since the spanish are starting to show up and i really wanna catch one otf. what kinda leader would be the best and also what flies to throw at them. and one more question. would you run right up to a school and throw or would you try and get ahead of them and hope they pass by?
Keep casting.
Epoxy baitfish patterns should do the trick. I’ve never targeted them, but I would think you would need to terminate your leader with some wire to prevent cutoffs from their teeth.
Maybe someone with more knowledge on this could chime in.
I’ve played around with them but never very seriously. I use Momoi 15lb test knottable wire for a bite leader. I use crimps however since I’ve never been able to actually get a knot in it to hold and not break. They will cut mono or flouro leaders pretty easily. Occasionally you can land one on mono but you’ll lose a lot of flies trying. They can be pretty leader shy so going bigger means less bites.
A small gummy minnow works pretty well as do epoxy patterns as already mentioned. A sparsely tied clouser will work too. Strip fast and keep it ripping along on the surface. I’ve had them hit the knots in a leader before so a bare hook would probably work if you strip in on the top.
For best results, don’t run up to the school but rather try to intersect or drift into them with the engine off.
Plan to eat them the same day because they don’t freeze well.
I use a leader of unwaxed dental floss with a crazy charlie or gotcha pattern. I usually fish the rip near the #1 at the north end of Hilton Head on the middle of the flood. They like the smaller flies for whatever reason.
oyster cracker
I caught 3 otf yesterday on a green and white clouser. I used 20lb butt section then had some 12lb with 50 lb bite tippet (connected with an albright knot). I used the trolling motor and had them busting all around me. My arm is actually sore from stripping yesterday.
<’’)))))><
I have more flies to those buggers than any other fish. I am trying thirty pound flouro next time.!!!
20 to 30lb is perfect, I killem on Chrytal copperheads.
Yea ive tried the wire bite guard before but it definately cuts down on the strikes, i always just use 20lb flouro and yea you break off the occassional fish but you can usually land the majority of them. You cant beat a green a white clouser but if your tyin your own flies use the synthetics cause spanish are hell on bucktail, but still they dont really seem to reject many flies, ive lost 4 clousers to a single school then threw copperheads, some real tiny sheephead shrimp flies, and even a 6 inch half and half and caught fish. they are the best though its tough to beat spanish for nonstop action in the dog days
Colt…this is just me saying…i think you are wise beyond your years when it comes to otf…
Keep casting.
smoke, unless u fished w. em you have no idea. He’s a young lefty meets Spicoli (Fast Time @ ridgemont High.) strange small world, my cousin and Colt’s dad were in a rockin azz band n da 80’s {Anthem}. and yes the youngin can deliver the mustard…whistle blowin hound,
he’ll do fine in Chas!
spainish can be the most cooperative fush ever to get someones blood thinkin flies . god bless those mean ol fushes!
does anyone have any pics of the set ups ya’ll are describing. i dont wanna go after this half assed. times are tough and every fly lost is a few dollars lost. any pics would be appreciated.
Keep casting.
i cant wait to get out there. just tied up a new menhaden fly out of al EP fibers
i went out and caught a bunch the other day on a silverish gotcha and a clouser of all crystal flash, used a foot long section of that tie able wire leader and didn’t have any cut me off, still tore up a bunch of flies though
long shank hooks with the fly tied at the very rear portion. This eliminates wire and allows you to use lighter flouro to get more bites.
quote:I like that idea - might have to try that before I head out again.
Originally posted by CH Allenlong shank hooks with the fly tied at the very rear portion. This eliminates wire and allows you to use lighter flouro to get more bites.
I caught my first spanish OTF this past week while on vacation up in Garden City. Had several other hits, but only one hookup. Didn’t get any cutoffs using 20# mono, but those teeth were hell on the marabou/flashabou tail on my fly.