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. Winter Redfish are often larger, especially Bull Redfish, and typically are fished with flies in the 1/0 - 2/0 size range. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. Check this first and try again. Miniard fishes primarily for tailing redfish in tough, tangled spartina grass along the northeast Florida coast. 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. Image hooking into a red weighting over 50lbs. All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish up on the shallow flats of Gulf Coast fisheries. 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. Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . It also helped a bit that the first cast I made with a Spoonfly hooked a fish. Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. If you're not a Texas resident you need to purchase a non-resident one-day all water fishing license (code 214). Gardner always keeps two rods rigged and ready. With that said, I will break down my favorite redfish flies and explain why and when I fish them. Getting the fly to drop deep gains more bites. The result is a fly that is sleek and has little air-resistance during the back cast, but in the water it swims well with a blooming action. Texas fishing calendar: In October head to Gulf beaches for redfish Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Boat shoes are great, so you dont slip and slide around on deck. Getting the fly deep gets more bites, even when the reds are busting on top. 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. Eric Glass, @captainericg, 956-434-1422; Galveston Bay: Capt. The other captain stalked close to two big foraging reds and worked the fish with different flies for 10 minutes without a take. Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at[emailprotected]. Most of your casting will be done in . The fishing is good, but different, and the type of fly required to dupe reds is different too. The original was white and silver but the color combinations and sizes are infinite. Quickly toss the fly in front of the fish before it heads back out to sea. The tackle. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Fly Fisherman Magazine, 2015. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Traditionally it is tied with a Craft Fur tail, a little flash, a small attractor/egg hot spot, a palmered hackle collar, segmented sections of yarn or EP fibers, and some bead-chain or lead eyes. The Redfish Crack fly is a proven and very successful fly increasing in popularity in the Texas and Louisiana fisheries. It would be great to book a fishing charter to fish for redfish. These patters offer a solid profile and tied with the right materials and weight move beautifully throught the water. In the southern parts of Florida and Texas, redfish generally run smaller than their cousins in other regions, and they spend most of their time on the flats. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. Flats-fishing equals sight-fishing, which is what makes it fun. You do not want to miss your chance to experience the classic Fall Run along the Texas Gulf Coast. The spoon fly excels by flashing and emitting low frequency vibration sounds as its being stripped. Summer Redfish Flies. They are known as bull reds. Much of the action is found around spartina grass marsh, where reds forage for crab when the tide is high. Just deals and news! Kennedy nicknamed this all-black cone-headed Wooly Bugger the American Express Fly because he never leaves home without it. 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. 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. I like tans, greens, and lighter colors. Iknow it works because the guides keep all my leftovers. The fly is then adorned with a bit of colored hackle and a wire weed guard. When the cork pops in the water it creates a slurping sound, and this gets the fish interested. Victor Browning Lake and Calaveras Lake. Experience world-class accommodations and cuisine. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. Good luck out there on the water! Starting at $6.16. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. With hundreds of creeks, bays and tidal washes that abound in the area, this region is a vast labyrinth of dark-stained tidewater. 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 Best Way to Cook Redfish [10 Amazing Redfish Recipes] 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. These large-shouldered predators spend time cruising marshy coastlines searching for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. The body profile and hook riding upwards make it deadly. Watch the waves roll close to the beach, and look for a red as breaking water crests. She coaches clients in advance of these opportunities: Drum prep is like a fire drill, she says. It is hand-tied by Jim Dupre and finished with an epoxy coating, making it bulletproof. I love this! 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. Most come with bead eyes, are weedless and measure about 3inches long. Redfish in the lagoon and Indian River systems of Florida's space coast have an obsession with this type of fly. Fly Fishing for Redfish (Tips & Beginner's Guide) - CAST and SPEAR Most of them imitate the crabs, shrimp, and baitfish that make up the majority of the redfish diet. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. Its simple design and ease to fish are what I love about it. In these conditions, its not so much the pattern, but rather how it swims that is important. Traditionally it is tied with a Craft Fur tail, a little flash, a small attractor/egg hot spot, a palmered hackle collar, segmented sections of yarn or EP fibers, and some beadchain or lead eyes. 