Big bull reds love this fly. If there's any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. 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. 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. During the winter months, the water on the flats clears. Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine, "Exposure" Photo Essay, April 2015. Possibly the most unique redfish destination is Mosquito Lagoon in east central Florida. The Clouser is a classic saltwater pattern for a variety of species, and for good reason. My choice would be a medium to fast action rod with some backbone to roll over the larger patterns. 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. . 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 great thing about redfish patterns is, for the most part, they are pretty darn simple fly and easy to tie. It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. These large-shouldered predators spend time cruising marshy coastlines searching for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. Candy Corn Crawler is a great choice when targeting redfish. 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. Sheka Shrimp come in weighted and unweighted versions, with or without weed guards. Bushy shrimp patterns and white or chartreuse Clousers work best, depending on how deep the fish hold. Almost every saltwater fly shop has a variation of the traditional Kwan fly, or sometimes referred to as the Redfish Toad. Here is a list of the best nine places to fly fish in Texas: 1. Fly fishing in Texas doesn't get the credit it deserves, and we're here to change that. Redfish, especially in the area between Tampa Bay and Crystal River, tend to be some of the spookiest fish in the state of Florida. On the inshore saltwater scene the Spoonfly has few peers. Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. Located in the southern portion of the state, this river doesn't seem to belong in the desert. My favorite hi-tie, I'll often use a 4x-long size 6 . It all depends on the flies you are using and what depth of water you are fishing in. Low summer tides mean baitfish being flushed into the shallows and the reds having a field day. 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, Sight cast, Fishing, Sunglasses, Sight Fishing, best sunglasses for fishing, best sunglasses for sight fishing, best sunglasses for sight casting, fishing sunglasses, sight fishing sunglasses, costa, smith, smith optics, rci optics, costa 580g, best polarized sunglasses, sunglasses to see fish. Description - Fly fishing for red drum in the shallow marshes near Galveston using kayaks right after a cool front. 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. This Kwan pattern, or sometimes called the Redfish Toad, has a long history of proven success. If your interested in having true experts teach how to chase reds get ahold of INDIGO GUIDE SERVICE. Best of all, redfish love it. The best is to get the fish to see the fly, and you will generally hook them. Dure wont divulge exactly how he molds epoxy into just the right shape to produce a replica wobble of the Johnson spoon. Usually most crab flies you find in the big box stores are designed to target permit or bonefish. 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. Fly fishing trips are limited to two anglers per boat. 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. 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. The straight style, like the Straight-Shooter Crab pictured, has the hook shank positioned perpendicular to the crab body. 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. Much like all other crab flies, it should be able to perform crawling along the bottom and the legs and claws should flutter with bite-enticing movement. Redfish are strong, hearty, and fight really good. Much of the action is found around spartina grass marsh, where reds forage for crab when the tide is high. Standard hues include gold, silver, copper, burnt orange, silver prismatic, pink-and-black and black prismatic. The weed guard is essential to the success of the fly. 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. If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. The water systems in the South are rich in food sources, and this is where the redfish concentrate. It just seems to work and change my day around. The carnage happens fast. 3. 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. What the hell. It retrieves through pencil reeds, spartina grass, over rocks, oysters and through brush as well as any weedless lure. Like Charleston, certain parts in the South have what we call a flood tide. A popping cork is ideal when the fish are acting particularly lethargic. Check out, Picture Source A huge thanks to the great folks at, Some of the amazing redfish pictures were provided by my buddies at. Similar to the Clouser Minnow, this is a bright baitfish pattern that sinks quickly and stays deep. Fly fishing has been my passion and pursuit for the past 20 years. Dustin's Destroyer, Chartreuse and White. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. Texas Red Fish Adventures. I like to have an intermediate spool ready to roll if needed, but it isnt necessary. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish (and Sheepshead) in the Gulf Coast region. My own personal favorite stomping grounds for redfish include South Florida and Louisiana. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. Conditions - 55-degrees. The saltwater flats near Aransas Pass and Port Aranasas are a mecca for flyanglers hoping to hook redfish or speckled trout. The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. Almost any fly that imitates such forage works well. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. 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. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Redfish are generally in the surf when the water temperatures reach the mid-70s. About the Author: Now a retired Miami attorney, Pat Ford spends his time taking photos and writing about fishing destinations around the world. 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. Tied on a #1 or 1/0 hook in the color that best covers your area. When it comes to fly fishing, Texas is an up-and-coming state with a lot to offer anglers. These Texas reds demonstrate typical shallow-water feeding behavior. Sneaky speckled trout can also be caught year-round moreover the seatrout here grow to trophy proportions like in the Laguna Madre. All rods, reels, tackle, and flies are provided- all you need is a current Texas fishing license, snacks, and polarized sunglasses. If youre not ready when a school appears, youre out of luck. Its time Florida starts similar program.Snook An oversized head with a long tail made of saddle hackles. 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. Take a look at the Sight Cast Spoon, it comes after years of research and field testing. The Redfish Crack fly is a proven and very successful fly increasing in popularity in the Texas and Louisiana fisheries. Bags and packs are entirely optional. 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). The best description I have heard for a redfish is a Clumsy confident fly eating machine. Size #1 and #2 are best. The Redfish Crack fly is a proven and very successful fly increasing in popularity in the Texas and Louisiana fisheries. Keep flies with bead eyes and lead eyes available. Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. Anywhere you can flats-fish for Texas reds, youll find that sensory overload. SUMMARY. I, for one, have a boat bag that has all my gear and flies in. Do some research beforehand by asking local experts and guides which flies are likely . The fly is tied to look like a gaudy shrimp, which is something to keep in mind when viewing it. On a calm day, you can see spinner sharks launch out of the water from a mile away. Big Y Fly Co best fishing flies for Texas, for your next fly fishing trip. On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. Dupre can make custom colors if necessary. A good deviation of this pattern that works well from Texas to Florida is the Brown-Noser fly. Im one of those fly fishers. Much like other flies designed for the flats, it lands soft and quiet, sinks slow, and when tied with a weed guard can be used in the skinniest of water. Check this first and try again. 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. Other examples include modified Divervariants and the Popcorn Shrimp. The flashing and the low frequency vibration sounds it emits when being stripped excels in murkier waters. (Editors note: Wherever you plan to fish, check that states redfish regulations for licensing, season and bag-limit information.). With all the grass around, a weed guard is a must to be in with a shot at hooking a Red. The dumbbell eyes can vary from tungsten to bead chain for weight changes. In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. You need to ensure to scan the course with your eyes, particularly when fishing in shallow waters. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. It is very productive in a root beer color with gold tinsel and redhead profile. Some popular patterns include the Merkin, KungFu, Contraband, Flexo, Fleeing Crabs, and many more. My choice is an 8wt setup, but you should fish what you feel comfortable with. Traveling pro angler Pat Ford offers tips on tackle, flies and hot spots. Fly-fishing, Light Tackle, Sight Casting, Shallow Water Fishing Charters in The Lower Laguna Madre in South . When handling and releasing any fish, particularly the larger bull reds, remember to hold them horizontally to support their internal organs. 2. 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. Each area offers something to the fly fisherman. Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast. 1.4 4. The productive color combinations are plenty, but the pattern always remains the same, a dark back with a light belly. We respect your privacy. The pattern excels in stained/murky water thats very common along the Texas and Louisiana coast. The cost is $11.00 per person per day. The key is to use a fly-and-line combo that will drop down in the water column. Dustin's Destroyer, Bluegill. In the colder months having the waders is excellent to have to keep you warm and dry. 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. The Kwan fly is a great shrimp imitation as well. In this guide, we'll take you through the top species you can target, the best locales to cast your fly in, and much more, such as seasons, gear, and rules and regulations. However, once the guide finds fish, the rest is up to you. The Merkin Crab is widely considered the most effective Permit fly ever conceived. The body is made from gold Mylar tubing with the cotton stuffing removed from the inside. In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. The Devils River is legendary to anglers in Texas. Victor Browning Lake and Calaveras Lake. 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. It is a mix of a number of different patterns and works great as a shrimp, crab or even a baitfish. The olive and brown combo is my favorite on a size #1 hook. No more sweat-soaked shirts the first hour into poling and smelling like a gym locker by the end of the day. Sight Cast Saltwater Fly Shop. 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. Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. But as every angler knows, there are days where the fish are picky and are only keying in on one food source. Fly Fisherman Magazine, 2015. So our guides have begun to compile a collection of our favorite patterns here, for all to see. Miniard fishes primarily for tailing redfish in tough, tangled spartina grass along the northeast Florida coast. 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. This recipe is extremely fast and easy! Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. 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. Its simple design and ease to fish are what I love about it. Sight cast to schools of tailing redfish in ankle-deep, gin-clear water. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. Both styles are highly effective when fished properly under the right conditions. Usually a wake is seen, or a small part of the fish is spotted breaking the waters surface. The author says many fly patterns tempt red drum, but he usually keeps a selection of bead-eye and lead-eye flies on hand. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. 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. Gardner always keeps two rods rigged and ready. The middle Texas coast can offer world class sight-fishing opportunities for Redfish, Black Drum and Trout. The fish reside in the lagoon year-round, making it the best area to target trophy redfish on the flats along Floridas east coast. The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds. 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. On some versions, the chenille body is wrapped with a contrasting-color hackle feather, which gives the fly very buggy shrimp look when the hackle is trimmed with scissors to simulate legs. Traditionally it's tied with two splayed hackles in the rear that act as claws, paired up with a wide profile body made of EP fibers intertwined with silicone legs that is shaped to match the natural profile of a crab, and topped off with some lead eyes to get it down to the bottom quick. As mentioned in the above setup section, fly rods, reels, and lines are entirely up to you. There are various signs to look for to help us decide how to fish for them. Along with the flies you like most, give us the general location (not spots but east Coast of Florida, South Carolina or Texas etc. 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. Most come with bead eyes, are weedless and measure about 3inches long. But the visual experience can be breathtaking. For targeting bulls over 20 pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. Im all set to go a simple boat fly box with the above patterns! Colors I do not leave home without are: Black/Purple, and Brown/Tan. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. Redfish are resourceful and feed on a variety of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. Boats leave from dozens of ports, and the runs to the flats can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. These eyes are much lighter and will give you a slower sink rate. Yes, there are a few minor differences, but they feed and act in the same way for the most part. Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over.