I guess you are aware that a cold water line you use here in TN very likely won't work well down there at that time?
Basic redfish flats flies
- Thread starter Iglow
- Start date
MickThompson
Well-Known Member
What are you using for leader? A stiffer/shorter leader will keep lead eyes off the back of your head too
Cut the hook off a fly and cast it ……
3 pcs , 40 mono, 30 mono, 17 flouro. 3' 3',3', blood knotted.
MickThompson
Well-Known Member
You could probably extend that butt section and shorten the others. I've never done redfish so I won't comment on overall leader length.
wildside
Well-Known Member
I am a casting instructor/ guide and I try telling people this all the time! I have clients who want to learn to cast 70+ feet. casting accurately and setting the hook is a nightmare...especially under pressure
So, back to the flies. Kinda anything that is the right size and close on color that suggests what they eat, sorta like a stimulator in the trout world?
The bottom line is that in LA and MS the fly is the least of your worries. If you put one in the right place, more than likely it is going to get eaten. If you are in Florida, they can be a little pickier. Downsize the fly a little and no rattles.
Save your worries for high winds, cloud cover where you can't see the fish, storms that dirty up the water, etc.
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Redfish are opportunistic eaters…. They eat everything. 90% of the time summer and fall they are eating mostly fiddler crabs in SC. ON a beach it would be different so stick to shrimp, crabs, and baitfish.
It's really about getting it in the right part of the water column. You could throw a 5in all black fly or a 1" hot pink fly. If you get it in front of them and make it look like it's trying to get away, they will eat it.
Setterman
Well-Known Member
I'd love to be able to offer advice on redfish. I've caught them but haven't spent a ton of time pursuing reds. Others in here are far more experienced like @7mm08 and @scn or @Pilchard
If you get to chasing bonefish, permit or tarpon I can be of more help. Although, I hate permit so don't ask as they just make me angry lol
If you get to chasing bonefish, permit or tarpon I can be of more help. Although, I hate permit so don't ask as they just make me angry lol
For starters on the flies, your guide more than likely is going to want to fish what he has tied up. He WANTS you to catch fish so he can get a better tip or repeat bookings. He is more than likely going to want to throw what he has been catching them on. If you get into a bunch of fish, he may be willing to let you try one of yours, but, don't count on it.
The most important thing to know is what kind of "program" you will be doing down there. Are you on a poling skiff way back in skinny water with the guide poling from a platform looking for fish to cast to? Or, are you on a bay boat in deeper water blind casting? Both can be productive!
If you are sight fishing in 1-3' of water, you don't want or need much weight on your flies. It can add to a spooking splat when it hits, and, can end up buried in the mud. In dirtied up water, have some black and purple flies. For clear water, have some tans and chartreuse.
If you are doing the blind casting deal, you will be in deeper water where a little wt. will help get and keep it down. I've seen a day when your basic gray over white clouser minnow was a killer for blind casting.
One of the joys of redfishing is that they normally aren't real picky. Having tarpon or permit not give your fly a second look gets old. Fortunately, that usually isn't a deal with the redfish.
The most important thing to know is what kind of "program" you will be doing down there. Are you on a poling skiff way back in skinny water with the guide poling from a platform looking for fish to cast to? Or, are you on a bay boat in deeper water blind casting? Both can be productive!
If you are sight fishing in 1-3' of water, you don't want or need much weight on your flies. It can add to a spooking splat when it hits, and, can end up buried in the mud. In dirtied up water, have some black and purple flies. For clear water, have some tans and chartreuse.
If you are doing the blind casting deal, you will be in deeper water where a little wt. will help get and keep it down. I've seen a day when your basic gray over white clouser minnow was a killer for blind casting.
One of the joys of redfishing is that they normally aren't real picky. Having tarpon or permit not give your fly a second look gets old. Fortunately, that usually isn't a deal with the redfish.
That will catch a bull! Put it in your box.First try at a kwan with what I had on hand….STOP LAUGHING!!!
Great colors, maybe a little less yarn on the head next time.
Setterman
Well-Known Member
Not bad for your first try and it'll work. Trim the yarn to be rounder rather than squareFirst try at a kwan with what I had on hand….STOP LAUGHING!!!
That's easy - 2 Chartreuse/ white Deceivers & a Dupre Spoon fly
I lived on the coast for 26 years - often times I'd spend all day on the water w/ just these 2 flies on my boat. Spoon is deadly on an incoming tide (especially over oyster beds) & don't really need to say anything about the Deceiver...
I've got an inexpensive 8wt and picifun reel , nothing special, fine for bass. I've never got into anything where I needed drag. The drag on that reel isn't sealed and it ain't much surface area, real small. Will it work?
Your wife is gonna be mad when she sees a chunk of her carpet missingFirst try at a kwan with what I had on hand….STOP LAUGHING!!!
It won't work very well. A redfish isn't like a permit or a tarpon in testing your equipment, but they can make some really fast and powerful runs.
In most freshwater fishing the reel can be an after thought. Not so much with the saltwater fish.
