All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish up on the shallow flats of Gulf Coast fisheries. 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. Aransas Pass Fly Fishing. Sheka Shrimp come in weighted and unweighted versions, with or without weed guards. 1 artificial lure of all time for redfish. Doors open up at 6 p.m. and tickets are $60 for individuals and $70 for couples. The Redfish tend to like its smaller profiling in the colder months, especially on the clearer days. Just deals and news! Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. Most of them imitate the crabs, shrimp, and baitfish that make up the majority of the redfish diet. 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. Miniard fishes primarily for tailing redfish in tough, tangled spartina grass along the northeast Florida coast. This allows the crab to "swim" while being stripped. The Kwan fly is a great shrimp imitation as well. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! I am a South African based fly fisherman who loves nothing more than spending a day on the water. It's a great pattern for sight fishing. The fly is only available in one size, but colors are almost limitless. If you're wondering which fly rod you should choose to chase Reds, we've covered that topic here. My guide, Capt. 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. Dupre can make custom colors if necessary. You do not want to miss your chance to experience the classic Fall Run along the Texas Gulf Coast. Most of the time fly-rodders are working from kayaks and canoes, casting to pushing fish or blind-casting to creek mouths. This is a great fly for shallow water and smaller fish that aren't looking for a huge meal. Galveston. Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . 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. Redfish, red drum, or spot-tailed bass are all names that refer to this fish. Most have been well tested via the school of hard fishing knocks endorsed by the anglers who cast them and the redfish that eat them. Fast, free shipping, expedited shipping available, earn 5% Rewards.A list of the most popular flies in Texas, along with hatch charts, river reports, and other helpful information to make your next trip to Texas the best trip yet. To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website https://tpwd.texas.gov/. We respect your privacy. If needed contact info -, Snook, Reds and Tarpon can be found all over Florida. No spam. The Mangrove Baitfish is great for Florida and Lowcountry redfish thanks to its wide profile and snag-resistant design. The great thing about redfish patterns is, for the most part, they are pretty darn simple fly and easy to tie. Fly Fishing the texas coast. The key to this flys success is its slow sinking rate combined with the fluid pulsing motion of the hackles on the tail. First there's the weather. Floating on the surface, they pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. 9 ft leader is standard with 25-30lbs breaking strain tippet. Anglers who dont know the areas can find a lot of trouble very quickly, but the fishing is amazing. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. The redfish run from average, 4 to 7 pounds, to big, 12 to 15 pounds. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Electric Bunny doesnt seemingly resemble one particular redfish menu item, but they find its crabby silhouette irresistible. But for Bill Harvey, a biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Aquatic Resource Protection . Is this getting you excited? These fish, without a doubt, make for an incredibly memorable fly fishing trip. 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 big crab and shrimp eaters, and the Ragin Craven does a great job of imitating both. The EP Baitfish is a Gurgler-like pattern that moves water and pops on the surface to trigger an aggressive Redfish eat. Some popular patterns include the Merkin, KungFu, Contraband, Flexo, Fleeing Crabs, and many more. One fish though, when it's a nice redfish like those we caught that day, can do the soul a world of good. 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. Here are our favorite flies for Redfish. Check out, Picture Source A huge thanks to the great folks at, Some of the amazing redfish pictures were provided by my buddies at. Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over. Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. Almost every saltwater fly shop has a variation of the traditional Kwan fly, or sometimes referred to as the Redfish Toad. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important . What the hell. 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. 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. 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. Description - Fly fishing for red drum in the shallow marshes near Galveston using kayaks right after a cool front. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. 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. Jim West, 409-996-3054 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. The best description I have heard for a redfish is a Clumsy confident fly eating machine. For more about chasing redfish with a fly rod, find Chico Fernandezs book Fly Fishing for Redfish. During the winter months, the water on the flats clears. But, thanks in large part to the Coastal Conservation Association that day is long gone. This small collection are the top flies for Redfish that we have found. View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. Ive also caught flounder, ladyfish, bluefish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and snook on Spoonflies. We use giant Clouser flies teamed with super-fast-sinking fly lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. Other examples include modified Divervariants and the Popcorn Shrimp. Thanks for signing up! If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. In the summer, mullet start to move through the surf, and that signals game on for fly fishermen. We spent 3 days exploring the area in search of Redfish. For large redfish, you will want to employ a 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0 circle hook. Truthfully, there are a lot of different redfish fly patterns that all work well. While these large flies are still useful to have during the summer . True trophy fish can mean being in the right place, with the right flies, setup for success. 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. 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. The hook sizes and eye weight can greatly vary and give you the flexibility to fish any depth of water. This brute weighed more than 30 pounds. No matter if you are chasing them in the muddy mangroves or off a pier amongst some weed banks, if you find the fish feeding, you should be able to hook one. 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. Theyll even attack poppers with gusto, at times. It has a large front collar that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. It has a deer hair head thats designed to push water and has a perfect baitfish profile that fish find hard to resist. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. Redfish weighing less than 15 pounds can be landed using most any fly rod. Gold Frizzy. 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. 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. So, get out there and get your rod bent, line stretched, and net wet. As a general rule,the darker/muddier the water, the darker the fly should be; and, when the water is gin-clear you should pick flies that are more of a natural color such as tans, whites, and browns. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. However, once the guide finds fish, the rest is up to you. 