How to Tie the Crappie Killer Fly Pattern, How to Tie the Film Critic Emerger Fly Pattern, How to Tie the Puterbaugh Foam Caddis Fly Pattern, How to Choose the Best Fly Rod for Bonefish, Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Series Review: Model-By-Model, How to Tie the Golden Retriever Fly Pattern. 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. When the pelicans, gannets and larger gull species start wheeling around in open water, dont hesitate to investigate, Gardner says. Im all set to go a simple boat fly box with the above patterns! Next the tubing is poked at liberally with a needle or ice pick to unfurl the mylar, giving it a frizzy appearance. The weed guard is essential to the success of the fly. Anglers may choose to light-tackle rods or fly gear to fish the expansive, shallow-water flats of the 100 square mile Baffin Bay . Earth-tone colors seem to work best, a sandy brown head paired with a striped light beige body that resembles the pattern of a shrimp. If theres any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. This fly has a slow sink rate and suspends just below the surface of the water making this a great choice when sight fishing on the shallow flats. If the precise concave shape isnt made, the spoon will plane to the surface during the retrieve rather than wobble. Weed guards are beneficial when targeting reds in shallow and marshy water. Call Captain Kenjo direct ASAP 361-500-2552 or BOOK NOW online! 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. Big Y Fly Co best fishing flies for Texas, for your next fly fishing trip. Its all sight fishing from small kayaks, canoes and flats skiffs, and the fish go crazy for popping bugs, according to Wesley Parks, avid fly rodder and manager of McCoy Outdoors Fly Shop (334-432-3006) in nearby Mobile. 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. Chasing schools of bull reds offshore is an entirely different operation than flats-, channel and surf fishing, but that spectacular scene happens from North Carolina through northeast Florida and in the Gulf from Floridas panhandle past Louisiana. Ford is a founding member of the conservation group Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, has held multiple IGFA world records and published two books on fly-fishing destinations. Retrieve this fly with steady, slow strips and it will mimic the movement of a fleeing crab. Low summer tides mean baitfish being flushed into the shallows and the reds having a field day. The body profile and hook riding upwards make it deadly. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. Traditionally it is tied with a Craft Fur tail, a little flash, a small attractor/egg hot spot, a palmered hackle collar, segmented sections of yarn or EP fibers, and some beadchain or lead eyes. While I tend to agree in most aspects, I know this pattern catches fish. Both styles are highly effective when fished properly under the right conditions. Sheka Shrimp Its tied on a size 1 through 2/0 Mustad 34007 hook, unweighted or with lead dumbbell eyes. January and February is redfish time in the many sheltered potholes and ponds of the Biloxi, Mississippi, marsh. We use giant Clouser flies teamed with super-fast-sinking fly lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. Ive also caught flounder, ladyfish, bluefish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and snook on Spoonflies. But, thanks in large part to the Coastal Conservation Association that day is long gone. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | The Team | Advertise with Guide Recommended, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. Size #1 and #2 are best. Choose some bright colors and Redfish won't be able to resist. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Read about the BIGGEST Caught >, Casting a Fly to Snook is amazing. This brute weighed more than 30 pounds. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. For example, this fly can be tied with the standard lead dumbbell eye that will make the fly sink fast and will give you a jig action. All rods, reels, tackle, and flies are provided- all you need is a current Texas fishing license, snacks, and polarized sunglasses. Most have been well tested via the school of hard fishing knocks endorsed by the anglers who cast them and the redfish that eat them. The Electric Bunny doesnt seemingly resemble one particular redfish menu item, but they find its crabby silhouette irresistible. They tolerate a wide range of water temperatures and salinities, and eat everything from crustaceans and mollusks to baitfish. However, if you venture out in the summer evenings, youll quickly understand