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. 2. 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. Texas Coast Alvin Dedeaux Fly Fishing Flies with lead eyes are going to sink fast and are best used in water depths of 2+ feet or when you want to crawl your fly along a sandy bottom. Thats when Alderman became a believer in rattling redfish flies. The Electric Slider is another classic redfish pattern designed for muddy and stained water. Flies for Redfish. 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. Fly Fishing for Redfish (Tips & Beginner's Guide) - CAST and SPEAR When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. Other shrimp patterns to consider are grass shrimp and hybrids like redfish Ritalin. Leaving them with the "shell" on makes the filets look amazing too. All fishing is done out of a 2016 Hell's Bay Professional poling skiff, although we do occasionally wade fish. My own personal favorite stomping grounds for redfish include South Florida and Louisiana. So, there you have it. Those are the good days. Most of your casting will be done in . He will say, however, t wasnt easy to develop. A good deviation of this pattern that works well from Texas to Florida is the Brown-Noser fly. Possibly the most unique redfish destination is Mosquito Lagoon in east central Florida. The Razmatz is an excellent choice for a shallow, dirty water fly pattern. Galveston. Check out, Picture Source A huge thanks to the great folks at, Some of the amazing redfish pictures were provided by my buddies at. Proven fly patterns for summer Redfish are baitfish and shrimp patterns! You can play with tippet strengths but stick to what you are happy to fish and go from there. Redfish are very forgiving in that they will eat again on a second attempt and often follow anything that looks like food. A popping cork is ideal when the fish are acting particularly lethargic. These fish, without a doubt, make for an incredibly memorable fly fishing trip. Excellent numbers of redfish will come out of the woodwork. Anglers may choose to light-tackle rods or fly gear to fish the expansive, shallow-water flats of the 100 square mile Baffin Bay . 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. This allows the crab to "swim" while being stripped. Read -> What is the Biggest Redfish Caught. We are lucky that Redfish are such a forgiving fish to target. The basic design is made with four to six saddle hackles tied near the back at the bend of the hook. 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. They are superb at grabbing the attention of fish and will trigger a natural reaction bite that Redfish can simply not resist. View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop. 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. Conditions - 55-degrees. The olive and brown combo is my favorite on a size #1 hook. But because tides run so strong, flats fishing can be difficult, more difficult than that found elsewhere in the Southeast, even in areas as close as Florida and South Carolina. Victor Browning Lake and Calaveras Lake. Sign up to get the latest sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Big bull reds love this fly. If you fish in the marsh and mangroves, dont even think of leaving the house without flies with weed guards! Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. An oversized head with a long tail made of saddle hackles. He uses a No. Building off this recipe and making a few modifications to resemble a juvenile blue crab, this pattern becomes a must-have for targeting Sheepshead and Redfish along the Gulf Coast. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. 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 dumbbell eyes can vary from tungsten to bead chain for weight changes. The customary natural colors of brown, tan, orange, and white are a very popular choice among saltwater fly fishermen. The spoon fly excels by flashing and emitting low frequency vibration sounds as its being stripped. Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. Dupre Spoon Fly is one of those debatable patterns that some purists argue isnt a fly but more a lure. And Id bet striped bass and salmon would go bonkers for em too. A local captain knows where the fish were yesterday and runs a proper skiff designed to navigate the target waters. The Kung Fu Crab is a must when fishing the mangroves and grass plains. The kinky muddler is excellent for these summer conditions. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. Fiddler crabs, shrimp, and baitfish are on the menu, so its essential to have flies that imitate them. The Electric Bunny doesnt seemingly resemble one particular redfish menu item, but they find its crabby silhouette irresistible. Port O' Connor. Northeast Florida anglers seldom see cruising redfish beneath the surface. Standard hues include gold, silver, copper, burnt orange, silver prismatic, pink-and-black and black prismatic. 