In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. All the way from Florida to Texas anglers and tyers are hard at work designing patterns to fool redfish. In fall and winter months, the Biloxi Marsh and the coast of Louisiana can properly boast the best redfishing in the world. Now healthy populations of reds root in the coastal shallows from Massachusetts to Mexico. Tied on a #1 or 1/0 hook in the color that best covers your area. Quickly toss the fly in front of the fish before it heads back out to sea. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. Use a smaller hook in seasons with small game in great numbers, such as the Spring and Summer. 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). They can be in water from 6 inches to 3feet, based on varying conditions of tide and temperature. 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. To find the best guides, contact a local fly shop. A Bonnier LLC Company. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. Texas Sporting Journal, "The Real Laguna Madre", July 2013 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. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesn't make much disturbance when it lands. 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. 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. Our passion is saltwater fly fishing and we aim to provide top quality flies and fly tying materials designed for the Gulf Coast fly fisherman. Redfish are very forgiving in that they will eat again on a second attempt and often follow anything that looks like food. Sarah Gardner, out of Nags Head on the Outer Banks, actually target them. Its for this style of hunt-and-cast redfishing that guide Ben Alderman (843-906-3630) devised his favorite redfish fly, the Zap-A-Crab. Chasing schools of bull reds offshore is an entirely different operation than flats-, channel and surf fishing, but that spectacular scene happens from North Carolina through northeast Florida and in the Gulf from Floridas panhandle past Louisiana. Mylar is tied on both sides of the hook and on top. For medium-sized species such as salmon or redfish, you might use a size 4, 2 or 1/0. They also have to know when to cast and how long to let their offerings sink. 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). My guide, Capt. Plus, we've also written about the best fly reel for Reds and the best fly line for Reds. Jim Dupre (352-371-6153), a Gainesville, Florida, fishing guide who, with his father A.J., spent countless hours testing and perfecting a fly-rod lure that had the same fish-attracting action as the venerable Johnson Weedless Minnow. Before you go, know the rules for reds in your target area. The Redfish will follow this fly until it commits. If youre not ready when a school appears, youre out of luck. 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. You want to be in Port Aransas during the Fall Run to catch your next personal best sight casted Texas red drum on the fly. Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over. A floating line will be just fine for most scenarios, but an intermediate line is excellent for the deeper water. Read about, Both Tarpon and Redfish can haunt the same waters. Days a . 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. No top ten list can be without the most used and prolific fly in the world, the classic Clouser Minnow pattern. 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. Plan a winter fly-fishing trip around an afternoon rising tide. Bushy shrimp patterns and white or chartreuse Clousers work best, depending on how deep the fish hold. We are not a blog or a review site. 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. Most come with bead eyes, are weedless and measure about 3inches long. . 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. 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. 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. I like the neutral colors for the Kwan in sizes #4. Turkey in the Straw 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. 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. Thats when Alderman became a believer in rattling redfish flies. All rights reserved. It retrieves through pencil reeds, spartina grass, over rocks, oysters and through brush as well as any weedless lure. Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at[emailprotected]. We have a lot of folks ask us about the flies we are using while fly fishing the flats in Rockport and the surrounding area. Just deals and news! Texas Redfish Limits. But the visual experience can be breathtaking. These fish fight strongly and stubbornly, but they dont make long runs and theyre usually caught in shallow water. Jim West, 409-996-3054 Youll also want it to resemble a juvenile blue crab thats highly prevalent in the region, including a tan-colored textured shell body and bright orange claw tips. While other colors are effective I have found these to be best . For more about chasing redfish with a fly rod, find Chico Fernandezs book Fly Fishing for Redfish. 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". No more sweat-soaked shirts the first hour into poling and smelling like a gym locker by the end of the day. Redfish can be found in the waters of Galveston where the depth is about 6 - 12 feet. What makes the Spoonfly so unique and such a fish-catcher are the same things that make the Johnson Weedless Minnow a hit for bait-casters and spin fishermen. My hands shook. While these large flies are still useful to have during the summer . Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and imitating a fleeing shrimp or wounded baitfish. The shrimp-tipped jig is the icing on the cake, and the redfish can't resist the smell. Also, take note of the depth of the water and the type of bottom (grass, sand, etc)you are fishing in. I love this! The Clouser closely resembles a glass minnow, one of the most plentiful bait fishes seen in back lakes and coves. These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important factor. Once they spot your fly, they will open up their mouth and take it. Fools Gold crab pattern is my first choice for tailing Redfish. We are lucky that Redfish are such a forgiving fish to target. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or craft fur tail. Featuring a textured shell body and bright orange claw tips, they closely resemble a juvenile blue crab. Table of Contents show. Pair the rod with a smooth drag reel and a floating line, and you are good to go. Everyone has to know where the big rods are on the boat and how to quickly stash albie gear. Best of all, redfish love it. 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. We are lucky in that Redfish tell us how they are feeding. Gin clear water makes these fish very skittish when in shallow water situations. 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. Boat shoes are great, so you dont slip and slide around on deck. Galveston is one of the best places to target redfish in Texas and its surrounding areas. Fly Fishing Laguna Madre on the Texas Coast. 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. Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. These large-shouldered predators spend time cruising marshy coastlines searching for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. 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. Learn More. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! It's an extremely beautiful river filled with large and catchable bass. Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. This stunning shot was taken by professional photograher Marjie Goldberg from Florida. He and his clients fish it slow, slower and slower still. Guide Tip: Redfish grow to true trophy sizes. I like to think of it as the woolly bugger for reds. Fly fishing for redfish on the flats of Texas in a video from WildFly Productions. This is my summer flats first choice in the colors closet to the mullet in your areatans and beige with whites and black markings. It is a mix of a number of different patterns and works great as a shrimp, crab or even a baitfish. March 24 - 2023 Texoma Ducks Unlimited Spring Event at the Mayor Arena of Loy Lake Park. 