texas redfish flies

Sport Fishing Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. 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. 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. It reminds me of a Perdigon, and that makes it ok for me to fish because I am a huge Perdi fan. We use giant Clouser flies teamed with super-fast-sinking fly lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. Next the tubing is poked at liberally with a needle or ice pick to unfurl the mylar, giving it a frizzy appearance. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. The best is to get the fish to see the fly, and you will generally hook them. This fly is particularly good on the flood tide in those highwater grass areas. I like to have an intermediate spool ready to roll if needed, but it isnt necessary. Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. Locals like the Surfin Wooly. The bright shiny spoon-fly is the furthest thing from the typically suggested drab sheepshead flies as you can get. The fly is best used in the colder months when the shrimps and crabs are absent. 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. The great thing about redfish patterns is, for the most part, they are pretty darn simple fly and easy to tie. Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. 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. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. Weighted Gold Frizzies are very popular in Alabama, according to Wesley Parks of McCoy Outdoors Fly Shop (334-432-3006) in Mobile. Current fly fishing reports and conditions for Gulf Coast Rockport in TX! In fall and winter, the Biloxi Marsh comes alive for fly anglers targeting big bull reds that cruise the ponds and channels. All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish up on the shallow flats of Gulf Coast fisheries. Sarah Gardner, out of Nags Head on the Outer Banks, actually target them. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish and Sheepshead in the Gulf Coast region. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish and will trigger a natural reaction bite that Redfish can simply not resist. It all depends on the flies you are using and what depth of water you are fishing in. 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. This one-two punch is a tried and true classic for catching reds. Look for big redfish laid up at the surface like tarpon. Fish often have trouble tracking their prey in these conditions. 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). Ponte Vedra Beach skiff guide Larry Miniard (904-285-7003) has a pet redfish fly he uses in this area called the Turkey in the Straw, which he and fishing pal Brent London devised. The fly is then adorned with a bit of colored hackle and a wire weed guard. 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. 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. For food and shelter, they seek out sea-grass beds, mangroves, marshes, oyster bars, mud and sand flats and beaches. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important factor. Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesn't make much disturbance when it lands. Those regions abut the narrow, winding canals of the back marshes and ponds near Galveston and Freeport. That expert also comes with a trained pair of eyes to help spot the fish before they spot you. Just deals and news! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The fly hit the water and the redfish inhaled it like it was the best meal it had ever seen. For small stream trout, smaller fly fishing hook sizes like a 6 or 10 may be sufficient. 7. 1.2 2. They simply cannot resist the flicker and flutter as it moves through the water. The water is air-clear. The water systems in the South are rich in food sources, and this is where the redfish concentrate. 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. If youre fishing in one foot of water, you can opt for a fly tied with bead-chain eyes. 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. My own personal favorite stomping grounds for redfish include South Florida and Louisiana. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Learn More. The Kwan fly is a great shrimp imitation as well. The Kwan fly is a great fly for sight fishing to Redfish in a few inches of water because its light weight allows it to land softly on the water, is easy to cast far distances, and has a slow sink rate that suspends with great movement. They will generally eat a second time if they spook or miss the fly. Anywhere you can flats-fish for Texas reds, youll find that sensory overload. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish (and Sheepshead) in the Gulf Coast region. Chasing Redfish Off the South Texas Gulf Coast. Re: Redfish Flies. 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. They typically have heavy amounts of weight and little bulk to get the fly down to the sandy bottom fast. Texas claims two others, and North Carolina one. As mentioned in the above setup section, fly rods, reels, and lines are entirely up to you. If you find schools of glass minnows, tie on a Clouser and youll find the fish. Redfish can be found in the waters of Galveston where the depth is about 6 - 12 feet. (Editors note: Wherever you plan to fish, check that states redfish regulations for licensing, season and bag-limit information.). Redfish fishing tips for fly anglers should include examples of the right gear for the job. 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. 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.. What are the top reasons to fly-fish at Bay Flats Lodge? Read about the BIGGEST Caught >, Casting a Fly to Snook is amazing. The fly body is black ice chenille wrapped Palmer-style with black hackles, and a black marabou tail. Baitfish, crab, and shrimp patterns are . Most reds top 20 pounds, and again, if they see your fly, theyll eat it. Redfish are resourceful and feed on a variety of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. Caudal and dorsal fins poking above the surface usually give away the fishs presence. Size #1 and #2 are best. Add the sizes you fish most often too. Fly Fishing the texas coast. When: Summer and fall; Who: The following guides specialize in Texas redfishing: Middle Texas Coast: Capt. 