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). Wyld on the Fly offers fly fishing guide services for the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Laguna Madre, Land Cut, and Baffin Bay waters. They get a lot bigger. These fish, without a doubt, make for an incredibly memorable fly fishing trip. . This Louisiana classic is an easy and delicious way to serve redfish. Fools Gold crab pattern is my first choice for tailing Redfish. Description - Fly fishing for red drum in the shallow marshes near Galveston using kayaks right after a cool front. 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. So, get out there and get your rod bent, line stretched, and net wet. 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". Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Colors run the gamut too, from pink to orange, and from yellow to hot green. I like the fly in the mud crab color of dark brown /green in size #2. Waders and boots are great to have. Here are our favorite flies for Redfish. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. Fished in the Gulf Coast region, you cant go wrong with a chartreuse and white color that has a large eye. If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20. But as every angler knows, there are days where the fish are picky and are only keying in on one food source. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. We use giant Clouser flies teamed with super-fast-sinking fly lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. The Redfish will follow this fly until it commits. He uses a No. 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. The Clouser is a classic saltwater pattern for a variety of species, and for good reason. Anglers may choose to light-tackle rods or fly gear to fish the expansive, shallow-water flats of the 100 square mile Baffin Bay . The Lower Laguna Madre is one of the finest spots to fly fish for red fish (red drum), black drum, speckled trout, flounder, tarpon, snook, sheepshead, and ladyfish. Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. 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. Most of the time fly-rodders are working from kayaks and canoes, casting to pushing fish or blind-casting to creek mouths. Gold Frizzy Keep flies with bead eyes and lead eyes available. 1. The original pattern was tied with a tan Craft Fur tail, an orange/red Catcus Chenille body, and an olive streamer brush head; but, this fly is highly versatile and can be tied in many different colors, materials, and eyes. A Bonnier LLC Company. Summer Redfish Flies. The great thing about redfish patterns is, for the most part, they are pretty darn simple fly and easy to tie. We are not a blog or a review site. with Rick Hartman. A subtle fly or plug pulled gently in front of a . 1 Where to Catch Redfish in Texas. 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. 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. Longtime Georgia fly-fishing guide Larry Kennedy, owner of Bedford Sportsman Fly Shop (912-638-5454) on St. Simons Island, says that while a number of different flies work for Georgia redfish, his favorite is a small, all-black classic Wooly Bugger streamer. Flats-fishing equals sight-fishing, which is what makes it fun. With flat boats, casting can be done within 50 feet. The bull reds are singular fish, generally a lot bigger, and are more specific in what they eat. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. I, for one, have a boat bag that has all my gear and flies in. Look for big redfish laid up at the surface like tarpon. 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). Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. On a calm day, you can see spinner sharks launch out of the water from a mile away. 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. Keep your leader short and straightforward. Almost any fly that imitates such forage works well. Redfish are strong, hearty, and fight really good. 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. The fish reside in the lagoon year-round, making it the best area to target trophy redfish on the flats along Floridas east coast. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. First there's the weather. If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! I like it in the colors of tans, beiges, and reds with some crystal flash and legs. We are lucky in that Redfish tell us how they are feeding. A 6-10wt setup will work just fine. 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. The water systems in the South are rich in food sources, and this is where the redfish concentrate. You need to ensure to scan the course with your eyes, particularly when fishing in shallow waters. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. Copyright 2023 Salt Water Sportsman. Swan Point Landing Fly Shop Location: Rockport, TX Waters: Texas Coast Fish: Redfish Website. Size #1 and #2 are best. Just deals and news! On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. This brute weighed more than 30 pounds. The Kwan is a hybrid pattern and imitates shrimp, crab, and baitfish. The Charleston, South Carolina, area has vast inshore areas offering fly rodders great opportunities for red-drum fishing. From WildFly Productions: "Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. That expert also comes with a trained pair of eyes to help spot the fish before they spot you. Carry an intermediate line for the deeper waters, just in case. It has a large head that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. For small stream trout, smaller fly fishing hook sizes like a 6 or 10 may be sufficient. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. 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. The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. 2. Of course, flats-fishing requires some level of experience and the ability to cast 50feet accurately regardless of weather conditions. SUMMARY. Bags and packs are entirely optional. 