I went out this morning with the sunrise in Murrells Inlet. It was fairly obvious early on it wasnt gonna be a productive day so I decided to paddle around and scout the area for future spots. After about two hours of searching looking for ideal areas to hold redfish…BAM!! Hit a flat that is very similar to those in Charleston that Most of you are so fortunate to have. I hit it about 10 minutes before dead high tide and it was a little over two feet deep. I saw backs out of the water, spartina grass being knocked around by passing reds, even a tail! I never got a cast close enough to have any takers and soon the tide was on the fall and they were bailing out as not to get stranded. I did see quite a few cruising off the flat and even litterally paddled over two reds side by side that were over 30". I am stoked, and cant wait to get back there. I will hit it on the early part of rising tide and catch it right next time around now that I know where it is. So no fish, but couldnt be happier. I do have a question, I saw some reds holding in 3-4ft of water kinda circling near a grass island that was very small and couldnt get them to take interest in any fly. Any reccomendations as to fly selection for this particular situation? Thanks.
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Originally posted by mbflyfisher…I decided to paddle around and scout the area for future spots.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>I always tell people how to look but not specifically where to look. I never want to take away that feeling you get when you figure it all out for yourself. No better feeling. You own that spot now.
But not literally. So, play nice.
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Originally posted by mbflyfisher…I do have a question, I saw some reds holding in 3-4ft of water kinda circling near a grass island that was very small and couldnt get them to take interest in any fly. Any recommendations as to fly selection for this particular situation? Thanks.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Fish bite either because they are hungry or because they are P-O’d. I’m not suggesting that YOU do this but, if you can’t entice a fish to bite, you might be able to get him to bight out of anger. Hit him on the nose with the fly.Again, I’m not telling you to do this thing that has worked for me countless times.
I was never good with sharing haha. Judging from this site I dont think Murrells Inlet is exactly a fly fishing hotbed, at least no flats fishing. I dont think I will have to have a sworn to secrecy small group who knows the location of the flat and it be defended with weapons envied by the government. Lets keep in mind it has yet to produce a fish at the end of my fly line yet. Thanks for the advice on the holding redfish. I was so scared of spooking the fish I saw I would have never dreamed of hitting them with the fly. The ones holding where are right in the slot (from what I could tell). THe ones cruising the flat were som big boys. I mean i was within 5ft of them and they were just chillin until i was on top of them. Clear water is great when you finding fish, but also a slap in the face when you paddle right up on them because you dont know what your doing haha. Thanks again ifly I remember your wise words last year when i was asking about finding flats. You were right, much better to figure it out for yourself.
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Originally posted by mbflyfisherI…You were right, much better to figure it out for yourself.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Tying your own flys, finding your own fish/spots, etc. is what really makes this kind of fishing, exciting.I always feel better to leave a flat and have the fish not know that I was there (except for the one(s) I hook) than to spook fish because I was sloppy or too anxious. The nose hits have been for the most part from flies that got away from me but, there have been enough of them that I know the fish will snap at a fly if they are in that mood. My favorite one was a very fast cruiser that was swimming almost directly away from me. Made a final cast against the wind, line completely stretched out and it lands on his nose. He hit it on the run and the fight was on.
Yep, this fly fishing thing can get the blood moving.
Oh yea man. I love it more than I ever imagined I would when I first threw a fly in a small WV creek with my brother in law. I am a saltwater man all the way through and to find out that fly fishing existed in salt made my day. I am still a rookie by all means but learning is the fun part. I LOVE tying flies and got into that early on in the process. Got a kayak a year later to get in the creeks (cant afford a boat yet). Now finding a flat, its all a process and its great. I am telling you when I paddled up on those two 30"+ redfish just chillin less than 5ft away my heart was racing. Never had a chance to even get my rod up but it didnt matter, i knew where they were holding. Seeing the first back out of the water as I approached the flat and you would have thought I found a gold pot at the end of the rainbow. I scared half the fish with a nice “HELL YEA!!!”. Thanks again for the guidance.
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Originally posted by mbflyfisher…Seeing the first back out of the water as I approached the flat and you would have thought I found a gold pot at the end of the rainbow…
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Actually, you did.
Where do you launch your yak in Murrells inlet? Ive tried Oyster Landing a few times and dont trust it.
quote:not sure of the name of it. Its a little landing near the garden city bridge. Next time I am there I will get the exact street name. Turn at the beach store with the shark on the front and drive until you hit salt.
Originally posted by Yak LifeWhere do you launch your yak in Murrells inlet? Ive tried Oyster Landing a few times and dont trust it.