how the area acquired its name. They eat with ease and love to chase the fly. The Texas coast between Port O'Conner and Rockport offers excellent opportunities to sight cast for redfish, as well as occasional shots at black drum, speckled trout, and sheepshead. These are all suggestions and please wear what you feel comfortable in. The straight style, like the Straight-Shooter Crab pictured, has the hook shank positioned perpendicular to the crab body. Yet it has good fish-hooking capabilities. When you select Wyld on the Fly as your guide for your next adventure, you can expect the . This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. The Electric Chicken was originally tied to mimic the electric chicken plastic bait. The Mylar tubing is folded over lengthwise, and secured to the hook shank. I like the neutral colors for the Kwan in sizes #4. When redfish are tailing on the flats and are cruising super skinny, placing a popper or streamer quietly in its path may be the only way to catch them. Candy Corn Crawler is a great choice when targeting redfish. Often, you'll need flat, calm conditions to consistently see fish. Its important to remember that thousands of redfish flies work very well. This allows the crab to stand upright in a defensive posture with claws dancing in the current when resting on the bottom. The deer hair body gives it the topwater element, and I love throwing these flies at cruising redfish trackers as they are often called. East Cut Redfish Popper Doors open up at 6 p.m. and tickets are $60 for individuals and $70 for couples. Jim Dupre (352-371-6153), a Gainesville, Florida, fishing guide who, with his father A.J., spent countless hours testing and perfecting a fly-rod lure that had the same fish-attracting action as the venerable Johnson Weedless Minnow. Most of the flies featured in this article are available for sale in the Saltwater Fly Shop and are designed to target inshore species in the Gulf Coast region. When youre seeing lots of Redfish up on the flats, tie this fly on and let the good times roll. I bump up to a 5- to 6-inch mostly synthetic yet very puffy white fly for the big bull reds. Youll definitely need 10-weight rods and 400-plus-grain sink-tip lines with big lead-eye flies. If you find redfish feeding near the surface, a topwater fly works really well. Redfish are opportunistic feeders and often forage in shallow mudflats with their noses stuck to the bottom, where they mainly feed on crustaceans. Fished in the Gulf Coast region, you cant go wrong with a chartreuse and white color that has a large eye. Most come with bead eyes, are weedless and measure about 3inches long. Georgia also has vast areas of inshore spartina grass flats. 1 Where to Catch Redfish in Texas. These large-shouldered predators spend time cruising marshy coastlines searching for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website https://tpwd.texas.gov/. Head down south to the Louisiana fishing playgrounds in and around New Orleans and the Biloxi Marsh area, an estuary network of 210,000 acres of coastal wetlands located on the eastern side of Louisiana, which borders the Gulf of Mexico, you will find yourself in the mecca of redfish fly fishing. It also helped a bit that the first cast I made with a Spoonfly hooked a fish. Bags and packs are entirely optional. When poling in the marsh, anglers look for wakes, tails and bodies near oyster bars and mud flats. Unless you know the area and own a flats boat, youll need a guide. 2. They succeeded by producing a smaller, thumb-size fly version of the Johnson lure that every inshore saltwater angler worth his skiff owns. If you cast this in front of a Redfish, allow it to slowly flutter down, and then give it very short small strips, youll be hooked up in no time. The best fly choice: a good-size shrimp that sinks quickly. It would be great to book a fishing charter to fish for redfish. When: Summer and fall; Who: The following guides specialize in Texas redfishing: Middle Texas Coast: Capt. Location: Houston, Texas. At the eye a few turns of crystal-red chenille are wound on to produce a head. My own personal favorite stomping grounds for redfish include South Florida and Louisiana. Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine, "Exposure" Photo Essay, April 2015. Waders and boots are great to have. The golden color works well in the muddy water, and the reds love the movement of the fly. 