What makes the Spoonfly so unique and such a fish-catcher are the same things that make the Johnson Weedless Minnow a hit for bait-casters and spin fishermen. The author, left, made his first trip to Louisiana waters after bull reds on fly in 2006. Most any color combination will work, but I like brown or white and hardly ever use anything else. The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. Its time Florida starts similar program.Snook Texas Red Fish Adventures. 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. He wants the fly right on the bottom, where a redfish can find it. Texas Redfish Limits. Those are the good days. Gurgler flies are the top waters of saltwater fly fishing. The best is to get the fish to see the fly, and you will generally hook them. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and will trigger a natural reflex that makes fish want to eat. What a rush. What the hell. As with all flats-fishing, you look for wakes, tails and bodies. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. 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. 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. He uses a No. 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. All rights reserved. Take for example, the Shrimpadillo fly, its a combination of a crab fly, shrimp fly, and a spoon fly thats guaranteed to get engulfed by a hungry Redfish. The original was white and silver but the color combinations and sizes are infinite. Its simple design and ease to fish are what I love about it. We respect your privacy. They also have to know when to cast and how long to let their offerings sink. As you approach the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts, all that changes. 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. Ten of the other 14 fly-tippet-class records came from Louisiana. Iknow it works because the guides keep all my leftovers. The Electric Bunny doesnt seemingly resemble one particular redfish menu item, but they find its crabby silhouette irresistible. True trophy fish can mean being in the right place, with the right flies, setup for success. Tied on a #1 or 1/0 hook in the color that best covers your area. Fish it near the bottom with slow and erratic retrieves for best results. Colors I do not leave home without are: Black/Purple, and Brown/Tan. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. Dure wont divulge exactly how he molds epoxy into just the right shape to produce a replica wobble of the Johnson spoon. Also, take note of the depth of the water and the type of bottom (grass, sand, etc)you are fishing in. January and February is redfish time in the many sheltered potholes and ponds of the Biloxi, Mississippi, marsh. Usually most crab flies you find in the big box stores are designed to target permit or bonefish. 4. The Everglades Special is one of those baitfish patterns that will just about catch any predatory fish. Other examples include modified Divervariants and the Popcorn Shrimp. Galveston. Much of the action is found around spartina grass marsh, where reds forage for crab when the tide is high. Its a great pattern that has worked on many species for years now. If you're wondering which fly rod you should choose to chase Reds, we've covered that topic here. My hands shook. That said, Im an 8wt shooter myself, and I feel an 8wt setup is ample to target most reds in their environment. Wyld on the Fly offers fly fishing guide services for the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Laguna Madre, Land Cut, and Baffin Bay waters. 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. 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. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. The fly is then adorned with a bit of colored hackle and a wire weed guard. Sheka Shrimps tied in subtle browns and cream colors perform best in stained water. The deer hair body gives it the topwater element, and I love throwing these flies at cruising redfish trackers as they are often called. These eyes are much lighter and will give you a slower sink rate. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Use a smaller hook in seasons with small game in great numbers, such as the Spring and Summer. The Merkin Crab is widely considered the most effective Permit fly ever conceived. Flies for Redfish. The carnage happens fast. Redfish fishing tips for fly anglers should include examples of the right gear for the job. To round out our species-centered blog posts, we've written this post to help you choose the best flies. It is hand-tied by Jim Dupre and finished with an epoxy coating, making it bulletproof. It has a large head that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. In reds and greens on a size #1, this pattern wiggles and swims like an injured baitfish or crab. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. Fly fishing for redfish on the flats of Texas in a video from WildFly Productions. . Yet it has good fish-hooking capabilities. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. 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. By the time you're done reading this, you'll be ready to head to Texas to . 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. The body is bulky, shrimp-like, made of bright cactus chenille. Sarah Gardner, out of Nags Head on the Outer Banks, actually target them. 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. Redfish are a staple on fly down South, and many a fly angler love to catch these fish throughout the year. Add the sizes you fish most often too. Magnify that sound and it results in a musical popcorn symphony performed by an entire school of reds feeding on fleeing white shrimp. For a slow-sink fly, a bucktail tail is good. For larger species, you might try a 2/0 to 4/0. Best Time: Fall months: late August through November. Devils River - Legendary Among Texas Fly Anglers. 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. In fall and winter months, the Biloxi Marsh and the coast of Louisiana can properly boast the best redfishing in the world. Scientists have documented this redfish population as the first ever known to spawn in an estuary (versus offshore). 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. My choice would be a medium to fast action rod with some backbone to roll over the larger patterns. It also helped a bit that the first cast I made with a Spoonfly hooked a fish. The EP fibers really changed how we could tie baitfish patterns, and the advancements are spectacular. 