Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. The Electric Chicken was originally tied to mimic the electric chicken plastic bait. It all depends on the flies you are using and what depth of water you are fishing in. The cost is $16.00 per person per day. 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. It retrieves through pencil reeds, spartina grass, over rocks, oysters and through brush as well as any weedless lure. Sight Cast Saltwater Fly Shop. Aransas Pass Fly Fishing. . Fly Fishing Laguna Madre on the Texas Coast. Galveston is one of the best places to target redfish in Texas and its surrounding areas. The EP Baitfish is a Gurgler-like pattern that moves water and pops on the surface to trigger an aggressive Redfish eat. These fish, without a doubt, make for an incredibly memorable fly fishing trip. 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. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! For targeting bulls over 20 pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. Big Y Fly Co best fishing flies for Texas, for your next fly fishing trip. 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. Redfish will chase this fly from a mile away, so be ready. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and imitating a fleeing shrimp or wounded baitfish. Alderman is careful to keep the fly small, never more than 2 inches overall, so few redfish are missed at the strike. Fools Gold crab pattern is my first choice for tailing Redfish. In this guide, we'll take you through the top species you can target, the best locales to cast your fly in, and much more, such as seasons, gear, and rules and regulations. Fly-fishing, Light Tackle, Sight Casting, Shallow Water Fishing Charters in The Lower Laguna Madre in South . The best fly choice: a good-size shrimp that sinks quickly. Calm conditions are best for spotting redfish in dark water, but sometimes during strong autumn noreasters great flats action can be had. The redfish run from average, 4 to 7 pounds, to big, 12 to 15 pounds. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesn't make much disturbance when it lands. So, there you have it. But a fishing trip can also go terribly wrong without the right gear. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. Those regions abut the narrow, winding canals of the back marshes and ponds near Galveston and Freeport. Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast. I like the fly in the mud crab color of dark brown /green in size #2. View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop. Clouser Minnow needs no introductions or explanations! Boat shoes are great, so you dont slip and slide around on deck. January and February is redfish time in the many sheltered potholes and ponds of the Biloxi, Mississippi, marsh. 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. 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. Waders and boots are great to have. The saltwater flats near Aransas Pass and Port Aranasas are a mecca for flyanglers hoping to hook redfish or speckled trout. 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.. For larger species, you might try a 2/0 to 4/0. If you're not a Texas resident you need to purchase a non-resident one-day all water fishing license (code 214). Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Bushy shrimp patterns and white or chartreuse Clousers work best, depending on how deep the fish hold. Consequently, those are the best hues for Aldermans Zap-A-Crab. Captain Jeff offers fantastic half day, full day, and multi day trips fly fishing for redfish along the Texas Coastal Bend. All rods, reels, tackle, and flies are provided- all you need is a current Texas fishing license, snacks, and polarized sunglasses. About the Author: Now a retired Miami attorney, Pat Ford spends his time taking photos and writing about fishing destinations around the world. My guide, Capt. Redfish, especially in the area between Tampa Bay and Crystal River, tend to be some of the spookiest fish in the state of Florida. I love nothing more than being out on the water chasing a few reds with friends. Blackened Redfish. Post by ellisredfish Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:50 pm. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. Texas Red Fish Adventures. Unless you know the area and own a flats boat, youll need a guide. With that said, I will break down my favorite redfish flies and explain why and when I fish them. The weed guard is essential to the success of the fly. The Kinky Muddler means business. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish and will trigger a natural reaction bite that Redfish can simply not resist. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. Fly Fisherman Magazine, 2015. 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 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. Its for this style of hunt-and-cast redfishing that guide Ben Alderman (843-906-3630) devised his favorite redfish fly, the Zap-A-Crab. Alderman is adamant that the rattles make a big difference in attracting redfish. Redfish fishing tips for fly anglers should include examples of the right gear for the job. These trips are great for 1-2 anglers of all skill levels. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. The Mangrove Baitfish is great for Florida and Lowcountry redfish thanks to its wide profile and snag-resistant design. 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. Georgia also has vast areas of inshore spartina grass flats. Redfish are big crab and shrimp eaters, and the Ragin Craven does a great job of imitating both. The main exception exists in the rugged beauty of the south Texas, Port Mansfield and South Padre areas. Redfish are very forgiving in that they will eat again on a second attempt and often follow anything that looks like food. Its a great pattern that has worked on many species for years now. Much of the action is found around spartina grass marsh, where reds forage for crab when the tide is high. The key is to use a fly-and-line combo that will drop down in the water column. Big Carolina bull reds can weigh up to 80 pounds (the all-tackle world-record redfish a 94-plus-pounder was caught in 1984 out of Avon, North Carolina), so obviously they prefer larger bait, such as smelt, bunker and croaker, which also attract bigger birds. Best of all, redfish love it. