He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. He ties the fly on a barbless 34011 Mustad size 4 hook, with a bright-gold cone head to help get it deep. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. Traditionally it's tied with two splayed hackles in the rear that act as claws, paired up with a wide profile body made of EP fibers intertwined with silicone legs that is shaped to match the natural profile of a crab, and topped off with some lead eyes to get it down to the bottom quick. The cost is $11.00 per person per day. Redfish are a staple on fly down South, and many a fly angler love to catch these fish throughout the year. Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine, "Exposure" Photo Essay, April 2015. Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. Usually most crab flies you find in the big box stores are designed to target permit or bonefish. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. The Mylar tubing is folded over lengthwise, and secured to the hook shank. Is this getting you excited? Use a smaller hook in seasons with small game in great numbers, such as the Spring and Summer. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. Gin clear water makes these fish very skittish when in shallow water situations. 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. Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. I fell in love with the Spoonfly the first time I held one. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. 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. Copyright 2023 Salt Water Sportsman. But for Bill Harvey, a biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Aquatic Resource Protection . Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. Texas Sporting Journal, "The Real Laguna Madre", July 2013 Its tied on a size 1 through 2/0 Mustad 34007 hook, unweighted or with lead dumbbell eyes. For food and shelter, they seek out sea-grass beds, mangroves, marshes, oyster bars, mud and sand flats and beaches. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Those regions abut the narrow, winding canals of the back marshes and ponds near Galveston and Freeport. 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. The dumbbell eyes can vary from tungsten to bead chain for weight changes. 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 Deceiver is another famous pattern known by many fly fishermen. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. It has a large head that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. ), water conditions the fly excels in, and how you like to fish it. It is very productive in a root beer color with gold tinsel and redhead profile. Good luck out there on the water! Here in North Florida, this is usually in mid to late spring. They typically have heavy amounts of weight and little bulk to get the fly down to the sandy bottom fast. 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. Read -> What is the Biggest Redfish Caught. 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. 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. Youll end up tying this fly on very often because once you get that rush of adrenaline watching Redfish blow it up out of the water, you'll be addicted. 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. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Sometimes, they can be a bit more technical. When the cork pops in the water it creates a slurping sound, and this gets the fish interested. 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. In Georgia the water is dark and turbid, and the tides run hard and high. 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. This is the story behind the action in Marjie's words: "In August 2014, I was taking photos of Ospreys in flight at the . With flat boats, casting can be done within 50 feet. Captain Jeff offers fantastic half day, full day, and multi day trips fly fishing for redfish along the Texas Coastal Bend. The straight style, like the Straight-Shooter Crab pictured, has the hook shank positioned perpendicular to the crab body. I set the hook, and the fish rocketed along the shoreline, throwing mud and water. Big bull reds love this fly. Jim Dupre (352-371-6153), a Gainesville, Florida, fishing guide who, with his father A.J., spent countless hours testing and perfecting a fly-rod lure that had the same fish-attracting action as the venerable Johnson Weedless Minnow. 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). The fly is best used in the colder months when the shrimps and crabs are absent. If youre fortunate enough to hit a warm day, youll find hordes of reds rushing up on the flats to feed over the warm, dark mud left exposed by an earlier low tide. 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. 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. The basic design is made with four to six saddle hackles tied near the back at the bend of the hook. 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. Redfish, especially in the area between Tampa Bay and Crystal River, tend to be some of the spookiest fish in the state of Florida. 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. Outsmart Louisiana Yellowfin Tuna in Clear Water, Unbelievable: A Swordfish Caught on Fly from Shore, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control, Protect the Blue Islamorada: The Bones Brigade, Florida Approves Mandatory Venting Tool Use. The fly doesnt really resemble anything specific, but it catches fish. For medium-sized species such as salmon or redfish, you might use a size 4, 2 or 1/0. Crab flies mainly fall into two different categories and can be fished a few different ways. A local captain knows where the fish were yesterday and runs a proper skiff designed to navigate the target waters. 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. We spent 3 days exploring the area in search of Redfish. Located in the southern portion of the state, this river doesn't seem to belong in the desert. I, for one, have a boat bag that has all my gear and flies in. Everyone has to know where the big rods are on the boat and how to quickly stash albie gear. Anglers must be ready to cast as soon as the boat lines up. 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. In fall and winter months, the Biloxi Marsh and the coast of Louisiana can properly boast the best redfishing in the world. Most of the time fly-rodders are working from kayaks and canoes, casting to pushing fish or blind-casting to creek mouths. Consider Fishing The Flats: Flat fishing is a great way to go sight fishing for redfish. Your fishing license can be purchased 24/7 online or over the phone (800) 895-4248 Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm central time. There are various signs to look for to help us decide how to fish for them. The body is bulky, shrimp-like, made of bright cactus chenille. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish from a distance, in murky water, or when the visibility is low. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish and Sheepshead in the Gulf Coast region. Id heard stories about redfish in the Biloxi Marsh, but on my first trip to Louisiana for monster drum in 2006, I saw a golden tail the size of a shovel break the surface 50 yards ahead. They get a lot bigger. In addition, the predominant species you might encounter in Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing is the red [fish] and black drum. 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. While we have only been able to add a select few for now, we will continue to add to this page as we can and . Having the right fly for these conditions is essential. Redfish are resourceful and feed on a variety of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. All five of the flies featured in this article are available in the Sight Cast Redfish Pack and are designed to target Redfish in the Gulf Coast region. A good deviation of this pattern that works well from Texas to Florida is the Brown-Noser fly. Size #1 and #2 are best. 