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. It's a great pattern for sight fishing. The fishing for trophy trout and redfish on Texas' Baffin Bay is nothing short of spectacular and our experienced guides can't wait to show you our neck of the woods. Candy Corn Crawler is a great choice when targeting redfish. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. The shrimp-tipped jig is the icing on the cake, and the redfish can't resist the smell. Just deals and news! 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. Most of the fish weigh less than 15pounds, but every so often youll find a school of 20-pounders. Check out, Picture Source A huge thanks to the great folks at, Some of the amazing redfish pictures were provided by my buddies at. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. I think the craft fur body profile moves so well and has all the triggers. 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. If you're not a Texas resident you need to purchase a non-resident one-day all water fishing license (code 214). Gear up with giant Clouser flies and sinking lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. March 14: Exec Mtg - ZOOM March 10-12: Bolivar Marshes March 24-26: Harmon Creek Outing March 28: Monthly Mtg. 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. But this doesnt always mean you will be successful. This fly is particularly good on the flood tide in those highwater grass areas. After enduring day after day of heat, humidity and seemingly incessant southwest winds; October will give . A floating line will be just fine for most scenarios, but an intermediate line is excellent for the deeper water. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. Similar to the Clouser Minnow, this is a bright baitfish pattern that sinks quickly and stays deep. Rick Hartman, an expert fly fisherman and guide, poles a skiff in the Lower Laguna Madre while a friend casts for redfish. The Redfish Crack fly, or maybe youve heard of the variations Redfish Cracklin, Redfish Meth or Redfish Ritalin, is another fly with a proven track record. 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. 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. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. Cone-Head Wooly Bugger Redfish can be found in the waters of Galveston where the depth is about 6 - 12 feet. Find out where the action is, what the water conditions are and everything you need for a successful day on the water! Thanks for signing up! Some quick online research will show you hundreds of Crab patterns available. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. 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 of the action is found around spartina grass marsh, where reds forage for crab when the tide is high. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Gurgler flies are the top waters of saltwater fly fishing. 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. Texas Fly Caster Location: Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX Waters: Lake Ray Roberts, Lewisville Lake, Trinity River, Other Local Waters Fish: Bass, Carp . 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. Sight fishing with a fly on the coast is one the most challenging types of fishing. Starting at $6.16. It always lands with the hook point up and away from snags; it swims very crab-like when retrieved; and most important, Ben says, it comes with a pair of small, redfish-attracting rattles. If your interested in having true experts teach how to chase reds get ahold of INDIGO GUIDE SERVICE. The fly doesnt really resemble anything specific, but it catches fish. Before you go, know the rules for reds in your target area. Ive also caught flounder, ladyfish, bluefish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and snook on Spoonflies. Proven fly patterns for summer Redfish are baitfish and shrimp patterns! Fly fishing trips are limited to two anglers per boat. The Electric Bunny doesnt seemingly resemble one particular redfish menu item, but they find its crabby silhouette irresistible. If all goes as planned, hooking reds well over 30 pounds is the welldeserved reward.. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. When poling in the marsh, anglers look for wakes, tails and bodies near oyster bars and mud flats. As you approach the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts, all that changes. They simply cannot resist the flicker and flutter as it moves through the water. 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. Zap-A-Crab Excellent numbers of redfish will come out of the woodwork. The Redfish Crack fly is a proven and very successful fly increasing in popularity in the Texas and Louisiana fisheries. Sneaky speckled trout can also be caught year-round moreover the seatrout here grow to trophy proportions like in the Laguna Madre. If needed contact info -, Snook, Reds and Tarpon can be found all over Florida. The tackle. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. I like the neutral colors for the Kwan in sizes #4. 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. The bright shiny spoon-fly is the furthest thing from the typically suggested drab sheepshead flies as you can get. However, once the guide finds fish, the rest is up to you. There's probably no reason to use larger than a size 2 hook on a redfish fly (I've caught kings on size 2 fly), and my go-to is size 6 for small shrimp and dock-fishing-size minnows. 1 artificial lure of all time for redfish. Use Light Flies and Long Leaders. 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. That said, Im an 8wt shooter myself, and I feel an 8wt setup is ample to target most reds in their environment. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . For medium-sized species such as salmon or redfish, you might use a size 4, 2 or 1/0. 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. Thats when Alderman became a believer in rattling redfish flies. If you're wondering which fly rod you should choose to chase Reds, we've covered that topic here. Rockport fly fishing is some of the best on the entire Texas Coast. 