6 Texas Redfish Fishing Tips for First-timers Call Captain Kenjo direct ASAP 361-500-2552 or BOOK NOW online! Plus, we've also written about the best fly reel for Reds and the best fly line for Reds. Normally, youll scout reds in less than 2 feet of water by looking for wakes, tails and bodies. Miniard fishes primarily for tailing redfish in tough, tangled spartina grass along the northeast Florida coast. These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. Most are very bright-colored, which work well in the clear waters he fishes, where shrimp are an important forage. Iknow it works because the guides keep all my leftovers. Zap-A-Crab Gulf Coast | TX Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions | Orvis We spent 3 days exploring the area in search of Redfish. Texas Redfish Limits. The Charleston, South Carolina, area has vast inshore areas offering fly rodders great opportunities for red-drum fishing. 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. Its perfect to use right up against a grassy shoreline where shrimp are plentiful. WYLD ON THE FLY - Corpus Christi Fly Fishing Guide Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine, "Exposure" Photo Essay, April 2015. However, if you venture out in the summer evenings, youll quickly understand how the area acquired its name. Floating on the surface, they pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. Ive caught a lot of big fish in my day, but nothing like this. Find an area near any of the local inlets with clear water. First there's the weather. The 8 Best Redfish Flies - Trident Fly Fishing 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. Electric Slider Fly. 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 . Kwan is the fly to have for those quiet, cold winter days on the water. Copyright 2023 Salt Water Sportsman. Saltwater fly fishing is another craze that has taken root from Texas to Florida, and for good reason. Magnify that sound and it results in a musical popcorn symphony performed by an entire school of reds feeding on fleeing white shrimp. The redfish game is simple. Leaders can measure 9 to 12 feet, with a 40-pound butt section tapering to a 15- or 20-pound tippet. Alderman is careful to keep the fly small, never more than 2 inches overall, so few redfish are missed at the strike. The straight style, like the Straight-Shooter Crab pictured, has the hook shank positioned perpendicular to the crab body. Fools Gold crab pattern is my first choice for tailing Redfish. Add the sizes you fish most often too. Winter Redfish are often larger, especially Bull Redfish, and typically are fished with flies in the 1/0 - 2/0 size range. Launch - Louis's Bait Camp 3510 Texas 6 / Hitchcock, TX 77563 / (409) 935-9050. 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. I think the craft fur body profile moves so well and has all the triggers. 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. In Georgia the water is dark and turbid, and the tides run hard and high. The Chornobyl Crab is similar to the Ragin' Craven, with a deer hair body that traps air bubbles and makes a commotion in the water. 1.2 2. Because of the guttural drumming sound they can make, the term "drum" was a given name. Mosquito Lagoon Redfish - Indian River Redfish - Florida Redfish No spam. 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. Most of them are caught in the marshes and coastal waters, but a few are targeted offshore. Sight cast to schools of tailing redfish in ankle-deep, gin-clear water. When handling and releasing any fish, particularly the larger bull reds, remember to hold them horizontally to support their internal organs. Fly Fishing the Texas Coast for Redfish and Speckled Trout Fly Fisherman Magazine, 2015. The Baffin Blue Crab fly pictured is just one example of how you can modify this pattern to fit your target species. Dustin's Destroyer, Bluegill. The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. Saltwater fly fishing for redfish is a lot of fun! 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. Anywhere you can flats-fish for Texas reds, youll find that sensory overload. Weighted Gold Frizzies are very popular in Alabama, according to Wesley Parks of McCoy Outdoors Fly Shop (334-432-3006) in Mobile. If you find schools of glass minnows, tie on a Clouser and youll find the fish. Its a simple Superglue fly Ben can make in about 10 minutes. We promise we won't spam your inbox with stuff you don't care about. The pattern excels in stained/murky water thats very common along the Texas and Louisiana coast. Almost every saltwater fly shop will have a selection of spoons available and if you pay close attention and compare different patterns you will notice slight differences. South Texas Sight Fishing Location: Aransas Pass, TX Waters: Port Aransas Area Waters Fish: Redfish Website. Tie on a bushy fly in either white or brown with bead or lead eyes, such as this Chernobyl shrimp. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. Candy Corn Crawler is a great choice when targeting redfish. But if youre targeting Redfish here along the Gulf Coast, usually over grass flats and skinny water, you want a lighter weight fly with a little more bulk so that it will slowly flutter down to the bottom and not rapidly sink into the grass where fish cant see it. Seven hot flies for chasing red drum throughout the coastal south. 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. They can be in water from 6 inches to 3feet, based on varying conditions of tide and temperature. Here are our favorite flies for Redfish. 