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. Microscopic Monsters of the Ocean: King Mackerel, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control. 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. 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. The Clouser closely resembles a glass minnow, one of the most plentiful bait fishes seen in back lakes and coves. The Kinky Muddler means business. Flies must get deep quickly to appeal to upper Gulf Coast redfish, he says. Easy to cast, and light enough to manipulate in a variety of ways once in the water. The spoon fly excels by flashing and emitting low frequency vibration sounds as its being stripped. Baitfish, crab, and shrimp patterns are . Anglers who dont know the areas can find a lot of trouble very quickly, but the fishing is amazing. Each area offers something to the fly fisherman. In the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. Redfish are strong, hearty, and fight really good. What makes the fly different from other crab and glue-body designs, however, is that its extremely weedless. The King Fu Crab swims hook point up, which is excellent, and the weed guard just makes double sure there arent any snags. Getting the fly deep gets more bites, even when the reds are busting on top. Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or craft fur tail. On a calm day, you can see spinner sharks launch out of the water from a mile away. It has a unique wobbling action when retrieved thats identical to a Johnson wobbling spoon. Gold Frizzy Redfish range from Virginia (technically Massachusetts) south to the Keys, and then north and west along the entire Gulf Coast. In weedy water, the Sheka is tied with a monofilament-loop weed guard. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. Sometimes the bite is on and game fish will aggressively smack anything thats thrown in front of them. 3 thoughts on " Redfish Flies " Scott Kor says . Weighted Gold Frizzies are very popular in Alabama, according to Wesley Parks of McCoy Outdoors Fly Shop (334-432-3006) in Mobile. 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. These large-shouldered predators spend time cruising marshy coastlines searching for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. 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. Here is a brief overview of some hot fly patterns in vogue today among the in the know coastal redfish angling set. Learn More. If needed contact info -, Snook, Reds and Tarpon can be found all over Florida. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. 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. 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. SUMMARY. I like to think of it as the woolly bugger for reds. A tailing red may be one of the easiest reds to catch, but they can be very particular at times as well. 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. View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop. Add the sizes you fish most often too. The weed guard is essential to the success of the fly. Gene Montgomery (334-478-7440) is a Mobile, Alabama, high-school teacher with a passion for fly fishing. No spam. When youre seeing lots of Redfish up on the flats, tie this fly on and let the good times roll. Blackened Redfish. The Spoonfly is an epoxy creation of Capt. Fly-fishing, Light Tackle, Sight Casting, Shallow Water Fishing Charters in The Lower Laguna Madre in South . Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. The Kung Fu Crab is a must when fishing the mangroves and grass plains. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. 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. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. Both styles are highly effective when fished properly under the right conditions. Yes, there are a few minor differences, but they feed and act in the same way for the most part. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! 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. Factors that affect casting, such as wind and bushy flies, also affect rod choice. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and will trigger a natural reflex that makes fish want to eat. These patters offer a solid profile and tied with the right materials and weight move beautifully throught the water. 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 fishing is good, but different, and the type of fly required to dupe reds is different too. The Chornobyl Crab is similar to the Ragin' Craven, with a deer hair body that traps air bubbles and makes a commotion in the water. For a slow-sink fly, a bucktail tail is good. Jim, note Prof Salt's recent use of size 8 hooks on redfish flies. Low summer tides mean baitfish being flushed into the shallows and the reds having a field day. Fly fishing is more than catching fish, being in the outdoors with good friends and family is what it is all about. With all the grass around, a weed guard is a must to be in with a shot at hooking a Red. Redfish weighing less than 15 pounds can be landed using most any fly rod. Caudal and dorsal fins poking above the surface usually give away the fishs presence. Texas Fly Caster Location: Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX Waters: Lake Ray Roberts, Lewisville Lake, Trinity River, Other Local Waters Fish: Bass, Carp . March 14: Exec Mtg - ZOOM March 10-12: Bolivar Marshes March 24-26: Harmon Creek Outing March 28: Monthly Mtg. You still must put the fly in the right place, but you definitely need a 10-weight rod and a really big fly. 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. Try white, chartreuse or black colors on a 2/0 Gamakatsu stinger hook. The flats-fishing techniques and tackle for Texas mimic those elsewhere. The setup you choose to use depends entirely on your ability as a fly fisher. The Merkin Crab is widely considered the most effective Permit fly ever conceived. Traveling pro angler Pat Ford offers tips on tackle, flies and hot spots. Electric Slider Fly. The middle Texas coast can offer world class sight-fishing opportunities for Redfish, Black Drum and Trout. He uses a No. Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . As you work up either Florida coast, the flats-fishing remains similar from a technical point of view. Whats interesting about Texas is its variety of venues. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. We are lucky that Redfish are such a forgiving fish to target. The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. During the full-moon periods both months, anglers anchor along the edges of the channel between Blount Island and Mayport. Silver Krystal Flash is used liberally on many patterns, snce its a long-range attractant in clear water. Leaving them with the "shell" on makes the filets look amazing too. Just deals and news! Sheka Shrimps tied in subtle browns and cream colors perform best in stained water. 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". This allows the crab to "swim" while being stripped. All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish and big Trout up on the flats. This recipe is extremely fast and easy! The fly is then adorned with a bit of colored hackle and a wire weed guard. 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. 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. That allows her to keep an eye on the fast-moving schools instead of focusing on tying knots and digging for tackle. It's a great pattern for sight fishing. 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! Sight Cast Saltwater Fly Shop. 1.3 3. The olive and brown combo is my favorite on a size #1 hook.