Let’s talk Redfish. These hard-fighting, fly-eating, spotted-tailed iconic gamefish are a prime target for fly anglers from across the globe. Found along the East coast of the United States and around the Gulf of Mexico, redfish are more than willing to inhale a fly and can take you and your gear to the limits.

So picture this: you’re out on the water, fly in hand and see a massive V-wake 20 yards away from you. You land your fly, strip, strip, bang! You’ve got a bull redfish pulling your line into the backing and taking you for a ride. These are the kinds of thrills that redfish can offer to anyone with a fishing rod in their hands.

In this article, we’ll dive into the details of fly fishing for redfish – where to find them, how to gear up, and tips along the way to get you hooked up on a fish of a lifetime.

For more on saltwater fly fishing, check out The Beginner’s Guide to Saltwater Flats Fly Fishing

What are Redfish?

Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as red drum, are a prized gamefish found along the East and Gulf coasts of the United States. They’re a very popular gamefish to target on the fly rod, known for their and powerful fighting ability and willingness to take a fly.

Redfish are typically a reddish coppery color with a white belly and can be identified by the spots commonly found on the base their tails or along the rears of their bodies. Nearly all redfish have one large spot on their tails but it’s not uncommon for this fish to have multiple spots. It is extremely rare, though, for redfish to have no spots at all. Scientists think these spots help fool other fish into attacking their tails instead of their fish, but because fish unfortunately can’t tell us why, we’ll never know for sure.

Redfish have a large range of size. Smaller redfish are known as “puppy drum” while the largest fish (27 inches and above) are known as “bull drum.” The largest red drum caught on conventional gear weighed in at 94 lbs and the world-record fly-rod redfish currently stands at 45 lbs (50 inches long, 27 inches in girth).

Where are the Best Redfish Destinations?

Without a doubt, the mecca of redfish is Louisiana. Anglers flock to the bayou year after year targeting these fish on the fly, as it offers both numbers and size. Big bull redfish can be caught in other places, but Louisiana is the unquestionable premier destination for redfish.

Other redfish destinations include Texas, and Florida, as well as North and South Carolina. They can be found as far north as Maryland, but typically redfish are most plentiful in the southern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

Fly Fishing Gear for Redfish

Redfish Rods

Optimal rod choices for redfish range depending on the size of fish you are targeting, ranging from 7 to 11 weights.

For smaller redfish, a 7 or 8 weight rod is perfectly suitable but if targeting bulls, one should seriously beef up the tackle in order to handle the weight and fight of larger fish. 

When targeting bull redfish, a 10 weight rod is the ideal choice. These fish can be difficult to steer and gain control over, so increased strength in rods is ideal. If you are after the big boys and girls and targeting true trophies, an 11 weight could also be worthwhile.

Redfish Reels 

Saltwater reels with sturdy drag systems are essential for battling strong redfish. Look for reels with sealed drags that can withstand the corrosive effects of saltwater.

Redfish, especially bulls, may not go on blazing fast runs like bonefish, but they do pull hard. Their brute strength and sometimes massive weight can be a lot on a reel, so having a reel with a strong, smooth drag system can help you slow fish down, control them, and bring them to the boat.

Similar to reels meant for other gamefish in saltwater, investing in a quality, sealed drag, smooth reel is worthwhile not only for bringing in fish on a daily basis, but also for the longevity of your gear.

Fly Lines for Redfish

Most fly fishing for redfish is done in shallow water, so a weight-forward saltwater-friendly floating line is used for redfish, providing the necessary casting distance and accuracy required for targeting fish in shallow water.

Redfish lines need be able to turn over relatively bulky flies (more on flies below), but offer a soft presentation. Bonefish lines are often too delicate, but shooting heads meant for large flies is often too aggressive and could spook fish in shallow water. 

Several brands offer all-purpose saltwater floating lines that integrate the balance of weight necessary to turn flies over but present the fly gently. Rio and SA even offer a species-specific line purposely built for redfish.

Leaders for Redfish 

Leaders measuring 9 to 10 feet, tapered to 16 pound tippet are recommended for general purpose redfish. 

From that 16 pound tippet point, you may need to increase your tippet strength based on the size of redfish you are targeting. Redfish are not leader shy, so bumping up the strength and diameter of your tippet won’t spook most fish off, but will increase the amount of pressure put on a fish in order to bring it to the boat.

Redfish dwell in an array of water clarity, from crystal clear to murky brown. If the water is tinted or downright mud colored, don’t be afraid to size up your leader and tippet for added strength and abrasion resistance. 

