The straight style, like the Straight-Shooter Crab pictured, has the hook shank positioned perpendicular to the crab body. Crab flies come in two different styles and can be fished two different ways. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | The Team | Advertise with Guide Recommended, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. The redfish game is simple. Watching a redfish try to suck a surface fly or popper into its underslung bottom-feeding mouth can be hilarious. Anglers can accidently bump into these schools, but many guides, such as Capt. The bull reds, on average, top the 20-pound mark, and they seem to number in the thousands. 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. 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. Miniard fishes primarily for tailing redfish in tough, tangled spartina grass along the northeast Florida coast. Factors that affect casting, such as wind and bushy flies, also affect rod choice. It can be tied in countless color variations and weights to suit all water clarities and depths. Fishing Baffin Bay in Texas for Trophy Trout and Redfish Truthfully, there are a lot of different redfish fly patterns that all work well. As you work up either Florida coast, the flats-fishing remains similar from a technical point of view. Some popular patterns include the Merkin, KungFu, Contraband, Flexo, Fleeing Crabs, and many more. When it comes to fly fishing, Texas is an up-and-coming state with a lot to offer anglers. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. Redfish Backstory Back in the 1970s, red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (aka redfish, reds, or puppy drum) were rare as rocking horse teeth due to unsustainable harvests. 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). Silver Krystal Flash is used liberally on many patterns, snce its a long-range attractant in clear water. Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. This fly is particularly good on the flood tide in those highwater grass areas. The fly is then adorned with a bit of colored hackle and a wire weed guard. Some even believe that this is an evolved strain of redfish, different from its relatives in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal waters. First there's the weather. 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 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 Kwan fly is a great shrimp imitation as well. In addition, the predominant species you might encounter in Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing is the red [fish] and black drum. Michael Stravato for The . In spring, the reds work the edges of bars and creek mouths. But many cutting-edge anglers are using flies that are constantly being tested by the ever-growing numbers of fly-rod redfishermen. We are not a blog or a review site. 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. Theyll even attack poppers with gusto, at times. The hook sizes and eye weight can greatly vary and give you the flexibility to fish any depth of water. These 2hours are golden and what every redfish angler dreams of. This is where the big boys live. The original was white and silver but the color combinations and sizes are infinite. This brute weighed more than 30 pounds. Redfish, especially in the area between Tampa Bay and Crystal River, tend to be some of the spookiest fish in the state of Florida. As mentioned in the above setup section, fly rods, reels, and lines are entirely up to you. When these marks started erupting in huge, gold splashes, we figured out that they were huge schools of redfish and that we had to be ready for them to pop up at any time.. Sheka Shrimp come in weighted and unweighted versions, with or without weed guards. It rides high in the water column and will attract a red from some distance off. The Best Way to Cook Redfish [10 Amazing Redfish Recipes] As you approach the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts, all that changes. The Deceiver is another famous pattern known by many fly fishermen. What makes the fly different from other crab and glue-body designs, however, is that its extremely weedless. He uses a No. Possibly the most unique redfish destination is Mosquito Lagoon in east central Florida. Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. The fish looks unnatural and uncoordinated, but its the most exciting surface-lure strike youll see. Mayfly emergers are often stuck in the film for quite some time making them easy pray for hungry trout. After enduring day after day of heat, humidity and seemingly incessant southwest winds; October will give . It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesn't make much disturbance when it lands. Wyld on the Fly offers fly fishing guide services for the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Laguna Madre, Land Cut, and Baffin Bay waters. The kinky muddler is excellent for these summer conditions. Here is a list of the best nine places to fly fish in Texas: 1. Im all set to go a simple boat fly box with the above patterns! The Electric Chicken was originally tied to mimic the electric chicken plastic bait. The carnage happens fast. Its simple design and ease to fish are what I love about it. 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. 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. Most times, anglers fish shallow water thats clear enough to spot a 30-pound red, but it can quickly become quite murky after a cold front. To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website https://tpwd.texas.gov/. The Mangrove Baitfish is great for Florida and Lowcountry redfish thanks to its wide profile and snag-resistant design. Galveston Fly Fishing Guide | Casting Tales Fishing Charters Working that fly to get the eat, fighting well, and then gently releasing the fish after a few photos is what its all about. Experience world-class accommodations and cuisine. On the inshore saltwater scene the Spoonfly has few peers. The best description I have heard for a redfish is a Clumsy confident fly eating machine. If you cant get the fly to the fish, you wont catch any, period. Leaving them with the "shell" on makes the filets look amazing too. Fly fishing has been my passion and pursuit for the past 20 years. The Redfish tend to like its smaller profiling in the colder months, especially on the clearer days. In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. The fly hit the water and the redfish inhaled it like it was the best meal it had ever seen. Gold Frizzy. Call Captain Kenjo direct ASAP 361-500-2552 or BOOK NOW online! It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. As far as fly anglers are concerned, it is primarily a super-shallow water redfish destination . In the summer, mullet start to move through the surf, and that signals game on for fly fishermen. Floating on the surface, they pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. The basic design is made with four to six saddle hackles tied near the back at the bend of the hook. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. Redfish are a staple on fly down South, and many a fly angler love to catch these fish throughout the year. This area is chalked full of bayous and canals, dotted with innumerable lakes, bays, ponds, and . Tie on a bushy fly in either white or brown with bead or lead eyes, such as this Chernobyl shrimp. Sheka Shrimp It has a large front collar that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. You can keep a maximum of 3 fish per angler per day. It's an extremely beautiful river filled with large and catchable bass. She coaches clients in advance of these opportunities: Drum prep is like a fire drill, she says. He wants the fly right on the bottom, where a redfish can find it. 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. You still must put the fly in the right place, but you definitely need a 10-weight rod and a really big fly. In Georgia the water is dark and turbid, and the tides run hard and high. One or two flying sharks is worth a look, but a dozen simultaneous eruptions deserves full throttle and a shout on the radio, she says. In weedy water, the Sheka is tied with a monofilament-loop weed guard. Check out, Picture Source A huge thanks to the great folks at, Some of the amazing redfish pictures were provided by my buddies at. Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast 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. 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. Also, take note of the depth of the water and the type of bottom (grass, sand, etc)you are fishing in. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. Starting at $6.16. 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. Boats leave from dozens of ports, and the runs to the flats can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. 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. Outdoors Digest - Herald Democrat Rockport fly fishing is some of the best on the entire Texas Coast. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. No top ten list can be without the most used and prolific fly in the world, the classic Clouser Minnow pattern. For information, visit . Waders and boots are great to have. Redfish fishing tips for fly anglers should include examples of the right gear for the job. Redfish, red drum, or spot-tailed bass are all names that refer to this fish. Yet it has good fish-hooking capabilities. But for Bill Harvey, a biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Aquatic Resource Protection . Sight cast to schools of tailing redfish in ankle-deep, gin-clear water. Traveling angler and world-record holder Meredith McCord lives in Texas and fishes its flats for redfish every chance she gets. Those are the good days. Your fishing license can be purchased 24/7 online or over the phone (800) 895-4248 Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm central time. Its a simple Superglue fly Ben can make in about 10 minutes. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important . 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. When you select Wyld on the Fly as your guide for your next adventure, you can expect the . 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. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing - Texas Fishing Guide 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. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. Fly Fishing for Redfish (Tips & Beginner's Guide) - CAST and SPEAR 6 Texas Redfish Fishing Tips for First-timers From WildFly Productions: "Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. If you're wondering which fly rod you should choose to chase Reds, we've covered that topic here. Texas fishing calendar: In October head to Gulf beaches for redfish These omnivores, with their underslung mouths, scour the grass and mud for prey. Fly Fishing for Red Drum 101 | Baitshop.com Just deals and news! So our guides have begun to compile a collection of our favorite patterns here, for all to see. Most of them imitate the crabs, shrimp, and baitfish that make up the majority of the redfish diet. Offshore, in the surf, or next to deep channels are the ideal locations to use this fly. Let's take a closer look at what awaits you on a Texas redfish adventure. My own personal favorite stomping grounds for redfish include South Florida and Louisiana. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. Winter Redfish on the Fly | Coastal Angler & The Angler Magazine The Fishing Experience at Baffin Bay! 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. Getting the fly deep gets more bites, even when the reds are busting on top. They succeeded by producing a smaller, thumb-size fly version of the Johnson lure that every inshore saltwater angler worth his skiff owns. 5 Best Flies for Redfish Fly Fishing - The Fly Crate Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. 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. How to Tie the Crappie Killer Fly Pattern, How to Tie the Film Critic Emerger Fly Pattern, How to Tie the Puterbaugh Foam Caddis Fly Pattern, How to Choose the Best Fly Rod for Bonefish, Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Series Review: Model-By-Model, How to Tie the Golden Retriever Fly Pattern. The full recipe for Redfish on the Half-Shell can be found here. It lands lightly, hangs in the water column, and when tied with a weed guard, it is the perfect fly to fish over grassy structures in shallow water. Alderman is adamant that the rattles make a big difference in attracting redfish. However, the Electric Sliders dark coloration, coupled with the intelligent use of ingredients, gives it great movement, making it the perfect choice for the marsh. The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski.com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. This recipe is extremely fast and easy! He and his clients fish it slow, slower and slower still. The tackle. Plan a winter fly-fishing trip around an afternoon rising tide. The dumbbell eyes can vary from tungsten to bead chain for weight changes. Usually a wake is seen, or a small part of the fish is spotted breaking the waters surface. Redfish will chase this fly from a mile away, so be ready. This is an excellent fly for tailing fish digging crabs out of the mud. All rods, reels, tackle, and flies are provided- all you need is a current Texas fishing license, snacks, and polarized sunglasses. Conditions - 55-degrees. Having the right fly for these conditions is essential. Try white, chartreuse or black colors on a 2/0 Gamakatsu stinger hook. Cone-Head Wooly Bugger Kwan is the fly to have for those quiet, cold winter days on the water. I bump up to a 5- to 6-inch mostly synthetic yet very puffy white fly for the big bull reds. Candy Corn Crawler is a great choice when targeting redfish. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 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. Description - Fly fishing for red drum in the shallow marshes near Galveston using kayaks right after a cool front. This has all the characteristics of the Seaducer yet adds more of a shrimp look. You need to ensure to scan the course with your eyes, particularly when fishing in shallow waters. Top Redfish Flies | Salt Water Sportsman 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. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. Yes, there are a few minor differences, but they feed and act in the same way for the most part. In the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. 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. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The deer hair body gives it the topwater element, and I love throwing these flies at cruising redfish trackers as they are often called. Most of the flies featured in this article are available for sale in the Saltwater Fly Shop and are designed to target inshore species in the Gulf Coast region. The pattern excels in stained/murky water thats very common along the Texas and Louisiana coast. Its just a matter of selecting the right flies. The Charleston, South Carolina, area has vast inshore areas offering fly rodders great opportunities for red-drum fishing. The setup you choose to use depends entirely on your ability as a fly fisher. If you find schools of glass minnows, tie on a Clouser and youll find the fish. They typically have heavy amounts of weight and little bulk to get the fly down to the sandy bottom fast. Launch - Louis's Bait Camp 3510 Texas 6 / Hitchcock, TX 77563 / (409) 935-9050. When: Summer and fall; Who: The following guides specialize in Texas redfishing: Middle Texas Coast: Capt. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish and Sheepshead in the Gulf Coast region. They get a lot bigger. This small collection are the top flies for Redfish that we have found. What's Your Favorite Redfish Flies | Dedicated To The Smallest Of Skiffs Corpus Christi, Texas, guide Bill Sheka (512-991-7191) has fished Baffin Bay and lower Laguna Madre for many years and devised a bright-colored fly called the Sheka Shrimp. Easy to cast, and light enough to manipulate in a variety of ways once in the water. 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. It has a unique wobbling action when retrieved thats identical to a Johnson wobbling spoon. I like it in the colors of tans, beiges, and reds with some crystal flash and legs. They are known as bull reds. This pattern performs extremely well in murkier waters or on overcast days, and just like any other fly the spoon has many variants that can cater to any situation. Top 10 Redfish Flies | Fly Fishing - Gink and Gasoline 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. Alderman is careful to keep the fly small, never more than 2 inches overall, so few redfish are missed at the strike. Head down south to the Louisiana fishing playgrounds in and around New Orleans and the Biloxi Marsh area, an estuary network of 210,000 acres of coastal wetlands located on the eastern side of Louisiana, which borders the Gulf of Mexico, you will find yourself in the mecca of redfish fly fishing.