Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. I, for one, have a boat bag that has all my gear and flies in. 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. Just deals and news! Creating high quality flies made for those that live and breathe the shallow flats and backwater marshes is our main focus. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. The flats-fishing techniques and tackle for Texas mimic those elsewhere. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski.com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. 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. No spam. Texas Red Fish Adventures. Traveling angler and world-record holder Meredith McCord lives in Texas and fishes its flats for redfish every chance she gets. If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. In the summer, mullet start to move through the surf, and that signals game on for fly fishermen. Almost any fly that imitates such forage works well. Rick Hartman, an expert fly fisherman and guide, poles a skiff in the Lower Laguna Madre while a friend casts for redfish. Thats when Alderman became a believer in rattling redfish flies. Watching a redfish try to suck a surface fly or popper into its underslung bottom-feeding mouth can be hilarious. I use large, black bead eyes most of the time, but always tie some flies with lead eyes for deeper water. Usually most crab flies you find in the big box stores are designed to target permit or bonefish. I fell in love with the Spoonfly the first time I held one. On the inshore saltwater scene the Spoonfly has few peers. We are lucky that Redfish are such a forgiving fish to target. 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. 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. Proven fly patterns for summer Redfish are baitfish and shrimp patterns! Spoonfly 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. 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. The deer hair body gives it the topwater element, and I love throwing these flies at cruising redfish trackers as they are often called. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. 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. The fish reside in the lagoon year-round, making it the best area to target trophy redfish on the flats along Floridas east coast. 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. 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 pattern excels in stained/murky water thats very common along the Texas and Louisiana coast. These patters offer a solid profile and tied with the right materials and weight move beautifully throught the water. 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 . You do not want to miss your chance to experience the classic Fall Run along the Texas Gulf Coast. Floating on the surface, Gurglers will pop, splash, and create noise when being retrieved. Caudal and dorsal fins poking above the surface usually give away the fishs presence. Rockport fly fishing is some of the best on the entire Texas Coast. 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). 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. Check this first and try again. Re: Redfish Flies. Tie on a bushy fly in either white or brown with bead or lead eyes, such as this Chernobyl shrimp. My choice is an 8wt setup, but you should fish what you feel comfortable with. Youll definitely need 10-weight rods and 400-plus-grain sink-tip lines with big lead-eye flies. Fly Fishing the texas coast. Fly-fishing, Light Tackle, Sight Casting, Shallow Water Fishing Charters in The Lower Laguna Madre in South . Blackened Redfish. The saltwater flats near Aransas Pass and Port Aranasas are a mecca for flyanglers hoping to hook redfish or speckled trout. Because redfish usually feed in grass and often cruise in murky water, fly anglers must throw something the fish can see. As you approach the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts, all that changes. Description - Fly fishing for red drum in the shallow marshes near Galveston using kayaks right after a cool front. Dupre Spoon Fly is one of those debatable patterns that some purists argue isnt a fly but more a lure. 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. 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 fly is finished by tying in three dark but iridescent wild-turkey breast feathers that splay outward from the head over the hook point and bend, which makes it look very crab-like. When: Summer and fall; Who: The following guides specialize in Texas redfishing: Middle Texas Coast: Capt. Dustin's Destroyer, Chartreuse and White. But this doesnt always mean you will be successful. 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. Both styles are highly effective when fished properly under the right conditions. Redfish are very forgiving in that they will eat again on a second attempt and often follow anything that looks like food. 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. It is a day that will live forever in infamy for Americans: the date of Dec. 7. Fished in the Gulf Coast region, you cant go wrong with a chartreuse and white color that has a large eye. 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. 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. 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. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. Captain Jeff offers fantastic half day, full day, and multi day trips fly fishing for redfish along the Texas Coastal Bend. Pair the rod with a smooth drag reel and a floating line, and you are good to go. This recipe is extremely fast and easy! Crab flies come in two different styles and can be fished two different ways. Fly fishing has been my passion and pursuit for the past 20 years. With a mix of unpredicted weather conditions, we were in for quite the weekend. Read -> What is the Biggest Redfish Caught. Redfish are big crab and shrimp eaters, and the Ragin Craven does a great job of imitating both. This fly is particularly good on the flood tide in those highwater grass areas. It flashes and dances so well that its easy to spot even 100 feet out in thick grass and cattails. Saltwater fly fishing is another craze that has taken root from Texas to Florida, and for good reason. Possibly the most unique redfish destination is Mosquito Lagoon in east central Florida. With that said, I will break down my favorite redfish flies and explain why and when I fish them. Read where to go in this article > Where to Fly Fish in Florida, How big do Tarpon, Redfish and Snook get? This stunning shot was taken by professional photograher Marjie Goldberg from Florida. Along with the flies you like most, give us the general location (not spots but east Coast of Florida, South Carolina or Texas etc. 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. 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. The other captain stalked close to two big foraging reds and worked the fish with different flies for 10 minutes without a take. He ties several versions of it, making it suitable for redfish in a wide variety of waters and angling conditions. What the hell. It has a unique wobbling action when retrieved thats identical to a Johnson wobbling spoon. 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. The Texas coast between Port O'Conner and Rockport offers excellent opportunities to sight cast for redfish, as well as occasional shots at black drum, speckled trout, and sheepshead. 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. Aransas Pass Fly Fishing. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. During the winter months, the water on the flats clears. The body profile and hook riding upwards make it deadly. The Clouser closely resembles a glass minnow, one of the most plentiful bait fishes seen in back lakes and coves. Next there is the side style like the Sidewinder Crab,this pattern has the hook shank parallel with the crab body. View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop. Whats interesting about Texas is its variety of venues. If theres any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. Parks fishes the vast marshes around the town of Chalmette, Louisiana and uses a couple of poppers he says redfish go absolutely bonkers over. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. The Merkin Crab is widely considered the most effective Permit fly ever conceived. Sight cast to schools of tailing redfish in ankle-deep, gin-clear water. To see more of his photography go to patfordphotos.com. 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.. Clouser Minnow needs no introductions or explanations! You can keep a maximum of 3 fish per angler per day. The Clouser is a classic saltwater pattern for a variety of species, and for good reason. My own personal favorite stomping grounds for redfish include South Florida and Louisiana. No more sweat-soaked shirts the first hour into poling and smelling like a gym locker by the end of the day. Fish it near the bottom with slow and erratic retrieves for best results. In weedy water, the Sheka is tied with a monofilament-loop weed guard. Starting at $6.16. 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 weed guard is essential to the success of the fly. 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. The customary natural colors of brown, tan, orange, and white are a very popular choice among saltwater fly fishermen. 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. Most of the fish weigh less than 15pounds, but every so often youll find a school of 20-pounders. If you cast this in front of a Redfish, allow it to slowly flutter down, and then give it very short small strips, youll be hooked up in no time. He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. Here is a brief overview of some hot fly patterns in vogue today among the in the know coastal redfish angling set. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. Read about the BIGGEST Caught >, Casting a Fly to Snook is amazing. 1.3 3. Keep flies with bead eyes and lead eyes available. Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at[emailprotected]. You can play with tippet strengths but stick to what you are happy to fish and go from there. A Redfish is a Redfish, no matter if you are in Texas, Florida, or Virginia. The angel hairs hollow body gives bulk, and the bucktail and long hackle feathers give the tail lovely movement. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Georgia also has vast areas of inshore spartina grass flats. Its an excellent pattern for the muddier waters where some surface movement is needed to grab the fishs attention. And Id bet striped bass and salmon would go bonkers for em too. Other examples include a modified Diver variant and the Popcorn Shrimp (pictured above). 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. The carnage happens fast. Saltwater Flies. In Georgia the water is dark and turbid, and the tides run hard and high. From the gulf coast of Texas to Virginia, redfish can be found along nearly 2000 miles worth of coastline. 