Learning a lot about fly fishing the shallows

[Prof. Salt]

It seems every time I creep through the shallows with a fly rod, I come back knowing more about how to gain interest of fish in the super-skinny flats. This morning the tails were waving and the chartreuse Clouser on my 8 weight was just what the fish wanted. I was surprised to find black drum willing to eat it, but they were eager when I managed to get their attention. They aren't as aware of their surroundings as redfish and I even ran the lure across the backs of a few with little reaction ...until it ran in front of their noses. They could use some glasses ...or I need to slow down the lure for them.

The red got my attention as it was tailing towards me, so I placed the fly a foot to the fish's side and stripped to get the lure in sight of the fish. It followed the fly right to the kayak, and didn't strike until I did a figure-eight right beside the kayak. The strike was loud and violent, and I had a big smile as the fish tore across the flats throwing mud and grass all over the place. Fun stuff!

[karstopo]

Yes, that’s some good stuff, stalking fish up shallow. A redfish like that one never disappoints.

[RUFcaptain]

The trick with black drum is micro strips. Wether it’s reds on the flats or a yellowfin tuna in deep blue water, it’s all fun on a fly rod!

[pocjetty]

Ugh! Tell me that water wasn't black before you stirred it up.

I've caught blacks on a lot of things, including spoons - but it was always a fluke. Getting them to hit a lure on purpose is pretty artful stuff. As is having the presence of mind to get that red to bite after he's already passed. Nice work.

[troutsupport]

Oh, i don't know.. I had two blacks tailing the other day and I caught both on lures. they just have to be big enough to want a baitfish.. they mostly each crabs and shrimp most of the time. I've caught them off and on, on lures of various sorts.. mostly small baitfish imitations.

[Prof. Salt]

I'm getting the addiction, so Saturday I returned for more. The water was lower, making it difficult to sneak up on the reds. I managed one lone crawler, then I located the drum feeding in a foot of water. I knocked out a limit of eater sized fish and then released a few more just for grins. They require multiple passes of the fly just to get them to look up, but then once I got their attention it was pretty simple. All were hooked right in the lip, so releases were quick and simple.



Monday I returned yet again, and water levels were back up and allowed me to sneak in close. I managed a nice 24.5" fish and towards noon I found a big fish napping with its back exposed. I grabbed the 4 weight and gently placed a little Clouser right in front of the fish and Boom! It ran well down into the backing before I got it stopped. I smiled for the rest of the day!

[Prof. Salt]

Originally Posted by pocjetty

Ugh! Tell me that water wasn't black before you stirred it up.

I've caught blacks on a lot of things, including spoons - but it was always a fluke. Getting them to hit a lure on purpose is pretty artful stuff. As is having the presence of mind to get that red to bite after he's already passed. Nice work.

Haha, the water had 4-6 inches of visibility before I muddied it up. When they have backs and tails showing it doesn't matter as much. I think they must feel the fly moving in the water so they know how to find it.

Thanks, I am really enjoying being able to watch the fish react to the fly. It's teaching me a lot about how to draw a strike from them.

[Bullitt4439]

Very cool. With all the redfish I have been catching this summer I need to get a fly rod and try it out. Seems like it would be easy to sneak in on 10-15 reds tailing in a foot or less of water, but I'm sure that's an illusion.

[Prof. Salt]

Stealth is the big factor, but if you can ease in without them hearing you it can be a lot of fun.

[bertha]

That's interesting!