Usually a wake is seen, or a small part of the fish is spotted breaking the waters surface. 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. Its an excellent pattern for the muddier waters where some surface movement is needed to grab the fishs attention. One variation of this pattern is the Redfish Cracklin, it adds in tons of movement with legs in the tail and a super buggy brush head. Big Carolina bull reds can weigh up to 80 pounds (the all-tackle world-record redfish a 94-plus-pounder was caught in 1984 out of Avon, North Carolina), so obviously they prefer larger bait, such as smelt, bunker and croaker, which also attract bigger birds. Gurgler flies are the top waters of saltwater fly fishing. For targeting bulls over 20pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. He ties several versions of it, making it suitable for redfish in a wide variety of waters and angling conditions. On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. These trips are great for 1-2 anglers of all skill levels. Fly Fishing Laguna Madre on the Texas Coast - Flylords Mag Raz Reed, who created the fly, also uses it for bass, something I havent tried yet but plan on tying up a few for my next bass mission. If the precise concave shape isnt made, the spoon will plane to the surface during the retrieve rather than wobble. The great thing about redfish patterns is, for the most part, they are pretty darn simple fly and easy to tie. The fish looks unnatural and uncoordinated, but its the most exciting surface-lure strike youll see. It isnt uncommon for us to find bull reds in 20 to 60 feet of water while were chasing schools of busting albies, Gardner says. Traveling pro angler Pat Ford offers tips on tackle, flies and hot spots. We are lucky that Redfish are such a forgiving fish to target. 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. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. Days a . Offshore, in the surf, or next to deep channels are the ideal locations to use this fly. Dupre Spoon Fly is one of those debatable patterns that some purists argue isnt a fly but more a lure. It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. Learn More. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. As mentioned in the above setup section, fly rods, reels, and lines are entirely up to you. Its a simple Superglue fly Ben can make in about 10 minutes. If you cast this in front of a Redfish, allow it to slowly flutter down, and then give it very short small strips, youll be hooked up in no time. Other examples include modified Divervariants and the Popcorn Shrimp. Electric Slider Fly. 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. No top ten list can be without the most used and prolific fly in the world, the classic Clouser Minnow pattern. Crab flies mainly fall into two different categories and can be fished a few different ways. All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish and big Trout up on the flats. Dustin's Destroyer, Chartreuse and White. The Everglades Special is one of those baitfish patterns that will just about catch any predatory fish. These omnivores, with their underslung mouths, scour the grass and mud for prey. 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. Anglers must be ready to cast as soon as the boat lines up. Texas Coast Alvin Dedeaux Fly Fishing Bushy shrimp patterns and white or chartreuse Clousers work best, depending on how deep the fish hold. 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. With all these factors in mind, lets go over five of the top producing Redfish fly patterns that every angler needs in their box. If all goes as planned, hooking reds well over 30 pounds is the welldeserved reward.. If you cant get the fly to the fish, you wont catch any, period. Fly Fishing for Redfish in the - Laguna Madre Outfitters Redfish are opportunistic feeders and often forage in shallow mudflats with their noses stuck to the bottom, where they mainly feed on crustaceans. The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds. The middle Texas coast can offer world class sight-fishing opportunities for Redfish, Black Drum and Trout. 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. For small stream trout, smaller fly fishing hook sizes like a 6 or 10 may be sufficient. Low summer tides mean baitfish being flushed into the shallows and the reds having a field day. Dure wont divulge exactly how he molds epoxy into just the right shape to produce a replica wobble of the Johnson spoon. The spoon fly excels by flashing and emitting low frequency vibration sounds as its being stripped. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesnt make much disturbance when it lands. ), water conditions the fly excels in, and how you like to fish it. Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. On the northern coast, the greenish, dark marsh waters of Sabine Pass gradually give way to the tinted shallow oceanfront bays and lagoons filled with oyster beds and a variety of marsh grasses. If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! 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. If theres any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. The key to this flys success is its slow sinking rate combined with the fluid pulsing motion of the hackles on the tail. Yes, there are a few minor differences, but they feed and act in the same way for the most part. The flats-fishing techniques and tackle for Texas mimic those elsewhere. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . If needed contact info -, Snook, Reds and Tarpon can be found all over Florida. My favorite colors are blue over white and chartreuse over white. Video: Fly Fishing for Redfish on the Texas Coast 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. Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. (Editors note: Wherever you plan to fish, check that states redfish regulations for licensing, season and bag-limit information.). Magnify that sound and it results in a musical popcorn symphony performed by an entire school of reds feeding on fleeing white shrimp. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important factor. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. The Best Redfish Flies - Living Water Guide Service Its a great pattern that has worked on many species for years now. The basic design is made with four to six saddle hackles tied near the back at the bend of the hook. 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. 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. The flashing and the low frequency vibration sounds it emits when being stripped excels in murkier waters. Fly Fish Rockport Half Day in Rockport - captainexperiences.com Floating on the surface, they pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. The customary natural colors of brown, tan, orange, and white are a very popular choice among saltwater fly fishermen. Virtually every region of salt or brackish water in the greater Jacksonville area holds reds, according to local anglers. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. 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. Yet it has good fish-hooking capabilities. Just deals and news! Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. We respect your privacy. 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. For information, visit . The Mangrove Baitfish is great for Florida and Lowcountry redfish thanks to its wide profile and snag-resistant design. With flat boats, casting can be done within 50 feet. Once they spot your fly, they will open up their mouth and take it. 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. The Electric Chicken was originally tied to mimic the electric chicken plastic bait. Baitfish, crab, and shrimp patterns are . Best of all, redfish love it. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish from a distance, in murky water, or when the visibility is low. Fly Fish Rockport - Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing Guide Service 3. Anglers may choose to light-tackle rods or fly gear to fish the expansive, shallow-water flats of the 100 square mile Baffin Bay . Location: Houston, Texas. 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. Big bull reds love this fly. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. Flats-fishing equals sight-fishing, which is what makes it fun. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! The best is to get the fish to see the fly, and you will generally hook them. 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. Alderman is careful to keep the fly small, never more than 2 inches overall, so few redfish are missed at the strike. Redfish can be found all along the coast, stretching from Texas, around the Gulf to Florida, and up the Atlantic to parts of the Northeast, preferring water temperatures between 65-85 degrees. A Bonnier LLC Company. No spam. Check out, Picture Source A huge thanks to the great folks at, Some of the amazing redfish pictures were provided by my buddies at. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. During the winter months, the water on the flats clears. Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. In the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. First there's the weather. 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). 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. Quickly toss the fly in front of the fish before it heads back out to sea. 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. Is this getting you excited? Flies with lead eyes are going to sink fast and are best used in water depths of 2+ feet or when you want to crawl your fly along a sandy bottom. Whats interesting about Texas is its variety of venues. 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. A floating line will be just fine for most scenarios, but an intermediate line is excellent for the deeper water. Clouser Minnow needs no introductions or explanations! They eat with ease and love to chase the fly. with Rick Hartman. Everyone has to know where the big rods are on the boat and how to quickly stash albie gear. Year-round you can fish redfish, but in the changing season, you also have black drum, sheepshead, sea trout, tarpon, and . Mylar is tied on both sides of the hook and on top. This pattern has many variations, but the concept remains the same. Almost every saltwater fly shop has a variation of the traditional Kwan fly, or sometimes referred to as the Redfish Toad. The key is to use a fly-and-line combo that will drop down in the water column. What's Your Favorite Redfish Flies | Dedicated To The Smallest Of Skiffs By the time you're done reading this, you'll be ready to head to Texas to . There are so many fish feeding its actually ridiculous. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. To see more of his photography go to patfordphotos.com. In the colder months having the waders is excellent to have to keep you warm and dry. While other colors are effective I have found these to be best . The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. 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. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. Watch the waves roll close to the beach, and look for a red as breaking water crests. Size #1 and #2 are best. With a mix of unpredicted weather conditions, we were in for quite the weekend. Fiddler, stone and mud crabs inhabit the Charleston marshes, and their colors are muted, from brown to a dark tan to almost chocolate. Fly Fisherman Magazine, 2015. It is very productive in a root beer color with gold tinsel and redhead profile. Fly Fishing for Redfish (Tips & Beginner's Guide) - CAST and SPEAR Plus, we've also written about the best fly reel for Reds and the best fly line for Reds. They also have to know when to cast and how long to let their offerings sink.