Are redfish the best all around saltwater fish species to target on the fly? We think so!
Whether you have been a freshwater angler for two years or 20 years, making the leap to saltwater is no easy task. For many, the longer you fish for trout, the harder it is to master the new techniques of saltwater fishing. You have already created bad habits, and those are hard to break! While many of the most basic parts of fly fishing stay true between freshwater and saltwater, the differences vary wildly. When you consider the environment, the gear, and especially the fish you are targeting, the similarities stop at using a 9ft rod and a weight forward fly line. The good news is that fly fishing for redfish makes for the perfect first time saltwater experience.
No matter what your experience level is, everyone should have redfish on their list. For a new saltwater angler, redfish might just be the most approachable species to target. They are found up and down the gulf coast in healthy numbers, don’t require a passport to chase them, and will very reliably eat a well presented fly. They also offer a great challenge to experienced anglers. The bigger the redfish, the more likely they will be cruising solo, old, and wary to a poor cast or an encroaching boat. When the cast, and the fly delivery all come together something magic happens though. Something you don’t always get in other salty fishing adventures for other salty fish. The redfish eats! Just about every time, the redfish eats! They spot your shrimp pattern swimming by, their head turns, and with a flick of their spotted tail they inhale your fly. Redfish are honest in that way.
I recently gathered a group of good friends and family to chase redfish down on the Texas Coast at Bay Flat Lodge. The trip, hosted through Anglers All, combined 3 days of guided fishing, and incredible meals, and hospitality that can only be found on the coast. After a scouting mission to check out Bay Flats Lodge over a year ago, I knew it was going to be a great trip, and one I could confidently invite both first time anglers and salty veterans on.
After a quick flight into San Antonio, and a rental car drive to the coast we arrived just in time for happy hour which is held daily in a very cool open air dining area complete with yard games and college football on TV. We then made our way to the main lodge building and sat down in a dining room buzzing with excitement. We met our guides, Matt Tyler, Brandon and Dane. We shook hands, talked fishing and went over the plan for the next morning.
As the sunrise showed off its red and orange brilliance, 7 and 8wt rods with floating saltwater lines were strung up over the bows of 4 flats skiffs that were circled around the driveway in front of the lodge. Leaders were built, fly boxes opened and flies selected and everyone was smiling. The sky was clear, the W was slight and the vibes were good.
The next 3 days were full of firsts for my group. First saltwater trip, first redfish, first speckled trout, first black drum and a few repeats. Mainly, not the first time a sheepshead has refused a fly! After each day on the water we rendezvoused in our coastal house and swapped stories. The following quotes could be heard in between laughter and high fives…..
“We spotted a single fish with its back half way out of the water from a long ways away. Tyler told me to hold my cast and we just kept creeping closer and closer. Finally I got the green light to send one and I made the long cast. The second before my fly hit the water the fish turned the other way. Tyler whispered, go again, 10 feet right. After a quick haul I hit the mark, without any hesitation the redfish charged the fly and crushed it! He took off across the bay, and I was almost into my backing. It was awesome!” - Tom
“As soon as we turned the corner into a small lake, Dane spotted a group of tailing fish. When we got into range I put my fly right on ‘em, before I could think about it, the line went tight….. And I trout set! Ha! Good thing I made up for it only a few minutes later! It was awesome!” - Blake
“We got into a spot with cloudy water. Matt told me to be ready, they could be anywhere. Not a minute later I look off the front of the boat and there are 2 fish tailing, like 8 feet away. They were so close! I made an awkward flip cast and they both turned on the fly. Matt yelled keep your fly moving, but I was running out of space! One fish charged the fly with an open mouth not 3 feet from me… I pulled my fly right out of the water and missed him. It was awesome!” - Dana
“We were poling around the edge of this huge lake and not seeing much, except for some Ospreys cruising around us. We heard a commotion and Brandon said he can see a massive pod busting up some bait about 300 yards away. We knew this was a good opportunity to get the top water rod out. We switched rigs as we got closer. Seeing over a hundred redfish together frothing the water was wild. Once within range I laid out the gurgler pattern and started popping it back towards us. It didn't take long for 2 fish to peel off and start following it. The first sped up and came out of the water, mouth wide open to inhale the popper. We were hooked up! It was awesome! - Dave
That huge cloud bank that came over in the afternoon turned out the lights on us. But we could see a light spot in the middle of this bay and Dane said it was probably a group mudding. We poled closer and I must have been excited because I overshot the mud spot by 15 feet! Dane said to strip my fly right through it and of course the line went tight! But it didn’t feel right, and as I got the fish closer it turned out to be a nice speckled trout! New species for me. It was awesome!” - Alex
It was a trip to remember, and made better by the amazing staff and guides at Bay Flats. It was tough to pack up and leave after breakfast on the last day. We already felt like family. As we packed up the W picked up, and it sort of felt like it was sending us on our way, while making sure we knew we had excellent conditions during our trip. We had shared a lot of firsts for the group, and we celebrated those by planning a trip back! The redfish of Sea Drift Texas proved to be honest.
If you are interested in getting down to see our friends at Bay Flats Lodge for a little redfish chasing, stop by our Denver or Littleton Fly Shops or give Ben Kinne a call at 303-794-1104 or benkinne@gmail.com
