Red drum are readily available to fly fishermen from the Chesapeake Bay, south, and along the Gulf coast to Mexico. These fish will eat just about anything they can fit in their mouths, making them somewhat cooperative targets for fly anglers. The best flies for redfish are flies that mimic shrimp, crabs, and baitfish, which are the main food items of the fish.
Best Flies for Redfish in Shallow Flats and Backwater Areas
The best redfish flies to use in shallow, inshore waters are usually lighter flies that are often weedless. As red drum tend to lay up in the grass in marshy areas, shrimp patterns that may be brought through the shallows are necessary additions to any fly fisherman's box. Baitfish patterns, such as Clouser minnows, Lefty's deceivers, and Dan Blanton's whistler flies are also great all-around patterns to use for red drum in backwater areas. Spoon flies, which wobble and flash when they are steadily retrieved with long, slow strips, are also very productive. According to Captain Gregg Arnold, who regularly fishes the Louisiana salt marsh, red and gold spoons are best. His Haley's Comet pattern is also a great redfish fly, as it is a cross between a baitfish, crab, and shrimp imitation. On calm days, floating flies, such as small poppers and divers are great in shallow water. Floating shrimp patterns are also productive at times, particularly when redfish are seen feeding on the surface.
Best Flies for Redfish in Medium Depth Water
It is important to know what flies to use for redfish in various water conditions. In water that is between two and four feet deep, large, heavier flies are great patterns. Bulky, lead-eyed crab patterns, such as Del Brown's merkin in a large size, and other crab patterns with rubber legs are some of the best flies to use for redfish in medium depth water. Heavy Clouser minnows in any combination of black, red, purple, and chartreuse are also very productive. Toad flies, which resemble brightly colored swimming crabs are also very productive for redfish in these waters.
Best Deep Water Flies for Redfish
Large toad flies, Clouser deep minnows, and bulky crab and shrimp patterns are great for red drum in deeper water. Crab flies should be allowed to reach the bottom, and be stripped slowly along it from that point. Shrimp flies are best when allowed to reach the lower portions of the water column, and then stripped with quick, short strips. Spoon flies are some of the best flies to use for redfish in deep, murky water, as they are very flashy, making them easy to locate even in stained water. Deep water is also the place to try rattling flies, such as Cave's rattling minnow, or any rattle shrimp pattern, as the noise can scare fish in shallow water. Some larger minnow patterns that work in deep water are also great choices to use when fly fishing for redfish in the surf.
Redfish are usually not too picky about what they are willing to eat, although different water conditions can affect their diets, and their ability to locate flies. As with most fish, the best flies to use for redfish are the ones that mimic what they are actually feeding on. When they are seen rooting around on the bottom, a small crab or shrimp fly is best. When chasing minnows or mullet, baitfish imitations are the best flies for redfish. Fly fishermen should be patient when chasing red rum, because sooner or later, everyone finds a fly that the fish cannot resist. After some time at it, anglers will learn what to use when fly fishing for red drum.
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