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 . For a slow-sink fly, a bucktail tail is good. Find out where the action is, what the water conditions are and everything you need for a successful day on the water! The Texas Toad, pictured above, is a good example of one such variation. When handling and releasing any fish, particularly the larger bull reds, remember to hold them horizontally to support their internal organs. 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. The body is made from gold Mylar tubing with the cotton stuffing removed from the inside. 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. The Devils River is legendary to anglers in Texas. Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. 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. Its an excellent pattern for the muddier waters where some surface movement is needed to grab the fishs attention. Plus, we've also written about the best fly reel for Reds and the best fly line for Reds. The EP fibers really changed how we could tie baitfish patterns, and the advancements are spectacular. 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. These omnivores, with their underslung mouths, scour the grass and mud for prey. The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. Often, you'll need flat, calm conditions to consistently see fish. You need a set of flies in your arsenal that covers the entire water column, from topwater, to bottom crawling, and everything in between. By the time you're done reading this, you'll be ready to head to Texas to . Reds customarily feed on small crabs, shrimp and baitfish, such as mullet and mud minnows. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. Its just a matter of selecting the right flies. 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. For food and shelter, they seek out sea-grass beds, mangroves, marshes, oyster bars, mud and sand flats and beaches. The cost is $11.00 per person per day. Jim, note Prof Salt's recent use of size 8 hooks on redfish flies. Redfish in the lagoon and Indian River systems of Florida's space coast have an obsession with this type of fly. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. The Electric Chicken was originally tied to mimic the electric chicken plastic bait. The Baffin Blue Crab fly pictured is just one example of how you can modify this pattern to fit your target species. 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. Getting the fly deep gets more bites, even when the reds are busting on top. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. 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 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. I like to think of it as the woolly bugger for reds. While other colors are effective I have found these to be best . Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. All the way from Florida to Texas anglers and tyers are hard at work designing patterns to fool redfish. Fish it near the bottom with slow and erratic retrieves for best results. The carnage happens fast. 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. Most gurglers are built with a foam body with an aggressive front head and have a marabou, buck tail, or synthetic fiber tail. This Louisiana classic is an easy and delicious way to serve redfish. In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. 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. Weighted Gold Frizzies are very popular in Alabama, according to Wesley Parks of McCoy Outdoors Fly Shop (334-432-3006) in Mobile. The lakes, ponds and coves in these areas prove deeper, so you wont see too many tailing fish. A popping cork is ideal when the fish are acting particularly lethargic. It is very productive in a root beer color with gold tinsel and redhead profile. So, there you have it. As much as I love wading the south Texas flats, redfish in the Laguna Madre are smallpuppy drum, in local parlancethat rarely weigh more than 6 or 7 pounds. With hundreds of creeks, bays and tidal washes that abound in the area, this region is a vast labyrinth of dark-stained tidewater. Carry an intermediate line for the deeper waters, just in case. A Redfish is a Redfish, no matter if you are in Texas, Florida, or Virginia. 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). . Because reds often cruise in murky water, anglers must throw a big enough fly for them to see. Cone-Head Wooly Bugger It rides high in the water column and will attract a red from some distance off. The key is to use a fly-and-line combo that will drop down in the water column. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and imitating a fleeing shrimp or wounded baitfish. A subtle fly or plug pulled gently in front of a . JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Redfish are a staple on fly down South, and many a fly angler love to catch these fish throughout the year. 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. Other examples include a modified Diver variant and the Popcorn Shrimp (pictured above). The olive and brown combo is my favorite on a size #1 hook. I use large, black bead eyes most of the time, but always tie some flies with lead eyes for deeper water. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Learn More. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. Victor Browning Lake and Calaveras Lake. Magnify that sound and it results in a musical popcorn symphony performed by an entire school of reds feeding on fleeing white shrimp. Texas Redfish Limits. But as every angler knows, there are days where the fish are picky and are only keying in on one food source. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. Trinity Bay and East Bay. 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. A tailing red may be one of the easiest reds to catch, but they can be very particular at times as well. The lagoon runs from the southern tip of New Smyrna Beach to the north end of Merritt Island and encompasses more than 21,000 acres of shallow, clear flats with less than a foot of tidal flow. If youre not ready when a school appears, youre out of luck. They get a lot bigger. Fly fishing has been my passion and pursuit for the past 20 years. The Crafty Shrimp is one of those flies that should always be in your fly box. 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. What are the top reasons to fly-fish at Bay Flats Lodge? If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! Eric Glass, @captainericg, 956-434-1422; Galveston Bay: Capt. The shrimp-tipped jig is the icing on the cake, and the redfish can't resist the smell. Sharks can also be a drum indicator, she adds, because they like the same foods. During the full-moon periods both months, anglers anchor along the edges of the channel between Blount Island and Mayport. It has a unique wobbling action when retrieved thats identical to a Johnson wobbling spoon. The bulls chase baitfish in the shallows, and the Everglades Special is the key! The author, left, made his first trip to Louisiana waters after bull reds on fly in 2006. All rights reserved. Zap-A-Crab The body profile and hook riding upwards make it deadly. Its important to remember that thousands of redfish flies work very well. These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. The customary natural colors of brown, tan, orange, and white are a very popular choice among saltwater fly fishermen. I love nothing more than being out on the water chasing a few reds with friends. Generally, the Deceiver fits into a open-water category as these flies are rather large compared to others. 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. But a fishing trip can also go terribly wrong without the right gear. Big bull reds love this fly. With a mix of unpredicted weather conditions, we were in for quite the weekend. 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. Recommended Guide/Charter Service: Bones Fishing Guide Service (San Antonio, Calaveras Lake) This is one of the best guide services operating on Calaveras Lake for big redfish and catfish.