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. Now healthy populations of reds root in the coastal shallows from Massachusetts to Mexico. The Spoonfly is made of flashy Mylar covered and sealed with clear epoxy on a long-shank 2/0 Mustad. Travel pristine Matagorda Island as you stalk redfish along 38 miles of uninhabited shorelines teaming with hundreds of species of birds, alligators, deer, and various other Redfish weighing less than 15 pounds can be landed using most any fly rod. So, there you have it. Fly Fishing Laguna Madre on the Texas Coast. Gold Frizzy. He ties the fly on a barbless 34011 Mustad size 4 hook, with a bright-gold cone head to help get it deep. For small stream trout, smaller fly fishing hook sizes like a 6 or 10 may be sufficient. Its for this style of hunt-and-cast redfishing that guide Ben Alderman (843-906-3630) devised his favorite redfish fly, the Zap-A-Crab. What makes the fly different from other crab and glue-body designs, however, is that its extremely weedless. In the beginning, the most incredible, unexplained marks appeared on our bottom machines. With all the grass around, a weed guard is a must to be in with a shot at hooking a Red. This pattern has many variations, but the concept remains the same. Also, take note of the depth of the water and the type of bottom (grass, sand, etc)you are fishing in. The water systems in the South are rich in food sources, and this is where the redfish concentrate. 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. The Kwan is a hybrid pattern and imitates shrimp, crab, and baitfish. I love this! The spoon fly excels by flashing and emitting low frequency vibration sounds as its being stripped. A small orange grizzly feather is tied in at the head to look like a fiddler-crab claw, with a single stiff mono weed guard positioned from the head toward the hook point. 1.4 4. Sheka Shrimps tied in subtle browns and cream colors perform best in stained water. Rick Hartman, an expert fly fisherman and guide, poles a skiff in the Lower Laguna Madre while a friend casts for redfish. Electric Slider Fly. In the summer, mullet start to move through the surf, and that signals game on for fly fishermen. A couple of small rubber legs are tied fore and aft of the Furry Foam body, which is then coated with a quick-drying two-part epoxy. It is hand-tied by Jim Dupre and finished with an epoxy coating, making it bulletproof. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish (and Sheepshead) in the Gulf Coast region. Most guides say the best fly rod for redfish is a 9-foot, 8- or 9-weight rod paired to most any brand of saltwater reel and spooled with a warm-water, weight-forward floating line. You need to ensure to scan the course with your eyes, particularly when fishing in shallow waters. Conditions - 55-degrees. Here is a list of the best nine places to fly fish in Texas: 1. Year-round you can fish redfish, but in the changing season, you also have black drum, sheepshead, sea trout, tarpon, and . The current Texas record is 59 1/2 pounds. The original pattern was tied with a tan Craft Fur tail, an orange/red Catcus Chenille body, and an olive streamer brush head; but, this fly is highly versatile and can be tied in many different colors, materials, and eyes. 2023All Rights Reserved -www.sightcastfishing.com - Sight Cast Fishing Company, Saltwater Fly Fishing - Apparel, Flies, and Tying Materials, Sheepshead, Fly Fishing, Sight Fishing, Sheepshead Flies, texas fly fishing, sheepshead fly fishing, how to catch sheepshead on fly, best sheepshead flies, sight fishing to sheepshead, sheepshead fly, best way to catch sheepshead, Sight cast, Fishing, Sunglasses, Sight Fishing, best sunglasses for fishing, best sunglasses for sight fishing, best sunglasses for sight casting, fishing sunglasses, sight fishing sunglasses, costa, smith, smith optics, rci optics, costa 580g, best polarized sunglasses, sunglasses to see fish. This area is chalked full of bayous and canals, dotted with innumerable lakes, bays, ponds, and . Watch the waves roll close to the beach, and look for a red as breaking water crests. While it was initially intended to target Redfish, it does equally as well for large Speckled Trout up on the flats. Virtually every region of salt or brackish water in the greater Jacksonville area holds reds, according to local anglers. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. The redfish game is simple. The setup you choose to use depends entirely on your ability as a fly fisher. Keep your leader short and straightforward. A popping cork is ideal when the fish are acting particularly lethargic. Gin clear water makes these fish very skittish when in shallow water situations. For deeper redfishing, Sheka includes lead under the chenille or substitutes lead eyes for nylon ones, and he ties it large to be a more visible target, usually with a marabou tail that absorbs water to help it get down. Marsh grasses remain a favorite destination for anglers hoping to hook reds. We respect your privacy. Red drum is a fast growing fish reaching approximately 11 inches and one pound in its first year, 17-22 inches and 3 1/2 pounds in two years, and 22-24 inches and 6-8 pounds in three years. Below are some articles to guide you to a TROPHY. Redfish, especially in the area between Tampa Bay and Crystal River, tend to be some of the spookiest fish in the state of Florida. Tackle choices aside, the size of your fly can be the most important factor. 