Hooked my first red in the grass on the fly Saturday AM. I am new to fly fishing and I am ok at casting and have a lot to learn. This weekend I went Saturday and Sunday in the AM and saw a total of 6 tailing and hooked one. Based on what I have red about fly choice etc it boils down to me not putting the fly in the right spot. I had a chip shot Sunday AM and couldn’t get the fly in the fishes wheel house.
Question one: Is it better to get on them as the tide is still rising? I have had a better time seeing them on the rise when it goes slack and starts to fall I cant find them at all.
I was fishing the rise and getting in at about 5.0 of the tide when its rising to 5.8. Is it better to go in and set up where they typically are so get in the grass at 4.5 and wait for the water to fill in?
How close are you dropping the fly to them? I don’t want to line them and as I said I am learning and I don’t want to spook them.
All help and knowledge is appreciated!
-B
You’ve got a pretty good ratio going now! Fish will pull off the flats when the tide turns. Usually 3’ will seal the deal if you are landing the fly softly and not crashing it into the zone. If they are spooky try and determine where the fish is heading and get your fly a little more out in front of them and wait for the fish to come into the zone.
“Those who have the ability to make a difference have the responsibility to do so.” Thomas Jefferson
By your questions i’m assuming you’re fishing on foot. If so I always get there before the water and wait in a likely area for the water to come to me… once the water depth is right i’ll start wandering around…
As for incoming vs. outgoing… I’ve been doing this a very long time, and I’ve never noticed any direct correlation between the tide and the fish… I do notice that they seem to tail better when the water is moving… but i’ve caught them early on the incoming just as the water is getting in, and i’ve caught them crawling around till the last second of the tide as it falls out, and everything in between…
Basically if the water is there, just assume the fish are too…
as for the fly placement… i’ve written alot of responses on the subject and don’t feel like getting into it again… just get it into the water without the fish knowing and put it in his way in a manner that he will see it…
1 for 6 for a beginner ain’t bad… just keep at it…
Mad Mike
"to hell with insane… I’m OUTsane!!! "
This is good info thanks guys!
Mad Mike - Yes I am on foot. I nose up to the bank and find decent ground (so I don’t die in sinking pluff mud) and start my way… I have been going in when the water was higher so I am losing valuable time to get on fish. Anything worth doing is worth doing in excess! I am really looking forward late Sept/Oct. Using the fly rod really feels like a game changer.
As for fishing with the fly not in the grass but points and grass lines what do you guys look for? I fish docks and structure a lot with spinning gear and have been successful the past 4 years. I have thrown a fly a few times and obviously get owned and dragged into the docks and broke off. Seems a 28" redfish on a fly has a lot of options and time to make runs.
Any advice that can give me more confidence to just leave the spinning gear at home is much appreciated!
-B
Wait until you strip set a 30" fish in a foot of water…