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. When it comes to fly fishing, Texas is an up-and-coming state with a lot to offer anglers. August 30, 2022 by Brent Pollock. 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. Flies must get deep quickly to appeal to upper Gulf Coast redfish, he says. But the visual experience can be breathtaking. Stretching 367 miles from the Sabine River at the Louisiana border to the Rio Grande on the Mexican border, the Texas coast is a varied and unique fishery that is relatively unnoticed on the national level. In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. The body is made from gold Mylar tubing with the cotton stuffing removed from the inside. These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. 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. Anglers must be ready to cast as soon as the boat lines up. The Mangrove Baitfish is great for Florida and Lowcountry redfish thanks to its wide profile and snag-resistant design. Theyll even attack poppers with gusto, at times. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. Out in the St. Johns River channel, the bull reds congregate. Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. 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. Traveling angler and world-record holder Meredith McCord lives in Texas and fishes its flats for redfish every chance she gets. Try white, chartreuse or black colors on a 2/0 Gamakatsu stinger hook. Sarah Gardner, out of Nags Head on the Outer Banks, actually target them. Read where to go in this article > Where to Fly Fish in Florida, How big do Tarpon, Redfish and Snook get? Most of them are caught in the marshes and coastal waters, but a few are targeted offshore. Port O' Connor. 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. Gardner always keeps two rods rigged and ready. Texas Red Fish Adventures. 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. The EP Baitfish is a Gurgler-like pattern that moves water and pops on the surface to trigger an aggressive Redfish eat. As we mentioned above, you can keep one Redfish measuring over 28 inches per year with your Red Drum Tag. Tie it on a 1/0 hook and use bead eyes, even though its a shallow-water fly. So, there you have it. Its simple design and ease to fish are what I love about it. Thanks for signing up! 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. Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. 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. Seriously, it is less than 25 minute's total prep time! My favorite colors are blue over white and chartreuse over white. The redfish run from average, 4 to 7 pounds, to big, 12 to 15 pounds. Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at[emailprotected]. Texas Sporting Journal, "Light Tackling Tarpon", May 2015. March 24 - 2023 Texoma Ducks Unlimited Spring Event at the Mayor Arena of Loy Lake Park. One fish though, when it's a nice redfish like those we caught that day, can do the soul a world of good. 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. Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. Furthermore, be aware of the water clarity as this will factor into the colors of flies that will tend to be more effective. Current fly fishing reports and conditions for Gulf Coast Rockport in TX! Fly fishing has been my passion and pursuit for the past 20 years. To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website https://tpwd.texas.gov/. 1.2 2. It is a mix of a number of different patterns and works great as a shrimp, crab or even a baitfish. If theres any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. It's not uncommon to see Reds tailing in shallow water and some would consider sight casting to a 30+lb Bull Redfish the pinnacle of the sport. It's one . Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast. 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. 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. All the way from Florida to Texas anglers and tyers are hard at work designing patterns to fool redfish. They will usually eat a well-placed fly with reckless abandon and can even be caught on topwater flies for redfish. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. Other examples include modified Divervariants and the Popcorn Shrimp. In addition, the predominant species you might encounter in Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing is the red [fish] and black drum. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. 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. Days a . With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. This small collection are the top flies for Redfish that we have found. Luckily, for coastal anglers in Virginia all the way to the southern tip of Texas, redfish, also commonly referred to as red drum, can be successfully targeted with a fly rod via kayak or stand-up paddle . Ten of the other 14 fly-tippet-class records came from Louisiana. They succeeded by producing a smaller, thumb-size fly version of the Johnson lure that every inshore saltwater angler worth his skiff owns. Redfish are a staple on fly down South, and many a fly angler love to catch these fish throughout the year. 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. When youre seeing lots of Redfish up on the flats, tie this fly on and let the good times roll. It flashes and dances so well that its easy to spot even 100 feet out in thick grass and cattails. Sharks can also be a drum indicator, she adds, because they like the same foods. Its tied on a size 1 through 2/0 Mustad 34007 hook, unweighted or with lead dumbbell eyes. Dustin's Destroyer, Chartreuse and White. The other captain stalked close to two big foraging reds and worked the fish with different flies for 10 minutes without a take. This is my summer flats first choice in the colors closet to the mullet in your areatans and beige with whites and black markings.