The experience of landing a tailing redfish is something i recommend for everyone who lives in the low country or just visiting to experience in person; as a beaufortonian its one of my all time favorite fly fishing experiences here in our coastal waters. Watching the puzzle pieces of mother nature being put together piece by piece to create the opportunity to fly fish for these redfish is in one word; amazing.
Starting with the short spartina grass flats; these flats bake in the sun 80% of the time which allows you to walk on them since they become a hard surface from not receiving much water. The other 20% of time the short grass flats get covered by water from higher tides anywhere from 7.5-8.5ft, which then allows the reds to come onto the flat. Then when those redfish finally have enough water to reach these short spartina grass flats they start to feed. The fiddler crab being there prey of choice, but also our fly of choice. Using crab patterns like the Dupre Spoon Fly, Redfish Toad, or the Merkin Crab will work just fine. With all the pieces now put together the end result is made from the Redfish feeding on the crabs, sticking there nose in the mud to find them, and allowing the spot tail to break the waters surface, a sight you'll never forget.
When all of mother natures puzzle pieces are put together we now have the opportunity to fly fish for the Tailing Redfish. Sight casting to these fish is the key, and its also what makes this kind of fly fishing challenging and also very unique. Walking in 6-12 inches of water and constantly looking around you in a 360 degree angle for any kind of water movement. Out of the corner of your eye you spot one, as the shine from the reds tail catches your eye. Watching the spotted tail move side to side, back and forth, working the muddy bottom to find food, the excitement starts to kick in. Then you walk very slow towards the fish until you get in casting range which is anywhere from 20-50ft depending on your fly casting ability.
Now within casting distance you start to strip out your line, making sure there is a good 40ft to cast with. As you start working your line through the rod by double hauling and using those countless hours of casting practice, your heart rate picks up tremendously, and the game is on. Focusing on the direction the tail is moving you then lay down your fly with almost complete silence 2-3ft in front of the tailing fish. Then striping the line slowly to give the fly some movement you pull it right in front of the feeding fish imitating one of the thousands of fiddler crabs. All of a sudden in a split second you feel your line get tight, see a small splash, and then like a bullet the redfish takes off in a mad fury. You've landed a tailing redfish, and fooled him into eating your fly!
While your reel is being striped of line, a smile is brought to your face by the feeling of hooking into one of the unique tailing redfish. Pushing itself through the shallow water and short grass, the fish tries to flee away, until you reel him in as the reds strength starts to wear down. After a short but exhilarating 15 minutes you pull the fish towards you with the liter almost to the rod tip, and pick up the beautiful fish. Removing the hook out of its mouth while admiring your catch is one of the best feelings with these fish on fly. You tied on the fly, made the cast, and fooled a fish into eating it, which many people can agree is the feeling a true fly fisherman loves the most when it comes to the passion of fly fishing.
After a few minutes of pictures, taking in the moment, and letting that fishing smile take over, its time to release the fish. Slowly putting his body back into the water, letting go, and watching him swim away to tail again another day. This amazing experience was put together by multiple events, like the pieces of a puzzle. The high tide, short spartina grass, fiddler crabs, the feeding redfish, your fly rod, the fly, and of course the ability of a great fly cast. Every piece was put together to fit just right and give you, the fly fisherman, the opportunity to land a tailing redfish.
The set up of choice is a 7-9weight 9ft fly rod, a large arbor reel with a good drag, weight forward floating line, and a 16-20 pound liter that's between 7-9 feet. You will also need a good pair of wading booties that cover your toes because walking through the marsh with sandals is not very fun. The shop i guide for is called Baystreet Outfitters, and they can also get you set up with the right equipment. If you are ever in Beaufort, SC and want to have a chance to experience the thrill and sheer excitement of a Tailing Redfish simply give me a call and ill be more than happy to be your guide.
Customer Will Verity with a nice tailing red