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. Before you go, know the rules for reds in your target area. My hands shook. This is where the high tide pushes an extra few feet, flooding the muddy grass banks. Most times, anglers fish shallow water thats clear enough to spot a 30-pound red, but it can quickly become quite murky after a cold front. The lakes, ponds and coves in these areas prove deeper, so you wont see too many tailing fish. The best description I have heard for a redfish is a Clumsy confident fly eating machine. That allows her to keep an eye on the fast-moving schools instead of focusing on tying knots and digging for tackle. Im all set to go a simple boat fly box with the above patterns! In the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. 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. Possibly the most unique redfish destination is Mosquito Lagoon in east central Florida. The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds. The Best Redfish Flies - Living Water Guide Service Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over. The Deceiver is another famous pattern known by many fly fishermen. Spoonfly Welcome to the Texas Coastal Bend. Microscopic Monsters of the Ocean: King Mackerel, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control. In reds and greens on a size #1, this pattern wiggles and swims like an injured baitfish or crab. Kwan is the fly to have for those quiet, cold winter days on the water. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. Trinity Bay and East Bay. By the time you're done reading this, you'll be ready to head to Texas to . 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. The wind did what it usually does to a spoon-fly and sailed it several feet off target. It lands lightly, hangs in the water column, and when tied with a weed guard, it is the perfect fly to fish over grassy structures in shallow water. You can keep a maximum of 3 fish per angler per day. You can play with tippet strengths but stick to what you are happy to fish and go from there. Like Charleston, certain parts in the South have what we call a flood tide. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. Redfish are generally in the surf when the water temperatures reach the mid-70s. 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. Dustin's Destroyer, Chartreuse and White. The best is to get the fish to see the fly, and you will generally hook them. Calm conditions are best for spotting redfish in dark water, but sometimes during strong autumn noreasters great flats action can be had. To see more of his photography go to patfordphotos.com. 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. Marsh grasses remain a favorite destination for anglers hoping to hook reds. You still must put the fly in the right place, but you definitely need a 10-weight rod and a really big fly. The King Fu Crab swims hook point up, which is excellent, and the weed guard just makes double sure there arent any snags. Dont try to feed a redfish a bonefish-size gotcha. This fish is looking for a meal, and it will eat just about anything it thinks it can fit in its mouth. The Redfish will follow this fly until it commits. The main exception exists in the rugged beauty of the south Texas, Port Mansfield and South Padre areas. Fly Fishing Trip | Texas Red Fish Adventures | South Padre Island, TX In addition, the predominant species you might encounter in Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing is the red [fish] and black drum. . Fly Fish Rockport - Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing Guide Service The setup you choose to use depends entirely on your ability as a fly fisher. The Baffin Blue Crab fly pictured is just one example of how you can modify this pattern to fit your target species. A local captain knows where the fish were yesterday and runs a proper skiff designed to navigate the target waters. Big bull reds love this fly. This is where the big boys live. Crab flies mainly fall into two different categories and can be fished a few different ways. The carnage happens fast. Gurgler flies are the top waters of saltwater fly fishing. The marsh features a series of shallow ponds connected by channels, all of which come lined with even shallower oyster bars and mud flats. 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. Redfish will chase this fly from a mile away, so be ready. Fishing for redfish in the surf | Hatch Magazine - Fly Fishing, etc. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. Almost every saltwater fly shop has a variation of the traditional Kwan fly, or sometimes referred to as the Redfish Toad. If youve fished for Redfish before or are researching Redfish flies, you will undoubtedly run across the Kwan fly. The Electric Chicken was originally tied to mimic the electric chicken plastic bait. Cone-Head Wooly Bugger The Mylar tubing is folded over lengthwise, and secured to the hook shank. Take a look at the Sight Cast Spoon, it comes after years of research and field testing. Stretching 367 miles from the Sabine River at the Louisiana border to the Rio Grande on the Mexican border, the Texas coast is a varied and unique fishery that is relatively unnoticed on the national level. He ties several versions of it, making it suitable for redfish in a wide variety of waters and angling conditions. Some quick online research will show you hundreds of Crab patterns available. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. Most of the time fly-rodders are working from kayaks and canoes, casting to pushing fish or blind-casting to creek mouths. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. 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. 9 ft leader is standard with 25-30lbs breaking strain tippet. They can be in water from 6 inches to 3feet, based on varying conditions of tide and temperature. I like the fly in the mud crab color of dark brown /green in size #2. 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. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. Fishalicious, is another baitfish pattern worthy of the fly box. However, if you venture out in the summer evenings, youll quickly understand how the area acquired its name. 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. 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. The body is bulky, shrimp-like, made of bright cactus chenille. Galveston is one of the best places to target redfish in Texas and its surrounding areas. Your fishing license can be purchased 24/7 online or over the phone (800) 895-4248 Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm central time. 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. Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. Reds customarily feed on small crabs, shrimp and baitfish, such as mullet and mud minnows. If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. An oversized head with a long tail made of saddle hackles. 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. In fall and winter months, the Biloxi Marsh and the coast of Louisiana can properly boast the best redfishing in the world. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Anglers can accidently bump into these schools, but many guides, such as Capt. They will generally eat a second time if they spook or miss the fly. 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. Devils River - Legendary Among Texas Fly Anglers. Gene Montgomery (334-478-7440) is a Mobile, Alabama, high-school teacher with a passion for fly fishing. 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. Consequently, those are the best hues for Aldermans Zap-A-Crab. Galveston. Baitfish, crab, and shrimp patterns are . Fly-fishing, Light Tackle, Sight Casting, Shallow Water Fishing Charters in The Lower Laguna Madre in South . Texas Fly Caster Location: Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX Waters: Lake Ray Roberts, Lewisville Lake, Trinity River, Other Local Waters Fish: Bass, Carp . To find the best guides, contact a local fly shop. It has a large head that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. 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. What's Your Favorite Redfish Flies | Dedicated To The Smallest Of Skiffs These 2hours are golden and what every redfish angler dreams of. The fish reside in the lagoon year-round, making it the best area to target trophy redfish on the flats along Floridas east coast. Redfish Flies - Texas Flyfishers of Houston He ties the fly on a barbless 34011 Mustad size 4 hook, with a bright-gold cone head to help get it deep. Redfish feed on a variety of marsh-like critters. Usually a wake is seen, or a small part of the fish is spotted breaking the waters surface. I, for one, have a boat bag that has all my gear and flies in. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. Therefore, I recommend having some experience . 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. You want to be in Port Aransas during the Fall Run to catch your next personal best sight casted Texas red drum on the fly. What makes the fly different from other crab and glue-body designs, however, is that its extremely weedless. Red drum is a fast growing fish reaching approximately 11 inches and one pound in its first year, 17-22 inches and 3 1/2 pounds in two years, and 22-24 inches and 6-8 pounds in three years. While these large flies are still useful to have during the summer . Redfish are big crab and shrimp eaters, and the Ragin Craven does a great job of imitating both. From baitfish to shrimp to crabs and almost anything in between, Reds are opportunistic feeders. Once they spot your fly, they will open up their mouth and take it. 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. Because reds often cruise in murky water, anglers must throw a big enough fly for them to see. 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. A Redfish is a Redfish, no matter if you are in Texas, Florida, or Virginia. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish and will trigger a natural reaction bite that Redfish can simply not resist. The hook sizes and eye weight can greatly vary and give you the flexibility to fish any depth of water. The fools gold pattern is ideal for this as it sinks fast and has excellent movement in the water. Here is a list of the best nine places to fly fish in Texas: 1. This gives the Redfish a feeding zone they cant get on other occasions. Fly Fishing the texas coast. Sneaky speckled trout can also be caught year-round moreover the seatrout here grow to trophy proportions like in the Laguna Madre. Top 10 Redfish Flies | Fly Fishing - Gink and Gasoline A subtle fly or plug pulled gently in front of a . 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. Jim West, 409-996-3054 Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. 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. 5 Best Flies for Redfish Fly Fishing - The Fly Crate I am a South African based fly fisherman who loves nothing more than spending a day on the water. The basic shape of the fly tends to replicate many sources of the Redfishs diet, such as shrimp and crabs, and can be tied in countless color variations to suit all water clarities.