texas redfish flies texas redfish flies

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 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. 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. If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! Alderman is adamant that the rattles make a big difference in attracting redfish. 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. Caudal and dorsal fins poking above the surface usually give away the fishs presence. He guides when not teaching and devised the Gold Frizzy for redfish because it does a good job of imitating a gold, flashing and wobbling spoon likely the No. The setup you choose to use depends entirely on your ability as a fly fisher. Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. Redfish are strong, hearty, and fight really good. It has a large front collar that pushes water and the head to tail contrast makes it highly visible and attractive to fish. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. It has a deer hair head thats designed to push water and has a perfect baitfish profile that fish find hard to resist. Texas claims two others, and North Carolina one. Location: Houston, Texas. Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. 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. by Ron Mc Tue Mar 10, 2020 10:18 am. He ties the fly on a barbless 34011 Mustad size 4 hook, with a bright-gold cone head to help get it deep. Reds customarily feed on small crabs, shrimp and baitfish, such as mullet and mud minnows. 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. Flats-fishing equals sight-fishing, which is what makes it fun. Zap-A-Crab Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. The Redfish will follow this fly until it commits. 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. Sharks can also be a drum indicator, she adds, because they like the same foods. Read where to go in this article > Where to Fly Fish in Florida, How big do Tarpon, Redfish and Snook get? 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. He uses a No. Gold Frizzy. He ties several versions of it, making it suitable for redfish in a wide variety of waters and angling conditions. We are lucky that Redfish are such a forgiving fish to target. My own personal favorite stomping grounds for redfish include South Florida and Louisiana. 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. 7. If there's any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. 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. In Georgia the water is dark and turbid, and the tides run hard and high. When poling in the marsh, anglers look for wakes, tails and bodies near oyster bars and mud flats. For large redfish, you will want to employ a 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0 circle hook. Therefore, tackle choices revolve more around casting and presentation ease than on fighting the fish. The best description I have heard for a redfish is a Clumsy confident fly eating machine. Ten of the other 14 fly-tippet-class records came from Louisiana. For information, visit . Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. 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. The bulls chase baitfish in the shallows, and the Everglades Special is the key! The straight style, like the Straight-Shooter Crab pictured, has the hook shank positioned perpendicular to the crab body. 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. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. With excellent year-round populations of Redfish, Speckled Trout and Black Drum. It rides high in the water column and will attract a red from some distance off. From WildFly Productions: "Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. I think the craft fur body profile moves so well and has all the triggers. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. Potential Freshwater Walk in outing - (from Rob McConnell's Fly Fishing Houston book) Feb 28: Monthly Mtg. Galveston is one of the best places to target redfish in Texas and its surrounding areas. All of the fish you choose to keep must measure between 20-28 inches. You can keep a maximum of 3 fish per angler per day. Each area offers something to the fly fisherman. Dustin's Destroyer, Bluegill. You need to ensure to scan the course with your eyes, particularly when fishing in shallow waters. Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. While I tend to agree in most aspects, I know this pattern catches fish. . 1.4 4. There are many variants of topwater flies, the classic Gurgleris just one example. Fly Fishing the texas coast. As you work up either Florida coast, the flats-fishing remains similar from a technical point of view. To find the best guides, contact a local fly shop. The author says many fly patterns tempt red drum, but he usually keeps a selection of bead-eye and lead-eye flies on hand. The fly hit the water and the redfish inhaled it like it was the best meal it had ever seen. Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . Because redfish usually feed in grass and often cruise in murky water, fly anglers must throw something the fish can see. These trips are great for 1-2 anglers of all skill levels. Need something interesting to read, so post up your favorite redfish flies. Sight cast to schools of tailing redfish in ankle-deep, gin-clear water. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. This gives the Redfish a feeding zone they cant get on other occasions. If youre not ready when a school appears, youre out of luck. 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. While these large flies are still useful to have during the summer . A Redfish is a Redfish, no matter if you are in Texas, Florida, or Virginia. The basic design is made with four to six saddle hackles tied near the back at the bend of the hook. Cone-Head Wooly Bugger The fly is tied to look like a gaudy shrimp, which is something to keep in mind when viewing it. If all goes as planned, hooking reds well over 30 pounds is the welldeserved reward.. The fly has a monofilament weed guard and burnt-mono eyes. Standard hues include gold, silver, copper, burnt orange, silver prismatic, pink-and-black and black prismatic. Redfish fishing tips for fly anglers should include examples of the right gear for the job. 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. Gardner always keeps two rods rigged and ready. This Kwan pattern, or sometimes called the Redfish Toad, has a long history of proven success. Gjuro Bruer, maneuvered his skiff into casting range, and I managed to place one of my best redfish flies just a few feet ahead of this thing, which looked like a giant koi. A 6-10wt setup will work just fine. With that said, I will break down my favorite redfish flies and explain why and when I fish them. Its a simple Superglue fly Ben can make in about 10 minutes. 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. Saltwater fly fishing is another craze that has taken root from Texas to Florida, and for good reason. These large-shouldered predators spend time cruising marshy coastlines searching for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. Often, you'll need flat, calm conditions to consistently see fish. These fish, without a doubt, make for an incredibly memorable fly fishing trip. Gene Montgomery (334-478-7440) is a Mobile, Alabama, high-school teacher with a passion for fly fishing. My favorite colors are blue over white and chartreuse over white. 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. When it comes to fly fishing, Texas is an up-and-coming state with a lot to offer anglers. Try white, chartreuse or black colors on a 2/0 Gamakatsu stinger hook. Seriously, it is less than 25 minute's total prep time! Take a look at the Sight Cast Spoon, it comes after years of research and field testing. Colors run the gamut too, from pink to orange, and from yellow to hot green. Turkey in the Straw Im one of those fly fishers. The weed guard is essential to the success of the fly. Here in North Florida, this is usually in mid to late spring. Silver Krystal Flash is used liberally on many patterns, snce its a long-range attractant in clear water. This has all the characteristics of the Seaducer yet adds more of a shrimp look. What makes the fly different from other crab and glue-body designs, however, is that its extremely weedless. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. 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. 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.. Find out where the action is, what the water conditions are and everything you need for a successful day on the water! Days a . Sheka Shrimp Some even believe that this is an evolved strain of redfish, different from its relatives in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal waters. The wind did what it usually does to a spoon-fly and sailed it several feet off target. 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. When you select Wyld on the Fly as your guide for your next adventure, you can expect the . The water is air-clear. Redfish, red drum, or spot-tailed bass are all names that refer to this fish. The Crafty Shrimp is one of those flies that should always be in your fly box. Kennedy nicknamed this all-black cone-headed Wooly Bugger the American Express Fly because he never leaves home without it. 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. 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 subtle fly or plug pulled gently in front of a . Out in the St. Johns River channel, the bull reds congregate. These fish fight strongly and stubbornly, but they dont make long runs and theyre usually caught in shallow water. As we mentioned above, you can keep one Redfish measuring over 28 inches per year with your Red Drum Tag. Redfish are big crab and shrimp eaters, and the Ragin Craven does a great job of imitating both. 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. Sight fishing with a fly on the coast is one the most challenging types of fishing. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. Your fishing license can be purchased 24/7 online or over the phone (800) 895-4248 Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm central time. Let a good casts worth of line drag behind you and start wading in about a foot of water. Let's take a closer look at what awaits you on a Texas redfish adventure. Often this sound carries across the marsh from two or three coves over. Observe the size and type of baitfish that are up on the flats in high numbers and pick a fly that most closely resembles that. This Louisiana classic is an easy and delicious way to serve redfish. That means using stout tackle for casting: Try a 9-weight for fish to 20 pounds and a 10-weight for heavier bulls. March 14: Exec Mtg - ZOOM March 10-12: Bolivar Marshes March 24-26: Harmon Creek Outing March 28: Monthly Mtg. Sight Cast Saltwater Fly Shop. A good deviation of this pattern that works well from Texas to Florida is the Brown-Noser fly. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. Guiderecommended.com and River Traditions LLC participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and others, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other companies." When youre seeing lots of Redfish up on the flats, tie this fly on and let the good times roll. The Kung Fu Crab is a must when fishing the mangroves and grass plains. Check this first and try again. The deer hair body gives it the topwater element, and I love throwing these flies at cruising redfish trackers as they are often called. It is hand-tied by Jim Dupre and finished with an epoxy coating, making it bulletproof. All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish up on the shallow flats of Gulf Coast fisheries. The bull reds are singular fish, generally a lot bigger, and are more specific in what they eat. The dumbbell eyes can vary from tungsten to bead chain for weight changes. 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. If the precise concave shape isnt made, the spoon will plane to the surface during the retrieve rather than wobble. Waders and boots are great to have. This is the story behind the action in Marjie's words: "In August 2014, I was taking photos of Ospreys in flight at the . But, thanks in large part to the Coastal Conservation Association that day is long gone. The only difference between here and southern Florida and Texas: These reds range from 15 pounds up to almost 50. True trophy fish can mean being in the right place, with the right flies, setup for success. Current fly fishing reports and conditions for Gulf Coast Rockport in TX! Redfish will chase this fly from a mile away, so be ready. 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. The cost is $11.00 per person per day. 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). No spam. The fish reside in the lagoon year-round, making it the best area to target trophy redfish on the flats along Floridas east coast. Miniard fishes primarily for tailing redfish in tough, tangled spartina grass along the northeast Florida coast. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. Use Light Flies and Long Leaders. Add the sizes you fish most often too. The EP Baitfish is a Gurgler-like pattern that moves water and pops on the surface to trigger an aggressive Redfish eat. Flies for Redfish. When you want a good all-around fly that will catch any game fish you can see, tie on one of the most well-known saltwater flies, the Kwan fly. Most of the fish weigh less than 15pounds, but every so often youll find a school of 20-pounders. Mayfly emergers are often stuck in the film for quite some time making them easy pray for hungry trout. We use giant Clouser flies teamed with super-fast-sinking fly lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. That expert also comes with a trained pair of eyes to help spot the fish before they spot you. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. The great thing about redfish patterns is, for the most part, they are pretty darn simple fly and easy to tie. Youll definitely need 10-weight rods and 400-plus-grain sink-tip lines with big lead-eye flies. The Mylar tubing is folded over lengthwise, and secured to the hook shank. On the inshore saltwater scene the Spoonfly has few peers. Boat shoes are great, so you dont slip and slide around on deck. These Texas reds demonstrate typical shallow-water feeding behavior. The Deceiver is another famous pattern known by many fly fishermen. The pattern excels in stained/murky water thats very common along the Texas and Louisiana coast. Fly Fishing Laguna Madre on the Texas Coast. The Clouser is a classic saltwater pattern for a variety of species, and for good reason. Polling around on that flood tide is a special time to fish, and it should be cherished. I am a South African based fly fisherman who loves nothing more than spending a day on the water. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Almost every saltwater fly shop has a variation of the traditional Kwan fly, or sometimes referred to as the Redfish Toad. Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast. Like Charleston, certain parts in the South have what we call a flood tide. Starting at $6.16. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. During the full-moon periods both months, anglers anchor along the edges of the channel between Blount Island and Mayport. 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. These 2hours are golden and what every redfish angler dreams of. Watch the waves roll close to the beach, and look for a red as breaking water crests. The Mangrove Baitfish is great for Florida and Lowcountry redfish thanks to its wide profile and snag-resistant design. First there's the weather. Doors open up at 6 p.m. and tickets are $60 for individuals and $70 for couples. Because reds often cruise in murky water, anglers must throw a big enough fly for them to see. Consider Fishing The Flats: Flat fishing is a great way to go sight fishing for redfish.