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. Leaving them with the "shell" on makes the filets look amazing too. It has a large front collar that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. Fly Fishing the texas coast. All of the fish you choose to keep must measure between 20-28 inches. Tie on a bushy fly in either white or brown with bead or lead eyes, such as this Chernobyl shrimp. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. The best fly choice: a good-size shrimp that sinks quickly. They tolerate a wide range of water temperatures and salinities, and eat everything from crustaceans and mollusks to baitfish. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. When the pelicans, gannets and larger gull species start wheeling around in open water, dont hesitate to investigate, Gardner says. Most of the time fly-rodders are working from kayaks and canoes, casting to pushing fish or blind-casting to creek mouths. Its an excellent pattern for the muddier waters where some surface movement is needed to grab the fishs attention. Redfish are opportunistic feeders and often forage in shallow mudflats with their noses stuck to the bottom, where they mainly feed on crustaceans. Location: Houston, Texas. When it comes to fly fishing, Texas is an up-and-coming state with a lot to offer anglers. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. Reds can spot a bright Sheka Shrimp fly from a long distance and can be counted on to home in quickly for a fast meal. 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. Its just a matter of selecting the right flies. The bulls chase baitfish in the shallows, and the Everglades Special is the key! Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Sheka Shrimp The Kung Fu Crab is a must when fishing the mangroves and grass plains. But this doesnt always mean you will be successful. The Deceiver is another famous pattern known by many fly fishermen. You do not want to miss your chance to experience the classic Fall Run along the Texas Gulf Coast. But, thanks in large part to the Coastal Conservation Association that day is long gone. On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. From throwing flies to tailing fish in the marshes to chasing large bulls in the surf, there is a place in the Lone Star State for everything. Yes, there are a few minor differences, but they feed and act in the same way for the most part. This simple fly has heavy eyes and sinks quickly. This is my summer flats first choice in the colors closet to the mullet in your areatans and beige with whites and black markings. Working that fly to get the eat, fighting well, and then gently releasing the fish after a few photos is what its all about. Featuring a textured shell body and bright orange claw tips, they closely resemble a juvenile blue crab. 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. 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. This brute weighed more than 30 pounds. 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 The Spoonfly is an epoxy creation of Capt. In Texas,the redfish population was going into a serious decline in the80's..So with help of CCA one was started with later help of a $10mil.grant from Federal fish and wildlife.Now every year,they put 10-20 millions redfish fingerlings back into the water. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. A Bonnier LLC Company. The fools gold pattern is ideal for this as it sinks fast and has excellent movement in the water. This is the story behind the action in Marjie's words: "In August 2014, I was taking photos of Ospreys in flight at the . In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. Other examples include a modified Diver variant and the Popcorn Shrimp (pictured above). Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. Most of them are caught in the marshes and coastal waters, but a few are targeted offshore. Here are our favorite flies for Redfish. Anglers can accidently bump into these schools, but many guides, such as Capt. The cost is $16.00 per person per day. Turkey in the Straw All rods, reels, tackle, and flies are provided- all you need is a current Texas fishing license, snacks, and polarized sunglasses. Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. 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. 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. Sometimes the bite is on and game fish will aggressively smack anything thats thrown in front of them. 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. Getting down quickly also avoids the albies, which grab the lighter offerings, she says. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or synthetic fiber tail. Therefore, tackle choices revolve more around casting and presentation ease than on fighting the fish. Ive caught a lot of big fish in my day, but nothing like this. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. Conditions - 55-degrees. In the summer, mullet start to move through the surf, and that signals game on for fly fishermen. East Cut Redfish Popper They succeeded by producing a smaller, thumb-size fly version of the Johnson lure that every inshore saltwater angler worth his skiff owns. Those regions abut the narrow, winding canals of the back marshes and ponds near Galveston and Freeport. 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. A good deviation of this pattern that works well from Texas to Florida is the Brown-Noser fly. 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. 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 Spoonfly is made of flashy Mylar covered and sealed with clear epoxy on a long-shank 2/0 Mustad. 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. Guide Tip: Redfish grow to true trophy sizes. View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop. Redfish feed on a variety of marsh-like critters. In addition to redfish, we have the option to target inshore and offshore species such as tarpon, jacks, kingfish, cobia, bonito, snapper, etc when conditions allow in a 23 foot . The lakes, ponds and coves in these areas prove deeper, so you wont see too many tailing fish. Fly Fishing Laguna Madre on the Texas Coast. Whats interesting about Texas is its variety of venues. 1. Swan Point Landing Fly Shop Location: Rockport, TX Waters: Texas Coast Fish: Redfish Website. Redfish, big ones, are abundant, with fish in the 20- to 30-pound class available at times on barrier-island shoals that kiss the entire coastline of the Peach State. State regulations throughout the redfishs range have helped these hardy gamesters to rebound. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. Mens and womens redfish fly records top out with the 43-pounder caught by Greg Braunstein on 16-pound tippet in 1995 out of the Banana River Lagoon in Florida. Thanks to its heavy lead eyes, it drops like a crab, but its movement is more shrimp-like. What makes the fly different from other crab and glue-body designs, however, is that its extremely weedless. If youre not ready when a school appears, youre out of luck. Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. Theyll even attack poppers with gusto, at times. So, get out there and get your rod bent, line stretched, and net wet. For targeting bulls over 20pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. Flies must get deep quickly to appeal to upper Gulf Coast redfish, he says. No top ten list can be without the most used and prolific fly in the world, the classic Clouser Minnow pattern. If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. It is a day that will live forever in infamy for Americans: the date of Dec. 7. With excellent year-round populations of Redfish, Speckled Trout and Black Drum. My favorite redfish fly pattern is a fuzzy variation of Tim Borskis Chernobyl shrimp. It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. 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). To illustrate, he tells of the time he and another captain were wading a grass flat three years ago when he was first experimenting with the fly. Boats leave from dozens of ports, and the runs to the flats can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. Thanks for signing up! The body is made from gold Mylar tubing with the cotton stuffing removed from the inside. 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. The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. Anywhere you can flats-fish for Texas reds, youll find that sensory overload. Summer Redfish Flies. The Kwan fly is a great shrimp imitation as well. The experience left him truly exhilarated. Unless you know the area and own a flats boat, youll need a guide. Gear up with giant Clouser flies and sinking lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. I am a South African based fly fisherman who loves nothing more than spending a day on the water. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. Spoonfly To see more of his photography go to patfordphotos.com. 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. 1.1 1. Im one of those fly fishers. Redfish, especially in the area between Tampa Bay and Crystal River, tend to be some of the spookiest fish in the state of Florida. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. Fly fishing trips are limited to two anglers per boat. Im all set to go a simple boat fly box with the above patterns! The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. Anglers who dont know the areas can find a lot of trouble very quickly, but the fishing is amazing. When you select Wyld on the Fly as your guide for your next adventure, you can expect the . Texas Sporting Journal, "Light Tackling Tarpon", May 2015. In weedy water, the Sheka is tied with a monofilament-loop weed guard. Virtually every region of salt or brackish water in the greater Jacksonville area holds reds, according to local anglers. Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. 1.2 2. Call Captain Kenjo direct ASAP 361-500-2552 or BOOK NOW online! 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. 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. 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. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. I, for one, have a boat bag that has all my gear and flies in. Jim West, 409-996-3054 Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. Size #1 and #2 are best. In Georgia the water is dark and turbid, and the tides run hard and high. Because redfish usually feed in grass and often cruise in murky water, fly anglers must throw something the fish can see. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. A local captain knows where the fish were yesterday and runs a proper skiff designed to navigate the target waters. If you're not a Texas resident you need to purchase a non-resident one-day all water fishing license (code 214). Starting at $6.16. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. Best of all, redfish love it. This gives the Redfish a feeding zone they cant get on other occasions. 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. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. 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. During the winter months, the water on the flats clears. But a fishing trip can also go terribly wrong without the right gear. The cost is $11.00 per person per day. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. An oversized head with a long tail made of saddle hackles. A tailing red may be one of the easiest reds to catch, but they can be very particular at times as well. There are many variants of topwater flies, the classic Gurgleris just one example. ), water conditions the fly excels in, and how you like to fish it. 1.3 3. The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. He ties several versions of it, making it suitable for redfish in a wide variety of waters and angling conditions. Building off this recipe and making a few modifications to resemble a juvenile blue crab, this pattern becomes a must-have for targeting Sheepshead and Redfish along the Gulf Coast. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. 100% of our funding comes from your gear purchases, so if this blog post helps you on your next fly fishing adventure, please support us by buying your gear from us. It just seems to work and change my day around. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. When poling in the marsh, anglers look for wakes, tails and bodies near oyster bars and mud flats. All the way from Florida to Texas anglers and tyers are hard at work designing patterns to fool redfish. 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 the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. These 2hours are golden and what every redfish angler dreams of. Waders and boots are great to have. Most reds top 20 pounds, and again, if they see your fly, theyll eat it. Pair the rod with a smooth drag reel and a floating line, and you are good to go. They will usually eat a well-placed fly with reckless abandon and can even be caught on topwater flies for redfish. Saltwater fly fishing is another craze that has taken root from Texas to Florida, and for good reason. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. 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. by Ron Mc Tue Mar 10, 2020 10:18 am. . These are the times when having an arsenal of flies that resembles all the prevalent bait fish in your particular location is a must. From baitfish to shrimp to crabs and almost anything in between, Reds are opportunistic feeders. It's one . 3. 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.