It’s no wonder redfish get most of the press on the Atlantic coast: they are beautiful hard-fighting fish that are accessible to most anglers. However, there are many fish that are the Rodneys of the coast…they just get no respect.
Seatrout are very popular to the spin and bait crowd, but the fly anglers seem to pass them up. Why? Is it because they are smaller? While it’s true you can’t sight fish trout in SC with any regularity, I assure you that a big trout is an adversary worthy of your time and efforts. Even the smaller ones will smash a fly recklessly and will make the most seasoned angler grin from ear to ear. The bigger ones are becoming more frequent in SC waters, likely due to the reports and regulations put in place by the SC Department of Natural Resources. They recently increased the minimum length to 14 inches after data suggested that a larger fish produces many more eggs, and the size and numbers of the fish we’ve been catching have solidified these facts. Trout should always be handled with wet hands to protect their slime coating. Dust off your mountain 5 weight, and you’ll be in for a battle royale that will keep you laughing and smiling all day. Seatrout feed primarily on grass shrimp and smaller baitfish like mullet, croakers, mud minnows and the like. Flies should represent this. It would be almost impossible to find a better fly than Bob Clouser’s Clouser minnow. Available in every color combination under the sun, I generally follow the old adage: dark flies for overcast days and bright flies for bright days. In the early mornings and later in the evening, they will also blast a popper or gurgler. I also downsize my leader strength for trout. They should be played carefully since their mouths are not as tough as redfish, and a lighter leader will allow the flies to sink faster and act more naturally.
Ladyfish! I honestly cannot think of a fish I have more fun catching on the fly rod. Ladyfish look and act like tarpon; they jump, run in circles, and generally just go nuts. Similar to trout, once you catch one, chances are there are many more around. Look for areas where creeks drain into the river or where water flows off a high tide flat. Structure holds lots of ladyfish, and submerged oyster bars and old pilings are often dynamite as well. Fly choices should include shrimp patterns as well as baitfish flies. One of my favorites is a Borski slider.
Crave a challenge? Try a sheepshead. It is hard to predict when and where, but they do tail during the high tides right along the redfish. They look very similar when they tail, but sheeps have a tendency to flicker their tails, whereas a redfish is generally a slower wave. I’ve noticed a few things over the years after hundreds of rejections of them in the flats. They are incredibly spooky. Try to remain as far away as possible. Even when your fly gets eaten, it’s very hard to get hooked up. With crabs, they generally use their funky teeth to crush the outer shell then go back in and eat the prime pieces. However, with shrimp, they simply eat the whole thing – inhaling it completely. So, try smaller, bite-sized shrimp flies when targeting them on the flats. Flies for bonefish are perfect.
Not that you’d ever get tired of chasing redfish, but remember there are plenty of options in our saltwater. Downsize your tackle to a 5 or 6 weight to maximize your enjoyment of any of the above species.
Capt. Scotty Davis
Lowcountry Fly Shop
(843) 388-5337