3 thoughts on " Redfish Flies " Scott Kor says . But as every angler knows, there are days where the fish are picky and are only keying in on one food source. From WildFly Productions: "Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. It has a deer hair head thats designed to push water and has a perfect baitfish profile that fish find hard to resist. Winter Redfish are often larger, especially Bull Redfish, and typically are fished with flies in the 1/0 - 2/0 size range. Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. If there's any wind at all, a 9-weight makes casting easier. Back in November, I made it down to the Texas Coast for a DIY saltwater trip with my buddy, Bryant. Table of Contents show. I like to think of it as the woolly bugger for reds. Anglers who dont know the areas can find a lot of trouble very quickly, but the fishing is amazing. They typically have heavy amounts of weight and little bulk to get the fly down to the sandy bottom fast. Guiderecommended.com and River Traditions LLC participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and others, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other companies." The Everglades Special is one of those baitfish patterns that will just about catch any predatory fish. The bug is copper-colored, traditional bass-bug size, with a stainless hook and a Flashabou tail. As you approach the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coasts, all that changes. Find an area near any of the local inlets with clear water. These anglers are chasing red drum, the target of choice for a growing legion of fly anglers, thanks to the fact that there are more red drum in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters today than weve seen in years. . When retrieved with quick short strips it closely resembles a fleeing shrimp and the head pulses with bite-enticing movement. Read -> What is the Biggest Redfish Caught. It needs to be small. 1 artificial lure of all time for redfish. 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. Therefore, tackle choices revolve more around casting and presentation ease than on fighting the fish. Potential Freshwater Walk in outing - (from Rob McConnell's Fly Fishing Houston book) Feb 28: Monthly Mtg. Factors that affect casting, such as wind and bushy flies, also affect rod choice. This one-two punch is a tried and true classic for catching reds. Zap-A-Crab They will usually eat a well-placed fly with reckless abandon and can even be caught on topwater flies for redfish. The fish looks unnatural and uncoordinated, but its the most exciting surface-lure strike youll see. Fly fishing in Texas doesn't get the credit it deserves, and we're here to change that. 1.3 3. Wyld on the Fly offers fly fishing guide services for the Corpus Christi, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Laguna Madre, Land Cut, and Baffin Bay waters. The olive and brown combo is my favorite on a size #1 hook. Alderman is careful to keep the fly small, never more than 2 inches overall, so few redfish are missed at the strike. There are literally thousands of flies out there that imitate the crabs, shrimp, and baitfish that make up the diet of a Redfish on the shallow flats and backwater marshes. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REDFISH PATTERNS FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE. For large redfish, you will want to employ a 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0 circle hook. ), water conditions the fly excels in, and how you like to fish it. Some quick online research will show you hundreds of Crab patterns available. By the time you're done reading this, you'll be ready to head to Texas to . Almost any fly that imitates such forage works well. This stunning shot was taken by professional photograher Marjie Goldberg from Florida. A Redfish is a Redfish, no matter if you are in Texas, Florida, or Virginia. With diverse locations and ample opportunity, it is a great place to try fly fishing for the first time or the hundredth. This simple fly has heavy eyes and sinks quickly. Some even believe that this is an evolved strain of