Redfish Flies

Effective fly patterns for redfish include those with bead or lead eyes, weedless designs, and synthetic materials. Popular patterns include variations of shrimp, crab and large, puffy white flies imitating baitfish for targeting big bull reds.

Redfish are not particularly picky about the flies they attack. I’ve personally had the most luck with crab patterns fished methodically around the bottom. 

Arguably the most important element of your flies will be the weight. Having a variety of weights to your pattern will allow you to fish every inch of the water column effectively, getting down to the right depth at the right time depending on the conditions. Medium sized dumbbell eyes have been the best for me personally, as this allows the fly to sink quickly without causing too much of a splash.

Redfish Techniques

Redfish Habitat

Redfish live in several depths of water, ranging from the shallows of inshore estuaries and flats to the depths of offshore. When fly fishing for redfish, we’re typically hunting them in the shallows of grassy marshes, mangrove shorelines, oyster beds, or rocky outcroppings like jetties. 

Redfish are also able to tolerate brackish water, though typically the most common are to fish for them is in the salty stuff.

Larger redfish often create a “V” wake. You can often notice these wakes from close to 100 yards away, revealing redfish that are cruising at or just below the surface of the water. 

Casting to Redfish

Like targeting other saltwater species, accurate casting with natural presentations are crucial when fishing for redfish.

The distance at which you need to lead a redfish depends on the water clarity and depth of the water you are fishing. Redfish can live in murky, muddy water, so oftentimes you’ll need to plop a fly on top of their heads. They could also be in clear water, where leading it by 5 or so feet will get the fish’s attention without spooking them off.

While they can spook, redfish don’t have the skittish reputation of other saltwater fish like permit. That’s not to say that accuracy is not important, but you have a larger margin for error when it comes to fishing for redfish. The largest redfish I’ve ever caught actually ate the fly after I ripped it down from a tree limb. The tree limb came down with the fly and do my delight, that didn’t seem to bother the fish.

When fly fishing for redfish, the most challenging part is often finding fish. They’re more often than not willing to take a fly, so once you’re able to locate them, a solid, accurate cast will get the job done.

Retrievals for Redfish

Experiment with different retrieve techniques, including steady retrieves, strip-and-pause retrieves, and erratic retrieves, to entice redfish to strike. 

I’ve personally noticed trying to match the natural action of the prey that the fly I’m using represents produces the best results. When fishing a shrimp pattern, quick, short, erratic strips mimicking a fleeing shrimp seems to work the best. Slower, more methodical retrieves of crab flies is a more natural presentation of the clawed critters. Longer, jolty strips produces the best action on baitfish flies.

Strip Sets

Using the strip set technique is a must to effectively hook redfish. This involves stripping the line with a swift, firm motion to set the hook securely in the fish’s mouth.

What is a Strip Set?

As the name suggests, strip sets are hook sets created by a firm strip of  the fly line with your hand. As opposed to lifting the rod to drive the hook into the fish’s mouth, you’ll instead grab a hold of the fly line in your stripping hand, and swiftly pull back on the line to set the hook. This is a vital skill in all of saltwater fishing.

Trout setting is a hard habit to break, especially if you have done mostly freshwater fishing. However, strip sets are by far the best way to hook a fish in the salt and the redfish you’ve worked so hard to get to bite will likely swim away if you try to hook it with a trout set.

Strip Sets and Redfish

Implementing a proper strip set is crucial when fly fishing for redfish, as these powerful fish require a firm hook set to prevent them from escaping.

When to strip set will depend on how deep and clear the water is. If fishing clear, shallower water, you’ll have the advantage of seeing when the fish takes your fly, which you can then quickly set the hook. When fishing dirtier or deeper water, you’ll need to maintain constant contact with your fly in order to feel the strike and then the weight of the fish. 

Timing is critical. Too early of a set and you’ll pull the fly out of the fish’s mouth and too late, the fish will have spat the hook. Once you feel or see the strike, strip set firmly and get ready for a hard fight!

Conclusion

So there you have it – the lowdown on redfish, one of the stars of the saltwater fly fishing world. Whether you’re wading through the marshes of Louisiana or cruising the flats of Florida, there’s nothing quite like the rush of hooking into a line-screaming redfish.

Arm yourself with a 7-11 weight rod, depending on how big of a red you’re targeting, a handful of shrimp, crab, and baitfish flies, and lock in your laser vision and you’ll be ready to bring in a fish that will bring you back to the flats for the rest of your life.