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. However, once the guide finds fish, the rest is up to you. Microscopic Monsters of the Ocean: King Mackerel, Protect the Blue Key West: Remote Control. Everyone has to know where the big rods are on the boat and how to quickly stash albie gear. Galveston. The olive and brown combo is my favorite on a size #1 hook. Here are our favorite flies for Redfish. Use Light Flies and Long Leaders. As you work up either Florida coast, the flats-fishing remains similar from a technical point of view. Creating high quality flies made for those that live and breathe the shallow flats and backwater marshes is our main focus. First there's the weather. The lakes, ponds and coves in these areas prove deeper, so you wont see too many tailing fish. The Redfish tend to like its smaller profiling in the colder months, especially on the clearer days. The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. Boat shoes are great, so you dont slip and slide around on deck. These Texas reds demonstrate typical shallow-water feeding behavior. For small redfish, we suggest that you use a #2, #1, or a 1/0 circle hook. They succeeded by producing a smaller, thumb-size fly version of the Johnson lure that every inshore saltwater angler worth his skiff owns. They also have to know when to cast and how long to let their offerings sink. The key is to use a fly-and-line combo that will drop down in the water column. While other colors are effective I have found these to be best . As with all flats-fishing, you look for wakes, tails and bodies. The flashing and the low frequency vibration sounds it emits when being stripped excels in murkier waters. My choice is an 8wt setup, but you should fish what you feel comfortable with. 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. After enduring day after day of heat, humidity and seemingly incessant southwest winds; October will give . 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. Youll find good numbers of 18- to 27-inch fish. On the inshore saltwater scene the Spoonfly has few peers. Flies must get deep quickly to appeal to upper Gulf Coast redfish, he says. 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. With that said, I will break down my favorite redfish flies and explain why and when I fish them. Equip your fly line with cast foam poppers, deer-hair bugs or shrimp and baitfish patterns for the classic approach to Snook fly fishing. Each area offers something to the fly fisherman. Big bull reds love this 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. The EP fibers really changed how we could tie baitfish patterns, and the advancements are spectacular. Anglers can accidently bump into these schools, but many guides, such as Capt. That said, Im an 8wt shooter myself, and I feel an 8wt setup is ample to target most reds in their environment. 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 strong, hearty, and fight really good. From WildFly Productions: "Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. Texas Red Fish Adventures. On warmer days, work a surface-popper or gurgler pattern in white or in dark colors such as black and purple. Redfish weighing less than 15 pounds can be landed using most any fly rod. 2. The fish looks unnatural and uncoordinated, but its the most exciting surface-lure strike youll see. Fly fishing in Texas doesn't get the credit it deserves, and we're here to change that. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! 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. Its a pretty basic fly, with a small head and burnt nylon eyes. If youve fished for Redfish before or are researching Redfish flies, you will undoubtedly run across the Kwan fly. You can play with tippet strengths but stick to what you are happy to fish and go from there. But a fishing trip can also go terribly wrong without the right gear. For the leader, a standard nine-foot leader with a tippet rating of 15 to 20-pound test works best. 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. Michael Stravato for The . 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. It has a unique wobbling action when retrieved thats identical to a Johnson wobbling spoon. The fly doesnt really resemble anything specific, but it catches fish. Captain Jeff offers fantastic half day, full day, and multi day trips fly fishing for redfish along the Texas Coastal Bend. 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. 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. Fiddler, stone and mud crabs inhabit the Charleston marshes, and their colors are muted, from brown to a dark tan to almost chocolate. Its an excellent pattern for the muddier waters where some surface movement is needed to grab the fishs attention. with Rick Hartman. The best colors are chartreuse and pink chenille, and I will fish this pattern if nothing else is working. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. A 6-10wt setup will work just fine. The wind did what it usually does to a spoon-fly and sailed it several feet off target. The hook sizes and eye weight can greatly vary and give you the flexibility to fish any depth of water. The dumbbell eyes can vary from tungsten to bead chain for weight changes. Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. A floating line will be just fine for most scenarios, but an intermediate line is excellent for the deeper water. Marsh grasses remain a favorite destination for anglers hoping to hook reds. Watching a redfish try to suck a surface fly or popper into its underslung bottom-feeding mouth can be hilarious. Anglers may choose to light-tackle rods or fly gear to fish the expansive, shallow-water flats of the 100 square mile Baffin Bay . The Devils River is legendary to anglers in Texas. The Spoonfly is about as weedless as the Johnson lure. Magnify that sound and it results in a musical popcorn symphony performed by an entire school of reds feeding on fleeing white shrimp. Fiddler crabs, shrimp, and baitfish are on the menu, so its essential to have flies that imitate them. Sheka ties them on a size 2 to 1/0 Mustad hook. Sheka Shrimp come in weighted and unweighted versions, with or without weed guards. 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. The weighted versions can help in the deeper waters, and a weed guard is imperative for this pattern. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. I set the hook, and the fish rocketed along the shoreline, throwing mud and water. 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. Its time Florida starts similar program.Snook If your interested in having true experts teach how to chase reds get ahold of INDIGO GUIDE SERVICE. Try a white or chartreuse pattern, and if that doesnt work, switch to something dark in black or purple. 3 thoughts on " Redfish Flies " Scott Kor says . This simple fly has heavy eyes and sinks quickly. Strip this fly slow and with short pauses to allow it time to shimmer down into the water column. Floating on the surface, they pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. Redfish feed on a variety of marsh-like critters. Gold Frizzy. Other examples include a modified Diver variant and the Popcorn Shrimp (pictured above). Fly fishing for redfish on the flats of Texas in a video from WildFly Productions. Usually most crab flies you find in the big box stores are designed to target permit or bonefish. Short, quick, aggressive stripping will have the fly gurgling through the water and imitating a fleeing shrimp or wounded 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. 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. . Turkey in the Straw Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. Best Time: Fall months: late August through November. 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.

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