Redfish on Fly and Spinning Tackle

BIOLOGY

In Texas, Scaenops ocellatus is called a redfish.  In other parts of America and, even in Texas, it goes by many different names .  Some of these include red drum, puppy drum, rat reds, and the sea-born fish, bull reds.  Channel bass appears to be a name given to these fish in the eastern U.S.  In Mexico, "colorado" and "corbina" are used.  The west coast has similar species.

The redfish is the most popular member of the croaker family (Scaenidae) sought by fly fishermen.  The large black spot or "ocellus" near the tail is a distinguishing mark.  Often fish with multiple spots are caught and some with multiple spots are considered by some as a trophy fish. 

A sporting fish ranges between 2 to 40 pounds.  Larger fish up to 50+ pounds can be caught on the surf or in the open gulf.  Most bay-caught fish range in the 5 to 15 pound range.

HABITATS

   Mature fish found along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico find there way out to deeper water to spawn.  The fry with the help of strong currents make there way to the Laguna Madre.  Here the fish can be found almost anywhere.  From jetties, deep channels, and bay flats. 

   Fishing in the ocean is not typically an enterprise under taken by most fly fishermen.  However, they sometimes while fishing for species such as tarpon around wrecks or oil rigs will see schools of huge redfish.  If the occasion to cast a fly at one of these monsters occurs, they may take it.

    During the winter months redfish congregate in deeper water near passes.  Jetties and ship channels are good places to blind cast for fish moving through or prowling these structures. 

   Estuaries and inlets that feed them are the primary haunts of redfish sought by fly fishermen.  During the spring, summer, and fall one can expect to sight-cast to redfish in shallow water ranging from a few inches to three or four feet in depth.  Spring tides allow fly fishers to enter some deeper holes and schools of well over 200 fish aren't uncommon in grassy flats which are sometimes bordered with oyster beds.

Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus)

The redfish is the most highly prized fly fishing species on the lower Laguna Madre flats.  A legal-sized, tireless redfish is exciting on a fly rod providing good runs that can challenge the best saltwater outfit.  If you're fortunate enough to hook an oversized red, then continue to check your backing.  Most fish are caught in water less than one foot deep.  It is common to look for the wake of a cruising fish or see their tails as they root like hogs into the grassy flats.

The waters all along the southern Laguna Madre from South Bay to the Mansfield cut have good numbers of cruising and tailing redfish.  You have to use good polarized sunglasses and clear water to see cruising fish.  The bottom in the bay varies from fairly white sandy stretches to patches of bay grasses.  Hard sand surfaces is where you find redfish cruising and rooting for tube worms.  This type of substrate makes for quick responses from a flyrodder.

Turtle grass (Thallasia sp.) provides cover for crabs, shrimp, and other crustaceans.  Fishing over these waters may have soft bottom.

Speckled Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)

This species ranges from school size fish to giant loners.  Specks are willing to take just about any fly.  We've used silver gum wrappers on a hook and still caught seatrout at night under the lights.  However, at times the fish seem to ignore anything from succulent shrimp to lively finger mullet.  Once hooked a speck often come to the surface to display its thrashing head trying to dislodge that uncomfortable feeling in its mouth.  Large fish should be released, however, when plentiful a couple of eighteen inchers are great on the skillet.

Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma)

The most underestimated gamefish on a flyrod, the flounder is willing to take any deep running fly.  Once caught, the flounder is a scrapper.  Fish over eighteen inches can give a seven weight a workout.  Bringing a flatty to the net is not an easy task.  First they have a habit of chomping down with their powerful jaws and pinning the hook there without actually penetrating.  Once they open their jaws the hook often times misses penetrating the mouth or bone.

Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus)

He's an extra good catch.  With better conditions this species will be highly sought after as an added species within the range of the flats fisherman.  Although, not caught on the flats a quick trip can make the silver king a reality.  Of course, the little tarpon-like ladyfish (Elops saurus) can be a heart-stopper on a six weight.

Nice looking sheepshead.  This one was caught on live shrimp, but they'll take a fly also.

Striped mullet also take a fly.  I managed to catch two this summer. Yes, they actually took the fly in the mouth and not foul hooked.