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. . Once they spot your fly, they will open up their mouth and take it. Featuring a textured shell body and bright orange claw tips, they closely resemble a juvenile blue crab. We could fill a whole book with discussions of what Redfish eat in any given situation, but when deciding which fly to tie on,start with "matching the hatch". A Redfish is a Redfish, no matter if you are in Texas, Florida, or Virginia. Fly Fishing in Texas: The Complete Guide - FishingBooker Blog The flats-fishing techniques and tackle for Texas mimic those elsewhere. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. This small collection are the top flies for Redfish that we have found. If you're wondering which fly rod you should choose to chase Reds, we've covered that topic here. The central-coast redfish waters include the jetties of Port OConnor and the grass flats of Rockport, all with shorelines similar to those in Louisiana. SUMMARY. Getting the fly to drop deep gains more bites. That allows her to keep an eye on the fast-moving schools instead of focusing on tying knots and digging for tackle. Some even believe that this is an evolved strain of redfish, different from its relatives in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal waters. Current fly fishing reports and conditions for Gulf Coast Rockport in TX! Texas Red Fish Adventures. Consider Fishing The Flats: Flat fishing is a great way to go sight fishing for redfish. These eyes are much lighter and will give you a slower sink rate. Almost any fly that imitates such forage works well. The Spoonfly is made of flashy Mylar covered and sealed with clear epoxy on a long-shank 2/0 Mustad. They simply cannot resist the flicker and flutter as it moves through the water. Your fishing license can be purchased 24/7 online or over the phone (800) 895-4248 Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm central time. On some versions, the chenille body is wrapped with a contrasting-color hackle feather, which gives the fly very buggy shrimp look when the hackle is trimmed with scissors to simulate legs. 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. It flashes and dances so well that its easy to spot even 100 feet out in thick grass and cattails. Getting down quickly also avoids the albies, which grab the lighter offerings, she says. March 24 - 2023 Texoma Ducks Unlimited Spring Event at the Mayor Arena of Loy Lake Park. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. State regulations throughout the redfishs range have helped these hardy gamesters to rebound. Crab flies come in two different styles and can be fished two different ways. What are the top reasons to fly-fish at Bay Flats Lodge? Truthfully, there are a lot of different redfish fly patterns that all work well. I like tans, greens, and lighter colors. Gold Frizzy Before you go, know the rules for reds in your target area. Most any color combination will work, but I like brown or white and hardly ever use anything else. Most of the fish weigh less than 15pounds, but every so often youll find a school of 20-pounders. Sport Fishing Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. A lot of times they'll eat a fly just because it's moving drop it close to them, one strip, and they engulf it. For the leader, a standard nine-foot leader with a tippet rating of 15 to 20-pound test works best. Just deals and news! Saltwater fish hatchery in Fl. Florida Sportsman 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. Fishing For Texas Redfish - Salty Scales Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . Top 17 Places to Fly Fish in Texas - And What Flies to Use - Drifthook 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. Guide Tip: Redfish grow to true trophy sizes. As you approach the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts, all that changes. We respect your privacy. Colors I do not leave home without are: Black/Purple, and Brown/Tan. Fish this fly slow and allow it to sink,then with very small, crawling strips you will mimic the movement of a defensive crab. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. 1.3 3. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. This Kwan pattern, or sometimes called the Redfish Toad, has a long history of proven success. The Spoonfly is an epoxy creation of Capt. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. A subtle fly or plug pulled gently in front of a . The bull reds are singular fish, generally a lot bigger, and are more specific in what they eat. Here is a brief overview of some hot fly patterns in vogue today among the in the know coastal redfish angling set. I bump up to a 5- to 6-inch mostly synthetic yet very puffy white fly for the big bull reds. Thanks for signing up! My choice is an 8wt setup, but you should fish what you feel comfortable with. The best description I have heard for a redfish is a Clumsy confident fly eating machine. Now healthy populations of reds root in the coastal shallows from Massachusetts to Mexico. Calm conditions are best for spotting redfish in dark water, but sometimes during strong autumn noreasters great flats action can be had. Like Charleston, certain parts in the South have what we call a flood tide. No top ten list can be without the most used and prolific fly in the world, the classic Clouser Minnow pattern. 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. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski.com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. Jim West, 409-996-3054 They succeeded by producing a smaller, thumb-size fly version of the Johnson lure that every inshore saltwater angler worth his skiff owns.