If you’re new to saltwater fly
Why Fly Fish for Redfish?
- Accessible: Found in shallow coastal waters (flats, marshes, shorelines), often reachable by wading or from small boats like skiffs or kayaks.
- Good Fighters: They pull hard and provide an exciting battle on a fly rod.
- Visible (Sight
Fishing !): Often found “tailing” (feeding with their tails sticking out of the water) in shallow water, making them great targets for sightfishing . - Year-Round Fishery: Redfish can be caught throughout the year in many locations, although certain seasons offer peak opportunities.
- Willing Eaters: While they can sometimes be picky, they often readily eat well-presented flies, especially those imitating shrimp and crabs.
Where to Find Redfish?
Redfish are primarily found in the coastal waters of the Southern Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.
Prime Locations:
- Louisiana: The vast marshes are arguably the best place for sheer numbers of redfish.
- Texas: Coastal bays and flats offer excellent opportunities.
- Florida: Found throughout the state’s coastal waters, including South Florida (like the Everglades), the Gulf Coast, and famous spots like Mosquito Lagoon in East Central Florida.
- South Carolina & North Carolina: Saltwater marshes and estuaries.
Habitat:
- Shallow Water Flats: Grass flats, mud flats, and oyster bars are prime feeding grounds. Look for areas with potholes, edges, and transitions between grass and sand.
- Saltwater Marshes: Complex systems of creeks, ponds, and bayous provide food and shelter. Fish points, creek mouths, and oyster bars within the marsh.
- Shorelines: Mangrove shorelines are classic snook and redfish habitat. Also, check docks and jetties.
- Inlets and Passes: Areas where tides move water in and out of bays. Fish the edges of channels and points.
Key: Look for areas with moving water (tidal currents) and signs of baitfish or crustaceans.
When is The Best Time for Fly Fishing for Redfish
You can catch fish year-round, but certain seasons offer better opportunities:
Spring (March-May)
Redfish become more active as water temperatures warm. Large schools can often be found feeding aggressively on shallow flats and in ponds.
Summer (June-August)
Fishing can still be good, especially early in the morning and late in the evening. Redfish may seek slightly deeper or shaded areas during the heat of the day. Topwater action can be excellent during low-light periods.
Fall (September-November)
Often considered the best season! Large “bull reds” (bull redfish) move into shallower areas to feed heavily before winter. This is a great time to target trophy-sized fish, often in large schools. Look for them crushing bait on the flats.
Winter (December-February)
Redfish often group up in deeper channels, creeks, and bayous seeking warmer, more stable water temperatures.
Tides Matter
- Moving Water: Redfish generally feed more actively when the tide is moving (either incoming or outgoing).
- Low Tide: Can be excellent for finding fish concentrated in channels and potholes.
- High Tide: Allows fish to move further up onto flats and into marshes.
Fly Fishing Gear for Redfish
Redfish are strong fighters, but you don’t need excessively heavy gear. Saltwater can be harsh on tackle, so choose quality, corrosion-resistant equipment.
Fly Rod:
- Weight: An 8-weight fly rod is the standard all-around choice for redfish. It provides enough power to cast typical redfish flies, handle wind, and fight most fish.
- Optional: A 7-weight can work for smaller redfish in calm conditions. A 9-weight or even 10-weight rod might be better if you frequently encounter strong winds, need to make very long casts, or consistently target large bulls near heavy structure.
- Action: A medium-fast or fast-action rod is generally preferred for casting accuracy and line speed, which are crucial in saltwater fly
fishing .
Fly Reel:
- Choose a saltwater-safe fly reel with a smooth, reliable drag system. Redfish can make strong, fast runs.
- Ensure the reel has enough capacity for the fly line and at least 150-200 yards of backing (20-30 lb braid is common).
- A large arbor design helps retrieve line quickly and reduces line memory.
Fly Line:
- Weight Forward Floating Line: The most versatile choice for most redfish situations, especially flats
fishing in shallow water. Choose a line with a weight-forward taper designed for warm water/saltwater. - Intermediate Sinking Line: Excellent for beach
fishing (cuts through waves and wind) andfishing slightly deeper flats or channels (5-8 feet). - Sinking Tip Line (Optional): Can be useful for
fishing deeper water channels or around bridges.
Leader and Tippet:
- Leader: A 9-foot tapered leader is a good starting point. The butt section should be stiff enough (around 0.021″ – 0.024″ diameter) to turn over flies.
- Tippet: Use a fluorocarbon tippet (typically 12-20 lb test) for abrasion resistance and low visibility.