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. They will usually eat a well-placed fly with reckless abandon and can even be caught on topwater flies for redfish. Once they spot your fly, they will open up their mouth and take it. Sheka Shrimp It has a deer hair head thats designed to push water and has a perfect baitfish profile that fish find hard to resist. It needs to be small. The fly is tied to look like a gaudy shrimp, which is something to keep in mind when viewing it. Its a pretty basic fly, with a small head and burnt nylon eyes. Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast. 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! Gin clear water makes these fish very skittish when in shallow water situations. I have found that light flies and long, long, long leaders are the ticket in these situations. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesn't make much disturbance when it lands. Colors I do not leave home without are: Black/Purple, and Brown/Tan. Fly fishing for redfish on the flats of Texas in a video from WildFly Productions. Everglades National Park offers prime redfish habitat with miles of flats. Dure wont divulge exactly how he molds epoxy into just the right shape to produce a replica wobble of the Johnson spoon. Flies for Redfish. East Cut Redfish Popper They typically have heavy amounts of weight and little bulk to get the fly down to the sandy bottom fast. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. The basic design is made with four to six saddle hackles tied near the back at the bend of the hook. This small collection are the top flies for Redfish that we have found. Generally, the Deceiver fits into a open-water category as these flies are rather large compared to others. Polling around on that flood tide is a special time to fish, and it should be cherished. Its just a matter of selecting the right flies. Texas Sporting Journal, "Light Tackling Tarpon", May 2015. Leaving them with the "shell" on makes the filets look amazing too. 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. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish and Sheepshead in the Gulf Coast region. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important factor. Baitfish, crab, and shrimp patterns are . Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. No top ten list can be without the most used and prolific fly in the world, the classic Clouser Minnow pattern. Thanks for signing up! Sheka Shrimps tied in subtle browns and cream colors perform best in stained water. The good news is that Redfish are highly aggressive feeders and are usually not too picky. Try white, chartreuse or black colors on a 2/0 Gamakatsu stinger hook. Let's take a closer look at what awaits you on a Texas redfish adventure. 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. Fly Fisherman Magazine, 2015. Its important to remember that thousands of redfish flies work very well. I set the hook, and the fish rocketed along the shoreline, throwing mud and water. 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. Its a simple Superglue fly Ben can make in about 10 minutes. Redfish can be found in the waters of Galveston where the depth is about 6 - 12 feet. My guide, Capt. 2. Most any color combination will work, but I like brown or white and hardly ever use anything else. While these large flies are still useful to have during the summer . Getting down quickly also avoids the albies, which grab the lighter offerings, she says. Its time Florida starts similar program.Snook Often, you'll need flat, calm conditions to consistently see fish. Yet it has good fish-hooking capabilities. Below are some articles to guide you to a TROPHY. Floating on the surface, they pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. Redfish are opportunistic feeders and often forage in shallow mudflats with their noses stuck to the bottom, where they mainly feed on crustaceans. It rides high in the water column and will attract a red from some distance off. Redfish are strong, hearty, and fight really good. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. They will generally eat a second time if they spook or miss the fly. 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. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. . The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. They get a lot bigger. 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. Potential Freshwater Walk in outing - (from Rob McConnell's Fly Fishing Houston book) Feb 28: Monthly Mtg. If needed contact info -, Snook, Reds and Tarpon can be found all over Florida. Keep your leader short and straightforward. Magnify that sound and it results in a musical popcorn symphony performed by an entire school of reds feeding on fleeing white shrimp. These are the times when having an arsenal of flies that resembles all the prevalent bait fish in your particular location is a must. Crab flies mainly fall into two different categories and can be fished a few different ways. The wind did what it usually does to a spoon-fly and sailed it several feet off target. What makes the Spoonfly so unique and such a fish-catcher are the same things that make the Johnson Weedless Minnow a hit for bait-casters and spin fishermen. Texas Redfish Limits. 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. In the colder months having the waders is excellent to have to keep you warm and dry. Just deals and news! The Crafty Shrimp is one of those flies that should always be in your fly box. My hands shook. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. From WildFly Productions: "Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. For more about chasing redfish with a fly rod, find Chico Fernandezs book Fly Fishing for Redfish. The spoon fly excels by flashing and emitting low frequency vibration sounds as its being stripped.