How do you flyfish saltwater?
Jan 14, 2020 11:52:41 #
I've been saltwater fishing in Texas for a few years now. Reds, speckled trout, flounder, etc. Over the past year, I've fallen in love with fly fishing but I'm not seeing how it translates to saltwater. I live right on the gulf coast so I love going out and wading with artificials. Everyone I talk to about fly fishing says that saltwater is all about sight casting reds. I don't have an elevated platform or any boat to really traverse the backwater bayous to sight cast anything, much less do it on the fly. But there are some nice grass flats, shell, and marsh that I normally throw plastics over. Just not sure how this translates to fly fishing.
How do you guys (and gals) do it? Am I out of luck until I can get a good sight casting setup?
--
by lwrightjs
How do you guys (and gals) do it? Am I out of luck until I can get a good sight casting setup?
--
by lwrightjs
Jan 14, 2020 11:52:47 #
Jan 14, 2020 11:52:51 #
Jan 14, 2020 11:52:54 #
I feel like that's reasonable but everyone I talk to says not to even try it. They're not exactly fly fishermen though, tbh. It makes sense to me. I blind cast to bass all the time.
--
by lwrightjs
--
by lwrightjs
Jan 14, 2020 11:52:58 #
Knowing probable lies based on variables (tide/weather/season)takes some of the guesswork out of it.
--
by ommanipadmehome
--
by ommanipadmehome
Jan 14, 2020 11:53:10 #
I feel like if you’re already familiar with the water and fish movement from your time with spinning tackle you will probably have decent success with blind casting. It’s not as productive as having a platform and a buddy/guide helping, but if you know when the fish are moving through certain areas you’ll probably catch a few without a fancy flats boat and a spotter.
--
by Chairmanmaoschkn
--
by Chairmanmaoschkn
Jan 14, 2020 11:53:23 #
Don't listen to anyone telling you to blindcast. The flyrod is not just a complex replacement for a spinning rod. The two are made for completely different approaches and environments.
You need to focus not just on finding fish, but finding fish that are fly-fishable. To be honest, that mostly revolves around having a boat or at least a kayak. Wading and flyfishing sucks (except for Bonefish) but it's the honest truth. You need a buddy up there standing on the poling platform with a bird's eye view who can stop the boat on a dime when you find fish. Wading for tailing Redfish is another exception I guess, if you happen to be able to find those without something that floats then sweet.
--
by FLORI_DUH
You need to focus not just on finding fish, but finding fish that are fly-fishable. To be honest, that mostly revolves around having a boat or at least a kayak. Wading and flyfishing sucks (except for Bonefish) but it's the honest truth. You need a buddy up there standing on the poling platform with a bird's eye view who can stop the boat on a dime when you find fish. Wading for tailing Redfish is another exception I guess, if you happen to be able to find those without something that floats then sweet.
--
by FLORI_DUH
Jan 14, 2020 11:53:30 #
Personally (assuming you have access to a boat) I would bring both and use conventional/spinning gear to find fish and have a rigged fly rod ready to go if you find something and can switch over.
Most saltwater fly fishing I have done either involves teasing in fish with dummy lures (such as Marlin fishing) or boating out to a flat and looking for fish like bonefish.
If you are going to be casting blindly and around no/deeply submerged structure you will have a much easier day without a fly rod.
A true purest would go out and just keep trying with the fly rod but I really think it will dramatically change the amount of effort and probability of success.
--
by Det-McNulty
Most saltwater fly fishing I have done either involves teasing in fish with dummy lures (such as Marlin fishing) or boating out to a flat and looking for fish like bonefish.
If you are going to be casting blindly and around no/deeply submerged structure you will have a much easier day without a fly rod.
A true purest would go out and just keep trying with the fly rod but I really think it will dramatically change the amount of effort and probability of success.
--
by Det-McNulty
Jan 14, 2020 12:45:28 #
Chum the water and bring the fist in. then cast your fly in there
Jan 14, 2020 12:55:48 #
Jan 14, 2020 13:26:38 #
I have been coming to the Gulf for 10 Winter seasons now. I quit bringing my fly rod down about 5 years ago. During the first five years, I hit reds a few time but it was more misses than hits. When I did hit the reds, I found them with a spinning rod and live shrimp and then switched to the fly rod because it was more enjoyable to catch them on the fly. To each their own.
Jan 14, 2020 14:16:05 #
Jan 15, 2020 15:03:52 #
FS Digest wrote:
I feel like that's reasonable but everyone I talk to says not to even try it. They're not exactly fly fishermen though, tbh. It makes sense to me. I blind cast to bass all the time.
--
by lwrightjs
--
by lwrightjs
If they're not fly fishermen then smile, thank them for their advice and ignore it.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.