Basic redfish flats flies

[Pilchard]

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]

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

 

[scn]

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.

 

[Iglow]

First try at a kwan with what I had on hand….STOP LAUGHING!!!

 

[scn]

First try at a kwan with what I had on hand….STOP LAUGHING!!!

That will catch a bull! Put it in your box.

Great colors, maybe a little less yarn on the head next time.

 

[Setterman]

First try at a kwan with what I had on hand….STOP LAUGHING!!!

Not bad for your first try and it'll work. Trim the yarn to be rounder rather than square

 

[Gvit]

If you were limited to 3 flies for gulf coast redfish, both flats in the bays and beaches, what would you choose and why?

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...

 

[Iglow]

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?

 

[redblood]

First try at a kwan with what I had on hand….STOP LAUGHING!!!

Your wife is gonna be mad when she sees a chunk of her carpet missing

 

[scn]

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?

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.

 

[Iglow]

Another kwan.

 

[Iglow]

Clouser.