- Bite Tippet: Essential! Redfish have abrasive mouths and crusher plates in their throats that can damage lighter tippet. Add a 12-24 inch section of heavier fluorocarbon (20-30 lb test is common, up to 40 lb for large bulls or heavy structure) as a bite tippet between your class tippet and the fly. Use a strong knot like a Blood Knot or Double Uni Knot to connect the tippets.
Other Gear:
- Cooler: To keep drinks and snacks cool.
- Polarized Glasses: Essential for spotting fish (sight
fishing ). Copper, amber, or brown lenses are good all-around choices for flatsfishing . - Wading Boots: If wading flats or marshes.
- Fly Pack or Sling Pack: To carry flies, leaders, tippet, pliers, etc.
- Sun Protection: Hat, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt (UPF rated).
- Rain Gear: For unexpected showers.
Choosing the Right Fly for Redfish
Redfish aren’t typically super picky eaters, but matching your fly to their natural prey increases your chances. They feed primarily on shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish.
Crab Flies: Redfish love crabs!
- Patterns: Kwan, Merkin Crab, EP Crab, Permit Crab patterns.
- Sizes: #2 – #1/0.
- Colors: Tan, brown, olive.
Shrimp Flies:Shrimp are a major food source.
- Patterns: Clouser Minnows (tan/white, chartreuse/white), EP Shrimp, Vudu Shrimp, Foxy Shrimp, Mantis Shrimp patterns.
- Sizes: #4 – #1/0.
- Colors: Tan, pink, white, chartreuse, root beer.
Baitfish Flies: Patterns that imitate small baitfish like mullet or minnows.
- Patterns: Deceivers, EP Baitfish patterns, Glass Minnow patterns.
- Sizes: #2 – #2/0.
- Colors: White, olive/white, chartreuse/white, tan/white.
Poppers: Topwater poppers can be exciting when redfish are feeding aggressively on the surface.
Spoon Flies: Create flash and can be effective, especially in slightly off-color water.
Fly Color Selection
- Clear Water: Natural colors (tan, olive, brown, white), translucent patterns.
- Dirty or Stained Water: Darker colors (black, purple, brown, root beer) create a better silhouette. Chartreuse can also work well in stained water.
- Match the Bottom: Choose colors that blend slightly with the bottom (tan for sand, olive for grass).
Techniques for Fly Fishing Success
Sight
- Scan Carefully: Look for tailing fish (tails sticking out of the water), pushing water (wakes), or cruising fish. Look for the subtle signs – a flash, a shadow, nervous water.
- Sun Position: Keep the sun at your back or side if possible for better visibility.
- Approach Slowly: Move slowly and deliberately to avoid spooking fish.
Casting:
- Lead the Fish: Cast your fly ahead of a cruising redfish and slightly beyond it. Let the fly sink into the fish’s “strike zone.” How far you lead depends on the fish’s speed and the fly’s sink rate.
- Accuracy: Practice your casting accuracy. You often need to place the fly precisely near mangroves or oyster bars.
- Casting in Wind: Learn to make tight loops and use a double haul to cut through the wind.
Presentation and Retrieve:
- Strip Set: When a redfish eats your fly, use a strip set – pull firmly on the fly line with your line hand. Do not lift the rod tip like you would for trout. Redfish have tough mouths.
- Vary Your Retrieve: Experiment with different stripping speeds and pauses. Sometimes short, quick strips work; other times, long, slow strips are better. A pause can often trigger a strike as the fly sinks like wounded prey. Let the fly sit on the bottom for crab and shrimp imitations.
- Be Stealthy: Move slowly and quietly, whether wading or poling a boat or skiff. Avoid rocking the boat. Minimize unnecessary movement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Absolutely! It’s a very popular and rewarding way to fish for them.
There’s no single “best” way, but fly
An 8-weight fly rod is the standard all-around choice.
Use a 12-20 lb class tippet, plus a 20-40 lb fluorocarbon bite tippet.
It depends on water clarity. Natural colors (tan, olive, white) in clear water; darker colors (black, purple, root beer) or chartreuse in stained water.
Crab patterns, shrimp patterns (Clouser Minnows, EP Shrimp), and small baitfish patterns.
A weight-forward floating line is the most versatile. An intermediate line is good for beaches. (Snook question removed)
An 8-weight fly rod, saltwater reel with good drag, appropriate fly line, and a leader with a 20-40 lb bite tippet.
They can be, especially when feeding aggressively. However, they can also be spooky and challenging, particularly larger fish.
Early morning and late evening are often best, but they can be caught throughout the day, especially when the tide is moving.
Fall (September through November) is often considered the best time, especially for large bull redfish. Spring is also excellent for catching numbers of fish.
Fly
A 40-inch redfish is a very large bull red and could weigh anywhere from 25 to over 40 lbs.
Conclusion
Fly