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. If you're wondering which fly rod you should choose to chase Reds, we've covered that topic here. Thanks to its heavy lead eyes, it drops like a crab, but its movement is more shrimp-like. If you find schools of glass minnows, tie on a Clouser and youll find the fish. You can keep a maximum of 3 fish per angler per day. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. Read -> What is the Biggest Redfish Caught. Texas claims two others, and North Carolina one. The Redfish Crack fly is a proven and very successful fly increasing in popularity in the Texas and Louisiana fisheries. This is where the big boys live. In spring, the reds work the edges of bars and creek mouths. These Texas reds demonstrate typical shallow-water feeding behavior. Is this getting you excited? Caudal and dorsal fins poking above the surface usually give away the fishs presence. Carry an intermediate line for the deeper waters, just in case. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. Conditions - 55-degrees. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish and will trigger a natural reaction bite that Redfish can simply not resist. The fly body is black ice chenille wrapped Palmer-style with black hackles, and a black marabou tail. Use Light Flies and Long Leaders. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. Recommended Guide/Charter Service: Bones Fishing Guide Service (San Antonio, Calaveras Lake) This is one of the best guide services operating on Calaveras Lake for big redfish and catfish. 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. The fly hit the water and the redfish inhaled it like it was the best meal it had ever seen. This brute weighed more than 30 pounds. 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. It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. Below are some articles to guide you to a TROPHY. The water is air-clear. Creating high quality flies made for those that live and breathe the shallow flats and backwater marshes is our main focus. Fly Fisherman Magazine, 2015. Traveling pro angler Pat Ford offers tips on tackle, flies and hot spots. Most of the fish weigh less than 15pounds, but every so often youll find a school of 20-pounders. You can play with tippet strengths but stick to what you are happy to fish and go from there. On a calm day, you can see spinner sharks launch out of the water from a mile away. 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. Getting the fly to drop deep gains more bites. Good luck out there on the water! Some quick online research will show you hundreds of Crab patterns available. Image hooking into a red weighting over 50lbs. The Spoonfly is an epoxy creation of Capt. There are so many fish feeding its actually ridiculous. 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. 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. 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. The deer hair body gives it the topwater element, and I love throwing these flies at cruising redfish trackers as they are often called. 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. These 2hours are golden and what every redfish angler dreams of. 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. 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 . Gurgler flies are the top waters of saltwater 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 full recipe for Redfish on the Half-Shell can be found here. These patters offer a solid profile and tied with the right materials and weight move beautifully throught the water. The water systems in the South are rich in food sources, and this is where the redfish concentrate. Flies must get deep quickly to appeal to upper Gulf Coast redfish, he says. When the cork pops in the water it creates a slurping sound, and this gets the fish interested. Working that fly to get the eat, fighting well, and then gently releasing the fish after a few photos is what its all about. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. The Spoonfly is about as weedless as the Johnson lure. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! During the winter months, the water on the flats clears. Fly-fishing, Light Tackle, Sight Casting, Shallow Water Fishing Charters in The Lower Laguna Madre in South . Dupre Spoon Fly is one of those debatable patterns that some purists argue isnt a fly but more a lure. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or synthetic fiber tail. Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. The Spoonfly is made of flashy Mylar covered and sealed with clear epoxy on a long-shank 2/0 Mustad. 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. 7. The King Fu Crab swims hook point up, which is excellent, and the weed guard just makes double sure there arent any snags. Starting at $6.16. 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. Polling around on that flood tide is a special time to fish, and it should be cherished. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. My favorite colors are blue over white and chartreuse over white. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. Gold Frizzy Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. 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. Retrieve this fly with steady, slow strips and it will mimic the movement of a fleeing crab. What the hell. 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. Redfish fishing tips for fly anglers should include examples of the right gear for the job. 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. Youll definitely need 10-weight rods and 400-plus-grain sink-tip lines with big lead-eye flies. They eat with ease and love to chase the fly. But for Bill Harvey, a biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Aquatic Resource Protection . Its a great pattern that has worked on many species for years now. Sheka Shrimp come in weighted and unweighted versions, with or without weed guards. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. Getting down quickly also avoids the albies, which grab the lighter offerings, she says. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. All of the fish you choose to keep must measure between 20-28 inches. Often this sound carries across the marsh from two or three coves over. The fly is only available in one size, but colors are almost limitless. With that said, I will break down my favorite redfish flies and explain why and when I fish them. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. The marsh features a series of shallow ponds connected by channels, all of which come lined with even shallower oyster bars and mud flats. Im all set to go a simple boat fly box with the above patterns! Port O' Connor. If the precise concave shape isnt made, the spoon will plane to the surface during the retrieve rather than wobble. It's a great pattern for sight fishing. These trips are great for 1-2 anglers of all skill levels. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. The tackle. This fly is particularly good on the flood tide in those highwater grass areas. Most are very bright-colored, which work well in the clear waters he fishes, where shrimp are an important forage. Blackened Redfish. It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20. A Redfish is a Redfish, no matter if you are in Texas, Florida, or Virginia. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Mayfly emergers are often stuck in the film for quite some time making them easy pray for hungry trout. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats.
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