redfish, different from its relatives in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal waters. A subtle fly or plug pulled gently in front of a . Dupre can make custom colors if necessary. Proven fly patterns for summer Redfish are baitfish and shrimp patterns! Captain Jeff offers fantastic half day, full day, and multi day trips fly fishing for redfish along the Texas Coastal Bend. It's not uncommon to see Reds tailing in shallow water and some would consider sight casting to a 30+lb Bull Redfish the pinnacle of the sport. Most of your casting will be done in . In addition, the predominant species you might encounter in Texas Saltwater Fly Fishing is the red [fish] and black drum. Its a pretty basic fly, with a small head and burnt nylon eyes. There are many variants of topwater flies, the classic Gurgleris just one example. Sheka Shrimp come in weighted and unweighted versions, with or without weed guards. We are lucky in that Redfish tell us how they are feeding. You still must put the fly in the right place, but you definitely need a 10-weight rod and a really big fly. Jim West, 409-996-3054 It is tied in in smaller sizes, so it doesnt make much disturbance when it lands. Then one day I was casting a spoon-fly to redfish when I spotted a huge sheepie tailing on oysters. Gear up with giant Clouser flies and sinking lines that range from 450 to 700 grains. Spoonfly . The full recipe for Redfish on the Half-Shell can be found here. Redfish, big ones, are abundant, with fish in the 20- to 30-pound class available at times on barrier-island shoals that kiss the entire coastline of the Peach State. If you're not a Texas resident you need to purchase a non-resident one-day all water fishing license (code 214). Re: Redfish Flies. Crab flies mainly fall into two different categories and can be fished a few different ways. Texas claims two others, and North Carolina one. March 24 - 2023 Texoma Ducks Unlimited Spring Event at the Mayor Arena of Loy Lake Park. Getting the fly deep gets more bites, even when the reds are busting on top. Texas Red Fish Adventures. Greens and golds are the first choices in smaller #2 and #4. It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20. It can be tied in countless color variations and weights to suit all water clarities and depths. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. Its perfect to use right up against a grassy shoreline where shrimp are plentiful. Port O' Connor. From baitfish to shrimp to crabs and almost anything in between, Reds are opportunistic feeders. . His favorite is the East-Cut Redfish Popper, made commercially by T.J. Neal of East Cut Saltwater Flies in Driftwood, Texas (512-461-4473). Redfish in the lagoon and Indian River systems of Florida's space coast have an obsession with this type of fly. Equip your fly line with cast foam poppers, deer-hair bugs or shrimp and baitfish patterns for the classic approach to Snook fly fishing. You can play with tippet strengths but stick to what you are happy to fish and go from there. I like to have an intermediate spool ready to roll if needed, but it isnt necessary. In fall and winter months, the Biloxi Marsh and the coast of Louisiana can properly boast the best redfishing in the world. Truthfully, there are a lot of different redfish fly patterns that all work well. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski.com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. All of these flies are absolutely deadly for Redfish up on the shallow flats of Gulf Coast fisheries. Its simple design is very deadly for many species, especially Redfish. 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. It's a great pattern for sight fishing. But if you've fished long enough, you've almost certainly experienced the times where they tend to focus on one prey type exclusively and seem to ignore every fly you tie on. Its simple design and ease to fish are what I love about it. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. 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 . Watching a redfish try to suck a surface fly or popper into its underslung bottom-feeding mouth can be hilarious. It lands lightly, hangs in the water column, and when tied with a weed guard, it is the perfect fly to fish over grassy structures in shallow water. Quickly toss the fly in front of the fish before it heads back out to sea. Tie on a bushy fly in either white or brown with bead or lead eyes, such as this Chernobyl shrimp. If youre not ready when a school appears, youre out of luck. 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. Kwan is the fly to have for those quiet, cold winter days on the water. Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. Fools Gold crab pattern is my first choice for tailing Redfish. Usually a wake is seen, or a small part of the fish is spotted breaking the waters surface. Those are the good days. 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. Look for big redfish laid up at the surface like tarpon. Many anglers prefer an 8-weight fly rod for smaller redfish, but I usually throw big bushy redfish flies. This is a great fly for shallow water and smaller fish that aren't looking for a huge meal. The shrimp-tipped jig is the icing on the cake, and the redfish can't resist the smell. Montgomery designed the fly for chasing world-record-size reds around the clear waters of the Chandeleur Islands in Louisiana, which he does with client Robert Cunningham Jr., who has boated several potential record fish wit this streamer. Floating on the surface, they pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. Gurgler flies are the top waters of saltwater fly fishing. The angel hairs hollow body gives bulk, and the bucktail and long hackle feathers give the tail lovely movement. Whats interesting about Texas is its variety of venues. The tackle. My favorite hi-tie, I'll often use a 4x-long size 6 . Copyright 2023 Salt Water Sportsman. Is this getting you excited? A Bonnier LLC Company. Sight fishing with a fly on the coast is one the most challenging types of fishing. They can be in water from 6 inches to 3feet, based on varying conditions of tide and temperature. Pair the rod with a smooth drag reel and a floating line, and you are good to go. But many cutting-edge anglers are using flies that are constantly being tested by the ever-growing numbers of fly-rod redfishermen. Its death on redfish, with gold and silver models remarkably effecive. Thanks for signing up! For information, visit . These omnivores, with their underslung mouths, scour the grass and mud for prey. This fly is particularly good on the flood tide in those highwater grass areas. Best of all, redfish love it. Use larger hook sizes in Fall and Winter months as you prepare to hunt down larger redfish game. It is a mix of a number of different patterns and works great as a shrimp, crab or even a baitfish. Follow Texas Flyfishers of Houston on WordPress.com Search TFF . Ive almost been tempted to tie some very small ones for trout. The saltwater flats near Aransas Pass and Port Aranasas are a mecca for flyanglers hoping to hook redfish or speckled trout. Crab flies are deadly for targeting Redfish and Sheepshead in the Gulf Coast region. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. If you find schools of glass minnows, tie on a Clouser and youll find the fish. So our guides have begun to compile a collection of our favorite patterns here, for all to see. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. He uses a No. South Texas Sight Fishing Location: Aransas Pass, TX Waters: Port Aransas Area Waters Fish: Redfish Website. Almost every saltwater fly shop has a variation of the traditional Kwan fly, or sometimes referred to as the Redfish Toad. Raz Reed, who created the fly, also uses it for bass, something I havent tried yet but plan on tying up a few for my next bass mission. As much as I love wading the south Texas flats, redfish in the Laguna Madre are smallpuppy drum, in local parlancethat rarely weigh more than 6 or 7 pounds. Anywhere you can flats-fish for Texas reds, youll find that sensory overload. Fools Gold Fly - a favorite for Redfish. I have found that light flies and long, long, long leaders are the ticket in these situations. Just sales, new product updates, fly tying tutorials, and important news! Let a good casts worth of line drag behind you and start wading in about a foot of water. In reds and greens on a size #1, this pattern wiggles and swims like an injured baitfish or crab. As a general rule,the darker/muddier the water, the darker the fly should be; and, when the water is gin-clear you should pick flies that are more of a natural color such as tans, whites, and browns. They are known as bull reds. While flies with bead chain eyes (or no eyes at all) are best in water depths of 1 foot or less when you want your fly to stay out of the grass and near the surface. When the cork pops in the water it creates a slurping sound, and this gets the fish interested. On the inshore saltwater scene the Spoonfly has few peers. The fly is then adorned with a bit of colored hackle and a wire weed guard. One or two flying sharks is worth a look, but a dozen simultaneous eruptions deserves full throttle and a shout on the radio, she says. The best is to get the fish to see the fly, and you will generally hook them.