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. For small stream trout, smaller fly fishing hook sizes like a 6 or 10 may be sufficient. In fall and winter months, the Biloxi Marsh and the coast of Louisiana can properly boast the best redfishing in the world. Find an area near any of the local inlets with clear water. My favorite colors are blue over white and chartreuse over white. For medium-sized species such as salmon or redfish, you might use a size 4, 2 or 1/0. Its perfect to use right up against a grassy shoreline where shrimp are plentiful. 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. Along with the flies you like most, give us the general location (not spots but east Coast of Florida, South Carolina or Texas etc. 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. But this doesnt always mean you will be successful. 2 stainless Tiemco hook and keeps the Zap-A-Crab glue body well away from the hook point to improve the flys ability to hook reds. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. The fish looks unnatural and uncoordinated, but its the most exciting surface-lure strike youll see. 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. Saltwater Flies. Call Captain Kenjo direct ASAP 361-500-2552 or BOOK NOW online! Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish (and Sheepshead) in the Gulf Coast region. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. That allows her to keep an eye on the fast-moving schools instead of focusing on tying knots and digging for tackle. A Bonnier LLC Company. Polling around on that flood tide is a special time to fish, and it should be cherished. Out in the St. Johns River channel, the bull reds congregate. Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at[emailprotected]. The defining characteristics are a Craft Fur tail, a few wraps of chenille, and then some type of brush to build the head of the fly. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. The tackle. Baitfish, crab, and shrimp patterns are . Welcome to the Texas Coastal Bend. 1 Where to Catch Redfish in Texas. They also have to know when to cast and how long to let their offerings sink. A subtle fly or plug pulled gently in front of a . Creating high quality flies made for those that live and breathe the shallow flats and backwater marshes is our main focus. Crab flies come in two different styles and can be fished two different ways. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website https://tpwd.texas.gov/. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Redfish weighing less than 15 pounds can be landed using most any fly rod. 1.1 1. Michael Stravato for The . These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. Texas Sporting Journal, "The Real Laguna Madre", July 2013 Flies must get deep quickly to appeal to upper Gulf Coast redfish, he says. Anglers who dont know the areas can find a lot of trouble very quickly, but the fishing is amazing. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. Easy to cast, and light enough to manipulate in a variety of ways once in the 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". Redfish, red drum, or spot-tailed bass are all names that refer to this fish. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for Redfish, sea trout, tarpon, mackeral jack crevalle fishing in Gulf Coast with the top producing flies and recommended equipment to get you into fish. The other captain stalked close to two big foraging reds and worked the fish with different flies for 10 minutes without a take. Anglers must be ready to cast as soon as the boat lines up. . Chartreuse and white is a well-liked option. 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. Copyright 2023 Salt Water Sportsman. Having the right fly for these conditions is essential. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish from a distance, in murky water, or when the visibility is low. However, once the guide finds fish, the rest is up to you. Its just a matter of selecting the right flies. Because redfish usually feed in grass and often cruise in murky water, fly anglers must throw something the fish can see. The fish reside in the lagoon year-round, making it the best area to target trophy redfish on the flats along Floridas east coast. Fishalicious, is another baitfish pattern worthy of the fly box. Below are some articles to guide you to a TROPHY. From WildFly Productions: "Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. Iknow it works because the guides keep all my leftovers. The Everglades Special is one of those baitfish patterns that will just about catch any predatory fish. The fools gold pattern is ideal for this as it sinks fast and has excellent movement in the water. A popping cork is ideal when the fish are acting particularly lethargic. All rights reserved. The best colors are chartreuse and pink chenille, and I will fish this pattern if nothing else is working. Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . This makes the fly feel exactly like a crab in the fishs mouth, he says, so a redfish rarely rejects the fly before an angler can set the hook. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. Each area offers something to the fly fisherman. They are known as bull reds. 2023All Rights Reserved -www.sightcastfishing.com - Sight Cast Fishing Company, Saltwater Fly Fishing - Apparel, Flies, and Tying Materials, Sheepshead, Fly Fishing, Sight Fishing, Sheepshead Flies, texas fly fishing, sheepshead fly fishing, how to catch sheepshead on fly, best sheepshead flies, sight fishing to sheepshead, sheepshead fly, best way to catch sheepshead. Its important to remember that thousands of redfish flies work very well. Rockport fly fishing is some of the best on the entire Texas Coast. When youre seeing lots of Redfish up on the flats, tie this fly on and let the good times roll. Try a white or chartreuse pattern, and if that doesnt work, switch to something dark in black or purple. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. Ive also caught flounder, ladyfish, bluefish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and snook on Spoonflies. Light tackle and fly fishing charters for redfish are world renowned on these inshore flats for because of the crystal clear water and numerous shots . Choose some bright colors and Redfish won't be able to 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. On the inshore saltwater scene the Spoonfly has few peers. Getting the fly to drop deep gains more bites. So, get out there and get your rod bent, line stretched, and net wet. The most common color is reddish-bronze. Sheka Shrimp When poling in the marsh, anglers look for wakes, tails and bodies near oyster bars and mud flats. Plus, we've also written about the best fly reel for Reds and the best fly line for Reds. Virtually every region of salt or brackish water in the greater Jacksonville area holds reds, according to local anglers. If fishing for tailing reds, a crab pattern or spoon fly will do the job. South Texas Sight Fishing Location: Aransas Pass, TX Waters: Port Aransas Area Waters Fish: Redfish Website. He ties several versions of it, making it suitable for redfish in a wide variety of waters and angling conditions. No more sweat-soaked shirts the first hour into poling and smelling like a gym locker by the end of the day. Raz Reed, who created the fly, also uses it for bass, something I havent tried yet but plan on tying up a few for my next bass mission. If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. I'll gladly give up February or August to expand the finest month on the calendar along the Texas coast. The fly is tied to look like a gaudy shrimp, which is something to keep in mind when viewing it. 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. In addition, the predominant species you might encounter in Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing is the red [fish] and black drum. 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. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. Flats-fishing equals sight-fishing, which is what makes it fun. 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. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. You need to ensure to scan the course with your eyes, particularly when fishing in shallow waters. If you cant get the fly to the fish, you wont catch any, period. Keep your leader short and straightforward. 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. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . Check this first and try again. In weedy water, the Sheka is tied with a monofilament-loop weed guard. They simply cannot resist the flicker and flutter as it moves through the water. To find the best guides, contact a local fly shop. Therefore, tackle choices revolve more around casting and presentation ease than on fighting the fish. Pair the rod with a smooth drag reel and a floating line, and you are good to go. It is hand-tied by Jim Dupre and finished with an epoxy coating, making it bulletproof. Starting at $6.16. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. By the time you're done reading this, you'll be ready to head to Texas to . . If theres any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. Some even believe that this is an evolved strain of redfish, different from its relatives in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal waters. It has a large front collar that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. 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. Theyll even attack poppers with gusto, at times. Everyone has to know where the big rods are on the boat and how to quickly stash albie gear. Sometimes, they can be a bit more technical. 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. True trophy fish can mean being in the right place, with the right flies, setup for success. 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. 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. Gene Montgomery (334-478-7440) is a Mobile, Alabama, high-school teacher with a passion for fly fishing. Launch - Louis's Bait Camp 3510 Texas 6 / Hitchcock, TX 77563 / (409) 935-9050. Devils River - Legendary Among Texas Fly Anglers. You can keep a maximum of 3 fish per angler per day. Saltwater fly fishing for redfish is a lot of fun! On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. March 14: Exec Mtg - ZOOM March 10-12: Bolivar Marshes March 24-26: Harmon Creek Outing March 28: Monthly Mtg. Truthfully, there are a lot of different redfish fly patterns that all work well. The Kwan fly is a great shrimp imitation as well. 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. 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. 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. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. These 2hours are golden and what every redfish angler dreams of. It has a unique wobbling action when retrieved thats identical to a Johnson wobbling spoon. Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. He ties the fly on a barbless 34011 Mustad size 4 hook, with a bright-gold cone head to help get it deep. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. SUMMARY. This area is chalked full of bayous and canals, dotted with innumerable lakes, bays, ponds, and . If the precise concave shape isnt made, the spoon will plane to the surface during the retrieve rather than wobble. 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. Redfish are resourceful and feed on a variety of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. That said, Im an 8wt shooter myself, and I feel an 8wt setup is ample to target most reds in their environment. The body is bulky, shrimp-like, made of bright cactus chenille. What makes the fly different from other crab and glue-body designs, however, is that its extremely weedless. On a calm day, you can see spinner sharks launch out of the water from a mile away. Redfish feed on a variety of marsh-like critters. Ten of the other 14 fly-tippet-class records came from Louisiana. During the winter months, the water on the flats clears. Possibly the most unique redfish destination is Mosquito Lagoon in east central Florida. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. Next the tubing is poked at liberally with a needle or ice pick to unfurl the mylar, giving it a frizzy appearance. 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 . 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. Offshore, in the surf, or next to deep channels are the ideal locations to use this fly. 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. The Clouser is a classic saltwater pattern for a variety of species, and for good reason. 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.