You might see individual fish or, in certain areas, schools of a dozen or more. Top 10 Flies for Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing Most of the time fly-rodders are working from kayaks and canoes, casting to pushing fish or blind-casting to creek mouths. 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. Aransas Pass Fly Fishing - TotalFlyFishing.com Dure wont divulge exactly how he molds epoxy into just the right shape to produce a replica wobble of the Johnson spoon. Image hooking into a red weighting over 50lbs. Youll end up tying this fly on very often because once you get that rush of adrenaline watching Redfish and Trout blow it up out of the water, you'll be addicted. Fools Gold crab pattern is my first choice for tailing Redfish. I'll gladly give up February or August to expand the finest month on the calendar along the Texas coast. This simple fly has heavy eyes and sinks quickly. Leaving them with the "shell" on makes the filets look amazing too. During the winter months, the water on the flats clears. The Clouser is a classic saltwater pattern for a variety of species, and for good reason. South Texas Sight Fishing Location: Aransas Pass, TX Waters: Port Aransas Area Waters Fish: Redfish Website. When poling in the marsh, anglers look for wakes, tails and bodies near oyster bars and mud flats. With all these factors in mind, lets go over five of the top producing Redfish fly patterns that every angler needs in their box. Tie it on a 1/0 hook and use bead eyes, even though its a shallow-water fly. Big bull reds love this fly. The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. This Kwan pattern, or sometimes called the Redfish Toad, has a long history of proven success. No spam. Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine, "Exposure" Photo Essay, April 2015. Iknow it works because the guides keep all my leftovers. Fly fishing has been my passion and pursuit for the past 20 years. The EP Baitfish is a Gurgler-like pattern that moves water and pops on the surface to trigger an aggressive Redfish eat. Luckily, for coastal anglers in Virginia all the way to the southern tip of Texas, redfish, also commonly referred to as red drum, can be successfully targeted with a fly rod via kayak or stand-up paddle . Redfish are big crab and shrimp eaters, and the Ragin Craven does a great job of imitating both. An oversized head with a long tail made of saddle hackles. For targeting bulls over 20pounds, a 10-weight works best and handles the bigger flies those fish prefer. The fools gold pattern is ideal for this as it sinks fast and has excellent movement in the water. Dupre can make custom colors if necessary. 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. They typically have heavy amounts of weight and little bulk to get the fly down to the sandy bottom fast. The 8 Best Redfish Flies - Trident Fly Fishing The fly is only available in one size, but colors are almost limitless. During the full-moon periods both months, anglers anchor along the edges of the channel between Blount Island and Mayport. Jim, note Prof Salt's recent use of size 8 hooks on redfish flies. It just seems to work and change my day around. They eat with ease and love to chase the fly. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. My guide, Capt. 1.2 2. If all goes as planned, hooking reds well over 30 pounds is the welldeserved reward.. Before you go, know the rules for reds in your target area. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. This area is chalked full of bayous and canals, dotted with innumerable lakes, bays, ponds, and . 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. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesn't make much disturbance when it lands. For larger species, you might try a 2/0 to 4/0. Aransas Pass Fly Fishing. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! 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. 1.4 4. January and February is redfish time in the many sheltered potholes and ponds of the Biloxi, Mississippi, marsh. Suppose you arent accustomed to casting the heavier rods its best to practice on the grass and get more confident. Texas Fly Caster Location: Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX Waters: Lake Ray Roberts, Lewisville Lake, Trinity River, Other Local Waters Fish: Bass, Carp . Redfish will chase this fly from a mile away, so be ready. Seriously, it is less than 25 minute's total prep time! Need something interesting to read, so post up your favorite redfish flies. The fly is tied to look like a gaudy shrimp, which is something to keep in mind when viewing it. That said, Im an 8wt shooter myself, and I feel an 8wt setup is ample to target most reds in their environment. The marsh features a series of shallow ponds connected by channels, all of which come lined with even shallower oyster bars and mud flats. Most guides say the best fly rod for redfish is a 9-foot, 8- or 9-weight rod paired to most any brand of saltwater reel and spooled with a warm-water, weight-forward floating line. Having the right fly for these conditions is essential. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. As far as fly anglers are concerned, it is primarily a super-shallow water redfish destination . Below are some articles to guide you to a TROPHY. Texas Sporting Journal, "Light Tackling Tarpon", May 2015. Fly Fishing for Redfish, Best Redfish Flies & Patters - Sport Fishing Mag 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. 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. Some popular patterns include the Merkin, KungFu, Contraband, Flexo, Fleeing Crabs, and many more. Salt Water Sportsman may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Colors run the gamut too, from pink to orange, and from yellow to hot green. Crab flies come in two different styles and can be fished two different ways. 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 Texas Toad, pictured above, is a good example of one such variation. When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. Gardner always keeps two rods rigged and ready. . Top Redfish Flies | Salt Water Sportsman For the leader, a standard nine-foot leader with a tippet rating of 15 to 20-pound test works best. Post by ellisredfish Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:50 pm. 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. 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. Thanks to its heavy lead eyes, it drops like a crab, but its movement is more shrimp-like. These fish, without a doubt, make for an incredibly memorable fly fishing trip. 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. Fishing For Texas Redfish - Salty Scales The fishing for trophy trout and redfish on Texas' Baffin Bay is nothing short of spectacular and our experienced guides can't wait to show you our neck of the woods. The Electric Chicken was originally tied to mimic the electric chicken plastic bait. 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. I like tans, greens, and lighter colors. Zap-A-Crab The Redfish Crack fly is a proven and very successful fly increasing in popularity in the Texas and Louisiana fisheries. Great fly-rod redfishing in northeast Florida can be found in the creeks and bays off the Intracoastal Waterway just north and south of the St. Johns River. Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. In the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. 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. If you're not a Texas resident you need to purchase a non-resident one-day all water fishing license (code 214). Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Rick Hartman, an expert fly fisherman and guide, poles a skiff in the Lower Laguna Madre while a friend casts for redfish. Choose some bright colors and Redfish won't be able to resist. The flats-fishing techniques and tackle for Texas mimic those elsewhere. The Finest Coastal Fly-Fishing in Texas - Bay Flats Lodge The Kwan is a hybrid pattern and imitates shrimp, crab, and baitfish. Experience world-class accommodations and cuisine. Blackened Redfish. Anglers watch for birds wheeling around bait in open water. But this doesnt always mean you will be successful. Big Y Fly Co best fishing flies for Texas, for your next fly fishing trip. Raz Reed, who created the fly, also uses it for bass, something I havent tried yet but plan on tying up a few for my next bass mission. If the precise concave shape isnt made, the spoon will plane to the surface during the retrieve rather than wobble. Anglers who dont know the areas can find a lot of trouble very quickly, but the fishing is amazing. WYLD ON THE FLY - Corpus Christi Fly Fishing Guide Now healthy populations of reds root in the coastal shallows from Massachusetts to Mexico. Port O' Connor. Redfish are opportunistic feeders and often forage in shallow mudflats with their noses stuck to the bottom, where they mainly feed on crustaceans. You do not want to miss your chance to experience the classic Fall Run along the Texas Gulf Coast. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. Similar to the Clouser Minnow, this is a bright baitfish pattern that sinks quickly and stays deep. Fly Fishing Laguna Madre on the Texas Coast. As you work up either Florida coast, the flats-fishing remains similar from a technical point of view. This fly is particularly good on the flood tide in those highwater grass areas. Light tackle and fly fishing charters for redfish are world renowned on these inshore flats for because of the crystal clear water and numerous shots .