
Make a boat list for your trip that includes preparing for the elements and dynamics of big fish.Don’t just practice your cast practice your pick up, your lay down, your strip, and your set, before leaving for your trip.There are simple setups and build-your-own options to get the accuracy and “transfer” that you need. Most anglers and guides use leaders that are too long (see number 2).Specialized Redfish fly lines really do work, and are highly recommended. Casting to Reds is about accuracy and quickness over distance.Sure, you will be over-sticked on many of the 15lb or less fish, but you will still be well-equipped when you stick a big Bull. Here are some items to keep in mind when choosing and setting up your gear. But if you want to be setup ahead of time and get some practice in, Front Range Anglers can help you out with all aspects of your equipment. The guides down there will normally take care of all of your terminal tackle needs and even your rods. Therefore presentation to Redfish not only includes your casting accuracy skills, but how your tackle is setup. Because their teeth are rounded by their favorite food of crabs, several tip-down strip sets are necessary to get that hook buried to ensure a long battle. Being ready to strip and set when the fly hits the water is critical. Accuracy is more important than distance when it comes to Reds. When a Red is sighted you must get the fly close to his face very quickly. Being prepared and practicing for the next step is key. When you’re standing on the casting platform of a flats boat and see the water being pushed by one of those big Bulls, or the glistening body of one of these giants “lifting” in the water, a lot of things can go right, but a lot more can go wrong.

As one guide put it, “If they only jumped, I’d skip going for Tarpon.” Tackle and Prep Strikes are aggressive and the fish will usually thrash violently before they run. For fly fishermen it is almost always a sight fishing experience. Reds of all sizes are great fighters and it is common to get into your backing multiple times per outing. From January to May the weather in Louisiana can be marginal (but I know at least two people who have caught great fish during Mardis Gras.) If you’re looking for temperate conditions for getting Reds, South Texas (Padre Island) would be the most consistent option.Ī Bull Red is defined not by gender but by being either greater than 27 inches or 20 pounds (depending on who you are talking to.) Without a doubt the prime time and place to find big Bulls is in Louisiana, between September and the end of the year. Seasonally, September to May is your best bet. They range all along the coast from south Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and even up to South Carolina. Food and cooler water temps will bring these fish into shallow waters where they can be caught on flies in two feet of water or even on top water poppers. This coastal fish can be found in deeper saltwater, but are more fun when they move into the brackish marshes. Drums get their name because of the “drumming” noise that males make when attracting mates or when under stress. Redfish is another name for a Red Drum (Sciaenops Ocellatus.) It’s actually a close cousin of the Black Drum, which you can often find swimming in the same area.

But are you more likely to get those big Bulls in December? “True Dat!” Redfish Basics

However, the weather is definitely more volatile from January on. It turns out Reds are available and catchable from September – May due to the colder water temperatures. We’ve found this is not necessarily the case. If the number of migrating guides you will find heading back towards south Florida at the end of the year are any indication, you might think that December is the end of Louisiana’s prime Redfish season where you can regularly find Reds 20 pounds and larger. If you want a quick, yet exciting saltwater fishing trip before the end of the year, Louisiana is the place to go. These days, fly fishermen are not only pounding the local tailwaters in sub-freezing conditions, but they are also spending a lot of time searching the internet for plane tickets to places like Honolulu, Christmas Island, Belize, and of course, Louisiana.

In the old days the best thing you could do in December was tie flies for next season. It’s odd that December has become one of the most important months for fly fishermen.
