fly shop. 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. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. I'll gladly give up February or August to expand the finest month on the calendar along the Texas coast. When handling and releasing any fish, particularly the larger bull reds, remember to hold them horizontally to support their internal organs. 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. Getting the fly to drop deep gains more bites. These trips are great for 1-2 anglers of all skill levels. If I had to guess at the most popular coastal saltwater fly-rod fish in the United States, Id have to pick redfish. The fish looks unnatural and uncoordinated, but its the most exciting surface-lure strike youll see. 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 bead-chain or lead eyes. Fools Gold crab pattern is my first choice for tailing Redfish. Thats when Alderman became a believer in rattling redfish flies. Its a great pattern that has worked on many species for years now. The Clouser closely resembles a glass minnow, one of the most plentiful bait fishes seen in back lakes and coves. Furthermore, be aware of the water clarity as this will factor into the colors of flies that will tend to be more effective. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. The lakes, ponds and coves in these areas prove deeper, so you wont see too many tailing fish. Spoonfly On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. The main exception exists in the rugged beauty of the south Texas, Port Mansfield and South Padre areas. Look for big redfish laid up at the surface like tarpon. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies.