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. Offshore, in the surf, or next to deep channels are the ideal locations to use this fly. Texas Sporting Journal, "The Real Laguna Madre", July 2013 Fly fishing in Texas doesn't get the credit it deserves, and we're here to change that. This is the story behind the action in Marjie's words: "In August 2014, I was taking photos of Ospreys in flight at the . Potential Freshwater Walk in outing - (from Rob McConnell's Fly Fishing Houston book) Feb 28: Monthly Mtg. Most of your casting will be done in . Also, take note of the depth of the water and the type of bottom (grass, sand, etc)you are fishing in. But the visual experience can be breathtaking. The daily bag on redfish in Texas is three fish in a slot limit of 20 to 28 inches . Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Like Charleston, certain parts in the South have what we call a flood tide. 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. Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. Best Month on the Calendar - Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine The Clouser closely resembles a glass minnow, one of the most plentiful bait fishes seen in back lakes and coves. First there's the weather. 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. The body profile and hook riding upwards make it deadly. As you approach the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts, all that changes. A tailing red may be one of the easiest reds to catch, but they can be very particular at times as well. As a general rule,the darker/muddier the water, the darker the fly should be; and, when the water is gin-clear you should pick flies that are more of a natural color such as tans, whites, and browns. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesnt make much disturbance when it lands. Earth-tone colors seem to work best, a sandy brown head paired with a striped light beige body that resembles the pattern of a shrimp. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. 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. . This fly was designed for Bonefish in the Florida Keys, but with some slight modifications it is perfect for Redfish and Trout here in the Gulf Coast inshore waters. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. At the eye a few turns of crystal-red chenille are wound on to produce a head. The cost is $11.00 per person per day. My favorite colors are blue over white and chartreuse over white. On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. Do some research beforehand by asking local experts and guides which flies are likely . As with all flats-fishing, you look for wakes, tails and bodies. Top 17 Places to Fly Fish in Texas - And What Flies to Use - Drifthook Top 10 Redfish Flies | Fly Fishing - Gink and Gasoline He ties several versions of it, making it suitable for redfish in a wide variety of waters and angling conditions. 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). With all these factors in mind, lets go over five of the top producing Redfish fly patterns that every angler needs in their box. 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. Gear up with giant Clouser flies and sinking lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. No top ten list can be without the most used and prolific fly in the world, the classic Clouser Minnow pattern. The key is to use a fly-and-line combo that will drop down in the water column. The Spoonfly is an epoxy creation of Capt. 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. Learn More. I, for one, have a boat bag that has all my gear and flies in. All the way from Florida to Texas anglers and tyers are hard at work designing patterns to fool redfish. But this doesnt always mean you will be successful. Dupre can make custom colors if necessary. 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. Here are our favorite flies for Redfish. 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. A local captain knows where the fish were yesterday and runs a proper skiff designed to navigate the target waters. He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. Marsh grasses remain a favorite destination for anglers hoping to hook reds. 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. Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. Additional tail materials can consist of marabou, bucktail, calf tail or Krystal Flash. Texas Sporting Journal, "Light Tackling Tarpon", May 2015. Redfish feed on a variety of marsh-like critters. . Saltwater Fly Fishing for Redfish (Beginner Guide) - Man Cave Classifieds Along with the flies you like most, give us the general location (not spots but east Coast of Florida, South Carolina or Texas etc. Look for big redfish laid up at the surface like tarpon. Devils River - Legendary Among Texas Fly Anglers. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Description - Fly fishing for red drum in the shallow marshes near Galveston using kayaks right after a cool front. In the coastal waters off North Carolina, captains have found enormous schools of redfish in 20 to 60 feet of water. 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. 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. Scientists have documented this redfish population as the first ever known to spawn in an estuary (versus offshore). These are the times when having an arsenal of flies that resembles all the prevalent bait fish in your particular location is a must. Everglades National Park offers prime redfish habitat with miles of flats. There are literally thousands of flies out there that imitate the crabs, shrimp, and baitfish that make up the diet of a Redfish on the shallow flats and backwater marshes. In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. 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. The only difference between here and southern Florida and Texas: These reds range from 15 pounds up to almost 50. Georgia also has vast areas of inshore spartina grass flats. The Everglades Special is one of those baitfish patterns that will just about catch any predatory fish. 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. 1 artificial lure of all time for redfish. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or craft fur tail. Before you go, know the rules for reds in your target area. Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. Post by ellisredfish Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:50 pm. If youre going to have an arsenal of Redfish flies at your disposal, then you need to cover the entire depth of the water column, and that includes topwater! Sometimes the bite is on and game fish will aggressively smack anything thats thrown in front of them. I'll gladly give up February or August to expand the finest month on the calendar along the Texas coast. Almost every saltwater fly shop has a variation of the traditional Kwan fly, or sometimes referred to as the Redfish Toad. To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website https://tpwd.texas.gov/. (Editors note: Wherever you plan to fish, check that states redfish regulations for licensing, season and bag-limit information.). With hundreds of creeks, bays and tidal washes that abound in the area, this region is a vast labyrinth of dark-stained tidewater. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. But as every angler knows, there are days where the fish are picky and are only keying in on one food source. Watching a redfish try to suck a surface fly or popper into its underslung bottom-feeding mouth can be hilarious. In the colder months having the waders is excellent to have to keep you warm and dry. 11 Best Flies for Redfish (Plus Fishing Tips) - Guide Recommended If you find redfish feeding near the surface, a topwater fly works really well. Seriously, it is less than 25 minute's total prep time! The fish reside in the lagoon year-round, making it the best area to target trophy redfish on the flats along Floridas east coast. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important . Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and imitating a fleeing shrimp or wounded baitfish. Most are designed to have the perfect amount of weight to slowly flutter down to the bottom and not rapidly sink into the weeds where fish cant see it. The Redfish Crack fly is a proven and very successful fly increasing in popularity in the Texas and Louisiana fisheries. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. He wants the fly right on the bottom, where a redfish can find it. Most reds top 20 pounds, and again, if they see your fly, theyll eat it. 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. Fly fishing is more than catching fish, being in the outdoors with good friends and family is what it is all about. Almost any fly that imitates such forage works well. State regulations throughout the redfishs range have helped these hardy gamesters to rebound. What are the top reasons to fly-fish at Bay Flats Lodge? Here is a list of the best nine places to fly fish in Texas: 1. The Spoonfly is about as weedless as the Johnson lure. The customary natural colors of brown, tan, orange, and white are a very popular choice among saltwater fly fishermen. Thats when Alderman became a believer in rattling redfish flies. For the leader, a standard nine-foot leader with a tippet rating of 15 to 20-pound test works best. by Ron Mc Tue Mar 10, 2020 10:18 am. Anglers must be ready to cast as soon as the boat lines up. The flashing and the low frequency vibration sounds it emits when being stripped excels in murkier waters. Good luck out there on the water! Consequently, those are the best hues for Aldermans Zap-A-Crab. WYLD ON THE FLY - Corpus Christi Fly Fishing Guide 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. 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. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. When the pelicans, gannets and larger gull species start wheeling around in open water, dont hesitate to investigate, Gardner says. Texas Coast Alvin Dedeaux Fly Fishing Crab flies come in two different styles and can be fished two different ways. Whats interesting about Texas is its variety of venues. The best is to get the fish to see the fly, and you will generally hook them. So, there you have it. These trips are great for 1-2 anglers of all skill levels. Sport Fishing Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Zap-A-Crab 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). 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. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. Reds customarily feed on small crabs, shrimp and baitfish, such as mullet and mud minnows. For small redfish, we suggest that you use a #2, #1, or a 1/0 circle hook. Copyright 2023 Salt Water Sportsman. 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. I like it in the colors of tans, beiges, and reds with some crystal flash and legs. The bull reds, on average, top the 20-pound mark, and they seem to number in the thousands. We spent 3 days exploring the area in search of Redfish. Its a simple Superglue fly Ben can make in about 10 minutes. ), water conditions the fly excels in, and how you like to fish it. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. The fishing is good, but different, and the type of fly required to dupe reds is different too. 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. Guide Tip: Redfish grow to true trophy sizes. 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. Youll find good numbers of 18- to 27-inch fish. I use large, black bead eyes most of the time, but always tie some flies with lead eyes for deeper water. Fishing For Texas Redfish - Salty Scales Best Times & Seasons to Catch Redfish in Texas (Full Guide) Colors I do not leave home without are: Black/Purple, and Brown/Tan. Gin clear water makes these fish very skittish when in shallow water situations. Texas claims two others, and North Carolina one. Low summer tides mean baitfish being flushed into the shallows and the reds having a field day. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. My hands shook. 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. 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. The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds. 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. With a mix of unpredicted weather conditions, we were in for quite the weekend. True trophy fish can mean being in the right place, with the right flies, setup for success. Blue-Collar Bonefish: Wading the Texas Coast for Reds These eyes are much lighter and will give you a slower sink rate. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 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. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! 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. 1. Location: Houston, Texas. There are many variants of topwater flies, the classic Gurgleris just one example. 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. If there's any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. Redfish weighing less than 15 pounds can be landed using most any fly rod. My idea of a nice red was a 7-pounder in Floridas Everglades National Park. 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. For example, this fly can be tied with the standard lead dumbbell eye that will make the fly sink fast and will give you a jig action. The main exception exists in the rugged beauty of the south Texas, Port Mansfield and South Padre areas. 5 Best Flies for Redfish Fly Fishing - The Fly Crate It has a large front collar that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. Plan a winter fly-fishing trip around an afternoon rising tide. But for Bill Harvey, a biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Aquatic Resource Protection . There are various signs to look for to help us decide how to fish for them. Texas-Most Popular Flies - Big Y Fly Co. Inc. The body is bulky, shrimp-like, made of bright cactus chenille. 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. This is where the high tide pushes an extra few feet, flooding the muddy grass banks. Therefore, tackle choices revolve more around casting and presentation ease than on fighting the fish. . Take a look at the Sight Cast Spoon, it comes after years of research and field testing. By the time you're done reading this, you'll be ready to head to Texas to . Redfish Flies - TheFlyStop If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. You do not want to miss your chance to experience the classic Fall Run along the Texas Gulf Coast. Those are the good days. Fly Fish Rockport Half Day in Rockport - captainexperiences.com 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. Kennedy nicknamed this all-black cone-headed Wooly Bugger the American Express Fly because he never leaves home without it. These large-shouldered predators spend time cruising marshy coastlines searching for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. 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." 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. All of the fish you choose to keep must measure between 20-28 inches. Anywhere you can flats-fish for Texas reds, youll find that sensory overload. Add the sizes you fish most often too. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . Ive caught a lot of big fish in my day, but nothing like this. The fly has a monofilament weed guard and burnt-mono eyes. Theyre not as explosive or exciting as tarpon, or as elusive as bonefish and permit, but for East and Gulf coast fly-rod anglers, theyre easily accessible and extremely fun to catch. In spring, the reds work the edges of bars and creek mouths. Sight Cast Fishing Company Top 5 Redfish Flies Galveston. Watching redfish forage for crabs in mud or grass, or hunt mullet on an oyster bar is one of the most exciting experiences in flats fishing. Tie it on a 1/0 hook and use bead eyes, even though its a shallow-water fly. 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. Catching Redfish On The Fly: 3 Things I Learned The Hard Way In Florid They can be in water from 6 inches to 3feet, based on varying conditions of tide and temperature. Redfish, red drum, or spot-tailed bass are all names that refer to this fish. Watch the waves roll close to the beach, and look for a red as breaking water crests. As we mentioned above, you can keep one Redfish measuring over 28 inches per year with your Red Drum Tag. Bags and packs are entirely optional. The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. Wyld on the Fly offers fly fishing guide services for the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Laguna Madre, Land Cut, and Baffin Bay waters. If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over. If your interested in having true experts teach how to chase reds get ahold of INDIGO GUIDE SERVICE. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. All fishing is done out of a 2016 Hell's Bay Professional poling skiff, although we do occasionally wade fish. Redfish will chase this fly from a mile away, so be ready. We are lucky that Redfish are such a forgiving fish to target. Fly Fishing Texas Redfish - Kenjo Fly Fishing Charters Most come with bead eyes, are weedless and measure about 3inches long. There are many variants of topwater flies, the classic Gurgleris just one example. This stunning shot was taken by professional photograher Marjie Goldberg from Florida. Redfish are generally in the surf when the water temperatures reach the mid-70s. Fiddler, stone and mud crabs inhabit the Charleston marshes, and their colors are muted, from brown to a dark tan to almost chocolate. Cone-Head Wooly Bugger 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. Thanks for signing up! Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing - Texas Fishing Guide One fish though, when it's a nice redfish like those we caught that day, can do the soul a world of good. Best Redfish Flies for Sale Online | Louisiana Redfish Flies | Texas The original was white and silver but the color combinations and sizes are infinite. Port O' Connor. Anglers can accidently bump into these schools, but many guides, such as Capt. After enduring day after day of heat, humidity and seemingly incessant southwest winds; October will give . 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. Captain Jeff offers fantastic half day, full day, and multi day trips fly fishing for redfish along the Texas Coastal Bend. 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. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important factor. The olive and brown combo is my favorite on a size #1 hook. Texas Fly Caster Location: Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX Waters: Lake Ray Roberts, Lewisville Lake, Trinity River, Other Local Waters Fish: Bass, Carp . 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. 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. Redfish are very forgiving in that they will eat again on a second attempt and often follow anything that looks like food. As far as fly anglers are concerned, it is primarily a super-shallow water redfish destination . South Texas Sight Fishing Location: Aransas Pass, TX Waters: Port Aransas Area Waters Fish: Redfish Website. The Merkin Crab is widely considered the most effective Permit fly ever conceived. Ive also caught flounder, ladyfish, bluefish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and snook on Spoonflies. We respect your privacy. Most of the fish weigh less than 15pounds, but every so often youll find a school of 20-pounders. Alderman is careful to keep the fly small, never more than 2 inches overall, so few redfish are missed at the strike. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. The Mylar tubing is folded over lengthwise, and secured to the hook shank. Hook Sizes for Redfish Flies? - TexasKayakFisherman.com Experience world-class accommodations and cuisine. This area is chalked full of bayous and canals, dotted with innumerable lakes, bays, ponds, and . 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. The marsh features a series of shallow ponds connected by channels, all of which come lined with even shallower oyster bars and mud flats. Laguna Madre Outfitters: Premiere Fly Fishing with Capt. Ben Paschal Your fishing license can be purchased 24/7 online or over the phone (800) 895-4248 Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm central time. Ten of the other 14 fly-tippet-class records came from Louisiana. Let a good casts worth of line drag behind you and start wading in about a foot of water. The author says many fly patterns tempt red drum, but he usually keeps a selection of bead-eye and lead-eye flies on hand. with Rick Hartman. Starting at $6.16. Winter Redfish on the Fly | Coastal Angler & The Angler Magazine Gulf Coast | TX Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions | Orvis A 6-10wt setup will work just fine. For targeting bulls over 20 pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. Top 10 Flies for Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing A Redfish is a Redfish, no matter if you are in Texas, Florida, or Virginia. Texas fishing calendar: In October head to Gulf beaches for redfish Kwan is the fly to have for those quiet, cold winter days on the water. 3. Sheka Shrimp This pattern has many variations, but the concept remains the same.