I like tans, greens, and lighter colors. If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. The only difference between here and southern Florida and Texas: These reds range from 15 pounds up to almost 50. Truthfully, there are a lot of different redfish fly patterns that all work well. The other captain stalked close to two big foraging reds and worked the fish with different flies for 10 minutes without a take. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. We spent 3 days exploring the area in search of Redfish. With that said, I will break down my favorite redfish flies and explain why and when I fish them. He wants the fly right on the bottom, where a redfish can find it. The author, left, made his first trip to Louisiana waters after bull reds on fly in 2006. Gardner always keeps two rods rigged and ready. The Merkin Crab is widely considered the most effective Permit fly ever conceived. All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish and big Trout up on the flats. No spam. 2. What a rush. I, for one, have a boat bag that has all my gear and flies in. 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. 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. Victor Browning Lake and Calaveras Lake. Ponte Vedra Beach skiff guide Larry Miniard (904-285-7003) has a pet redfish fly he uses in this area called the Turkey in the Straw, which he and fishing pal Brent London devised. The most common color is reddish-bronze. Alderman is careful to keep the fly small, never more than 2 inches overall, so few redfish are missed at the strike. As we mentioned above, you can keep one Redfish measuring over 28 inches per year with your Red Drum Tag. But many cutting-edge anglers are using flies that are constantly being tested by the ever-growing numbers of fly-rod redfishermen. Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Copano and Aransas Bays, and nearby San Antonio and Matagora Bays, Rockport, TX is our home and base of operations. Youll end up tying this fly on very often because once you get that rush of adrenaline watching Redfish and Trout blow it up out of the water, you'll be addicted. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. This adds bulk to the streamer and allows the loose Mylar threads to catch and reflect light in every possible direction much like a spoon. Swan Point Landing Fly Shop Location: Rockport, TX Waters: Texas Coast Fish: Redfish Website. The main exception exists in the rugged beauty of the south Texas, Port Mansfield and South Padre areas. Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. Furthermore, be aware of the water clarity as this will factor into the colors of flies that will tend to be more effective. A tailing red may be one of the easiest reds to catch, but they can be very particular at times as well. Fiddler, stone and mud crabs inhabit the Charleston marshes, and their colors are muted, from brown to a dark tan to almost chocolate. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. It needs to be small. Trinity Bay and East Bay. Leaving them with the "shell" on makes the filets look amazing too. I like the fly in the mud crab color of dark brown /green in size #2. It is a day that will live forever in infamy for Americans: the date of Dec. 7. Find an area near any of the local inlets with clear water. 4. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. These fish, without a doubt, make for an incredibly memorable fly fishing trip. Cone-Head Wooly Bugger The Spoonfly is made of flashy Mylar covered and sealed with clear epoxy on a long-shank 2/0 Mustad. Good luck out there on the water! 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.. As with all flats-fishing, you look for wakes, tails and bodies. 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 Spoonfly is an epoxy creation of Capt. This article will cover the flies that every fisherman should have in their box and the ones that work best when sight fishing to Redfish and Speckled Trout in the Gulf Coast region. Ive caught a lot of big fish in my day, but nothing like this. In the coastal waters off North Carolina, captains have found enormous schools of redfish in 20 to 60 feet of water. Big Y Fly Co best fishing flies for Texas, for your next fly fishing trip. From the gulf coast of Texas to Virginia, redfish can be found along nearly 2000 miles worth of coastline. Flies for Redfish. Boats leave from dozens of ports, and the runs to the flats can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. For small stream trout, smaller fly fishing hook sizes like a 6 or 10 may be sufficient. 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. Once they spot your fly, they will open up their mouth and take it. For more about chasing redfish with a fly rod, find Chico Fernandezs book Fly Fishing for Redfish. Anywhere you can flats-fish for Texas reds, youll find that sensory overload. Sight fishing with a fly on the coast is one the most challenging types of fishing. 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 bull reds, on average, top the 20-pound mark, and they seem to number in the thousands. This gives the Redfish a feeding zone they cant get on other occasions. Equip your fly line with cast foam poppers, deer-hair bugs or shrimp and baitfish patterns for the classic approach to Snook fly fishing. Carry an intermediate line for the deeper waters, just in case. Fly Fishing the texas coast. 9 ft leader is standard with 25-30lbs breaking strain tippet. It has a unique wobbling action when retrieved thats identical to a Johnson wobbling spoon. This is the story behind the action in Marjie's words: "In August 2014, I was taking photos of Ospreys in flight at the . This is followed up with some flashing and then some buck tail tied towards the front of the hook on all sides that extends just beyond the hook bend. With all these factors in mind, lets go over five of the top producing Redfish fly patterns that every angler needs in their box. 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. Of course, flats-fishing requires some level of experience and the ability to cast 50feet accurately regardless of weather conditions. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or craft fur tail. Similar to the Clouser Minnow, this is a bright baitfish pattern that sinks quickly and stays deep. It has a large head that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. Michael Stravato for The . No spam. However, once the guide finds fish, the rest is up to you. 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. Use a 9- to 10-foot leader with a 50-pound butt section tapered to a 20-pound class tippet and add afoot of 30-pound fluorocarbon as shock tippet for insurance. 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." True trophy fish can mean being in the right place, with the right flies, setup for success. In the colder months having the waders is excellent to have to keep you warm and dry. Its a simple Superglue fly Ben can make in about 10 minutes. Most of the fish weigh less than 15pounds, but every so often youll find a school of 20-pounders. Redfish will chase this fly from a mile away, so be ready. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. 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. Snook thrive in water temperatures 70 degrees and above, so they'll be more easily spotted in the flats year-round or around coastal bays and beaches by late spring. We use giant Clouser flies teamed with super-fast-sinking fly lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. For medium-sized species such as salmon or redfish, you might use a size 4, 2 or 1/0. 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. The wind did what it usually does to a spoon-fly and sailed it several feet off target. Redfish are strong, hearty, and fight really good. Is this getting you excited? The saltwater flats near Aransas Pass and Port Aranasas are a mecca for flyanglers hoping to hook redfish or speckled trout. 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. 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. Learn More. Jim West, 409-996-3054 Redfish are resourceful and feed on a variety of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. If the fish arent committing fully to the fly, it doesnt mean they arent interested in it, and it could mean its a little big or isnt swimming correctly. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. Find out where the action is, what the water conditions are and everything you need for a successful day on the water! What the hell. But, thanks in large part to the Coastal Conservation Association that day is long gone. Thanks for signing up! Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. Weighted Gold Frizzies are very popular in Alabama, according to Wesley Parks of McCoy Outdoors Fly Shop (334-432-3006) in Mobile. Excellent numbers of redfish will come out of the woodwork. Dustin's Destroyer, Chartreuse and White. He and his clients fish it slow, slower and slower still. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. 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. Plan a winter fly-fishing trip around an afternoon rising tide. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and will trigger a natural reflex that makes fish want to eat. Everyone has to know where the big rods are on the boat and how to quickly stash albie gear. 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. To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website https://tpwd.texas.gov/. The bright shiny spoon-fly is the furthest thing from the typically suggested drab sheepshead flies as you can get. When it comes to fly fishing, Texas is an up-and-coming state with a lot to offer anglers. Read about the BIGGEST Caught >, Casting a Fly to Snook is amazing. Thanks to its heavy lead eyes, it drops like a crab, but its movement is more shrimp-like. Therefore, tackle choices revolve more around casting and presentation ease than on fighting the fish. Those are the good days. Thats when Alderman became a believer in rattling redfish flies. My favorite colors are blue over white and chartreuse over white. 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. State regulations throughout the redfishs range have helped these hardy gamesters to rebound. 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. Mayfly emergers are often stuck in the film for quite some time making them easy pray for hungry trout. Dure wont divulge exactly how he molds epoxy into just the right shape to produce a replica wobble of the Johnson spoon. It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20. 1.3 3. 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. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. While other colors are effective I have found these to be best . 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. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. Sharks can also be a drum indicator, she adds, because they like the same foods. Add the sizes you fish most often too. Redfish are a staple on fly down South, and many a fly angler love to catch these fish throughout the year. Sheka Shrimp The dumbbell eyes can vary from tungsten to bead chain for weight changes. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. Image hooking into a red weighting over 50lbs. As far as fly anglers are concerned, it is primarily a super-shallow water redfish destination . They are known as bull reds. In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. Factors that affect casting, such as wind and bushy flies, also affect rod choice. Mylar is tied on both sides of the hook and on top. Fish it near the bottom with slow and erratic retrieves for best results. Fools Gold crab pattern is my first choice for tailing Redfish. Fly Fisherman Magazine, 2015. Traveling pro angler Pat Ford offers tips on tackle, flies and hot spots. It is very productive in a root beer color with gold tinsel and redhead profile. Sometimes, they can be a bit more technical. Working that fly to get the eat, fighting well, and then gently releasing the fish after a few photos is what its all about. The redfish game is simple. Traveling angler and world-record holder Meredith McCord lives in Texas and fishes its flats for redfish every chance she gets. 3 thoughts on " Redfish Flies " Scott Kor says . They get a lot bigger. Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. Anglers may choose to light-tackle rods or fly gear to fish the expansive, shallow-water flats of the 100 square mile Baffin Bay . If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! 1.1 1. The Kwan is a hybrid pattern and imitates shrimp, crab, and baitfish. Gene Montgomery (334-478-7440) is a Mobile, Alabama, high-school teacher with a passion for fly fishing. The cost is $11.00 per person per day. The Crafty Shrimp is one of those flies that should always be in your fly box. A good deviation of this pattern that works well from Texas to Florida is the Brown-Noser fly. Other examples include a modified Diver variant and the Popcorn Shrimp (pictured above). The fly is only available in one size, but colors are almost limitless. The Mangrove Baitfish is great for Florida and Lowcountry redfish thanks to its wide profile and snag-resistant design. McCord says theres nothing like the sight of redfish cruising a skinny shoreline with their backs fully out of the water, waving electric-turquoise spotted tails that can be seen from a hundred yards away. I'll gladly give up February or August to expand the finest month on the calendar along the Texas coast. The customary natural colors of brown, tan, orange, and white are a very popular choice among saltwater fly fishermen. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and imitating a fleeing shrimp or wounded baitfish. When you want a good all-around fly that will catch any game fish you can see, tie on one of the most well-known saltwater flies, the Kwan fly. Some popular patterns include the Merkin, KungFu, Contraband, Flexo, Fleeing Crabs, and many more. 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 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).